Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Great Resort

- Beautiful hotel and very well maintained - Always clean - Great for kids, many activities to keep them busy and happy including a water park and a well run mini club. - Great resort for snorkeling right off the beach. Equipment is free to use each day from the water center right on the beach. - Staff were always attentive and friendly, especially when your friendly to them, unlike many arrogant people we saw on this trip. You get the respect you show! These people work hard to make you happy,  [... read more]show a little appreciation by being polite. - Rooms were very nice, we had a large room so not sure what the standard looks like but heard they are nice as well. - Food is what you expect in the buffet, average, it is a buffet after all! If you want high end 6 star meals then go to a high end 6 star resort. - A la carte restaurants we tried were great, especially the Brazilian. The other we tried was the Italian, better than buffet for sure. They also have seafood and gourmet restaurants. Easy to get reservations, was never much of a line up. - Never much of a line up anywhere for anything, staffed well everywhere. Again, if your expecting immediate service all the time then go to a resort that has a personal butler. Might help if you tip once in a while. - Hotel is only 30 minutes from airport and it is a beautiful drive to the hotel with fantastic views. - We did not do any off site excursions. Overall this hotel was great and we would go again. Sorry for all the angry comments but it drives us crazy how many people travel with unrealistic expectations and arrogant attitudes. If your a friendly person who just wants to have some fun and relax then you will enjoy yourself. Stayed March 2015, travelled with family

Be Live Experience Hamaca Suites: Be Live Hamaca Santo Domingo

My boyfriend and I went to Be Live Hamaca Santo Domingo from March 6 to March 13 2015. Before arriving we were skeptical of the hotel due to the poor reviews. However, the hotel was not as bad as the reviews perceived it to be. The location of the hotel is different then most all inclusive resorts that I have been to due to the close proximity of the resort to the city. This hotel is directly located within the city. If staying on the garden side you must cross a public road in order to go to th [... read more]e ocean side. This was something that was not expected. This would not be a good resort at all for small children due to the fact you have to cross the road everyday and the lack of children's activities. Overall, our room was located in building 19. We were on the third floor with a king bed over looking the town's housing. This was not a very pretty site however there was not a lot of noise. The air conditioning never worked and we never received sheets that actually fit the bed. However, the room was cleaned daily and we were left a new water every day. The pool on the garden side was very nice. You could always get multiple chairs in a row. However, you could not get a chair in the shade ever. The pool was always cleaned. The bartenders at the pool bar were very nice and pleasant. The beach was nice, but very small. If you are familiar with large beaches like cuba. This is not the resort for you. Due to limited space the chairs and people were essentially on top of each other anywhere you were on the beach. The dock located on the hotel's property is the divider of the public beach from the hotel's beach. Along this line venders would reside there. Beach was way to small for the amount of chair and people. If you enjoy a nice walk on the beach this would not be the beach or hotel I would recommend. There are also a lot of people trying to sell tours (i.e., catamaran or four wheeler). They are allowed on the resort and beach and are very bothersome. We were asked atleast once a day if we wanted to go on a tour, if not more. The food was good. I use the word good as it was better then the food served in Cuba. Two added features of Dominican to Cuba is that this hotel had pepsi and ketchup. There was a variety of food at all times. A bundle of fresh fruit at every meal which was nice. In comparison, to the price we paid $900 each direct from Moncton to Dominican it was worth it. However, I will not go back to this hotel due to its location from the airport and the beach. The staff was very friendly and the food was fine for the week. Please be aware that if you fly into Punta Cana and you are staying at this resort it is a 3 hour bus ride. If arriving at night (after 10pm), please be aware that there is a public Disco at this hotel and that locals are welcomed and that locals do hang around the front entrances which is not that comfortable.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Beautiful Resort

The hotel was beautiful. The grounds were amazing, so clean and well maintained. The food was great, especially the selection of restaurants that you could go to without having to make a reservation. There were a few days that on return to the room from being at the beach all day, the room was still not cleaned. We had a few days where we just asked for clean towels. (Would have preferred the room cleaned). Other than that happy with our stay.

Occidental Caribe: Solid 3.5 Stars Experience potential for 4

Spring Break Stay with lots of college students on ground. Knowing that, there are separate pools if you need to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Condo style resort with good food, beach and service. Staff spoke very limited English but we had a Spanish speaking person with us so we were good most of the time. Rooms keys timed out and needed daily registrations at the front desk; found that fairly frustrating. top floors have vaulted ceilings but water pressure was lousy along with hot water [... read more] availability. Make sure to check out the Pizzeria upstairs in the main Pool Area for great pizza and a spectacular view of the of ocean. Daily entertainment was fantastic both daytime and evening. Bring American money tip and travel in taxis. 40 minutes from Higuey, 20 minutes to San Juan shopping centre and 5 minutes to Punta Blanca Shopping Market. Come visit with low expectations and you may be pleasantly surprised liked us. Cheers and Happy Travels!!!

Be Live Experience Hamaca Suites: Horrible place!

This place was disgusting! Mold on the walls and in the tub, rusty old locks on the safes, dirty and old. In the 50's, i'm sure it was a nice hotel but it hasn't been updated! Staff didn't speak english. Not even a resort!

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Best vacation ever

The pool with the swim up bar was great. I participated in activities that were put on by the staff. The beach was nice. Spent a whole day playing each volleyball. Everything and everywhere on the resort was clean. The food choice was really good. The staff were very kind and helpful. Great choice of excursions. My group did the catamaran cruise and it was one of the best day we had there. Definitely a resort I would and have already recommended.

Paradise Playa Dorada: You get what you pay for

Too many locals trying to sell their products on the beach & on site time share. Day trips was another sales pitch every step of the way. Air conditioning broke down twice in 1 week but it was fixed. Had to fight to get 2 room keys as only 1 is allowed. Family of 4 but no connecting rooms given as requested. Rooms were far from each other. Some of the staff at the front desk were not very helpful. Restaurant staff had their own preferred people to serve. 2 restaurants yet 3 a la carte promised.  [... read more]No available chairs at pool nor on beach during the whole time as people reserve them early in the morning. Other issues but enough said.

Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata: quiet resort

Very quiet ...renovations are going on in half the resort ...The rooms are nice that have been renovated. ..not much music and happens through the day except for the beach between 11am- 1pm ...The food is not good it's like being in Cuba ...close to the mall ....for the money you can go somewhere else. ..I wouldn't go back

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Great resort for cost

Hotel grounds and amenities are beautiful. Lots to do as its a huge resort complex. Rooms and staff are very nice. Only reason not a 5 Star is that the food is just "OK", nothing fantastic. Beach is a bit rough for swimming but great to look at! TripCentral was great to deal with for booking. For what we paid - we were very happy with our entire experience.

Grand Sirenis Tropical Suites: Exceeded Expectations

the grounds were beautiful, staff lovely and value quite exceptional. The water park was a great hit with the kids. Rooms were large a little on the outdated could be cleaner. All restaurants and buffets were excellent. Loved the house peacocks there were 11 on the resort.

Grand Bavaro Princess: Excellent resort

The resort was excellent. Staff very accommodating and friendly. Very happy I had the platimum package. Felt like you were on a resort within a resort. A friend recommended it. She stayed there a few times. Would highly recommend It.

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Amazing trip

Was an amazing trip if you are looking for a cheaper price. Pool was beautiful and clean, beach was great. We had a room on the ground floor that had lots of bugs, but very spacious. food was average, service was great, friendly staff. All in all i would come again. Thanks for a great trip!!

VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort: Wonderful Resort

We were a party of 4 - 2 adults and 2 -18 year girls. Had a great time. Grounds very well kept. Hotel clean. Friendly staff. Need to have some local music played around the pool during the day. Food was wonderful. Beach beautiful and clean. Would go back.

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: Decent place

It was a decent place to stay , food was fine , beds comfy . Lots of walking as the resort is build on a hill , that was fine with me to climb stairs and such but if you have mobility issues it would be a tough go . Beach was small for long walks because it's in a bay . Overall I would not return as it was good but so much out there to explore and it wasn't one of the greatest places I have visited .

Marien Puerto Plata Hotel: Just ok

This was a last minute trip! Some good and bad points ! Beautiful view and great food ! Service is next to none for someone asking if you want a drink! Rooms being cleaned was terrible! A couple of days our room wasn't even touched ! Lack of water to drink, you had to ask the front desk to get some ! Brazilian restaurant was awesome! Beach was nice and staff was friendly ! Thanks !

Melia Caribe Beach Resort: Too Big

We stayed in the adults only section. The resort was too large for our liking. We went to two restaurants and one had no ravioli and another no mushrooms to go with my steak. Service was ok. I think you get better service in smaller resorts. The room was ok. Food was fine. In the family area there was a huge buffet, but it was very busy and noisy as was the rest of the main lobby area which was the family area of the resort. The resorts grounds were well kept, the pool was very nice.

Sunscape Puerto Plata: good resort

Very nice beach, very good food, interesting and funny shows every night. A lot activities around swimming pool for adults and kids. Only one complain: rooms need to be up to date (closet very small ). Very nice resort overall.

Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort: AMAZING TRIP

we booked a trip on line. looking for a trip to dominion republic I come across trip central vacations looked at the trips was available and found a great resort. called up the rep and booked four tickets that night. the service was great!!!!!!!!!!

Sunscape Coco Punta Cana: nice resort for the most part

The food selection was good. Highlights were the Brazilian, Italian and Mexican restaurant; the gourmet was so-so but the Asian/Japanese was a let down. How can you possibly screw up seafood when your source is right in the backyard of your facility??? The vendors in the resort were annoying, i found the vendors right outside of the resort way better as they gave you room to check out their wares. There were lots of Europeans at the resort and i found many of them to be extremely rude not only t [... read more]o staff but to other guests as well. There were some awesome staff on site, the price of the 10 day plan was good hence why i would recommend this place again. The rooms were clean and decent. The pool bar tucked away by building 12, the bartenders there made the best mojitos! That particular bar was almost a secret, you gotta check it out!

Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana: Excellete

To Start, Now Larimar was a great resort. The staff are all incredibly hard workers. Servers always prompt and polite. Rooms very clean and modern. Food was good and the buffet was also good. Our favorite restaurant was the Japanese. We didn't make it to the French but only heard great reviews. The entertainment staff were Top notch. Kids loved them and were very hard workers. Shout out to Happy Boy, Rhinanna, Shaggy, Alexis.Joshua and Bruno Mars. Beaches were very long and they cleaned them dai [... read more]ly (seaweed) We would recommend this resort. Only 20 minutes from the airport.Check in was fast and easy. I also prefer smaller resorts. Only minutes to dinner, pool and beach. Room Tip: we paid for pool view....but couldn't see the pool ?