Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

Now I am back in the writing mood I thought I would put my experiences over 2008 to good use and write a couple of reviews. I have a few ideas in mind but thought I'd start by a writing review of the hotel we stayed in on our honeymoon. Now this is probably going to be quite long as I have so much to tell you so be prepared! We had originally wanted to go to The Maldives for our honeymoon but upon closer inspection found that this was going to work ...
...Travel Agents and got a quote for a 2 week holiday to the Maldives for 2 people. We were quoted £3700 for a fortnight staying in 3* accommodation on a Full Board basis. I could tell my (then) fiancé wanted to book but I was apprehensive and suggested we slept on it overnight. Once we got home I said that I thought for what we were getting the quote was on the high side and I suggested we shopped around to see what else was out there. We had bought ...

shazzaspannered 07.01.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

...one of my friends recommended Playa Naco which is part of the Playa Dorada complex, he had been there the year before and is going back in October to get married there. I thought that would be a good recommendation, I mean he liked it enough to want to have his wedding there. The brochures showed that a good range of water sports (and other sports) were included and I was keen to try them out. My friends pictures also showed a lovely pool with a ...
...ended up in the "Miss Playa Naco" contest. They didn't tell you what you were doing till I got up there so there I was in my size 22 swimsuit feeling a total prat! In the evening there was entertainment by the pool. To get a chair though you had to get there early as it got packed. Again there was a variety of silly games, live music and a couple of karaoke sessions. We found that we preferred to spend our evenings in the "VIP lounge" which was air ...

KathrynE 11.06.2001 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

...many beach side resorts in Playa Dorada along the atlantic sea front ; Don't let this put you off as sea was warm and calm every day ( well it was august) AIRLINE: Travelled on an AIR 2000 plane and this was the only let down of the whole holiday as stewartdesess were very un helpful and seemed to positively un-friendly .Not what you want on an 10 hour flight! The return trip was much better though food was awful ! Anyone for egg and brown sauce ...
...in the Domincan Republic we were very relieved to be met by our transfer bus and on to our destination very smartly. Keep taking the travel sickness pills if you don't like bumpy journeys though as the roads are like being on a roller coaster ride! Once arriving at our hotel we were offered a drink and checked in very quickly with a porter showing us too our room . All other British guests on our transfer bus were located in the same building! ...

arsb 28.02.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

...stayed in the resort of Playa Dorada in the Dominican Republic for two weeks. What a excellent place to have a relaxing holiday. The complex itself consists of a number of hotels, bars, shops and clubs and is constantly guarded (although don't let this put you off it was actually quite reasuring). The resort is a purpose built complex but not far from towns where you can do a bit of shopping. We didn't venture out of the resort much as you get hassled ...
...Most of the packages to Playa Dorada are all inclusive which is excellent value and the food was of a really high standard in our hotel. My advice is not to hire a car in the Dominican Republic as we actually witnessed a fatal accident involving tourists while we were there. The locals do not stick to their side of the road and overtake constantly. Overall, I had an excellent time. This really is a holiday to get spoilt and take it easy. ...

moose 15.12.2000 (18.12.2000) · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

...Dominican Republic, staying in the Playa Dorada resort. I travelled alone and really didn't know what to expect. The flight and transfer went smoothly and I was pleasantly suprised when arriving at the resort. All the surroundings are very lush and tropical and there's a superb golf course contained within it - if golf is your thing of course. The resort consists of hotels, various shops and a shopping plaza. The hotels are on an all-inclusive basis. ...
...basic but nonetheless clean and comfortable. I was worried about how I would cope being a female on my own. Fortunately I soon met plenty of people at my hotel who befriended me so I was able to spend my time with them as opposed to wandering about on my own. I never felt unsafe when I was walking about on my own, but of course I was hassled by the local males - not in a sinister way, more flirtacious banter. I found a smile, a wave and a "hello ...

Foneroni 05.12.2003 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

just back from a 2 week stay in this hotel and must say had a wonderful holiday.We got married their in our second week.This ceremony was a wonderful experience and thanks to Ambiores our wedding co ordinator and the hotel guest services manager it was a day to remember and one which went totally problem free from start to finish.I am lost for words to find to praise this man.The wedding package he put together was fantastic not to mention an upgraded ...
...good as any 4 star apartment with separate living area, fridge, microwave and tea making facilities. The list goes on. The hotel staff were remarkable, friendly and very obliging, the rooms were cleaned daily. The food was of a high standard, the breakfasts in particular were better than i ever experienced abroad before. All tastes are catered for here.The a la carte restaurants are a must so book on arrival. Mexican, italian and the grill. The entertainment ...

imyurman 29.07.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

...the Gran Ventana hotel in Playa Dorada. Very nice hotel, and the staff were really friendly. The Gran Ventana has loads to offer, and the staff are always wanting to get people off their sunbeds and doing something like joining the activities. Every morning there's a water-robics class in the main pool to music, vollyball on the beach and then water vollyball in the afternoon. The activites are really fun, and one time they had a Boys v Girls water ...
...out of hand when people on sunbeds were taking balloons out of the pool and throwing them at people in the pool, but it was all good fun. If there's one thing you have to do in the Domincan, you have to atleast have a look at the excursions. I would recommend the paradise island, saona island and ocean world trips. Paradise island is nice for getting away, but it's a lot of travelling by coach, yacht and speedboat. Saona island is on the Carribean ...

flutterby13 06.01.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

...to none as all the playa dorada hotels have to conform to daily checks by various travel companies reps. All drinks were free and I can heartily recommend the local coffee and local lager Presidente. Even getting about the resort was well catered for by three land trains making regular round trips through the complex. There were a few good excursions that could be taken icluding a trip through some of the local sugar plantations and villages and ...
...We didn't take any excursions as the resort had excellent activities and facilities. Overall this resort has everything you could expect from a top class resort with excellent value for money. I would and have recommend this resort to all my friends and am currently saving up to go back (so please rate this review, every penny counts!) We paid £2000 for this holiday with Thomas Cook. (our bank manager actually was the one who recommended it to ...

clairesolo 31.08.2004 (18.09.2004) · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

We visited the Dominican Republic in June 2003. We had booked the holiday on teletext and got an all inclusive package for less than £700 for a fortnight, which we thought was very reasonable to say it was high season for going on holiday. We arrived at the airport puerto plata and found that the heat was very intense. We were dying to get on the airconditioned coach because it was so hot and we weren't used to it. We arrived at the Hotel (villas ...
...but comfortable and clean, and let's face it who spends a lot of time in their room on holiday. There were two large pools at the hotel one of which had a bar in it which was great because you could be cool whilst having a drink. (watch out for the underage kids trying to get drinks cos they hide their all inclusive bands under the water so the waiter can't see, just a warning for all the parents out there with teenagers). By the pool is a spray ...

groovychick1 09.03.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

...2004 in the Iberostar in Playa Dorada. On arrival to the hotel we were all mightily impressed with the surroundings. The bedrooms were well equipped with a mini bar (thats refilled every other day), air conditioning and your usual refinements. The Reps try (as per usual) to sell you excursions to various parts around the island. We booked one and found that another 25% is added to these if you do book through your rep. One tip is too buy from a ...
...these cheaper in the shopping complex. We would definately suggest in doing:- 1) Safari with the waterfalls 2) Swim with Dolphins (but arrange this yourselves much cheaper) 3) White Water Rafting 4) Cataraman ride (not the rep one) The food is superb as you would expect with a five star hotel, but this can after 8 days get a bit boring and the same. The beach's are superb - but be wary if you do take a walk past the private beach as you will ...

JJ28 05.09.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

I went to the Dominican Republic in 2002. Had an excellent time. We were greeted with dancers when we arrived at the resort who handed us cocktails we were then shown to our rooms. All staff are extremely friendly and go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Very hot place but air conditioning in the rooms is excellent - first place I have ever had to go outside to get warm!!! Food is great - wide range of choice and there is always somewhere ...
...the daytime around the pool and beach bbq with water activities going on throughout the day- carribean music playing in the background and lots of friendly people around. There is a mini cart that takes you to and from the beach every 5 minutes. Not much to fault about this holiday - except for in the evenings the entertainment was a bit poor and there wasn't really anywhere to go. Also if you go out of the resort on sightseeing trips you need ...

rachamlett 20.07.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)

...to our hotel in the playa dorada complex the lobby of the hotel waz amazing everyone was there anyway we checked in nd revived our all inclusiv wrist bands and went to our room.The room was the best hotel room ive seen for ages it was clean welcoming and even had a t.v and sofa.we found that everyone here is friendly people even offered to carry my luggage at the airport for free!.The facilies in the complex are massive you can take a bike there ...

nofear128 22.08.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic)