VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: It was a good vacation

Overall rating for me would be 3 out of 5 stars. The rooms are dated as alot of older hotels are but it really needed a really good cleaning and some repairs. The toilet was terrible :( I emailed the hotel before going with our room request but they emailed me back for more information but it seems never received my reply and never made a attempt when I got there to contact us. The food was good with a good assortment, the drinks at the bars were just so so. Being from Nova Scotia I have to admi [... read more]t the rum was terrible, that Brugal rum no matter how old it is .....is terrible. The fruit drinks were ok, and the smoothies in the morning were very good. Had to get up early for a cabana on the beach to put your towel down. Not enough cabana's, could use alot more. Too hot around the pool and too much noise, but good for the younger age folks.

Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata: beautiful beach

This resort is being renovated, so far everything is just so looking very good. Such a friendly staff and the most gorgeous beach. The sand is so fine and the beach so very clean. There is great entertainment every night. all the staff are implicated. I am thinking about returning again next year.

Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata: Great resort

The beach and water were gorgeous, staff were very friendly and rooms were good. The food was overlooked most times but better to be safe than sorry. We were always greeted with a smile and every where we went we met strangers that quickly became friends.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: a nice resort

we booked a superior room when we arrived they over booked they upgraded us to a suite which was great. The food was very good the only thing is when the say dress code they mean long pants first hotel we ever went to that didn't allow long dress short. pools were crowded a kids in the swim up bar. Nightly entertainment was poor Over all hotel to big for us but a good time

Paradise Playa Dorada: very good resort

The beach and foods is very good,the only thing bother me is too many smokers around the pools and the beach chairs, i fully understood there is no rules that banning peoples from smoking around the pools and the beach chair , without the smokers I would rate the beach and pools 4 1/2 stars in my opinion.

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Affordable with a average service

Rms were clean. Minor issues which go resolved. Got our exercise with all the levels. Lots of staff. Beach was not long but you still could manage a walk... Had a nice time ..... Very relaxing and laid back

Sunscape Puerto Plata: Another wonderfull vacation March 6-27-2015

This was our fifth visit to the Barcelo and we love it. The people and staff are so nice and will go out of their way to help you. Sometimes when requesting help the language is a bit of a problem but that makes it interesting. You're never quite sure what you will get and it is quite funny at times. We used Club Premium this year and really love the amenities you receive there, especially getting the eggs cooked just the way you like them in the morning. The food at the buffet is good and if  [... read more]you can't find something to eat that you like you're not trying. The only thing wrong with the buffet food is that it is not hot but his is typical in the Caribbean I think. The fresh fruit and juices are to die for I went into pineapple withdrawal when we came home. We love the Sea food, Italian and most of all the Japanese restaurants. The pizza is good but more suited to the young crowd. We did not care for the Brazilian but, a lot of people did it is your individual taste but not ours. I have read a lot of negative remarks about this hotel and I can't believe them. Lots of people that we talked to believe that it could possibly be by other hotels posting them. We talked to some people from Nova Scotia who hadn't been back for five years because of these postings. They couldn't believe it they felt that the Barcelo had improved and got better over the years. If you are looking for glitz and glamor in the rooms it's not here. If you want a room with a comfortable bed, a clean washroom, a beautiful beach and wonderful staff then this is the place for you. The gardens are beautiful and maintained by the hard working staff at the Barcelo who spend all day raking and cleaning. They are to be commended for their hard work. Too many of us forget about all the work that is required to keep the gardens looking so nice. After the morning cleaning of the beach a large patch of sea weeds and small twigs washed into the beach; there must have been a storm at sea. The Barcelo crew came down and cleaned it up and I will tell you that the other hotels didn't do that, thank you Barcello ground keepers. We did notice and thank you for your hard work. I have only one more thing to say thank you Barcelo for our wounderful vacations with you and we will see you again in 2016

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Great Resort

We just returned from a 7 day stay at Cofresi (April 6 - 13). Had a fabulous and relaxing time! The grounds are very clean and well kept, room was a bit outdated but clean and did the trick for us (sleep & shower)! Food was really good, highly recommend The Asian and Italian a la cartes, buffet was very good as well, great variety! The VIP party and the Sunday night party was supperb!! Resort is pretty big with lots of stairs but there is shuttles going on a regular basis. Beware of the guys in  [... read more]the beige shirts unless interested in a time share - you will loose a half day of your vacation!! I would go back for sure!!

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: great resort if you are a member

the resort is nice and clean, food is good, service is ok, the vip parties are amazing but in order to enjoy everything the y have to offer you need to be a lifestyle member, they really try hard to get you to join this.makes you feel like you are inferior to others if you don't have a vip bracelet, so would I go back .... ummm no thanks

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Nice Resort

We enjoyed or 14 nights at the Be Live. The rooms were clean and the food was great. The a la carts were the best. We did not like the insecticide spray they used in the hallway outside our room. We were in block 8 from Mar 27 to April 10th. Overall we had a great vacation. The pool was nice and the ocean was a bit rough. There was a lot of garbage on the beach down from the resort. It was pretty nasty to see so much of it.

Paradise Playa Dorada: Breath taking

Beautiful and super clean resort. Food was Favb couldn't ask for better. Service was great cant complain :) Excursions was organized and came on time. Lots to do for excursions but not so much on the resort.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Amazing Resort

We had an amazing 2 weeks and the weather was great. We left on March 27, 2015 and returned April 10th. We have been to this resort about 15 times and we always have a wonderful time and stay for 2 weeks. All the staff know us and always have a smile or a hug. We are very comfortable here. The food is good, the management treat us like family and we are able to go off the resort to shop or just go for a walk. It is only about 20 minutes from the airport as well. We have taken a few of our friend [... read more]s there and they would like to return there as well. Our regards to the Manager, Oscar, and the staff who strive to give everyone a great experience. We hope to book again around November. William and Theresa

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Great Vacation

Had a wonderful time. The resort was beautiful, staff was great, rooms were clean and comfortable. Had fun trying to figure out the shower but a quick trip to the front desk soon resolved the problem. Had a great laugh about it.

Bahia Principe Grand San Juan: very nice resort, great value for the price

grounds were fantastic , rooms were very nice and clean and really quiet , great selection and quality of food . well staffed resort and friendly , never felt pressured to tip even though I did many times , always greeted with a smile

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Great resort

Just got back on the 10th.had a great time!!lots to keep you busy or you can just relax!Recommend upgrade to junior suite!!!beautiful!!!service was great especially Edward and bar staff!!Food was good especially dominican restaurant!!The only drawback was the STEPS!!!There are lots!!!! Would definately return!

Casa Marina Sosua Trademark by Wyndham All Inclusive: Beautiful Resort

The grounds are beautiful and very clean. Our room was spacious with a KING SIZE BED .The room did not have a fridge but we never had any issue . We had a bottle of rum ,vodka , 1 bottle of COKE and ! bottle of SPRITE and 2 bottles of water. Foods was amazing roast beef and gravy dinner,fried chicken ,french fries,pizza ,salads ,beans ,pork and lots of tasty deserts.We enjoyed a BBQ compliments of air transat and nolitour. The BBQ food was amazing . The beaches are beautiful with carmel colored  [... read more]sand. The beach resort side was very rough ,Huge waves and not that great for swimming. There was a problem with a leak in our room it was FIXED in a few hours . No problems with any staff members .But they are not overly friendly. Which was not a problem for me . They were not rude, just didn t socialize . Now for the bad !!! There s a yound man working the beach resort beach who trys to scam people .BEWARE !!! You have to rent umbrellas which we didn t know .We tried to rent one from him and he said that they were rented for 3-6weeks . That was ok we found a shadey area . One morning we went to the beach and there was a group of 4 -5 young ladies who had a umbrella .The young man from the beach went over and it looked like he was giving them the same speach and we noticed that 1 young lady reached in her purse and took out some money . The umbrella stayed with the young women . So a little while later my husband and I went in the water for a swim . The waves very high but we seemed to be riding them ok . Here s where it gets interesting . We both had our glasses on . A huge wave hit me and turned me over and I lost my glasses . My husband was asking about my glasses when another huge wave knocked him under the water and he lost his glasses . There was some young children goggles on we tried to communicate with them but they did not understand english . The young man from the beach came to talk to us. he said he could find our glasses but wanted to know what we give him . We said $5(US) for each pair. He said no not enough . So we walked off the beach to the shower station . He then approached us again and ask if we could give him more. So we said $10 (US) for each pair .He said no not enough,they are expensive glasses . I told him no that I could get them replaced in Canada for free with my insurance . Once again we walked away .When I reached the pool area and was setting telling our friends what just happened I got upset and angry . I went to Alberto (Rep for Noitour) and tolf him what had happened . Alberto took me to the beach so we could talk to the young man about the issue . Alberto communticated with him in Spanish and the told me what he said . The young mand said we offerd a tip .We not really but i told him we offered 5 then 10 and it wasn t enough . The a few more words were exchaged and I got very upset and said I am not playing he said she said and that I was not lying . Alberto spoke Spanish to him again .The young man went over to a count and picked up 2 pairs of glasses that just happened to be ours . I grabbed them from his hand and walked off the beach . I know we should not have wore our glassesd in the water . But it was not right as a worker to try to scam a visitor . I had talked to a few other people and was told that they too had the same thing happen to them . I tod them to report it .Alberto came to talk to us a little while after and told us he knew the young man was lying to him because he wouldn t look him in the eyes . It made me feel better to know Alberto knew I wasn t lying . He aso was reporting it to the resort manager . Alberto was very friendly and helpful . BUT this still didn t not make me have a BAD vacation just to be more cautious about some of the people at the resort . The resort is in the city of Sosua .We walked around the city a few times .We had ice cream at BONI s and pursed some items from the markets. We went to a MINI MART where they sell groceries and liquor . We felt safe in the city in the daytime but I am not sure about the nighttime . I would go back in a heart beat . I enjoyed the experience to learn and see a new Country that I have never visited before. It is beautiful but the people are poor .

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Fabulous. First time without the kids!

From start to end we had a fabulous time. Thanks so much to our travel agent. Would definitely go again using your company. Would also recommend hotel and food too. The weather was perfect for April. Excursions were awesome.

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: staff were rude and unfriendly

The rooms were musty and the staff couldn't care less about your concerns. The cleaning staff were fantastic! I have to admit. The gourmet restaurant staff ALL HAD ALTITUDE, the Mexican staff were great.The food overall was plentiful. We will never step foot on Dominican soil .All the vendors were as crooked as a cork screw.Cuban cigars sold there are fake.

Bahia Principe Grand San Juan: Returning for the 7th Time So knew what to expect

We were there for 10 days which is the perfect amount of time I think. As a returning guest we did receive some extras perks, one of which was getting a very nice room way down the resort in front of the old Diamond Club pool. The weather was very good, a bit of rain but that allows our winterized bodies some relief. The food was fine as expected and the new Asian Restaurant was an unexpected pleasure. With that said, we were very disappointed with the service at both the buffet and the lobby  [... read more]in the evening. We used to go there in the past and never have to wait for a glass of water or a drink and once we had them our glasses would never be empty unless we stopped the staff. This was a common theme with a lot of the guests and I think it needs to be addressed before they can try to move towards being a 5 Star resort that they are aiming for. But overall we went there just to relax and enjoy the sun and we got that.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Expected more

This resort is very well reviewed. However it was really hard to see where these reviews came from. Food was good at the restaurants, however buffet was to small, not much variety. You will find yourself eating the same thing every day, and will be a real joy when you see something new. Pool was okay, but too many kids and Pool bar only has 1 bartender who is obviously overwhelmed. You have to get up at 630 - 7am to get a good spot at either the pool or the beach, especially if you want some sha [... read more]de. On the beach you get constantly harassed by vendors. I dont think you can sit for more than a couple of minutes without someone trying to sell you something. Other people mention that if you just say no they move on. But you will be saying no to the same person 3-4 times a day, everyday. Its a bit much. Service was okay, rooms were clean, and there are a couple of bartenders who are very very good. Overall, it was an okay experience. Went to this hotel based on the reviews, however didnt see much of what others have said. To each their own.