Excellent resort

I must say I was surprised. I usually go to Cuba, but decided to try Puerto Plata. I was pleasantly astonished to find out that the rooms and food was much better than Cuba. However, the ocean is very rocky. You will find rocks that are 2-3 feet tall. However, that is not the case everywhere. There are certains parts that are flat and no rocks whatsoever. There are lots of waves as well, but I personally did not mind that. Staff was always friendly. Overall, great vacation!

Average

The buffet was understaffed. We had to chase someone for water or coffee every morning. It was worse on the weekend when nationals came for 2 days. There was no extra staff and it was vastly over booked for the staff and restaurants that were there. One day we had to wait for plates, seats and glasses before getting our food. Food was average but only select sit down restaurants were available daily. Also watch out if using taxis into town as they take you to their places they get a cut and not  [... read more]where you want to go.

Un très bon hôtel, tout y est on a eu un séjour magnifique on va y retourner

Malgré tout ce qu'on entend sur la République Dominicaine on s'est sentis en sécurité et tout était excellent à cet hôtel. Je le recommande. Plage aussi très bien avec beaucoup des palapas mais un peut venteux. Du soleil toute la semaine passé mais pas sentie la chaleur il y avait une bonne brise. Et à souligner qu'il y a pas des moustiques très apprécié le soir.

Good Resort

This was our second time back to the VH Gran Ventana. We love this resort, food is amazing, workers are great, drinks are good. Always have a good time when we are there. We were a little disappointed this time around though, any time we went to the buffet we would never got water or we would get it once and they wouldn't come back to refill. Also the gentleman upon check on was pretty rude but the woman we had after was great. All in all it is a great resort and I do recommend it for sure ! Fee [... read more]l like the pool and some rooms will need updating soon though.

Nice Resort

This was our second time at this resort and we went back because we loved it so much the first time. Second time wasn't as good as the first time. I found that the service was not as good. We had to ask for water and coffee when we were dining in the buffet restaurant, some days we didn't but more often then not we did. The food was very good and they had a lot of variety. The a la carte restaurants for non busy season were always booked even though we inquired at 9:00am.yet when we di [... read more]d get to the a la carte there was always empty tables. The main pool is in need of repair. There are cracks in some areas and the bottom of the pool felt crumbly also the walls were stained. The room was decent and cleaned but our shower did not have much pressure.

3* at best

The rooms were outdated and old. The black out curtains were all moldy. We had a desk but no chair. There were no irons or ironing boards. The safe is an extra $16 U.S. dollars. The pool was dirty sometimes, they need to clean it more often.

Definitely NOT a 4 Star

This hotel was very basic, not that nice service was not great- we had a few nice staff in the dining area but other than that not friendly. Food was good, but not 4 star quality. My son got sick the last day after eating lunch. Would not return. And it was empty barely any people checked in and lots of local Dominicans. The bathroom stunk every night like backed up sewer so we asked to change rooms and the new room had a broken shower head and broken tv that didn’t work. No irons in the room  [... read more]and when I requested one they brought me one thy didn’t work. You have to pay for the safe lock and wifi in your room.

Great Vacation, but not resort

The grounds are beautiful and clean, the room was under furnished; tv was not working well, no iron, no coffee maker ; safe box was not included in the package - that’s extra $; food and drinks were mediocre; pool dirty; but beach was very good. Stuff was friendly enough ( if you tip). I will not be going back to that resort. Not a 4 star resort.

Great Resort!

Perfect place to spend a vacation- not too busy in middle of May. Food was excellent, resort was very clean and staff extremely helpful and friendly. This was our first time at an all inclusive. We will definitely return.

Awesome resort

This was our eighth visit to the Gran Ventana in Puerto Plata. As always, everything was wonderful. The resort is extremely well maintained, the rooms are spotless. The food in the buffet, beach bar, and the three a la cartes is delicious. The drinks are equally as tasty. All staff from the bell hops to management go out of their way to help you. The beach is beautiful with lots of lounge chairs and cabanas. Can’t wait to return!

Family Vacation

We really liked the layout of this resort, rooms, restaurant, pool and beach were all close together. We felt safe letting our kids roam around. Pool and beach are wonderful. Great for snorkeling at the beach. Rooms were good, the only complaint we kept being locked out of our room. It was finally fixed on our last day. The resort caters to locals on the weekends during low season. Can get crowded at pool and restaurants. Unfortunately the locals we had to deal with were rude, we were glad to [... read more] see them leave. The service was great all week until the locals came than it changes, staff seemed grumpy and overwhelmed. Food is not great. Breakfast is the same everyday. Italian restaurant was good. There is a mall about a 5 minute walk which was nice. The weather was fabulous! So you can overlook the bad. I would go back if the price was right.

Family Vacation

We found the Gran Ventana Resort to be exactly what we were expecting. The hotel is kept very clean, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and the food in my opinion was above average. The location is very, very nice as far as beach and close to shopping. Playa Dorado is a fabulous area in the D.R. for a vacation. The ocean in front of the Gran Ventana was crystal clear which made for great snorkeling. We had the royal service upgrade and that got us free wifi, room service , private area on t [... read more]he beach with waiter service, upgraded mini bar, and access to the Vintage Club where they served premium drinks, and beach towel service in our room with premium quality towels. Food at the buffet was quite good for every meal throughout the day, the burgers and chicken at the beach eatery was very good, food at the Ocean Grill and Octopus was also very good but I disliked the food and service at the italian restaurant . All in all I would definitely consider returning , as a matter of fact my wife has requested we return for our Nov. vacation

Great location and beautiful beach!

WE loved the clean beach, snorkel right there! Nice easy access resort. (no trolly to the beach needed here! - steps away!) Not too big and not too small. I have been to several, to compare, great easy layout, 3 a la carte and great food. Beach bar and buffet were always on point. zero complaints about the food. The staff were always lovely and the drinks cold. Great value for the dollar.

Decent resort

This was our 12th visit to Gran Ventana little has changed since day one. We were upgraded to a jr. suite but they are not like they used to be rooms are comfortable, however balcony door wont lock we were on the 3rd floor so didn't worry about it. Maid kept room very clean but are in the room toooo much. The buffet is decent but has never been changed up a lot of fruit is often covered in fruit flies and We are beach people but the pool is clean and well used. The beach is great if you like wal [... read more]king or running the beach and has a lot of coral reef so great for snorkeling. This year the wind blew lot the sand was actually drifting didn't really mind it wasn't snow lol. But being end of April into May the resort isn't full and the local people come in on weekends and they literally take over buffet look out. This happened 2 weekends while we were there and our service defiantly goes down when the local people are there. All servers are very friendly with or with out tips but I enjoy giving sneakers and ball caps are favorites. The entertainment is the worst I've ever seen at any resort is any countries. This is a family resort and entertainment is usually sex based and not even good at that. All in all co.mfortable and relaxing

Great vacation

This is the smallest resort we have ever been to. With a 5months old and a 5 years old, this was the perfect place for our first vacation as a family of 4 with the grand parents. We went during low season (beginning of may) so the resort was not at full capacity but everything was running except activities at the beach were limited Pros: check in was fast and exactly what we asked for when we booked. rooms had a communicating door with the grandparents that made it very convenient for us. We [... read more] had two rooms on the main floor close to the pool. Every thing is close, from the room to the pool to the restaurant to the theatre to the beach to the lobby. All is within 5 minutes from each other. Food was good and the 3 à la carte restaurants were nice and easy to book. Activities at the pool were fun and the pool is very nice and safe especially for younger ones (the shallow section was graduel like a natural beach). It was easy to find spots both at the pool and the beach. Snorkelling was amazing at the beach, lots of reef accessible and many beautiful fish Cons: Since the place is affordable, a lot of younger loud groups were there and made it less relaxing of a trip. I don’t know if it is because it is the beginning of hurricane season but the wind was very strong in the afternoon and we couldn't stay at the beach. However at the pool we could barely feel any wind so we did beach in the morning and pool in the afternoon. The resort got flooded with locals on the weekend and it got very crowded and loud. Rooms need updating and cleaning service would always take all towels at the beginning of the day and bring new ones only at the end of the day which was unacceptable but once we told them how annoyed we were they started doing our room early and replace our towels immediately. Before going i read many reviews about this place and i can agree with the majority who said that this place is home away from home.

Good resort

Very clean good food and friendly staff. Beach was very close to the resort and was well kept...... Too many venders trying to sell but we're not annoying.. Golf too expensive for the average person after spend a sum on resort!

Mediocre resort

Compared to other resorts I have been to in the past I have to admit this was my least favourite. There was no 24 hour bar, or even a disco to go to in the evening hours. Also the pool bartender was very rude, and often didn't serve other guests and myself for no reason. The beds in the bedroom were rock hard and the pillows were very uncomfortable to sleep with. I am happy that the weather was perfect all week, and the beach was beautiful. I also enjoyed the food, and entertainment staff.

Blast

Went with friends and my daughter, internet in not throughout the resort so that was unfortunate even after paying extra for our own internet still was very slow. Everything else was great food, service, entertainment, the excursions , location, had a really great time would recommend to friends

Great time

Went with family and friends, had an amazing experience staff were so friendly,entertainment was great , rooms need to be updated a bit but loved every part of the trip, will definitely be returning to this resort again.

Great Week

This was my second trip to the VH Gran Ventana and it didn’t disappoint! The hotel is great, food was terrific and the staff are friendly and work very hard to keep the hotel clean. The hotel was fully booked during our stay however it didn’t feel crowded. I would recommend this resort and will probably return.