Casa Marina Sosua Trademark by Wyndham All Inclusive: The Grand Bahia Principe El Portill is a good resort

My girlfriend and I stayed at this resort in Late November to early December. Overall it is a good resort but I would list it as a 4 star instead of the 5 star that they have above the counter at the guest sign in lobby. The food is good but very repetitive at the beach and large buffet. There are theme nights at the large buffet. The a la carte restaurant are good with the gourmet and mediterrean-spelling being the best. The beach is very good especially for walking and there is good snorke [... read more]ling near the beach with many reefs to view various marine life. The rooms are cleaned good everyday and the mini bar/fridge is stocked daily. The resort is very cleaned including the surrounding gardens. Check in and out was very smooth with very little time. The liquor and beer is okay but you have to buy top shelf liquor like Canadian club. I would return here again but would fly into the Samana airport as it is only 45 minutes from the resort while Puerta Plata airport is 3 1/2 hours from the resort. A big thank you goes out to Melissa Alexander and Trip Central Travel Agency in Canada. Melissa is an excellent Travel Agent to book a vacation with. She is very polite, patient, helpful and knowledgeable. She provided a large number of excursions / day trips of the resort as well as parking coupons at the airport to use. I will definitely be booking my next trip/vacation thru Melissa and the Trip Central Travel Agencyagain in the future.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: a most fulfilling vacation

it fulfilled all my requirements for a most relaxing and trouble free vacation, in other words it more than met my expectations.it is a perfect vacation spot for me with direct flight from Ottawa to porto Plata and a sandy , sunny beach f9ur hours away...

Paradise Playa Dorada: Grand paradise

This is a 3 star hotel, we have been several times to the DR and this hotel is at the bottom of our list. The service at breakfast was not very good. For example if we asked for coffee the waiter made you feel like you were inconveniencing them. If you like peanut butter bring your own. The selection at lunch and dinner at the buffet was limited. The two a la Carey restaurants were good but you could only request one appetizer and one main course. As for the shows at night, there weren’ [... read more]t any. So basically not much happening after dinner. As for the rooms, the superior garden view was small but clean. Had a nice balcony. There was a fridge in the room but only two bottles of pop and a bottle of water was added. When we asked about beer the maid said they did not put any in the fridge The beach was good with plenty of chairs and space. Overall not a bad place but I would not recommend because of the lack of service.

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: My stay at the Senator

Hotel, grounds well maintained. New transformation of old to new excellent. Needs colour. Pools too cold to enjoy at this time. As I reli d on my scooter to get around for the two weeks I was there, all staff even though they were New we’re respectful. AirTransat very good to deal With as Well

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Consider booking elsewhere

This resort is advertised as a 4 star which would be better clarified as a 3 star at most. Grounds: nicely maintained, attractive landscaping, very busy on internal roads as it is a very large resort Rooms: clean rooms but older decor, comfortable beds, aside from some hangers almost no clothing storage, AC worked well, bathroom ok, but had a ceiling leak the entire week Food: the food was generally quite bad (not just for the Dominican, but overall really quite bad), very limited selection  [... read more]at buffets, no bacon at breakfast, a la cartes were much better Service: excellent customer service overall, at buffet/restaurants, concierge etc. Hierarchy: there are many exclusive areas on the resort with multiple levels of "VIP" and various timeshare properties. Many restaurants, bars, beaches and other areas are off limits to normal people booking through an all inclusive package. The atmosphere this creates is confusing and irritating. There is constant promotion of the nicer parts of the resort and the better things included in VIP which makes the normal booking package seem thin, restrictive and cheap. Beach and pools: beach area was nice, but loungers separated from the beach by a breakwall, pools were overall nice and cleaned daily Internet and safe: both cost extra If you manage your expectations and thoroughly read the reviews, you will likely have a good time, but this does not compare to other 4 star resorts in the Caribbean

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Amazing vacation

The hotel was nice kept clean housekeeping staff friendly, the grounds of the resort were kept in good shape, pool was cleaned every morning. Bathrooms were clean but had some problems flushing the toilets. In the main buffet food was amazing lots to choose from, clean and great service. Would recommend this place to anyone.

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Amazing resort

Such a beautiful &clean resort,rooms very clean&comfortable,food was good ,nice beach &pools,lots of beach&pool chairs,one of the best resort I’ve been too😎,will sure recommend this resort& U could go to the other 2resorts that Senator own&enjoy their amenities,U can’t ask for more

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Loved this resort

My wife and I loved this resort. From the moment my wife and I got there to the time we were leaving the staff were very Friendly and a happy atmosphere. The rooms were great clean and the fridge was always stocked. The food was awesome. A great place for you to get away would definitely go back again

Paradise Playa Dorada: you get what you pay for

the resort needs many small updates-paint,roof repairs,rotted gutters replaced are just a few. the rooms also need work. the shower drains worked but very slowly so you are standing in dirty water as you shower.the water pressure is very low as is the shower head.it is about 4 and a half feet above the tub floor so so cant stand under it. the food is good and usually abundant.the grounds itself are very beautiful.full of trees,flowers,hedges.very pretty.our biggest complaint would be that the st [... read more]aff do not understand english.i know i am in their country but they have no idea how to communicate.even to order a drink on their drink list they do not understand.with this lack of communication brings a disconnect between staff and guests that make staff seem unhappy or even miserable.simply put,the staff here did not seem friendly or welcoming.only 3 of the staff were pleasant during out 7 night stay.we got a great price for the week so i feel i got my moneys worth but i will not return there.i like to enjoy my vacation no matter what price i pay and the staff here really put a damper on the mood. just a side note-i have stayed in mexico a lot and have to say they always make us feel welcome and help us enjoy our stay-that said- we tip way more in mexico than we did here-we feel guilty about this but a tip is earned and not a given no matter what country you are in

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Beautiful resort and great atmosphere!!!

This was our second time at this resort....The beach is fabulous...rooms are bright and very clean...staff are super hospitable...The food at the buffet was varied and very tasty!! Lots of variety and suitable for many different dietary needs...The Ocean View a la carte restaurant is superb! The only thing lacking is the nighttime entertainment on their main stage...It is only mildly entertaining at best...Overall, you couldn't really ask for a better value for your money...we are returning ag [... read more]ain next year !!!!

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Bluebay Visit #2

The Bluebay Villas Doradas changed the way we book hotels, and the second time we went there, the friends that we went with had the same feelings. From the furthest point of the hotel to the opposite side is probably a 5-6 minute walk (at the most). There are all the pieces that you would look for at any resort, but so well placed and nearby that you can't miss it. I find this to be so much better for me than the resorts that you can't navigate without taking a shuttle or a 15 minute walk from t [... read more]he lobby to the beach. The food is fairly good, as for the Dominican I have had better food, but I never felt like there wasn't a good option at any time of day. The a la carte restaurants are pretty par for the course (in a positive way) and the beach is beautiful. Pros: -Small resort, easy to navigate -"Good" food (not "ok" but not "fantastic") -Vibrant, upbeat (arguably a "party resort" but I think it always depends on the week) -A lot of cutr activities: washer toss, mini putt, guided bike rides, games, closeby (1 minute walk) to a souvenir mall... -Beautiful wildlife, you feel very immersed in nature there - Cons: -Rooms aren't considerably modern, we stayed in a platinum room and it was much more modern than the last room, but at a cost) -Challenges finding beach and pool chairs -Staff doesn't offer too many perks, if you ask for any birthday banners or any sort of recognition for a friend's birthday they will direct you to an uninteresting menu of items $100 USD or more for things I wasn't interested in for a quarter of that) -They try to give you a single key to share when you get there, you have to ask for another after the fact -There are always upselling attempts, but it's easy to just say "no thanks" and the leave you alone For the premium room, we enjoyed having additional canned beers at our disposal at the paid bar, we're not into many shots but it was nice to have a Bailey's or a few Presidente's included. If you're ok with draft and local alcohol it might not be worth it. Since the beach was busy it was nice to have access to the "VIP area" on the beach to find a spot, but it was pretty shaded in the afternoon and really windy, so you have to find a balance with the sun and the VIP in January or else the afternoons are a bit cold. Overall I would recommend this resort, but I would say that you should expect to pay a bit extra for any add ons, but it's so reasonable compared to the price of other resorts that you get some good choice if that what you want. If it's your first or second all inclusive resort I say absolutely go for it!

Playabachata Hotel: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!

This was my first time using the Senator  resorts.  My mother and I decided to give it a try after reading many reviews.   Most of which were not the most flattering to your Puerta Plata resort.   But, since some were very pleased with the location, we thought we would give it a try.  As a person with disabilities and travelling with my 87 year old mother, we had sent in a request for a ground floor room....far away from the pool area and entertainment.  This was completely ignored.  We [... read more] were supposed to be placed right behind the bar!  This was fixed after having to wait almost 2 hours past the check in time!  Normally, we would understand the problem...it happens...and usually can be fixed, but this was just the start of the things that did not go well at your resort!  To start off with...that map you give out to guests is rediculous!  You cannot read it...the printing is so small....and we never were able to figure out where the entertainment was.  Even the staff gave us incorrect areas. (Serious thought should be made to producing an interactive map which customers could download onto their phones or tablets....thus saving paper and giving us real access to information about entertainment and restaurants) The room had problems of its own. The room SMELLED of mold!  The hot water was not working.....and they actually had a break in the line which took 2 days to fix!  The drinkable water....which was supposed to be made available every 2 days was only changed once!  And that was after I complained! We also had problems getting the air conditioning to work. Many other visitors had problems with the security bolt for the glass doors falling out and dropping to the ground...barely missing their feet....and causing awful noise for the people who were under that room. And the fact that the electrical sockets were NOT adaptable to canadian electrical cords....which we HAD NOT been told in the Sunwing advertisement...or on your main site! When we complained...we were told to go to the store and BUY ONE! Rediculous!  If we had been told, we woild have brought them along! What I found so disturbing was the complete disrespect for non-smokers at your resort.  Even if a table was marked non--smoking....you allowed people to smoke.   There literally was almost no areas that we could relax without havind someone smoking!   I am amazed that you have not done something about that!  Then, there was the bathrooms which were constantly out of order.  The  mosquitoes inside the rooms were awful!   Most nights I could not sleep because of them. The second restaurant was just plain nasty to eat in.  You had them block off access to the seats by the windows....which were kept closed even with the heat.   The one night I ate there, I came away sick due to the extreme heat.  I tried them for lunch.  The tables were never cleared and no one offered me anything to drink.  We were never informed about having access to the new restaurants on the new street.  And while the new area is beautiful, I was disgusted to find out that because of it, we were not allowed to climb up to the vantage point.  It was constantly blocked...and we were told it was now JUST FOR THE VIP area...which was upsetting! Broken and or damaged chairs were not removed...just left on the beach.  You still allow plastic straws to be used on the beaches which was supposed to have been banned. These things being said, the employees as a whole were amazingly polite and helpful...if they could. The food at the first restaurant was amazing! There are some pretty basics served every day, but the menu did change! My only real desire for change in this area....please add more NATIVE food...besides red beans and rice. We want to experience the reak cuisine of the islands. The beach was kept extremely clean. We had a major storm one day and for the most part, they were able to clean it up within the day. The landscaping does need improving. As a horticulturalist, this was something that I especially noticed. When planting new areas, these areas were not protected....or blocked off....and as a result, people were walking all over the freshly planted areas. They especially need to adjust the plantings immediately by the glass windows/patios. When it rained, the lack of vegetation in these areas caused mud to splatter all over the patio and sometimes up onto the glass doors. Planting ground cover in this area would fix this. Or, making sure to have proper run off areas for the rain, should also be considered. The entertainment is held after 9:30. And most customers find this to be far too late at night to attend. I noticed alot of families who were visiting during my vacation...and the majority did not attend because of this. The act that we did see was extremely well done and worth seeing....if I could have stayed awake! Costs for items in the stores....for the most part were far too expensive! For example....I wanted to purchase one of the mens hats....which you priced at $21.00 U.S. funds. The EXACT same hat in Puerto Plata....was $6.00 Canadian! We needed bandages for my mom's blisters....and the small package at your store was going to cost us $10! Ok...I am all for making a profit...but you are gouging people! This also included charging $60 US to drive by taxis into Puerto Plata.....something that you can get for just $10...if you walk 5 minutes to the outside of the hotels gates. OR you can take a bus....for just about $1.50 Canadian! The entertainment crew throughout the resorts were very polite and funny. They went out of their way to try and get everyone involved in some type of activities. As for beach activities, I was disappointed that the banana boat was not included in the all inclusive cost. So many people wanted to use it...but were not willing to have to pay extra for it. The children's play area at our resort....needed major repairs. No swings...and nothing really to play with. Whereas, the second resorts play area was in excellent condition. The pathways throughout the resort were well maintained and easy to follow. Thanks for putting a nice big umbrella in our rooms....definitely a plus on that rainy day. The bar tenders were exceptionally knowledgeable. They made drinks that I hadnever heard about and were willing to make a drink to taste....ie. not too sweet or sour. Most of the staff at the front desk were very pleasant to deal with. Both their english...and my spanish...need undating to be completely understood. But, we all tried our best.

Playabachata Hotel: it was amazing hotel,

it was good time, excellent service and food was very good. I would recommend this hotel. the only thing is the beach was rocky but the pool was great.. we had no complain with this resort. great vacation

Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Amazing resort

This resort was pristine, the food was amazing, our fav was sofrito the steak was beyond great. The staff at the resort was great. The animation team was so much fun. Black Panther is terrific in his job. We stayed in the Amnesia junior suite the room was so spacious and immediately clean. I can't think of a single bad thing to say about this resort. It was a much needed vacation and it surpassed my expectations

Casa Marina Sosua Trademark by Wyndham All Inclusive: Good resort for the price

Stayed at the Casa marina Jan15th-22nd, 2019. This was our first visit to Sosua. Hotel is in a nice location and well laid out with several pools. Scenery is beautiful with back drop of mountains. What was lacking in the rooms was made up for in both the quality of the food and service. Great friendly staff and nice dining area over looking the ocean. Plenty of sun deck chairs even though the hotel was full. The older part of hotel’s accommodation needs to be updated. The people we traveled w [... read more]ith upgraded to the newer section which was more stylish but the room smelt musty. Overall for a three star ⭐️ hotel it was a good experience and I would book again and consider an upgrade. Wifi is free on the beach but we were told it wasn’t. So we paid extra to have in the rooms.

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: A Beautiful Work in progress

We enjoyed our stay very much The renovations are still going on but the grounds and pool areas are very well kept. Everything was very clean. The only thing that wasn’t great was the staff were almost all inexperienced and it was very evident in the dining area Hopefully with experience and some time that will improve. We look forward to returning next year. T and S

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Amazing time !

So much to do, so many pools restaurant options and more ! Staff is so friendly ! Never in long lineups or crowded areas. My second time and enjoy it hugely ! Beautiful scenery and rooms, endless opportunities for activities

Bahia Principe Grand San Juan: No regrets.

My friend and I had a great time. The food was excellent. Entertainment was great. Service was excellent. Weather was beautiful. Room was good. Price was amazing. Paid 750$ for 7 nights, airfare, and food. Few tips: although my friend and I did not have bed bugs a few people we met did. Don't let this deter you from going. All you need to do is check your bed in between the creases. If you see some then request another room. Try to book al acarte before you get there to ensure there are openi [... read more]ngs. You should be able to do this on there website or app. The Japanese and Mediterranean were excellent! Kayaking is free for one hour each day. Goat cheese with omelette is amazing for breakfast! Wanting to go again in April! Enjoy!

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Fully exceeded all expectations!

We don’t usually go on all inclusive type vacations, but took and chance and it paid off big! This adult only is amazing, fun and relaxing, whichever you choose. You can party one day and be lazy the next without annoying kids running around. The food blew my mind, every meal was surprising and delicious. The a la care was lovely too, other than the steak house we heard from several that wasn’t very good, so we skipped it and stick to the buffet. Great staff, great water sports! If you want  [... read more]to go on excursions, get a better price with Luis on the beach. So much fun! The dancing shows were nice, but got a bit old after a while. Stay away from the VIP presentation people if you’re not interested in paying $5000+ for ridiculous packages and wasting an hour or more or your vacation time. Love this resort!

Sunscape Puerto Plata: This resort has it all

Second time at Sunscape Resort -I love it there. They have great staff-very friendly and helpful.There is an Excellent choice of food with numerous places to eat,plus a great coffee shop with cappuccino.Nice clean grounds.Beautiful beach. Would recommend and will go back.