Wonderful Resort!

From the moment we arrived we felt very welcome. We were greeted with a drink while checking in and although there were many of us who arrived at the same time, check in was quick and efficient. Our room was clean and comfortable. My only complaint is that our fridge wasn't really cold (but didn't really spend much time drinking in the room). The grounds were beautiful and well maintained. Staff was always very friendly and attentive. Pool was wonderful and the beach was great (we were worried a [... read more]bout what to expect with the beach from some of the other reviews). Other guests do wake up quite early to reserve chairs but we didn't have any trouble finding lounge chairs at the beach or the pool when we were there, you might have to walk around for a minute to find one, but honestly, I was in no hurry. The entertainment staff work very hard to make sure that everyone is having a good time. You can choose to be involved in the activities or not. They are not pushy at all if you say no. We were a little uncomfortable with the amount of people on the beach trying to sell things but I was aware that it would happen from other reviews and quickly learned to say "no thank you" and they would leave you be. The food was good, we certainly didn't go hungry. The fresh fruit was amazing and the sushi was great. If you get a chance to eat at the Japanese restaurant, do it! The food is great and it is very entertaining. We travelled as a couple but would not hesitate to bring our children to this resort. There were always activities going on for the kids. A big plus for this resort is that it is a quick 20 min drive to and from the airport.

Fantasticvacation!

This resort is a perfect size; not too big, not too small. The staff are very friendly and make you feel welcome. Great time had by all - highly recommend the Japanese dinner; go twice if you can. I would also recommend the cable car ride - fantastic views - memorable!!!

Phenomenal Couples Trip

My overall rating is a combination of experience and resort. The staff was very kind and never insisted/nagged for gratuities. The food was hands down the best I've had in any of my down south trips (including 3 resorts in Mexico, 1 in Cuba, 1 in Punta Cana). The Mexican a la carte was filled with amazing flavours, but the Japanese a la carte had great food and an even better experience that included entertainment and interaction. Our garden view room was lovely and kept very clean. The entire r [... read more]esort was kept very clean including the pool area which was cleaned nightly. The beach was very nice and included some great snorkeling less than 20 yards out. We also took the tip top catamaran day trip which included snorkeling; such a great experience that I would highly recommend for anyone that enjoys snorkeling. There was always always something to do during the day and the staff was very entertaining. Night life was decent, although we never attended the disco. Overall, great trip. Highly recommended.

Clean, fun and Friendly

This is the first experience my boyfriend and i have had in an all inclusive resort... we would definately go back.. The Staff we very friendly, we had alot of fun with them.. (I miss them) Efron, Blackie, Chocolatte, and Luci... we done the dune buggy and Snorkeling excursions, the tour guides on both were very helpful.. The food was great.. Brazilian, Mexican and Japanese Ala Carte were very good... Good bang for your buck...

Wonderful Resort & Vacation!

Second visit to this resort - value for your money is the best in the DR. Resort has beautiful grounds, a beautiful large pool with a children's area and swim up bar. The buffet has tons of variety including fish, steak, pork chops, and chicken on every night. Depending on the theme of the night they serve lobster, tacos, sushi, ect all at the buffet. There is pizza, hot dogs, french fries, salad, nachos, sandwiches, cold cuts, cheese, bread, and fruits available at lunch and dinner. The a la ca [... read more]rtes are very good as well, the Japanese being my personal favourite. The beach is not spectacular but still beautiful. All of the staff are very friendly and welcoming, and they put a lot of effort into both daytime and evening entertainment. The rooms are not brand new but certainly not outdated, they are always clean. Overall, I would certainly return to this resort as it was a wonderful vacation with great weather!

Wonderful Vacation!

My husband and I stayed at the Iberostar from April 3rd to the 10th. We had a room overlooking the pool in building 7 on the second floor, as requested. We found the service wonderful from the front desk staff to the bartenders! The layout of the resort is great - not very large and easy to find your way around. The food was better than most all-inclusives we have stayed at and the nightly entertainment was above-average too. Througout the day, the entertainment staff were so hard-working to ens [... read more]ure everyone was having a good time and involved in the many activities they offered both by the pool or on the beach. We hired a taxi and took the cable car up the mountain which was close by and enjoyed some amazing views - well worth checking it out! We liked the beach as it was wide and offered lots of areas for shade or full sun. The pool was very nice as well - large with a whirlpool in the center and a great swim up bar. We are confident we will return to this resort!

A Great Vacation !

Clean rooms, comfy bed, Great pool and Beach. Excellent service staff...........................................................................................................................................

Great March break trip

Have to give the Costa Dorada top marks. It is close to the airport, nice beach and pool, good food and a huge assortment of activities. The resort is very well groomed. We found the staff to be very friendly. The entertainment crew was lively and did their best to involve the guests. The Costa Dorada is a nicely sized resort. We never felt crowded despite the fact that we were there during the March break. Chairs were always available on the beach or by the pool. I would not hesitate to recomme [... read more]nd this resort.

EXCELLENT

Very nice vacation, all was very clean and comfortable. I would, and did recommed this resort to my friends. The beach is great, food was as good as I expected from an all inclusive resort, pool area was very nice and lots of excitement. The nightly shows are well worth watching too.

Great retreat from the cold

I was a little hesitant to commit myself to go after reading a few reviews but all the problems were just not there. Buffets were good with a large selection of food for just about everyone.Hotel was a little dated perhaps from the nineties or so but was very very clean and the quality of service staff was above average. The language barrier was a problem but it is their country and efforts were made by everyone to communicate and understand each other.Grounds were immaculate and very well tende [... read more]d.Ocean was very wavy,choppy and had a large amount of seaweed but small clumps and water was warm,I think the weeds were because we were on the north side of the island and it couldn't be helped.Lawn chairs were a problem as ALL people were putting their towels on the chair and using them or hoarding them all day for only an hour or so of use. The secret to getting one is to get out and up between 6 or 7 am and stick a towel on a chair for yourself and then go back to bed.This is a problem whenever you go to any resort or cruise ship.

Excellant Value

Great hotel. Beautiful beach and pool area with lots of shade. The Japanese and Brazilian theme restaurants were excellent. Did not try the Mexican since two separate people we met said they were disappointed with it. Food was good especially the fish and chicken. Beef and pork were adequate but not outstanding. Staff very friendly and not always soliciting tips.

Perfect Trip

Just got back from a relaxing, entertaining and enjoyable trip. I can't say enough positive things about this resort. Everything was situated in a good location, the bars, the pool, the spa, the restaurants (food was excellent and large variety) and entertainment was exceptional. Staff was extremely polite and helpful. The Star Friends truly made the trip what is was. Enjoyed the enthusiasm and direct connections they made with the vacationers. I would definetly go back to this resort and recomm [... read more]end it to others. We booked an excursion through the resort and it was most enjoyable and our tour leader was great.

Excellent choice

This vacation was a very positive experience. The hotel was great; nicely designed, with covered walkways from building to building if you chose. Facilities were terrific; we tried Japanese, Mexican and Brazilian a la cartes. Buffet was awesome as well... food overall was the best we've had in some time. We had lobster (Paella and Fideua dishes prepared on the beach), shrimp and lots of other seafood. Beef was surprisingly tender. Many pork, chicken dishes as well. Breakfast offerings were outst [... read more]anding. Best assortment of cheese I've ever seen at a holiday resort. Soft ice cream and popcorn were a nice touch at the poolside restaurant. Bar service was also great, beach bar, pool bar, swim up bar, lobby bar... they made it look easy and selection was plenty. There were orchid, mint and aloe gardens. Spa had complimentary Turkish baths available. Star Band was very good and the nightly shows were not at all disappointing (as they sometimes can be). Staff at all levels tried their best to make it a pleasure to stay here.

Amazing!!

This was my very first vacation so I can't compare but I had the time of my life!! everything from the food to the service was great!! I am already planning my next trip back to the same resort in puerto plata!

Loved this resort

the staff is so friendly, the rooms are very clean ,constant maintenance on the grounds. We loved the food...especially the buffet which offered different things every day.. only thing wish we had had free internet even 10-15 minutes a day

Second visit as good as the first!

It's smaller than most, clean albeit dated, staff were AMAZING and made our raining vacation very tolerable! Front desk staff very warm and friendly, check in was a breeze and the animation crew were awesome! We were very disappointed with the beach being littered with tons of garbage but assume after 3-4 days of heavy rain and wind that's bound to happen. We felt very "at home" during our stay and a request for a Birthday cake for a family member was delivered the night we arrived. We love the  [... read more]Iberostar!

Wonderful resort grounds are beautiful

Beautiful resort.The rooms need a up date.The food was good and very relaxing vacation.We would go back to this resort.The grounds are well kept.The maid who clean our room was great and helpful.The pool open until 9:00p.m. for a night swim.

Amazing resort

Food was amazing, Japanese, Mexican and Brazilian... Yummy! beach was beautiful. The entertainers work so hard and did a great job. Popeye, chocolate were awesome! The room were perfect, nice and clean and great view of the pool. Drinks were delicious! We would go back anytime!

Beautiful and friendly resort, very clean

Our first time at this resort and found it very clean in our room, public areas all eating areas. Wonderful friendly, helpful staff. We were a bit disappointed in the entertainment, except for the Dancers they were amazing, so was the activities around the pool.

Beautiful resort

The resort is beautiful. We loved how green and lush the grounds and the beach area was. Overall the resort was very clean. Our room was excellent, clean. Maid's took very good care of us. (shower head needing repair) The public areas were all clean. Restaurants were awesome. People are polite, friendly and helpful. * one change I would love to see is that there is no smoking outside of the restaurants. There were chairs and tables for people to sit at outside the main restaurant where people co [... read more]uld sit and smoke. Yuk for me