VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Very well prepared

Gran Ventana was well prepared to deal with COVID they arranged to have someone come to the hotel to do the PCR testing, you put your name on the list the day before. They did the test in the morning and you got the result at the front desk by 5pm that same day. $79.00US. At the mall the test cost $70.00US but it took 2 days to get the result, we had to walk up there in the morning to get Arlene’s result the day we were flying home, which was very stressful. They Sunwing representative was no [... read more]t up to date with his information and encouraged all of us to go through him for the COVID testing which led to a stressful couple of days. The hotel had a separate section if you tested positive, well away from the other guests, I was told the wifi was great, you placed your order for your meals which they delivered, there was no alcohol and you didn’t have a room key. Overall is was very similar to home in regards to the pandemic. The only negative thing about our stay was the advice we took from our Sunwing rep, who we looked toward to guide us through travelling in these uncertain times.

Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada: Highly recommend!!!

My second time at this resort and it does not disappoint. Helpful and friendly staff, a beautiful beach that you can walk for miles along. The staff are friendly and very helpful, clean rooms, great food, nightly entertainment and a disco. The peaceful gardens with waterfalls along with all the other amenities gives this resort a 10/10 on my should have requirements at an all inclusive resort. Covid protocols Followed by all staff and convenient on site testing for departure back to Canad [... read more]a was efficient and professional.

Playabachata Hotel: Beautiful beach

The grounds are beautiful, right on the beach dotted with palm trees. Plenty of lounge chairs but alot are broken and need to be replaced. The staff are friendly. The food is typical - Very over-cooked meat, beans, pasta, fish, potatoes, salads…. Not a lot of variety day after day, but there was always lots of food. The steak restaurant wasn’t good at all. By the end of the week I didnt wanna eat anything more. Aside from the food, our room had good air conditioning & ample hot water, but  [... read more]our toilet wouldnt flush 90% of the time. You’re not allowed to flush paper down the toilets but they dont give you a bag to put the paper in - just a plastic trash can… youre brought bottled water, sprite and coke daily to the room. we didnt go on any excursions as we found them much too expensive. Covid protocols were in place - masks must be worn in the buffet restaurant and stores and on buses and in taxis. Since the reception is open-air there were no protocols. Social distancing didn’t exist here. There was not enough seating in the lobby area. When it rains or if its really hot or you want to use wifi theres nowhere to sit in the lobby. The only place you can get wifi is at reception, Tropical Avenue or at the Senator resort next door. Rosario went above and beyond to make us feel special in the buffet. I didnt like that theres people that approach you to come to a ‘free breakfast’ at the Senator hotel next door. They claim its definitely not a timeshare theyre wanting you to buy into, but with a 25 year commitment, I wouldnt call it anything else. Their marketing approach needs to change for this immensely. All in all I had a relaxing week, no major issues, didnt go hungry and had opportunities to do things if I wanted to.

Playabachata Hotel: Very nice resort

The beach is lovely as you can sit under the palm trees. Room has been very clean and we very much enjoyed our stay. For a taxi to town go outside the gates. There's internet only in the lobby area. Would be great if one could buy a data plan.

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Home away from home

This resort is wonderful! The food is amazing. The staff are super friendly and very helpful. Everything you need is close. The only downfall is if you want to watch TV in English, the only English stations are News stations and MTV.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Loved it here

Came here solo, super last minute like day before ...Beautiful place, grounds were clean, food was great, beach was lovely, the animation team was great, especially Scarlett she was super cute and such a great dancer taught me some Spanish as well. My room was great, weather was amazing. really don't have any complaints! I plan on returning one day in the not so distant future. The covid handling was very good as well...all staff wore masks, hand sanitizer on way into eating areas, I was reje [... read more]cted for drinks a few times for not having my mask on, no problem i may of been a bit drunk an forgot haha no biggie, but i respect the friendly reminder just shows they take it serious

Casa Marina Sosua Trademark by Wyndham All Inclusive: Amazing resort!!

Ok I was at casa marina from Jan 13-20 had a blast big shout out to @matteo’s his bar is awesome I got to watch my football 🏈 last weekend ❤️ it was epic!! Love ya Boston.. my friends at casa marina I love u so much u know who you are 💪🏼 ❤️.. “Carlos Santana”hahaha (Nick) all the staff are amazing as always from front desk to cleaners much respect 👊🏼 Ok Covid had my test on the 18th 930am got my results back 4pm that day (by email negative) felt relieved as most w [... read more]ould but I talked to the doctor Cesar when I went to get my hard copy of the result and he told me he has had only 2 positives after over 200 test in the past 2 weeks.. which means to me that casa marina is doing great 👍🏼 On the way home it was quick no delays before I could get to the Sun wing desk for check in .. first was departure tax $20 us for 7 days .. at the same place, was show your negative test results on phone or hard copy and passport for verification. Then Sunwing desk and security as always all the same all the way to the plane. Arrived at Toronto Pearson T3 declaration is now digital so is done at a Kiosk as u first arrive as most of u know.. the immigration they tell u which way to go and if u get a pink or green sticker of your passport (covid test is pink green is no test) Thru there is baggage grab it and see your way out then you get to the testing area.. it was fast, then I had to do a covid test at 8:45pm and got the results by email the next day 5:30pm (negative) Canada testers told me I had to Quarantine until my negative test arrived by email. I got it great trip !! Can’t wait to go back ❤️ Hope this helped 

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Exceeded Expectations

A wonderful 10 days at this resort and could not say enough great things about our time there. Greeted promptly with a very efficient and quick check in within 5 minutes of arrival, and were in our room in about in 20 minutes. The safety protocols were in full force during our stay and the majority of guests ( 95 % + ) followed all the small rules put in place for safety of guests and staff. The resort itself was spotless at all times with consistent cleaning all over the resort from the bea [... read more]ch to to the lobby, hallways etc. While the pool bar was not open there was 3 locations to pick up drinks throughout and executed flawlessly by a bartending crew that always had a smile on there face. The drink of the day was a big hit with a lot of people there The food was better the great !!! it would be putting an insult to all the chefs and cooks on a daily basis with a great selection of food at the buffet every night for everyone ( sorry if you complain about the food here ,you better give your head a shake!!) as you have to keep in mind that we are in a COVID situation and there are supply chain problems everywhere but the daily selection along with the theme nights selections were outstanding With limited guests there, a great shoutout to the animation crew to get people involved in the daily activities as they did there very best during the day and at night with the small amount of people there A special bonus every week is the manager of the resort Oscar Lora having a local Dominican dance celebration and an opportunity of meeting him but his incredible team from management to the everyday workers of the Gran Ventana While the resort was not running at full capacity the staff was and I know that just talking to other people there their would be no way they thought it would of been not just good but also exceeded their expectations also The beach was outstanding as was the weather from how clean the grounds were but like the pool never had to worry about finding a lounge chair at anytime of the day Since there are limited guests you will see the same vendors on the beach 4-5 X a day approaching you and a polite no thank you is all that is required, keep in mind that this their living selling things/products that they mean well and are always polite themselves An added bonus upon our trip was that the hotel is now doing PCR tests and Antigen in the hotel 6 days a week at a price that is the same as other outside locations ( PLEASE DO NOT use the medical center off site from the hotel, we heard and saw personally ,too many horror stories about test results from the medical center. The resort has absolutely no control over regarding false positive tests) All in all a great vacation and I am already booked for April 2021 for another 2 weeks at the same place

Select Sosua Adults Only, Trademark by Wyndham All Inclusive: It was very nice

It was very clean and all staff were friendly. They were a little behind on having more snacks available throughout the day. The rooms were very nice and the air conditioning worked just fine. The pool was a very nice temperature and it as nice and clean.

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Be live collection Marien Review

The staff, the service, the cleanliness of the resort, the rooms, the food, everything was amazing. It was my first time in Puerto Plata, but surely not last. Everyone was so friendly and ready to always help.

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Find A Different Hotel

The grounds and pool are beautiful. The rooms are hit and miss. The safe was not working, ants in the bathroom, grout build-up in the bathroom and flooding every shower because the bathroom floor was nearly a inch higher than the living space. No dressing gowns. Front desk was not really interested in the issues. The food was terrible and lots of time cold. We ended going to the Playa Hotel which is adjacent to eat, and it was much better. The cooks were wearing masks - NOT covering their [... read more] noses and a couple of times not fully placed. My daughter had her wedding at this resort - NO gift basket and no upgrade to their room, which is what we paid for. The front desk was made aware of these issues, and nothing was done to rectify the situation. The food placed at cocktail hour was literally one piece of hor deurve per person. Very, very disappointing I would definitely NOT recommend this hotel for anything

Casa Marina Sosua Trademark by Wyndham All Inclusive: Not going back

Positive points : location - food not bad Negative points : rooms not cleaned properly, to many Europians (very impolite and rude), food at snack bar discusting, grounds full of plastic glasses, straws and cigarettes butts (not the hotel's fault but the tourists), entertainment nul, no beer in fridge, hait drying not wworking, telephone in room not working, had to pay for poor WIFI.

Senator Puerto Plata Hotel: Great!

The hotel was very clean and well maintained. We did have a couple of hiccups with the room and they were rectified. There was no hot water the day we arrived, but they had technicians working on the issue and it was solved by the evening. The staff went above and beyond. They were friendly and helpful.

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: A neat, beautiful spot

We came in December 2021 for our “baby moon”. We had a great time! A smaller resort only at about 50% capacity or so. The beach was great (except for the beach vendors that can be a little excessive) but otherwise great sand, lots of chairs, good swimming! The pool was nice too, music all day if you’re into that. It was clean and again lots of chairs available. The food was good enough, for a 4 star all inclusive. Not fine dining by any means but we were well fed! Good breakfast and lots o [... read more]f options for dinner. The chicken wings at the snack bar were AWESOME. We’re not big drinkers so can’t speak to the bar but they had a big menu of specialty drinks so I think they had a good selection. My only critique would be the staff could be a bit friendlier. Covid protocols were great at the hotel. Masks are expected in all common areas, sanitizer is readily available and required to enter the main buffet. Our rep didn’t show to explain but you need an appointment for the Covid testing at the clinic 1 minute walk from the hotel but they accomodated because I was pregnant. It was quick and super close to the hotel. My second critique would be the airport transfer and the plane itself. The van to and from the airport was VERY cramped and as full as possible with 15 people. We were almost on top of eachother, I didn’t feel great in that situation. Overall I felt very safe at the resort, they had great protocols in place and most guests followed them!

Casa Marina Reef Resort: not the same

we have been to this resort many many times and we have never had the problems we had this time. ask to change the room the first night, told to come back at 10 in the morning.. we went back at 10 and was told which room we could have.. and the one is the one that we liked, but was told to come back again at 3, we did and was given a key to a different room which was not the one that we were told we were going to get, so we just stayed in the 1st room which we weren;t crazy about,, but, what ca [... read more]n you do.. then at the end of our stay we ask for late check out.. was told again to come back.. we did.. told to come back again. then the morning of our last day was told we could not get late check out (our flight was leaving at 10:30pm) finally after more talks we finally got late check out.. had to pay 28 which we were glad to do. and sorry to say, but the staff were not that friendly or nice. seems things have changed .. like i said we have been here at least 7 times and never had a problem at all.. Virigina ,, the day time bar staff at the main bar was Great,, she was here last time we were... would we go back.. not too sure..

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Being there do it again

Ive been to this resort many times, why i like it is because the pools and grounds are kept well and clean, walking around the hotel areas is amazing always something to see. The workers from the grass cutters to waiters and waitress to those who keep your room clean are all amazing what they do each day after day.You must realize that I went for a Month stay and see this every day. My room 43203 was always clean when I asked them to clean the room, The girls at the door in Italian Mexican Indo [... read more]china Brazilian Indian and Blue Lagoon were very gracious and polite. Like I said the people employees working there were great and now to tell you what was not to my liking first Internet was very expensive but never worked always shutting down, the general areas to eat food was the same every day and never changed, i no its not the workers fault its at the top.What the hotel and staff did for Covid was excellent very impressed.

Lifestyle Tropical Beach Resort: Invaded by the local riff raff

We stayed for 28 days. By the second weekend we realized that every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday the Tropical lets in swarms of unruly, rude locals with their entourage of screaming, screechy kids that were not disciplined in any way. One local told me they get to come at a cost of $2.50 Canadian per day to enjoy the facilities and all you can eat and drink . Kids stay and eat for free. They butt into line, overcrowd the buffet, causing long line ups to enter the buffet because their tick [... read more]ets had to be checked. Buffet was open, but nothing had be started on the grill. On the weekends the locals would commandeer the serving lines and it would take at least 20 minutes to get some food. I was told by staff the locals were vaccinated, but I believe this only applied to the adults. Each couple had at least 4 kids. Covid is spread by screaming and yelling. The kids would play tag, screaming at each other, unmasked, and throw their beach toys around in the buffet and staff did nothing to address the issue. Temperature check was done upon entering the buffet followed by use of hand sanitizer. Most of the time this was a mere formality since the temp reading was not even looked at. There is absolutely no social distancing entering the buffet, waiting for food, getting served at the bar. Masks had to be worn to enter the buffet, get your food or get drinks from the bar. The bars strictly enforced proper mask wearing, but in the buffet, only upon entering, after that on your chin or just over your mouth was okay. Our area had 3 stalls in the public/guest washroom to accommodate 6 buildings, roughly 360 rooms. Better to go back to your room to use the washroom. The locals over took the washroom on weekends and used the stalls as their change room. Half an hour into lunch, the greeter showed m the clip board with the number of locals already in the buffet. The count was 95 not including children. On weekends, you are lucky to get a table at the buffet, midweek NO PROBLEM. We made sure we had a la carte tickets for every weekend. The locals congregated in groups of 20-30, blocking walk ways and stairs. They ran up to the bar shouting their orders and got served first. No kids in the adult only pool was only enforced if they voluntarily left after being told. Check in/out takes at least 20 minutes and that is after you reach the counter.. You get a flimsy paper wrist band that is covered by a hint of plastic that costs $200US if lost. Wifi $7US per day. Safe almost $3US per day. Food redundant, a la carte hit and miss. At one a la carte the waitress went and grabbed toilet paper from the public washroom to wipe up my spilt balsamic vinegar. Cabanas and lounge chairs reserved by 7am with personal items, not to have anyone using them for 5-6 hours. Dead bug evidence over all the walls. One tiny garbage can per room. Some rooms smelt so moldy or were so dirty guests would ask to change rooms. Ice bucket, but no ice in building. Bring a wrench to open the water bottles that were supplied. bar fridge in each room. Individual soap/shampoo/conditioner/body cream supplied. Rooms cleaned daily. Free shuttle service around the resort which is a hot bed for spreading Covid as most had masks just on their chin. Artificial environment, just trying to sell time shares. $50US per taxi to get off the resort to get into the city as it is not in walking distance. Locals mounded their plates so full of food we called it the Dominican Food Bank/ Soup kitchen. The quality of food definitely was poorer on the weekends. Canadians need to pay 79US$ each for a Covid test to get back into Canada. My guess is that the resort lets in at 300 - 500 locals per day. I emailed the resort to get the correct figure, but they have not responded. Often at the buffet my soup was cold by the time wait staff gave me a spoon, not to mention the three times I was given a plastic spoon. A few occasions our meal was done before we were served our beverage. Wait staff looked over the diners instead of looking at them, more interested in what was going on outside. We will not come back here due to the number of rude, self centered locals allowed in each weekend. I was told on the airplane by others at different resorts they had the same problem.

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Hmm

The room had a great view. Beds were comfy. A/C leaked and I slipped on water and hurt myself. Food was mediocre and the same every day. Staff other than bartenders were not helpful. I would not recommend this hotel. View from room wsas great

Viva Tangerine by Wyndham: Great place

Staff all try their best to accommodate everyone. Staff speak pretty good english. Food is fine, remember why you are down in caberate the ocean and the weather. Beach is great, take time to explore cabarete, it is safe and friendly

Select Sosua Adults Only, Trademark by Wyndham All Inclusive: Never again resort

1. We were assigned a room on the fourth floor with no balcony and no air conditioning for 2 nights. The temperature in the room was 31C. My wife slept on the floor as close to the door as possible. 2. I made a present of US$100.00 to change room to second floor. I’m 73 and expected to walk up 4 floors to a room…..not happening. 3.Food was adequate….COVID-19 protocols and testing were good.