Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Would not go back

Where do I start, I suppose it wasn't a total bust but.... -6 out of the 8 days the water was luke warm at best making for a uncomfortable shower. -power outages were frequent -an abundance of cockroaches in our room (they did upgrade us to a spa suite which was bug free and a little nicer -Although we did get sick from the food, there was not a very large selection of food at the buffet. -The "Lifestyle Club" that they are promoting is very irritating. The Confresi section is in dire need  [... read more]of updating but their main focal seems to be to push the timeshare. -Room refridgerator were not restocked unless requested. Lack of having a casual drink in a bar unless you were a VIP member - No onsite entertainment unless you took a shuttle off site. -Definitely not a place if you have issues walking due to the amount of stairs. That being said you had to watch out for private golf carts on the paths Most of the staff were friendly and due to the amount of pools on site there was always lounges available The spa was nice and offered a hot tub, pool, sauna and gym if you bought a massage or any other sevice they offered. You were able to use these amenities for the remainder of your stay if you so desired

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Great trip!!

Quite impressed with this resort. It is small, has a small buffet and 3 restaurants. Definitely enough selection of various food to satisfy our tastes. The staff in dining areas and animation group are extremely courteous and friendly. Very clean resort. Large rooms. The only complaint/draw back would be the extra cost for premium liquor. Have been to various other all-inclusive resorts and this is the first time I said I would go back to the same resort!

Riu Merengue: beautiful resort!!

the resort was well keep , grounds and beach well groomed , staff were friendly -- just a very busy place with all three resorts packed together , alacarts were first come first serve no reservations witch made it difficult to get seating at times , over all we enjoyed our stay!!

Bahia Principe Grand San Juan: Average resort

I thought this resort was pretty average. The food was good when it was hot. It could use some updating in the rooms. The service was hit or miss but there were a couple of times it was really good. I liked the layout because it made the large resort seem small, all the amenities were in close proximity. The beach was ok but nothing spectacular.

Viva Heavens by Wyndham: resort was great

we stay at this resort for a week in February everything about this resort was great.It is a small resort which I love no waiting in line for anything.Food was delicious and good variety .Very nice beach and lots of chairs .Also super friendly staff.We will go back for sure

Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata: Very poor resort

The hotel was overbooked, we had to stay at another hotel the first night along with other couples who was supposed to stay as well. The rooms were very poor, dirty, and smelled moldy. The Wi-Fi promised was only in the lobby, as they promised we would have it in our rooms. We had hydro blackouts all week at this resort, and the management wasn't able to fix the problem, no air conditioning all week. The food was very good, and the drinks. I will go back to Puerto Plata, but will stay  [... read more]at the Blue Bay next time.

Riu Merengue: Very Large Resort

The hotel is well maintained, beds need replacing through out. Food was very good and front desk and bar staff friendly. Housekeeping and dining staff not friendly. I did share the negative with front desk. Also because it is so large there is alot of walking. No bathrooms at the Beach.

Paradise Playa Dorada: Mixed feelings

We have visited this resort in February with a large group of friends. 20 people in 7 rooms. Our biggest disappointment started right away. They have scattered us all over the hotel grounds with complete disregard to families. Children under 10 were placed in different buildings from their parents We all specifically asked for adjoining rooms, but to no avail. Nobody at the reception was willing to help out. Their response was that the hotel is completely full. The indifference the front staff  [... read more]showed was staggering . It was quite funny that when one of the rooms was missing a bed, instead of staff moving one more bed in there, the same unpleasant man at the front without hesitation just changed them into another room. We were told to go at the morning meeting to arrange differently with the guide from Air Transat. So if you are booking extra room for your children, make sure the travel agent takes care of it at the time of booking, because they will not help you here. The Air Transat rep started the morning meeting telling all of us that if we need changes regarding our room, to contact the reception staff. Unfortunately this has continued throughout our stay. Anything we have asked for the response was negative, "we don't have it", we can't do that, we ran out. ( just to clarify , we have asked for mustard and such) To find a helpful person was hard. The only exception was the animation staff. They were kind and willing all the time. This was a big surprise for us, we were used to traveling to Cuba with this same group for many years and the warm and kindness we were treated with was missing here. Food was great, a large variety was made at all meals in a tasty way. If you like coffee, than sorry to say but they can't make it here. At the pool bar they have a better machine, but they open later after 10:30 am. If Rolli happens to be there he will make coffe for you, even though sometimes they had 4-5 staff in there, they kept pointing at their watches that they are still closed. Their way out of helping you is pretending not to speak or understand english. All their alcoholic drinks come from premixed plastic jugs. You will not get a freshly mixed mohito. Beautiful beach, sand and water, we spent most of out days here. They never have enough beach-loungers and they don't have ANY umbrellas. You fry on the sun because there is no shade. Plenty at the VIP section, even empty ones, just not for your use. We had a great vacation, but this is a resort I would never return to. For a country where tourism brings in the revenue as in this case, staff needs to be trained and picked differently.

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: AMAZING!!!

I stayed at the Cofresi Palm Beach with a group of 3 people during the week of Feb 21-28. Let me start off with saying how amazing this resort is. I have been to over 10 all inclusive resorts all over the Caribbean and this one is the best place I been too. When you first enter the resort there is a sign saying “Welcome home, the most amazing place is the Caribbean”, Very true!!! I stayed in the Junior Suite room (building 40). I recommend paying the extra money as you get the extra priv [... read more]ileges which are: -Bigger room (very spacious) -Building 40 was right in front of the main pool, restaurant and beach -Access to most resorts connected with Lifestyle -Vip beach (cabanas, sushi bar, food and drinks brought to you) Pros: -Shuttle service -The VIP welcome sunday party (show, fireworks, dinner) Its for everyone and all the buffets are closed as you have to go there if you want to eat. Shuttle takes you. -Different food every lunch and dinner. -Good nightly shows. -Casino is 3 mins away & bus takes you there. -Clean. Cons: -Big resort ( a lot of walking and stairs). -Some alcartes are buffet. -There are many levels of vips in this resort, you might be denied in some places and some bars. -No snack bar that is open 24 hours, we arrived at 5pm to the resort and would not get food. -No lobby bar. -Bar closes at 12am but you can go to Tropical Resort which is open till 5am. -Timeshare place (didn’t bug me).

Casa Marina Reef Resort: Bad resort

This resort is definitely not a 4* by any means My husband and I travel allot and like to explore different resorts. It was the same activities and music everyday!!! It was very boring No swimup bar--you had to walk a ways to get to bar. My niece got out of the pool to go and get us a drink and got in trouble because she was wet walking into the snack bar area to get a drink????? Rooms were very old. We had no lights except for the bathroom fir 3 days. I ask for help on 3 different occasio [... read more]ns but still no lights. I thought I'd look into myself and moved out the table the lamp was on and I went to take out the plug to change it to another plug in our room. I got an electric shock that knocked me on my butt. I walked down to the front desk and demanded this be fixed immediately. Oh they came alright and fixed it with scotch tape !!!! Same desserts and food pretty much everyday. Our patio doors lock was broken. We paid for superior oceanview-//all we could see us trees not the ocean!! At every bar you went there was one bartender. Huge lineups all the time. Totally sucked The list goes on and on We never complain about any of the other resorts we've been to but I had to complain about this one. Sorry

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: February 2017

This was a return trip. Six weeks in the past two years and enjoyed the vacation with the exception of the drinks at the regular bars and at the buffet. Some were undrinkable. The Vintage lounge and the VIP beach drinks were, as usual, wonderful. That is, if you purchase the Premium package. The VIP beach was crowded this time and the umbrellas and shade is limited. First time we had to go to the beach early each morning to reserve seats as the sign indicating that items would be removed after a [... read more] short period of time. The Vintage lounge seemed to be more of a "BAR" this time than a lounge as it was often loud and noisy with groups doing shooters and very rude behavior without consequences from staff. As to the future-if these problems are addressed by the new management we may consider returning.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: March 2017 VH Grand Ventana

Everything was wonderful, great location, beach etc. The pool and Beach areas need more shade umbrellas. Having to get up before the sun comes up to get a shady spot is unacceptable. The wine served in the bars and restaurants is not good, with the exception of the Vintage Lounge which is only accesible if you are part of the Royal or Premium package.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Amazing resort

this resort was amazing very clean inside and out, staff was very pleasant and food was amazing lots to choose from at all meals . we really enjoyed our stay here from Feb 24 th to March 3 rd would highly recommend this resort

Riu Merengue: Awesome!

Thoroughly enjoyed beautiful pools and its long beach with warm water, would return next week if I could!! Staff was great very professional and accommodating. Enjoyed myself and can't wait to go back!!! Two thumbs up!!

Riu Merengue: Okay resort

The place was decent. Should be a 3 star. No air conditioner for 2 days no water in our room for a day. Staff was nice. Food was good. Beach wasn't as nice as I thought. Very busy on the weekend and was hard to get a lounger.

Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Great resort

If you want a resort RIGHT on the beach, this is not it. BUT it's a great resort with great food , good staff and nice rooms. Remember it's also a smaller hotel with approx. 120 rooms which is nice. They have some nice extra's at this hotel. One being free 24-7 room service , and good wifi throughout the resort and your room. Found the food very good in the buffet which we stuck to a lot and also went to one specialty restaurant. The specialty restaurants also do not need any reservations which  [... read more]is also nice. Found the drinks top notch with better rum's and vodka's than the cheaper varieties. They also used small bottles of soda instead of fountain which was also fresher. Would for sure stay here again. Some complain of the five minute walk to the beach but we all need the exercise after eating and drinking ! Only negative about this resort was a shortage of cabana's on the beach and no one returning your emails at the office. (emailed hotel twice but didn't respond)

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: MY VACATION

I felt that because it was my first time there that they should have given me info. at checkin regarding the resort and what was available . No special greeting by the resort staff when i arrived after a very long travelling day. Every other resort that i have gone to has greeted me with a nice hot towel and refreshing drink. My room had no dressers or comfy chairs or coffee maker. Staff extremely helpful however when i needed help. Good selection of food and beverages. The pasta bar was  [... read more]amazing....the very best ...even better than the Italian dining room. Within walking distance of the golf course and also a mall nearby.

Casa Marina Reef Resort: Amazing resort

Rooms were extremely clean Food was awesome Pool was great Would have liked to have more lawn chairs and more activities down at the beach Would like to have a 24 hour bar with food Awesome time at the resort.

Bahia Principe Grand San Juan: Somewhat disappointing

This was our 7th vacation at this resort. This has been our destination of choice mainly because of the service staff who work there, the wait staff, the cleaners, guest services, etc. We have travelled quite extensively but very simply, this staff, are the best. Professional, friendly and very social! They can't do enough to make your time with them pleasurable. Too bad the same cannot be said of management. This trip we decided to treat ourselves and book a suite. Upon arriving we were put in [... read more]to a regular room. We went to the main desk and were immediately referred to the guest services staff. We were told that the suites were being renovated and we would be in the room by Monday, this being Saturday. Come Monday, no room. We were now told Tuesday. However, we were told by people we had met that they had been offered an upgrade to another resort because this resort was over booked. So, on Tuesday, back to guest services and again, no available suite. I asked to speak to the manager and was told, surprisingly, that the manager did not speak to guests and left it to staff to deal with complaints. That was not an option for me so I insisted in speaking to the manager and shortly thereafter he arrived. I told him that I expected better treatment and wanted to know the truth; were the suites being renovated or was the resort over booked? He admitted that the resort was over booked, but he guaranteed us that we would be in a suite by Friday. This was very disappointing but as we were staying for 2 weeks we, at least, would have one week in a suite. Then we discussed the issue of compensation and although they would not refund cash, we were able to negotiate an agreement for various services that more than compensated for the loss of a week in the suite. However, this was not the only disappointing aspect of our vacation. One reason we keep returning to the D.R. is the quality, quantity and variety of food at the resort. This time, on several occasions, the buffet ran out some food, particularly at breakfast. There were several mornings that they ran out of bacon, bread for toast and one morning, eggs. This is unacceptable! Lunch and dinner in the buffet was usually varied as they had theme nights and the food generally good. The al a carte restaurants were excellent, although on the recommendation of others we met we did not go to the Japanese restaurant. We did have the romantic dinner for 2, on the beach, and cannot recommend this highly enough. We have been married many years but this may have been one of the most romantic evenings we have ever had. The setting on the beach, 50ft from the water, the mood lighting and soft music only added to the excellent food and service. We had a server named Jose who catered only to us and it was wonderful. My wife and I are in somewhat of a quandary. This vacation did not live up to our past experiences at this resort and we are questioning whether we would return, despite our love for the place. Our 1st vacation there as about 18 years ago and every time we went was a pleasurable experience. We just don't know if we would take the chance and return again. Grand Bahia has spent some money and every room has a new air conditioning system. Some renovations have been made but it is getting tired looking. Bahia has expanded its operation recently, opening several new resorts in the D.R. and they make be neglecting some of its older properties. If this trip was an outlier compared to other trips we've made then I would recommend it for a mid priced vacation, if for no other reason than to experience what a resort staff should be. We will be considering our options as to whether we will return or not.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Some Things Good, Some Things Not So Good.

We stayed for two weeks and upon checking into our room (superior upgrade) we were greeted with no hot water at 11 pm. The next morning there was still no hot water with which to shower and I reported it to the reception desk. During the two week period I found myself reporting no hot water in our room on no fewer than eight times. They reset the boiler and once done it was fine until it went awry again. The first couple of days were rainy and we noted people had the use of blue umbrellas so [... read more] we asked for one but were told if there was none in our room we would get one when someone checked out. Four days later no umbrella but the weather was sunny so we didn't need it. Other rooms had a small table outside on their balcony/terrace so we asked for one which we didn't get until my girlfriend raised the issue with them once again and also about the umbrella. She told the desk she was very disappointed with our small requests not being addressed but later that day we received a small table and an umbrella. Often the cleaning staff did not get to our room until 5 pm when were were wanting to have a shower and prepare to go out. The cleaning staff seems to be overworked and I believe the resort lacks sufficient staff to do the cleaning of rooms. Not too much to ask in my view. The pools were clean and the swim up bar was good with local drinks and local beer a plenty. There were lots of poolside games and events which were fun and the activity staff was great. The evening entertainment at the theater was excellent with us having taken in four shows put on by a local dance troop that was fantastic. Great music and great dancing. From 11 pm to 1 am the DJ moved to the beach area where music consisted of some hip hop/pop music but was mostly latin/Dominican flavoured. Fun stuff if you can dance to it. The food in the buffet restaurant was quite good with a good variety but lets face it you can't expect breakfast pancakes and French toast sitting in a warming tray to be good and it wasn't. I stuck to fruit, croissants (excellent) and scrambled eggs and the occasional prepared egg dish. The sausages were always dry and hard. Bacon was served only occasionally if you like bacon. The breads and rolls etc were excellent though. We found the coffee quite strong and bitter but we were able to ask for a cappuchino which was very good. There are a few machines throughout that dispense it or regular coffee. There are three a la carte restaurants one Asian, one seafood and one grill for steak etc. The food at all three was excellent and the service was prompt and courteous except for on our last night at the El Pescadore seafood restaurant. Reservations are a must and proper attire is required. A few days prior to our last night we made reservations at the seafood restaurant for 8 pm. Being our last night we got dressed up and were looking forward to a nice last dinner together on the beach. Upon our arrival at 7:55 pm I presented our reservation card to the server at the door and he told us they were not ready yet for us and that we could wait outside on the patio. We noted there were three empty tables the we waited outside. Over the ten minutes that followed three couples arrived and they were all seated quickly. My girlfriend asked last couple what time their reservation was for and they said 8 pm. Now well after 8 pm we had no table so we departed. The server only then came running out to tell us they were now ready for us and that we should come back in. We declined and departed after telling him it was not right to have had us wait while seating three other couples who arrived well after us. The incident was reported to the assistant manager who agreed that what he did was rude and improper. That said, everyone else we encountered at the resort was very kind, helpful and pleasant. On a scale of one to ten I would give Blue Bay Villas Doradas a 6 and no more. The superior room was less than that with no hot water, the lack of clean, fresh towels occasionally, few amenities in the room, things in disrepair etc. and inconsistent room cleaning. It has a price point and you get what you pay for. I have been to much better beaches. I have been to DR several times now and most other times I stayed at a higher end resort which is what we should have done this time around. It was okay but a bit of a disappointment.