Gran Ventana Beach Resort, Puerto Plata > Reviews

Advantages: everything thing you could possibly need in one place
Disadvantages: you have to come home

The Fateful day came, three days before we were due to fly to the Dominican Republic and the Riu Meringue. I had saved for an whole year, this was to be my holiday of a life time. Due to stomach problems at the Meringue, all British guests were advised not to go. We were offered the grand Ventana Beach Resort. I was very suspicious, what if they were trying to palm me off on a cheaper more down market holiday, than the one I had bought and paid ... Read review

Advantages: Clean. Friendly. Excellent Food & Service. Excellent Beach with plenty of shade.
Disadvantages: Too much loud music around the pool area.

...go! Food at the Gran Ventana is good. There is a wealth of choice in the day to day buffet restaurant and if you can't find something you like then you have to be a really fussy person. If you help yourself to a meal and you don't like it, you can just leave it and go and chose something else. There are three a la carte restaurants and you can eat in each one once a week. We really liked these and found the food and service excellent. There ... Read review

Advantages: every thing
Disadvantages: nothing

as a family business our family dont get much family time and with me at the age of 19 and my little brother at the age of 11 we decided to take the time out to spend with each other on holiday but then the problem was where we gonna go we like going on holiday alot and seen many places and as a last family holiday we desided to go some where we have never been before and our friends have just got back from dominican rep. the grand vantarna resort. ... Read review

Advantages: Large size of pool, Friendly staff and high standard of accommodation
Disadvantages: Beach very windy and people selling stuff all day there, rooms bit dated

...liked the look of the Gran Ventana as it had good ratings in the Thomson brochure and had a large pool and it was near the beach. The hotel was really nice the rooms where a bit dated but other than that the rooms were very spacious with two double beds and most rooms either looked over the pool or the sea, we looked over the pool and it was a nice view. The food was a buffet and this was nice, they also had thre a la carete resturants that ... Read review

Advantages: Relaxing surroundings, helpful staff, lovely setting
Disadvantages: Noisy hotel next door, a long way to go for a week.

We went here on honeymoon over the Christmas period. We spent a week in the resort (the journey was rather tiring for a week). The resort is generally very pleasant and a relaxing place to stay, however we had a room in the 'quiet' block which is away from the main pool area. Sadly a neighboring hotel played very loud music from midnight to 4am most nights, meaning that while it was very quiet and relaxing during the day we didn't get the best night's ... Read review

Overall a great experience. Upon arrival a good check in smooth , but needed to get roooms changed as we requested 2 rooms to be on the second floor and beside each other. Stayed in the Catelina , rooms were noisey from the bar next door. Hotel was clean but not a 4 star by Canadian status. Meals were good , buffet had a great change of menu every day. Al la carte restaurants were so so, Ocean Front Grill was a good choice. Very nice pool bar and swim up bar, all staff were friendly , willing to help. Rating from 1 to 10 on overall , i would say a 7. Good value for your money if you are a big eater and drinker. Entertainment was a bit low key but good for a pleasant evening.

Advantages: Good service in the restaurants.
Disadvantages: No entertainment.

Over all our family holiday we had in the Dominican Republic was excellent and we really enjoyed it. The service in the restaurants was fantastic and the food at the hotel was good. However if you have got teenagers then there is nothing for them to do there during the day or at night. At night time the entertainment isn't very good, unless u enjoy drinking. Also the swim-up bar is adults only so children and teenagers can't get served. We had a situation ... Read review