Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Great Vacation all-around!

We just returned from a one-week stay at the Iberostar Costa Dora resort in Puerto Plata. The resort has a fabulous setting both the outdoors (landscaping and the beach) and indoors (rooms, bars, restaurants, disco, etc.), as well as friendly, courteous, professional and attentive staff. We were especially impressed with our main restaurant waiter, JOEL, tennis pro, PABLO, and our room housekeeper, KENIA.

Riu Merengue: Awesome hotel

Fun and friendly hope to get back soon entertainment out of this world Bar staff are great room amazing great value for money would go back tomorrow food was amazing lots variety very safe resort I went alon

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Horrible Resort

Very noisy, no ar conditioning in public areas, they don't care about the guests. Very expensive tours and trips compared with exactly the same trips offered in other places around. The food, OMG!! Couldn't be worse! no varieties, badly prepared, no taste at all. In addition, food poisoning. The rooms are ok and the service is ok too. The resort is small and it doesn't offer quality for the guests. The gym is really rough and the drinks are as horrible as the food. Definitely I would'n return th [... read more]ere and I don't recommend it to anyone. At least 2 stars should be dropped from this shit hotel.

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Satisfying to disappointed due to MOLDS

This is our first time in DR and we feel everything was excellent value for money from the food, staff and the amenities including the rooms. We were assigned adjoining room at the ground floor and the rooms look clean but the beddings smells moldy. Something that we ignored. Coming back home, we noted that all our bags and clothing smelled intensely moldy. To our further disappointment, the smell did not go even after washing and drying the clothes. We have to soak our things in vinegar and [... read more] baking soda and re-wash them to get rid of the smell. Concerned that this could cause sickness if not addressed by the hotel management. I am not sure if the same problem is widespread or it only happens on the ground floor of building 5 and in our assigned adjoining rooms. So what an otherwise wonderful experience was negated by the moldy smell. Because of this, I am reluctant to recommend this hotel at this point.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: A bit disappointed

Sorry for taking so long to send this review on Blue Bay Villas Doradas Resort I stayed between June 2-9 (for 7 days)..I have a mix feelings as I would not have a good thing to say if I would have done this review right after my arrival in Canada...but here we go.. First walk-in into the hotel, I was surprised that our files to check-in was outside Front Desk and we need to find our files and check-in, this is out of the ordinary for me, due to my experiences travelling (Cuba, Mexico, St Luci [... read more]a just to name others) this kind of checking in is a bit odd to me..I travel alone and to mingle & mingle after a flight delayed arriving very late at night and was accommodated in a "chaotic" checked in situations, was not a good impressions at all. I finally found my check-in files and handed in to one of the personnel and literally I have to do all the check-in papers filling in and put my wrist band. I said am alone and tired and want to see my room pls..they called their porter but cannot assist me as he is very busy cutting all wrist band of other visitors, before taking us to our room, I waited until his done and finally he took me to my room which just few feet away from the swimming pool :( He showed me how to use my keys in a hurry, I was very hungry and need something to eat..this is around 12:am I saw a tray of cold-cuts, fruits and crackers, that's now stale and look not edible...I tried to eat the soggy/soft crackers due to fruits juice contamination and went to sleep...I woke up and have to program myself to a good start. I don't want to ruin my vacation just because of my first impression that check-in night...so here are my overall resorts impression: Food: almost the same dish everyday - all hot/cooked dish are very salty (they must really love to salt their food) Pool: are very clean and since I am just 10 feet away room from the pool I cannot rest in my room as I hear everything going on around the pool. Beach: clean/clear beach, I cannot say anything more about the beach, I love it..so this is a plus, and I stayed at the beach mostly, and went on excursions away from the resort the best as I was not happy with my room surroundings Entertainment: they are mediocre shows...I guess because maybe Iam use to Cuba/Mexico, etc entertainment, they showcase their cultures and has Pool shows as well...Blue Bay just sticks to their own and no variation...I find a contest for Ms Blue Bay esp very boring. Entertainment team only sticks to returners (I guess cause they've known them already) they have no interest in adding new comers? that's how I see it..they are not very friendly to newcomers at all. Front Desk: I have a lot to say here...they are NOT very friendly at all, but somehow they seems to NOT know anything when you ask for help, they keep on pointing to their next person beside them and that person also seem to NOT know how to assist with your inquiries...they will tell you to come back and see another person who could assist my need and or request...names I remember cause they are first person you see and greet when you come in and out of the resorts..and their gestures and expertise on customers and visitors can affect how you view and evaluate how good the resorts/hotel are...they failed to do that for me...Jonathan Guerrero, I requested to help me in extending my stay in my room as my flight not till 9:45pm and bus to airport will not pick me till 6:30pm...he said he does not know how to extend my time and have to come back, several times I came to before I finally found Yudi Liz Gomez, who finally knows how to extend times for $35.00 US and gave her $40.00 she has no change, so I said find a change for my 40..I realized ok then keep the change..she was very happy and I got my extended times..It made me feel like maybe if I would have given Jonathan a tip I would have not wasted my time to come back and forth and wait for someone to assist with my request. I will never ever forget Manolo Hernandez, a smile less person, he was the first person I went to ask when we're checking why our files were outside Front Desk, he looked at me and said, "its not our fault" we don't have enough personnel cause your flight was delayed and it's almost midnight, so find your files and check yourself in!...huh!! I did not argue, am far from arguing, I am documenting that's what I am...so here I am..I saw him again the next morning and was requesting for a help me find a local phone so I could call my friend from Tubagua..he looked at me and says..he'll help pointing his pout lips to the front desk person next to him it was Johnny Garcia, Johnny Garcia smiled at me and we share the same last name, so I was very happy with him, very professional and accommodating, we joked about being related maybe? and when he asked me "how was your stay so far at our resort"...I guess I was waiting for this question and I blurted out everything of my experience to him with this resorts, he said I will inform our Supervisor and will let him know how you felt..this is not right...so I was called to the Superhead of FrontDesk..he talked to me, and gave a complementary dining at one to of the A la carte restaurant, of which I went but there again..it was very cold treatment dining but thanks anyway. Overall...I think, there's room for improvement, my expectations was not meet, but I am not crossing this resorts out yet...I like Puerto Plata, my first time but with my experience in Blue Bay will not stop me from going back and visit again. They are not the only resorts around and might try again as returner..I'll see. Overall, I will give the resorts a score from 1-10 a 3 cause at least there's one Johnny Garcia who can make the difference...Johnny also found my iPhone 6plus, I accidentally left behind on the sofa of the FrontDesk..this a long story, so I'll cut it now by saying Johnny you're the best and keep up the good work..Thank you and hope to see you again! Cheers!

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Great Resort

I loved that the resort was small. Family rooms were great. The entertainment and activities were awesome. Clean and well kept grounds. Food was good, but the Japanese was excellent!! The beach was nice, a little seaweed but nothing to keep people out of the water. We would go back.

Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: Customer service needs lots of work

Viva Wyndham Tangerine is a small, cozy resort with outside buildings and grounds that were always well kept. Renovations to the rooms were poorly done and made them look dirty, especially the bathroom. Food was good, though nothing to write home about. Selection was very repetitive despite apparently having daily themes at the buffet. Italian a la carte was not great, but the Mexican a la carte was really good. We did not try the 3rd a la carte as the menu did not appeal to anyone in our fa [... read more]mily. Above all, the biggest drawback of this resort, in my opinion, is the customer service, or lack thereof. An important part of our vacation experience is the connections we normally make with the people that work at the hotel and at this location we did not connect with anyone because no one even made an effort to talk with us despite me speaking Spanish.

Riu Merengue: Very disappointed

I need to first premise my review. I have lived in the D.R. for extended periods. I have been on vacation there maybe 30 times at 10 or more different resorts.My wife is Dominican. About the only good thing about this was the amazing people that worked there in reception, the bars and the restaurants. In saying that, this was the most disappointing resort experience I have ever had. The room was decent and we had a good location.The problem was that if you did not leave a tip it did not ge [... read more]t cleaned very well. The fridge was never stocked like they said it would be. The last day we were there it was not cleaned at all. Food. from 1 to 10, a 2. It was the same thing every day with maybe 2 or three items that were changed. 3 days we had to wait over an hour to have dinner because there was no seating left. The food was quite tasteless and there were little flies always invading the fruit bar. Here is what made this resort miserable. They overbooked their day passes with 100's of Dominicans. This is where some people are going to think I am horrible. I love Dominican people but when get them in a resort they want to take over the place. They crowd in front of you at the restaurants and bars. They make the pool unusable, drinking in the pool and leaving the glasses (paper or plastic) in the pool. They were loud and obnoxious. Several times I would leave our loungers for a couple of minutes and found people trying take them over when I got back! One day I was sitting in a place where I could see the bathrooms. I did not see 1 person in a bathing suit go there! That is not conducive to me to want to go into the pool. I wish I had something better to say but quite frankly, I have more positive in my review than how I actually feel. I in no way have any animosity towards trip central. This may have even been a very rare event. Phil Dunn

Viva Heavens by Wyndham: 2nd Stay for 2weeks - AMAZING PLACE

We stayed here last year in June for 2wks. This is the first time we've actually returned to the same resort. We're in our 40ies and travel a lot. We stayed here again for 2 wks from June 13th to July 27th this year. Actually ran into another fellow we recognized that was there last year for 2 weeks and back this year again the same as us for the same reasons. Beach is beautiful, rooms are modern/spacious/clean, staff are great, foods excellent with variety, booze is great and plentiful with pre [... read more]mium brands on the shelf. The pictures of the resort are exactly what you get. We walked the entire bay of beach line both years and this resort has the cleanest stretch of beach area in the bay. Contributing inland streams (urban storm water), ocean currents and wind currents leave other resort areas with some dirty beaches but this area is beautiful. This resort is small, adults only, and quiet, so its great to relax. If you want to party and are looking for super charged entertainment all day every day this might NOT be your place. That's exactly why we go, to chill, because we work hard and party hard at home Our top criteria for resort travel is 5* beach and 5* room. I'd recommend this resort without hesitation.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Not too bad

Staff were really friendly, rooms definitely could use an upgrade. Pools were nice and the beach was amazing. Al a carte restaurants weren't very good but the buffet was usually not bad. All in all a good vacation and I would go back!

Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: Nice resort - we go there mostly to kitesurf and surf.

We also really enjoy being able to walk to the village by the beach - nice to get out of the resort. Would also highly recommend a trip to Damajagua, the Teleferico and old town in Puerto Plato ( check out El Bergantin restaurant in the old Ladies Club) and Monkey Jungle. One wish only - beach resto is so beautiful for lunch but needs a little more for their menu - maybe just a pasta or tortilla bar...

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Good Resort

Room was older but okay Beach was very nice Food was okay Nightly shows were good Disco was good Bartenders were great Snack bar at the water was great for lunch everyday Entertainment at pool good Souvenir shops on resort a little pricey Mosquito, Spaghetti, Chocolate and David were amazing and Brian at the front desk Great variety of excursions at okay prices

Paradise Playa Dorada: Beautiful and Quaint Little Resort

The Service is excellent, grounds/rooms are clean. Everything is so close to the resort for example the beach is just a few steps away and the airport is about 20 to 30 mins on the bus. There is a mini mall that is a 8 mins walk from the resort. Some of the meals were bland but overall the food was okay. Disco needs to cater more to 30+ more in terms of choice of music. It just seemed to gear towards the under 20 crowd.

Bahia Principe Grand San Juan: Average Resort

At least a 90 min drive from either Samana or Puerto Plata airports. The resort has no features unless you pay to upgrade to their VIP service. Good: the beach was nice and never crowded. The maids were nice and friendly. Late night disco and karaoke bar were nice touch. Bad: You have to pay for a room safe, no room service, can't get a coffee after hours, food was average and not much selection. Waiting staff were too busy chatting with each other to help customers. Pool area was very smal [... read more]l and noisy all the time. Ugly: Bugs in rooms, beach restaurant that didn't have any take away service so you couldn't take a drink to the beach unless you went to other bar a long ways away.

Viva Heavens by Wyndham: The place blew my expectations!

I must say I was totally thrilled to stay at this resort. As a matter of fact, the place exceeded my expectations. For starters, the resort was clean, and the lobby did not smell of cigarette smoke (a common occurence in resorts i.e.Cuba). My room was excellent - very clean room with AC and a self-contained washroom. The staff were friendly throughout the resort. The food was amazing througout the day. They also had special Mexican and Italian a-la-carte restaurants (all-inclusive) and their [... read more] food were delicious too. Only drawback - the beach is a bit of a walk from the rooms, so you won't get a view of the ocean from your room.

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Enjoyed Every Day

We went with a group of friends in June and enjoyed every day of our vacation here. The hotel staff were very friendly, especially the Animation Entertainment crew and waiters at the a la carte restaurants. Unfortunately one of our rooms had broken A/C and they took a couple days to fix it. The pools were amazing. The beach was nice but there were few chairs for non-VIP guests. The food was always quite good but more variety for breakfasts might have been nice. It's a bit of a long drive from th [... read more]e airport but the staff were very attentive to our luggage needs. The excursions available from this resort were wonderful too. We would definitely recommend this resort to others.

Paradise Playa Dorada: Amazing resort

this has been one of the best resorts l have stayed at.The staff were amazing,the food was one of the best l have tasted there were so many different dishes to choose from.Rooms where so clean and beautiful.Had the superior ocean view breathe taking.Will deffenetly stay there again.Pricewas reasonable.Enjoyed the pool staff so many activities.On a scale from 1 to 10 deffinetly a 8.Plan on going back in October

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Great Stay!

The hotel was lovely and the grounds well kept. No bugs anywhere I was prepared with bug spray but not required. The Animacion team was great thank you Candy Crush as my daughter loved kids club! Ocean was shallow and snorkelling off of the shore was nice! Great trip food was good overall. I would recommend and stay again. Using the Riu Merenge was lovely too to change it up. Good experience!

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Excellent Service and the rest not so

Just came back from Iberostar Costa Dorada,and from the start I would emphasize that this resort is a solid skinny 4 star. the layout of Iberostar Costa Dorada is excellent not too big not too small, everything is close by. Nice gardens ( not as big as in Punta Cana) Buffet has lot of virility and dinner menus are changed every evening. Japanese restaurant has nice presentation and food is good. Mexican has a nice interio but the food itself not that good. Every week in buffet they have a Mexica [... read more]n team dinners which are better. Brazilian has lot of meat and the meat can be uncooked. Bars are all great with excellent choices of alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails. For coffee lovers coffee in main buffet not so tasty. Ask for cappuccino at the main bar instead. One major issue for me was that the beach was very windy and the water full of seaweeds and lot of debris and even garbage. When its cloudy the beach is dark green and murky, even on a sunny days the beach is not as same as would be in other parts of D.R. The staff did not clean the beach at all and you will be always approached by local vendors and selling you tours, souvenirs or hair braiding, too many interruptions while on the beach. Due to above we spent most of our stay in the pool. On the weekends pool can be very crowded and not so clean. Iberostar has a special promotion for locals in summer months that allows them to check in on Friday and check out on Sunday. During that time the resort is loud and locals have no respect for other guests and staff. At times they can be rude and pushing at the buffet and bars. Pool need renovation

Bahia Principe Grand San Juan: Amazing Staff!!!

I can't wait to plan my next trip here! The staff make this hotel everything! This was my first all inclusive alone and from the moment I arrived the staff made me feel welcomed, and that's important. My room was great but I wanted one King bed and I got two doubles. My room was always cleaned and fridge restocked daily. The food was great, loved the mangos! The Mediterranean restaurant was my favourite! I made some great friends and memories and traveling alone is one of the best decisions I've [... read more] made. Everyone looked out for me too! I had an unfortunate discrepancy with the spa and sad to say I will not return to the spa I did not appreciate the way they dealt with the situation.The entertainment was amazing though, the dancers were fun and carefree and so full of energy. I personally enjoyed the guitarist and pianist! I will definitely be back, hopefully soon!