Loved it

We were very happy with our stay at Playabachata Resort. Our room was good and in a great location. We were in the Coral Section which is the quieter end of the resort and located near the quiet pool and right near the ocean. The landscape of this resort is the best we have ever been at. The staff was wonderful and they work so hard all the time. We have to thank Maria at the front desk who helped us with a few small issues we did have. With the second buffet being closed at the time we were the [... read more]re the main buffet was very busy and that did create some issues at dinner time. We had breakfast and lunch at the snack bar in the Coral section and there had no issues at all. We always found food that we liked in all the different restaurants. We will definitely come back to this resort.

Not for me

This resort needs quite a bit of updating. The rooms (3 of them) that we had were in need of fixing up whether it was a broken faucet or the jiggly front door handle that moved every which way when opening or the faulty sensor/wiring on the sliding door that turns on and off the A/C. We did not enjoy the food. This is a 3 star hotel at best. We ended up upgrading to the resort next door

Overall good trip

The resort grounds are well maintained. If you like a wavy beach this is the perfect place! My room was comfortable, the ceiling fan was good enough to cool off (I never tried turning the AC on). There were several employees with poor attitudes, I focused on the good ones. Liz was the best bartender and very sweet. There was lots of selection at the buffet, however I found the food very oily. The internet only works at the lobby, which was fine for me. The less time in my phone during vacation  [... read more]is a win. Overall it was a good trip.

Great value

We were there for 2 weeks as of end of February 2023. Big improvement from last year. More daytime adult pool activities and more entertainment every evening. The food on buffet was also more flavorable. We'll be back.

We spent the worse vacation with stomach infection

We spent the worse vacation with stomach infection. An ambulance came everyday to this hotel. We paid for a holiday all inclusive for 2 weeks, the room had a strong smell of mold, the air conditioner did not work, we haven’t slept the first night because of a strong smell, next day we changed the room, air conditioning still wasn’t working again, we were three people, but they gave us two twin beds, I spoke with hotel manager and with an Airtransat agent, no results. I paid the full price f [... read more]or three people, everyone should have bed logicaly, but they told me I had to pay an extra $ 1183 for the 13 days, to add an additional bed. Then I spoke to many people from the hotel, the air conditioning did not work for anyone. Room: The furniture is very old, there is a strong smell of dampness, cockroaches run around, you have to ask for toilet paper, towels are not always changed, despite the fact that we give tips. Food: Buffet is an open space without windows, so the birds and insects are flying, small birds sit down and eat what tourists eat, many flies, never see the tables ready for food, have to look for forks, knives, napkins which are cut into two and four parts are saved. The food does not have taste, the chefs have no idea how to cook, in most cases the food is terrible, although cheeses, ham and smoking meat are not bad very small selection. Most importantly: we all got an intestinal infection, like many with whom we met. Service is terrible: Always looking for something- towels, blankets, drinking water etc.

Good Budget Friendly Hotel

My mom and I went on a trip and chose the cheapest 4 star resort in all the DR/Mexico and this one was in our budget/cheapest deal. I went for the sun and sand and that's exactly what I got! I'm a picky eater and was able to find food for all meals. Breakfast I had potatoes and chocolate muffins, lunch I usually had pizza (which was so good!) and dinner usually pasta and some sort of meat (pork or chicken and they did have some beef options). We always sat where Gabriella and Raymond were serv [... read more]ing. They were great! The rooms was cleaned every day but had lots of ants. We also only 1 bed sheet. The showers were pretty narrow and we didn't have hand soap for the first few days. The AC was noisy but didn't bother me too much. Apparently at the sister resort the Senator's AC was broken the entire week we were there. Wifi was slow and only in the lobby but again, that didn't bother me as it's nice to disconnect. The beach was beautiful and seemed pretty private which I loved. Beautiful scenery. There were some broken chairs, but again, this didn't bother me. It was a place to sit and relax. The red flag was up for a couple days and some people went out too far and the lifeguards had to go out and help them but the lifeguards seemed really great and on top of things! I didn't have high expectations as it was a spectacular deal and I knew we weren't going to a 5 star/newer hotel but I would go back again if the price was right!

Amazing Resort

Just got back from a two week stay, the best advice our travel agent told us was to bring our water shoes, the beach was lovely but grainy to walk on. Ensure you bring a proper charger for your phone/pad ours didn’t fit as the outlets were circular and edges raised, some rooms had been updated but ours wasn’t. The resort was massive, two huge pools, I liked the landscaping everything was lush and green a lot of vegetation not stark and cement. Very little English spoken by staff which could  [... read more]be frustrating for some people. If you want to go somewhere to be totally immersed in the culture this is the place you want to go. I am already looking to go back next year for 3-4 weeks. Red and white wine on tap, beer on tap, a pot of coffee or tea with a small pot of warmed milk, these little extras make you less dependent on being served.

Has potential

Great little nook in the heavens! However, no electricity, no telephone or air conditioning for the week. The set up was flat, simple and food decent. Quite a walk to attend dinner/shows. Stay at 1, play at 3. It was a haven for peace and ease. I will be bringng my ageing parents (60 years married) here next year. The staff were pleasant, accomodating and the ground were well kept.

Nice

The room was beautiful. The food was really good in all the restaurants. Our biggest complaint is that we could not get any help with our baggage or rides to the main restaurant or reception. I hurt my leg and could barely walk and my husband couldn’t manage all the luggage. I called the front desk 3 times before we left begging for a cart to take our luggage and us to reception for check out. I was told the carts were reserved for members of The Senator. The sister time share resort.

Playabachata Resort

It was better than I thought it would be, based on the negative reviews before I left. The cleaning staff did a great job and I always had water and clean towels. The entertainment staff seemed to work long hours to keep us entertained. I enjoyed the aquafit classes, it was fun and gave me something to do. The beach was good with lots of shade trees because its hot there. Snorkeling is not good there the waves stirred up the water so not clear. The buffet was so so, depending what time you went [... read more], I went at 9 am so maybe a bit late.There was never clean plates, utensils or anything set on the tables. Some hot food was cold. So better to go earlier. I also thought it was so busy. Too many people for the amount of staff. The night shows were good. The bar staff worked their butts off. The a le carte I thought was so so. I expected faster service, sometime's we would wait for just a drink for an half hour. Wine is terrible! Front desk staff were good , she changed my room to be closer to family members.

Great Resort!

I was on the fence about this resort due to the conflicting reviews, so I thought it would be helpful to write a more in-depth review as some things matter more than others to different people! Long check in process due to being busy and only 2 staff at desk but we were more than welcome to get drinks/use the pool while we waited. Ocean view suite was incredible, king size bed was comfy and we got clean sheets and towels everyday! Mini fridge in room was stocked with drinking water and pop [... read more], stocked every second day, coffee in room was stocked everyday, could request sooner if needed. Not really hot water at certain times due to everyone using it, but it’s the Dominican, it’s already hot! Requested an extra blanket as I’m a cold sleeper, it was there x2 before I even got back to my room! Kayaking, windsurfing, , and snorkelling are free, but we were unable to take part in these due to the water being super wavy because of the wind, but we went in February so that’s normal and we weren’t super disappointed! Note - windsurfing is a $20USD teaching fee unless you know how to do it, but than it’s free for the rest of the trip, so would be better to do it near beginning of the trip. Steak al a carte restaurant was not the best as the cows here aren’t the best, but the Italian al a carte was wonderful! Buffet style food had tons to choose from and they switched it up daily, pasta bar and omelette bar where they make them fresh were my favourite as well as the salad bar! And anything fish was fantastic! Cigars at the airport are crazy expensive, and the ones on the beach are trash, highly recommend going into town to the cigar factory if your interested in them. Coffee is amazing and doing a intown tour with the taxi company was great! We took all the time we wanted, saw the cigar factory and I got to make a keep a cigar for free! Went to a local coffee house and I had the best ice coffee I ever had in my life! Learned lots about the city and even got to stop at the grocery store to pick up cheap booze for home! We had 2 TVs in our room which was nice after a long day in bed, lots of Spanish channels, only a few English, which again is not a big deal, air conditioning worked fantastic and we could control it. Wifi in lobby was good and reached to patio so we could sit and enjoy drinks and cigars while checking in with family. We did bring items to give to the housekeepers like we do in Cuba, they appreciated it but not as much as they are able to get those things here, instead I wish I had brought English books I no longer wanted to leave at the book nooks near the pools as I was only able to find 1 English book to read haha Things I wish I remembered to bring… - Shampoo & Conditioner - A book - Gravol for when we went deep sea fishing 🤢 Check out was a breeze, basically dropped off the keys and waited for our shuttle while we had breakfast and great coffee! Resort is great and great price, would definitely come back again and no complaints!

Very dated resort

The rooms of this resort are in desperate need is repair and TLC. For the number of people staying at the resort they need to open more restaurants asap. Our room had mold under the Air conditioner, the safe was broken, the chair broke when my husband sat in it and there was a sewage smell that circled the resort. The crowds in the dining room were excessive making cutlery and plates and glasses impossible to find. There is a huge disconnect between the two different front desks so communic [... read more]ation is poor. Overall I wouldn’t rate the hotel ver high and will not return.

Paradise!

We loved it here. The view from our room was fabulous and we absolutely loved the beach. There were palms for shade and open spots for sun - a perfect combo. The Dominican people were absolutely lovely.

Good resort

We were very satisfied with the hotel and the rooms. They were a bit old fashioned but clean, the beds were comfortable which was the main thing. It was nice to have quiet rooms and the building only 2 stories high. .It was a bit of a nuisance looking for chairs that were not broken either on the beach and around the pool. We were disappointed with the entertainment, it was the same thing every night except the dancers had different costumes for different themes. But we were able go to the ho [... read more]tel next door (Senator) which was good. The food was OK and had lots of choices so never went hungry.

Disappointed

Former RIU resort is in disrepair. Needs lots of updating. Check in was terrible. Main check in desk staff were rude and not helpful.The transfer bus dropped us off at wrong lobby. We had to walk with our luggage to “correct check in desk.Rooms and furnishings were tired. We did have one incidence of roach in the room. We were assured the room would be sprayed but that never happened. No water pressure or hot water. Food was average. Usually just warm. Entertainment crew were enthusias [... read more]tic and put on some great shows. Some of wait staff in the restaurants were helpful and friendly. Not nearly enough lounges in pool area and none at the beach unless you dragged one from the pool area yourself. A lot of the lounges were literally falling apart and need to be replaced. We have visited the area and Dominican at least 10 plus times over the years and this was the worst experience. Will not return.

Manage your expectations

The room is clean, nothing fancy. The staff are great! Especially Domingo, Oscalena and Carmen. You can always find something to eat at the buffet and the statehouse is the best a la cate. We had issues with our electricity. Yes the whole place went down twice but when everyone else got power back ours was still off. The air conditioning worked but not the lights. We waited 45min for maintenance and my husband who is a maintenance guy figured out a fix. There is no sparkling wine or labels fro [... read more]m home but the local alcohol is more than sufficient. The beach is beautiful and we had no problems finding chairs the first week. The second week the place got busy and we’d get up early grab chairs then go back to sleep. Overall we’d go back but not for 2weeks. I’d definitely book late January early February just because it’s quieter.

Terrible Resort

Terrible resort and experience We did not get the superior room that we asked and purchased. I got food poisoning. No clean towels for 3 days, cockroaches in the room, terrible customer service and not much entertainment in the evenings.

Just say NO

Lots of sanitizer stations, most were empty…food at the buffet ok, but no plates or cups or silverware…no electricity for an entire day…hot water in the mornings only…2 days of no towels in room, most days no towels for pool and beach…a La carte food was horrible, buffet food was better…rooms are very damp and musty…staff was very friendly…average beach, very scenic, yet poor for swimming due to rough bottom…red flag up at all times…sorry to say, not a great place to stay, th [... read more]ere are way better resorts in the D.R.

Playabachata

Older but beautiful hotel, food was good the beach was beautiful. Lots of entertainment. Cleaning staff always cleaning washrooms and tables, staff were very friendly to everyone. The hotel is really beautiful. You can walk the beach from one side to the other the gardens are well kept. We had a wonderful time thanks to Karol Chareza from tripcentral looking forward to booking my next vacation at this hotel. Thank you again Karol.

Good for the price

Chairs on beach broken or none at all and people use towels to sit on. Room phone does not work to front desk if needed for emergencies and no wifi other than lobby and not able to download as very weak wifi. Important as I was not well and could reach anyone as well as an elderly lady who had food poisoning due to uncooked chicken. That’s the things to be aware of otherwise it was great for the price. Beach lots of shade, somewhat rocky small stones and not so clear but warm and wonderful. W [... read more]ine well Cuba even better but again expectations. Service was the exception. Travelled for years to such places. Never experienced such bad service. I would have to find my own knife and fork and glass for water or beer if I could as often hard to find. It was a help yourself if you could find the cutlery and napkins. Often no plates at the buffet, drinks ran out at the main bar twice. But again for the price compared to other DR resorts it was a good deal. Just be prepared and have low expectations. I made it wonderful but if picky be aware.