My husband and I visited the Lifestyle Tropical for the week of his birthday in January. We booked through CheapCaribbean. I waited until the last minute to book, so we saved a ton on the room, but paid extra for the airfare. You live and you learn, I guess. Anyway, as soon as we cleared Customs, a porter took us and our bags to our awaiting transfer, which we also booked through CheapCaribbean. As soon as we made it to the van, we were off. There were 2 other couples on the van, and the ride was pleasant enough, if you could ignore the one guy screaming into his cell phone for about 75% of the ride. When we arrived, we were greeted with cool fruit punch and checked in immediately. Santo Domingo showed us to our room. It was fine- clean and the mini-fridge was stocked with 2 sodas, 2 waters, and 2 Presidente cervezas. Our room was in building 1, overlooking the 'party pool'. We were fine with this. The music usually started around 9 or 10 am, by which time we were always up because the bed was not good (more on that later).
The food, in general, was fine. We ended up having lunch at Bellini almost every day. The pasta carbonara was good. The spicy pasta was far too spicy to be edible, so I sent that back and never ordered it again. Alvaro always greeted us by name and gave great service. At check-in, we were given a reservation for Indochine, which was okay. I requested an additional reservation for my husband's birthday, and Juana was more than happy to help out. She got us into The Blue Lagoon. I met with the manager there early in the day and told him that we were celebrating my husband's birthday. He told me that they would arrange something special, and they delivered. The entire waitstaff came out with a slice of cake with a sparkler in it and sang Happy Birthday. It was really nice. The first lobster they brought out was way overcooked, but the second one was perfect. Since we aren't members, there was a $25 charge for the lobster. The buffet was okay. I could always find something to eat. If you like your potatoes a little crispy and with onions, the guys on the grill are more than happy to throw them on for a few minutes. The smoothies were good, too. Lunch and dinner at the buffet had a different theme every day. You won't starve.
The drinks ranged from decent to pretty good. Through CheapCaribbean, we were granted access to the VIP beach. There, you could get brand name liquor. Everywhere else, no such luck. Jose Luis at Las Canas pool bar was great and put more 'loco' in our Coco Locos. He always greeted us by name. The Mamajuanas were not my favorite, but you have to try at least one.
The animation team was great. I did water aerobics every morning. Caramelo and Mr. SexyFace were so much fun. When we arrived, we were just in time for the Coconut Party. Although this was a totally relaxing vacation, we tried to do a few activities. The animation team works hard to keep things fun.
On the second day, we noticed that the guy who stocks the mini-fridge had Presidente Light on his cart. We requested that, and he left some for us every day. He also offered us a few bottles whenever we saw him, and also greeted us by name. He seemed to have the only supply of light beer on the premises.
I only have 2 complaints. First, the bed was extremely uncomfortable. It was so uncomfortable that I attempted to upgrade our room. Not for free, mind you, I was more than willing to pay. The front desk refused to help. They told me that I needed to talk to the folks at CheapCaribbean, who told me that they are only allowed to book the 'superior' rooms. Also, they charged me $2US to make the call. I eventually gave up and just sucked it up. There was no sleeping in on this vacation. Second, I have to discuss the tour guys. I actually wanted to take the tour to see the entire resort. Our guy, J, was extremely personable and took us all over. He wouldn't discuss price (I guess they don't want to scare you). So 3 hours later (3 HOURS!!! On a delightful, sunny day that could've been spent on the beach or by the pool), he was finally ready to discuss price. We balked at the own payment, and he suddenly became hostile. I'm sorry you 'wasted' 3 hours, but we did, too. If they would've discussed price earlier, we could've ended things a lot earlier. I was so upset that I went back the next day to voice our displeasure. The kicker is that we really do like the place and the 'vacation club' concept. Also, we'll probably buy in next year, when we can budget that extra money into what we'll be spending. However, he will not get our commission. You do NOT treat people like that and then expect to get paid off them. I told him as much.
All in all, we enjoyed ourselves and met some really nice people. We would go back, but only as members because the bed was really bad. I actually do like to have the option of getting some sleep while on vacation, which was not possible in our bed.

Excellent place to go to. Nice selection of food & drinks. Only draw backs are you need the right colored wristband & sometimes slow or no service.

If you are a shareholder of the resort,own a timeshare at this resort or our guests of one of the first 2 members you will have a great time. You are able to go to all beaches,bars & resturants.

We own a timeshare with RCI so we were middle of the road. We got into just about everything.We were not given access to one resturant,Sports bar,private pool & 2 beach areas.

That left 5 resturants & the buffet,many bars, 2 pools, 2 beach areas.

If you go there with a cheap purchase from discount companies you are really restricted to what you can do.

We had booked a bedroom for 4, but the first night only gave us a room for 2. Next day they fixed the problem. Nice size room with lots of space but i would not let anyone ever sleep on the futon. It was just the 2 of us so it is fine but definity not a room for 4, even if 2 of them our young children as the futon mattress is really thin. So if you need to sleep 4 get the bigger size rooms.

Just returned from our mini vacation. We were there in December 2011 & now just got back from our 2nd visit.
The first vacation was with family & the second was with "the girls". We were welcomed back like we never left! The employees here at Lifestyles are very accommodating. When we arrived the staff at the front desk was assisting many of newcomers. We booked thru cheapcaribbean. You can not beat there deals. We were upgraded but I refused the upgrade because we liked the location of Bld#1 3rd floor for the view & the quick access to everywhere - the pools-the bars-the VIP beach etc.. The female hotel manager was fantastic to us. She got us registered quick & off we were to have a welcome drink then to the beach.
The two rooms were both in bldg#1 --keep in mind you are at a 3 star resort. No complaints at all except for the stocking of the refigerator...keep on them..you will get what you want.

We went to relax - drink - bask in the sun & just have a good time. When you go to VIP (in which we did everyday till 5 at night) ask for a Hector special..great drink! All the bartenders are great! Bring lots of one's. They work hard!

The breakfast is great at the buffet..ommlets made right in front of you or simple eggs on the grill...Fresh fruit & smoothies....Off to the beach! As for the timeshare(clipboard guys) they knew us & did not hastle us they knew we did not want to buy..They left us alone...just say "no thank you" It is simple. If it rains & you don't know what to do then take the tour-tshirt & bottle of rum in the rain!

The games at the pool are always a blast! Scooby did a fantastic job & so did Tiger Woods Jr. Barbie she is a blast!..Sexyface-well his was not there this time but he is great also! The morning exercises are great & the afternoon step areobics..we did it all. We were there to have fun..It is what you make of it! The night entertainment was exciting..they did a good job..You are at the beach not in Time Square or Vegas! Allthough some of them should get recognized! The pools are cold but refreshing! Hot tubs are not like the hot tubs in the USA-cold also....The grounds are beautiful & clean.

The V.I.P. party is a must.....the show & fireworks are great..(Sunday welcome party) Everynight we went to a show & then the disco...great fun..Plan on alot of walking...the resort is big...alot of steps..we are walkers so we enjoyed it. We did get a chance to go over to the Confessi resort...pools are nice..food okay..no entertainment like the tropical...did not like the vibe from there so back to tropical we went...We did do the horsebacking riding it was fun..not enough time in the day to do everything.

Security is real tight...very safe....no worries at the tropical....We are booking another girls long weekend for April! We love it there....We did pay the $3 a day safe fee...The venders on the beach you can bargin with..cheap gifts...We meet alot of new friends from all around the world...everyone was very friendly...great place to relax & have a great time. You will not be board!
The Blue Lagoon is the best restaurant by far. mexican was okay....we were fine with the rest. Make sure you bring bottled water with you to the beach!

It's a vacation....relax & enjoy the Dominican Republic..we do! We did use the transfers to the hotel but not to the airport. They wanted us to leave at 11am to stand around the airport. We used the beach & took a taxi at 2pm to get our 3 flight for $35......

You get what you pay for, this line has never wrung so true as going to this hotel. Paying ~ $700 per person for a week was too good to be true and it sure was! I wish that I had heeded the reviews on trip adviser. I always read them, laugh and think that other travelers are being too picky. But with this resort every single bad thing I read was TRUE!

First let me begin by saying that this was my 6th time down to the dominican, 4th time using cheap caribbean. The level of hotels we have stayed are 3-4 star all inclusive resorts and this fell into that category. I took my mom with me this time and it was her first. I feel so bad that this place were her first experience.

Right off at the airport, the baggage handler for our bus transfer demanded tip money for each bag before he had even placed it on the trailer. This has never happened in the past, and it was not a good way to start our vacation.

Got to the resort and up to the front desk. Like other reviews I read it was a complete zoo. Just absolute choas, no lines to stand in, just everyone clustered and edging up to get to an employee to check in. So my mom and I get up to counter to a very unfriendly woman (very unusual in my past experiences) I asked if they were able to fulfill my request for 2 double beds. She said no but she'd give us an upgrade. Our "upgrade" ended up being in the older section of the resort, such a beat up looking room and the sliding glass doors wouldn't lock. I asked to be relocated to an acceptable room and she said we were going to be given an apartment-style room. We were taken to the unused VIP section with broken windows/doors/dirty and it looked like it hadn't been used in years. We knew we were being jerked around and told them never mind. We just made the best of it. They finally got a guy out to fix our sliding glass door so it would lock. We were not the only ones with room problems. And neither customer service or our Cheap Caribbean guy wanted to help us. Mostly our Cheap Caribbean rep just wanted to have us purchase excursions and that's all he was good for.

Usually I love the variety of food at the resorts. But this place literally had the same food every single meal in the buffet. Even at the beach cafe, it was the same food every day. Rice, beans, chicken, salad, fruit, soup and burgers floating in water. The only good meals we had were the 2 specialty restaurants.

Drinks were the typical as any other resort. Tip a buck for your drinks and they'll make them more potent.

The beach and pools were an overall disappointment. Besides people reserving cabanas and chairs at 7am, they beaches were very narrow and small. The VIP cabana section made you feel like you were stacked right on top of each other and the reg beach side with lounge chairs barely had any umbrellas to spare. The actual beach past the wall/steps was a joke. A small 15 foot sliver of sand, it was so sad. But at least the workers kept it clean and did their best to make it look nice.

The pools were easier to get a seat but the music was so loud you could barely think or relax. We stuck near to the beach most of the trip.

The entertainment and shows were the typical kind of shows at the resorts. If you've seen one, you've seen them all.

Last but not least the whole premise of this resort is for you to buy into it and become a member. The whole resort is covered in propaganda to buy. When you drive into the entrance there's huge billboards advertising the membership VIP rewards, it's throughout the whole hotel, a constant reminder...like we really needed a reminder with the white shirt reps stalking and bugging you to take a tour. Even after we took the 2 hr tour the second day we were there, we were still pestered.

This classification at this hotel was also a big negative. I'm used to going to other resorts where they have you take the tour and after they leave you alone. But at this place there is a total class distinction and the employees treat you as such. The members all wear sparkle gold bands, there was also sparkle blue and red bands for guests who had bought through other travel companies. BUT us cheap carribean guests had either plain white or yellow plastic bands and everywhere you went and before anyone talked to you or assisted you, your band was looked at FIRST. We were even told by the resort rep that took us on our tour of the Members Only VIP section that what we paid, paid for our airfare and the site got it's cut. He said it was to just get us down there to purchase a membership. Oh how true this was!

I have to say this was my first vacation that I could not wait to get home! My mom and I were both so eager for the week to end and get back onto that plane.

Please do yourself the favor and go to another resort. No matter what unbelievable price that is offered.

If you've gotten this far, one resort which was amazing that I did a few years back through cheap caribbean was Blue Bay, it was amazing and wish I had returned there instead! Good luck in your travel choices.