Modern 3 stars all-inclusive beach resort, providing excellent accommodations dispersed through spacious bright pastel colored buildings, that are nostalgic of a native old style fishermen's village nestled within lush tropical vegetation, surrounded by coconut and almonds trees that line the beach. Beachfront fresh water pool. Located right on the front line of Boca Chica Beach, Dominican Republic 15 minutes from Las Americas International Airport and 30 kilometers from Santo Domino city.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Ocean View
Family Resort
Languages Spoken
Spanish
Location
Calle Abraham Nunez 4, Boca Chica 15700 Dominican Republic
Whala!Bocachica
1,021 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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Whala!Bocachica hotel offers a stay with contrasting experiences. While some guests appreciate the hotel's proximity to the beach and the diverse food options, others have encountered issues with room amenities, food availability, and overall cleanliness, despite many finding the rooms and common areas spotless. The service has received mixed reviews, with mentions of both friendly staff and frustratingly slow responses.
Travelers often feel that the advertising overpromises, leading to disappointment over hidden costs and the value received. The atmosphere is family-friendly for some, yet others describe the rooms and amenities as basic and dated.
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Neglected
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Underwhelming
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My husband and I have stayed at Whala!Bocachica more than 5 times. 3 times when it was called Don Juan and will be back on September 2nd to September 23. We usually come in August for our wedding anniversary, but this time for my birthday. I have read some of the reviews and was surprised to see how negative they were. We both found the staff to be personable, helpful and always friendly. With respect to the hotel itself, if there is a problem with the room, or any problem for that matter, one quick mention of it to the reception, or the Manager, the last time we were there, it was Alfiya, and it is fixed almost immediately.
For example, we had bad service at the restaurant, Marina Makey, which I am not sure if it is affiliated with the hotel or not, but that is close in proximity, told Alfiya about it, she apologized and sent a bottle of wine to our room. In my opinion, neither she nor management of the hotel was responsible for trying to make amends for another proprietor’s negligence, but that is just the way Alfiya and her staff are. We believe in tipping for good service. Just because it is an all-inclusive resort, does not mean you don’t have to tip. Usually, tipping once or twice is all that is needed for them to remember your order and it makes their day that you show your appreciation for them. It must be remembered that they deal with all types of people. After spending 14 days at the resort, I have seen tourists act like they left their manner’s at home. Moreover, it shows in their children’s attitude as well. I know I would not want to be ordered around by a 9 or 10-year-old, telling me to “get them a soda”. Never a please or thank you and still, they do it with a smile and almost never receive a tip. Our cleaning lady’s always introduces herself and asked us what time we would like our room cleaned. She showered our room with fresh flowers and made the most amazing things out of towels. The buffet restaurant where the main meals were served were clean, continuously replenished. Pamela, the morning chef, made our eggs to perfection and had them started when she saw us enter the restaurant, Juana had our table and drinks ready by time we had our food in hand. For the dinner hour, Santa and Alabama (sorry for the spelling) were our go to servers. They anticipated our needs and had drinks at our table when we arrived with out food. I would recommend this hotel for its’ staff alone. However, the beach is to die for. The beach vendors can be annoying, but if you treat them with respect, understanding that this is their job, just politely decline, they will not bother you. There is also a lined off section that they cannot cross, it you feel intimidated. And there is security everywhere watching out for tourists. I can’t wait to return.
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Date of stay: August 2019
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amston Arias, Atención al cliente/recepción at Whala!Bocachica
Responded 28 Aug 2024
Dear Tina, It was delightful to read your detailed account of your repeated visits to Whala!Bocachica. We are truly honored to be your chosen destination for such special occasions like your wedding anniversary and birthday. Your kind words about our staff have warmed our hearts. It is gratifying to hear that our team consistently provides you with a personable, helpful, and friendly service. We are pleased that any issues you encountered were dealt with swiftly and efficiently, and we appreciate your understanding and patience. We are thrilled that you find our beach to die for and that you've had positive experiences with our cleaning service and restaurant staff. We believe our staff's dedication to service greatly contributes to making our hotel a wonderful place to stay. We also appreciate your understanding towards the beach vendors and your respect for their work. We do our best to ensure that all our guests feel comfortable and safe. Once again, thank you for recommending our hotel. We look forward to welcoming you back on September 2nd for your birthday celebration. Best Regards, Amston Arias Guest service manager whala!bocachica
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I spent 2 weeks in this hotel and these are my comments. The room was ok, air conditioning made the room bearable. NEGATIVES: 1. You cannot throw the toilet paper down the toilet, you have a bin near to throw it. The bin is emptied every 2 days. Even without the paper the toilet still gets messy sometimes as it doesn't flush properly. 2. The door key is not working most of the time, as they say "you shouldn't keep it near the phone". I changed my key several times a day just because it was in the bag with the phone. 3. The swimming pool is absolutely disgusting. I will add some me photos to prove. Nearly threw up first day passing by the pool on my way to the beach. 4. Flies on the food all the time. 5. One big cockroach in the room, as big as half of my pinkie. Killed it with my slipper. 6. No other staff other than reception speaks English, only Spanish. Spanish people are treated preferential, just so you know. POSITIVE: 1. The hotel is on the beach. 2. ATM on site. 3. Bar personnel is friendly and treats everyone equally, compared to the restaurant. As first time in Dominican, I'd say I'm not willing to travel for 9 hours to a 3 or 4* hotel there. So, if you can afford, you better find a 5* or you stay home.
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amston Arias, Atención al cliente/recepción at Whala!Bocachica
Responded 17 Jun 2024
Dear Guest, We are very sorry to read that your experience at our hotel did not meet your expectations. We strive to provide quality service for each guest and your comments help us in this process. Regarding the negative points you mentioned, we are very sorry that you had problems with the room and the pool. We always work to keep our facilities clean and functional. On the other hand, we are happy to know that the location of the hotel and the treatment received by the bar staff have been to your liking. We will continue working to improve our service and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again so that you can have a better experience. Amston Arias Guest Service Manager whala!bocachica
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The hotel is in an excellent location as it is in the middle of Boca Chica beach, just 15 minutes from Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ - Las Américas). It offers a lot of regional food as it attracts a large number of locals during the weekends. You should not expect the food and drink received in Eastern hotels, such as in Punta Cana and Bávaro, but the dedication and warmth provided by the hotel staff, particularly Juana and Elizabet in the restaurant area and Estefanía at reception, are even better. The beach and the place in general require special patience to tolerate the rude behavior of some locals who play loud music, speak loudly, and often invade personal space; it is a cultural issue that feels natural to them and therefore requires adaptation on our part, the tourists. We will return as many times as we can because the hotel staff makes us feel tremendously comfortable!
***SPANISH***
The hotel has an excellent location as it is located in the middle of Boca Chica beach, just 15 minutes from the Santo Domingo airport (SDQ - Las Américas) It has a lot of regional food since it has a large influx of locals during the weekends. You should not expect the food and drink that you receive in hotels in the East, such as in Punta Cana and Bárbaro, but although it is very good, the dedication and warmth provided by the hotel staff, particularly Juana and Elizabet in the area, is even better. from the restaurant and Estefanía at reception. The beach and the place in general requires special patience to tolerate the impolite behavior of some locals who play loud music, talk loudly and often invade personal space, it is a cultural issue that feels natural and that is why it requires adaptation on the part of of us tourists. We will return as many times as we can because the hotel staff makes us feel tremendously comfortable.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:At the beach, ask for Papo and say Hi for me
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hotel to avoid. I don't recommend it but then not at all.. To begin with, shabby welcome, then food, limit eatable with everyday the same. Very very very noisy with lots of locals. Other holidaymakers can go back to your room in the middle of the night because the reception gives your key.. you have to claim toilet paper and towels...... finally I can not even describe all the adventures.. It’s a shame, it’s really the worst hotel of all our trips.
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Date of stay: November 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Un conseil trouver un autre hôtel. Vacances pas reposantes du tout. Hôtel qui accueille des...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Worst hotel experience! Food is hideous & rooms are very outdated. Struggling to see where the 3 stars for the hotel are coming from. Locals are rude and racist, always pushing into queues. Dinner is at 6.30pm & on the weekends avoid, all the locals pile in and pools, bar & majority of space is taken up by them. Some staff are very nice but majority serve the locals before the people who paid loads of money to stay here for their holiday. Evening entertainment is non-existent & the kid’s entertainment begins at 10pm which is bizarre. Once the entertainment is finished around midnight all the locals get drunk and stumble into their rooms around 3-4am crashing and banging on your room door. Snack bar at the pool bar is ok, probably the only thing edible throughout our stay, burger or hot dog but be quick because the locals take the majority of it. Looking forward to the holiday finishing and I can head back home. If you do somewhat stay here make sure you request to stay in a room away from the entertainment stage.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Would advise booking elsewhere if you want to enjoy your stay here in Dominican Republic
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stay your A Double S outta here! That's the nicest way I could say it. Never again. Nevvvveeeerrrrr again. Um Ummmm. Nope. Door didn't lock. You have to pay for a lock on the safe. You might wanna get eat a hard boiled bag of sand before you eat the food. When I pulled up to the property I thought we had the wrong address. If "you get what you pay for" was a place this would be below that. Mosquitoes literally seem like they rented the room instead of humans. Security is non-existent. I could write alot more but this will do for now
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Awful hotel. Food not too bad, more choice would be good. Big room but very very dated. Patio door wouldn't lock, was a bolt to put into a drilled hole, didn't work. Looked like door had been forced open at some stage. Over looked beautiful clear water, and a ship yard for container ships, cranes and containers. Looked out on the right to a couple construction site, kids trying to climb over the razor wire along the side of the hotel. Locals every night in the bars next door. We were told not to go that direction as not safe!!!! Had 6 teenagers asking me if I was on my own and wanting money! They were in as day visitors. Felt very unsafe and ruined my holiday, told my partner he said can't report it as they are locals and they stick together. Had an adjoining room, which didn't close properly, lights shining through it, could hear them talking as they obviously heard us. Staff not interested unless you spoke Spanish. Always over looked during meal times, they'd rather help people who came after you. Rude chefs and bar staff at the snack bar on the beach. Drunk, machete wielding local walking along the beach one afternoon. Trips are a rip off, 20 minute drive turned out to be 2 hours there and 2 back. Told all inclusive of boat and island, but wasn't , if you wanted beer or anything different you had to pay. Wasn't what we were told the trip was at all. Don't believe 'Willy' who is selling trips...
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Date of stay: October 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Don't go there
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Amston Arias, Atención al cliente/recepción at Whala!Bocachica
Responded 21 Nov 2024
Dear Guest, Your feedback has been received and it's truly unfortunate to hear that your stay at whala!bocachica did not meet your expectations. We deeply regret the inconveniences you encountered during your visit. Our main goal is to provide comfortable accommodation, good food and a secure environment for all our guests. We are saddened to hear that you felt otherwise. Rest assured that we value your feedback as we continuously strive to enhance our guest experience. We do hope that despite your disappointment, you will give us another chance to serve you better in the future. Best regards, Amston Arias Guest service manager whala!
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Hello. Hotel to flee Not booked for 3 weeks Total insecurity Locals invade the beach until take our deckchairs or shelters for sun He leaves the cans, the plates, the cups, their food on the beach not to mention they all have their music which and of course not the same Room impossible to sleep car that honks at the night of dogs that barks at locals that talk outside all night The photos are false on the site We've already changed rooms a little less noise we can finally sleep a little Swimming pool very room Disturb every 5 minutes with vendors at the helm impossible to be quiet A lot of locals on the square impossible to go swimming together because Insecurity for our personal belongings We asked for a change of hotel that will be done after 10 days So French friends I do not all continue what is disastrous but I have photos and video Hotel to RUN AWAY AND RUN AWAY AGAIN
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Hotel à fuire tres vite
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The rooms are very tired and dirty. I’ve complained today and so far nothings changed. The shower and taps have no pressure so it’s hard to get a shower. I’ve brought my disabled scooter and they knew and yet have given me a room with steps into it so the scooter has to be carried in and out. Not really happy with the service here at all. Booked through @loveholidays and wouldn’t again as it appears they only pay for the cheapest rooms not like the ones advertised
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel does not reach 3 stars, I chose this hotel for being centrally located in the city and it was a total disappointment, first I was located in building 7 where even the doors open well looks like an abandoned building, the customer service is lousy , at checkout time security Go out to find the guests who are leaving to vacate the hotel and if you require to take an Águeda at checkout time indicate that the service for you is exhausted, a total lack of respect , to deliver the pool toayas you have to deliver a deposit, honestly in my particular opinion they can close it tomorrow !! Too bad that our country has this kind of experience!! I have been to many hotels in my country and first time I have such a bad experience!
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hola bueno yo creo que cuando yo reservé ya los impuestos estaban incluido. Trata de encontrar algo mejor este hotel no es muy bueno y los tragos son muy malos.
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