Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Surprisingly great!

The hotel was a great value. The hotel was clean, and our room was large, with a very comfortable bed. The main lobby was spacious and modern. Food was very good with lots of fresh options at the buffet for every meal. There is a beautiful amphitheater for the evening entertainment .. but the entertainment was poor, at best. The beach was lovely, and ideal to walk over to the souvenier shops to do a little shopping.

Playabachata Hotel: Mediocre at best...

The grounds, food, bar and beach were great. The rooms are VERY old and outdated and in desperate need of upgrading. The bathrooms in the lobby are stifling and the lights constantly flicker off while you are in there. Forget about enjoying the weekends as the locals flood the resort and are very rude and entitled. You will be shoved out of the way at any food source and forget about getting in the pool. The beach is decent so if you can go to the pool during the week when the locals aren't ther [... read more]e. The shows are decent but every night they spend 20 mins thanking every single person individually and its annoying. Overall, you get what you pay for.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Pleasant

We visited April 22-29. It was our third time to this hotel The room was very nice, perfect entertainment and we had fun. The quality of the food seemed to had gone down a bit from the last time we were there in 2023. I thought that the returning guests get a welcome back present ( we were given the special repeat guest bands) but that was it. I like it that this resort is small and compact and I would go back.

Serenade All Suites Adults Only Resort: Great stay at Serenade All Suites Adults Only Resort from 4-11 March 2026

We travelled to Serenade All Suites – Adults Only from March 4–11, 2026, booking through tripcentral with Sunwing as the provider and WestJet operating the flights. We chose premium economy, and the experience exceeded expectations — comfortable seating, great service, and very good food. The resort offers a beautiful, expansive beach that’s ideal for long walks, and several pools with different atmospheres, allowing guests to choose between quiet relaxation or a more energetic environment. D [... read more]ining was consistently enjoyable, with the steakhouse and Asian restaurant being highlights. Service throughout the resort was excellent. Staff at the coffee bar, piano bar, à la carte restaurants, and buffet were consistently warm, attentive, and welcoming. Our king bed, pool‑view suite was spacious and well‑equipped. The only design consideration is that the shower opens directly into the main room, which may not be ideal for all travel groups. Otherwise, the room met all expectations. Overall, this is a well‑run resort with great service, good food, and a beautiful beachfront. We would recommend it.

Ocean Blue and Sand: Perfect all around!

I stayed at the Ocean Blue and Sand once before about 8 years ago and my friend who I travelled with has been there 19 times. This is a very clean and friendly place to stay. They have renovated their rooms and are continually working to keep it fresh. The staff are so welcoming and many are still there15 years later. Especially enjoyed Mike’s Cafe where we met Benjamin and Christopher for our evening cappuccino. This Hotel is small and warm, compared to other resorts we have been to that [... read more] are too large and not as friendly.

Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine: Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine

This is a nice hotel. The room was great, not dated. Food was good even at the buffet restaurant. Beach was okay, except for the sea weeds. There was no problem getting a beach chair at the beach or the pool. The entertainment team was nice and the games were fun. The night shows were nice too.

Ocean El Faro: A good hotel!

Check in was quick and easy (but we were the only ones at the time). Everyone who worked there did a great job, people were friendly. Kids loved Jelly's kid club, the water park and the lazy river. Bring your own tubes or wait in line for a bit. Kids are picky eaters most meals they were able to find something, if not we went to Mike's Cafe and they were able to get yogurt and sandwiches. First resort that I found the a la cartes bland and nothing to write home about. I did like that there were [... read more] 3 you had to book a head if time and the rest you could just go to whenever, the cons of that were some restaurants were closed on certain days. Using the barcode they provide can help you plan meals accordingly thou. We much preferred the buffet to the a la cartes (this would not be typical for any hotel I've ever gone to). We were unable to go to the ocean because of the sea grass so that was a bummer. Would I go back to this hotel? Nothing draws me back or away to be honest. I probably wouldn't choose to go back just so I could go to other resorts, but nothing happened that wouldn't make me want to go back.

Bahia Principe Escape Bouganville: Beautiful vacation

I love this resort as my now number one resort and I have been to many. Cleanliness. Good food. Good room. Great service. Friendly staff. Love the entertainment team especially Miriam and the others. I will be coming back definitely next year with my big family. My grandmother is turning 92 next year and she would love the room location we stayed at close to the lobby. Think it’s building 52. Rooms 52114 and room 52115. But will need more rooms for more family members. Looking forward to coming  [... read more]back and seeing the people and enjoying this beautiful resort. Thank you

Viva Heavens by Wyndham: Needs work to be a 4 star

Beautiful grounds, food ok, drinks very disappointing, staff was average some just seemed miserable, requested king bed was given 2 queens on ground floor, room not very clean when we checked in, absolutely no where to store your clothes or hooks in bathroom

Secrets Cap Cana: Some challenges for sure, but overall decent

When we checked in they put us in a room right behind the restaurant that was under construction so there were literally jack-hammers running all day. It was brutal. After the first night they moved us to a different building which was better, but you could still hear the construction. We were only at the resort for 5 nights so it wasn't worth moving again. The food in the restaurants was decent, however they have very limited options for a restricted diet as we are both gluten free and da [... read more]iry free. I would not say this was a 5 star vacation, the facility is dated and needs updating in certain areas, but please let visitors know if there is signifcant construction going on as we would have picked a different destination. Our concierge Francis was excellent.

Playabachata Hotel: Loved it!!! Playabachata resort Puerta Plata

This was the best vacation I’ve ever had…..and I’ve been mostly to cancun, Mayan riviera and Cuba….the food was unbelievable omg….fresh juices were amazing….I had buffets for breakfast lunch and dinner…I didn’t want to do alacarts because I didn’t want to miss out on the amazing buffets lol ….the grounds were so beautiful and tropical… I loved walking around them…..it’s like the movie castaway you felt like you were far away on a desert island with the mountains around …. went with my sister….we [... read more] loved the resort….i sat in a lounger right at the ocean under a tree…..wow….went to the gym every morning….there was a special coffee shop I loved….got my decaf coffee and desserts there a few times a day….wish I was back there right now walking around these grounds…..I was so lucky to get Natasha Alleyne from tripcentral to do this trip for us….she was amazing….called me or emailed me back right away with my questions…….first time I’ve used a travel agent …what a difference….you get emails notifying you of things to do or reminders of things …so happy we had this wonderful agent….we will book next year too! Still dreaming of being back there…I was there may 18, 2026 for a week….it was great weather every day….the pool was so lively and fun too….the resort was the cleanest I’ve ever been to…staff were cleaning washrooms and areas constantly …I was floored by this resort…and food was better than any resorts I’ve been to….the staff so friendly there

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: It offered the warm weather and beautiful scenery.

We are Canadians who love traveling to Cuba and normally visit 3–4 times a year. This time, we chose Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, and we were pleasantly surprised by the Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort. The resort grounds are beautiful and well maintained. In the evenings, the pathways and gardens are beautifully illuminated, making it easy and enjoyable to walk around. The public washrooms were always very clean, which we appreciated. Our dining experience was excellent, especi [... read more]ally at the Steak House, which was our favorite restaurant. Our room was clean and comfortable, and the Wi-Fi worked very well throughout our stay, including in the room. The beach is not the resort's strongest feature, especially when compared to the beautiful beaches of Cuba, but it was still enjoyable and provided a relaxing place to spend time by the ocean. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our two-week stay and would not hesitate to return. A special thank you to Emmalay Serrano, our travel agent(Tripcentral), for her outstanding service. She patiently answered all of my questions regarding Sunwing and WestJet and provided valuable information and helpful suggestions that made our trip safe, comfortable, and stress-free. Her professionalism, knowledge, and patience were greatly appreciated.

Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata: As expected

The rooms were nice, and staff were excellent. Friendly and helpful. The food was okay but seemed largely local cuisine. This didn’t bother me too much though, as thats not the main reason for travel. My only complaint would be the massive amount of locals that come on weekends and their behavior, which is surprisingly allowed. Nothing is peaceful-they listen to music on the beach at a loud level and subject everyone else to that, which is not nice when you’re trying to relax and read a book. Th [... read more]ey also let their kids go crazy, it is quite unpleasant.

Grand Bavaro Princess: Beautiful Beach and Grounds!

Loved the beach and grounds. So well kept and full of peacocks! The room was very well maintained and no complaints other than outside noise from people coming and going but then again we were on the first floor. Food and drinks were fantastic too!

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Great vacation

Trip Report May 15th to 29th Wow Being a Cuba vacationer for the past 3+ years we really took a gamble on VH Gran Ventana. Of course we did the homework, checked reviews and like resorts but thankfully settled on Gran Ventana. Prior to arriving I dropped Solange/Mr.Marcos an email indicating what area of the Catalina Building we would like and they came through for us 100% Club As we were going for 2 weeks, we selected the Royal Package which gave us some perks (Beach, Bar & Dining). I must [... read more] say that we took good advantage of the package. Whether it be a la carte dining 12/14 nights, shaded lounger daily (no chair game stress), morning cappuccinos and nightcaps in the Vintage Club … oh and lest we forget bottles of champagne and booze for each week. I can’t thank the staff enough in the Vintage lounge Santa, Sujeidy and Ricardo et al. The one hiccup was they took care of the taxi reservation for a day … driver didn’t speak a lick of English other than “Yes”, this made it a challenge, but it didn’t ruin our day. Rooms Overall, the room we had 2115 was good. The cleaning staff kept it spotless and we had sufficient towels everyday. One day we needed face cloths, and the Santa/Sujeidy handled it well, as we didn’t go without for our stay. Beach Being a self diagnosed “Beach Bum” this was important to our trip. The beach was very wide lots of sand; the water was a bit limited as to how far in you can go without getting into coral/rocks etc. We always sat in the Superior/Royal section and had great service from Jose (Dirty Banana), Amable (Papa) as well as others. The only comment here is the vast number of people trying to sell you souvenirs etc. on the beach … 95% are no problem, but some are more persistent. Wind – not sure if it’s seasonal but the beach had a constant wind (right to left) which was great in the morning and early afternoon but kicked up a notch after 1ish. Food Like I said we dined exclusively at the a la carte Italian (Sempre de Mare?), Octopus and Beach Grill with two nights at the buffet (White Night). I must say after 3+ years going to Cuba the food was great! Breakfast was a steady dose of made to order eggs, bacon and fruit. Lunch was okay, but often we had fruit. General I did notice that the resort was open to locals on the weekends, but since we generally were on the beach and in a la carte we didn’t notice them as much. We found staff and management very approachable and genuinely happy. On site stores are crazy expensive (go to Jumbo) asking $7USD for a small box of Kleenex. Animation team did their best … people were able to participate if they wanted. Would we return or recommend Given the vast array of resorts/countries it’s nice to be able to find one or two that you know what to expect and fits your needs. So yes, we would return and recommend. Probably left out some stuff and may revisit to edit.

Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa: Not a 5 star luxury resort

When you book this resort, there is the option of paying for an upgrade (Diamond Club). It is over $1,000 per person in additional fees. We didn't take this option. You also have the choice to book your own room, for an extra fee of $260 US minimum. We didn't take that option either. You are also asked if you want to upgrade to DC when you check in. We declined, and the room we were given was possibly the worst one in the resort. It was in the furthest building from the beach. The musty smell [... read more] was overwhelming, tv was broken. The bathtub had rust. The view was of the wall of the Majestic Mirage next door (which is absolutely amazing, BTW). There were no extra locks on the door, even the peephole cover was broken. Our first impression was not great. When the hotel is not at full capacity and this is the room you get, it is very disappointing, and you cannot help but think it was because you didn't pay extra. We called the front desk. They sent up a dehumidifier. We stayed one night but couldn't stay there any longer. They did switch our room the next day, and it was much better, though a little outdated. The room is cleaned every day. The fridge is restocked every other day. The first few days you are there, there are people constantly after you to buy spa treatments or go to a meeting and learn about the Prime membership. It's pretty annoying. Not only do you have vendors on the beach, but you have hotel staff after you as well. My husband and I love the beach, and one of the things we love is the Bali beds. One of the reasons I booked this hotel was because of them. It doesn't say anywhere on the website that these are for DC only, but apparently, they are. We were told by a security guard that it was DC even though 75% of them were empty. Another time, I had an issue making a reservation. We went to see someone, only to be told they usually only help their members. Everything seems to be extra. You want lobster, it's extra, you want a really good steak, it's extra, you want rose wine, it's extra. We were at the Majestic Mirage a few years ago, where we could have had lobster every night, we had crab, shrimp, paella for lunch every day. At the Royalton, it was hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza (to be fair, the restaurant on the beach was closed for repair). We felt like second-class citizens, those who don't pay extra, go and stay in your little corner and don't ask for more. There were some positives. The grounds are immaculate, the food was okay; however, the ZEN à la carte was amazing. The entertainment was good. For the most part, we didn't have any issues making restaurant reservations through the app. Most of the staff looked like they did not want to be there; there were some that were very helpful. Fernando at the beach was great, and so was Raudi at the sports bar! One other note, this part of the beach has a lot of seaweed (we were there for 2 weeks, and only the last 2 days were seaweed-free). We had to walk to another part of the beach to find an area where there was none. If you are thinking of going to this resort, don’t; it's just not worth the money.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Excellent resort

Fantastic Beach - protected by corral from large waves...sandy beach no need for shoes in water. Can walk for kms either way safely. lots of sun protection on beach. Buffet large and ample choices. restaurants are a pleasant surprise and provide nice treat. Staff friendly. Rides to further rooms constantly available. No close neighbouring resorts so feels secluded. Loved it.

El Beso Adults Only at Ocean El Faro: Nice Resort

Nice small walkable resort with a tropical vibe. Good food. Tennis club is excellent. Shower in the bathroom - the water is leaking past the shower door onto the bathroom floor. Only shower out of 2 was working.

Casa Marina Sosua Trademark by Wyndham All Inclusive: Great resort

I felt that the resort had a good atmosphere the basic rooms where dated but good the food was good and the beach was nice the staff was friendly and attentive they could use a better fittness center but otherwise for the price I have no complaints and hopefully will return

Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana: Beautiful resort

Will definitely recommend this resort to family and friends The place was clean, friendly environment and great food except the Truck snack bar. The empanada and the chicken wings are not very appetizing. The alacarte are really good and the buffet selection are excellent