I really labored over deciding which resort to go to for a very much needed vacation and booked this through bookit.com. I want to divide my review into a few area, as all in all it was a very nice, relaxing stay. There are just a few things that need attention for me to rate it higher. SERVICE: Great staff, friendly, hard-working and well-meaning. Can't say enough about their overall work ethic, service and friendliness. FOOD: I expected much more. I LOVED the smaller portions. I was never stuffed and I appreciate that. It's not a pig out fest. I do find their model fascinating, as I believe there are a couple of shared kitchens that basically churn out variations on the same food, depending on which 'restaurant' you're dining in. By far, the best was the Kitchen Table. Fresh fruit, huge selection - but...it is a buffet. The French restaurant was good, too but I really didn't find anything particularly authentic about any of the restaurant cuisine. We had a really bad, but hilarious experience at the Mexican restaurant, which I won't go into - EXCEPT to say 1) that the courtyard is a lawsuit waiting to happen...more on that; and 2) why MEXICAN? Where is the Dominican food here? SAFETY issues: On my first day there, I fell. We'd upgraded to the room with a plunge pool. Some water dripped on the marble floor inside after trying it....I really labored over deciding which resort to go to for a very much needed vacation and booked this through bookit.com. I want to divide my review into a few area, as all in all it was a very nice, relaxing stay. There are just a few things that need attention for me to rate it higher.
SERVICE: Great staff, friendly, hard-working and well-meaning. Can't say enough about their overall work ethic, service and friendliness.
FOOD: I expected much more. I LOVED the smaller portions. I was never stuffed and I appreciate that. It's not a pig out fest. I do find their model fascinating, as I believe there are a couple of shared kitchens that basically churn out variations on the same food, depending on which 'restaurant' you're dining in. By far, the best was the Kitchen Table. Fresh fruit, huge selection - but...it is a buffet. The French restaurant was good, too but I really didn't find anything particularly authentic about any of the restaurant cuisine. We had a really bad, but hilarious experience at the Mexican restaurant, which I won't go into - EXCEPT to say 1) that the courtyard is a lawsuit waiting to happen...more on that; and 2) why MEXICAN? Where is the Dominican food here?
SAFETY issues: On my first day there, I fell. We'd upgraded to the room with a plunge pool. Some water dripped on the marble floor inside after trying it. Down on a knee, bruised leg, forearm. Not a happy way to start the vacay. No I wasn't drunk or drinking. Next day: walking along the shallow end of the pool to go to our room. There's a little lip/ledge there that blends in. Not knowing that, tripped, fell and slipped all at once. Big time scrape on my knee. Still hurts six days later. THEN: husband falls walking into courtyard of Mexican restaurant. It was dusk. No rope lighting or any warning of a small step down. BOOM. Down HE goes. That was the best part of that meal...just sayin'.
GROUNDS: Lovely! There should be more on the eco park and lagoon. We really enjoyed both areas and saw lots of interesting flora and fauna.
ROOM: Plunge pool motor was so loud we had to have it turned off. It kept us awake one night and the next time we just said, turn it off! Here's something else about the rooms: they all have this weird tub in the living area. Waste of space. Only Ellie Mae and Grannie take baths in their living room. The only liquor stocked in the room is hard liquor and beer. You'll have to buy a bottle of wine if that is your drink. Or order several glasses with room service and cover them with plastic and hope for the best.
VIEW: was marvelous. See my photos.
BEACH: I couldn't find this on anyone's review- it is not swimmable. It is okay for splashing but it is the ATLANTIC people. Great if you're a super strong swimmer/surfer. Otherwise, don't be a dope: the red flag was up every day.
I hate to complain. I purchased this trip because my Mom passed away and I wanted to honor her, and my husband - who was the recipient of my mania during that tough time. She sent a few sweet sunsets and he kept me from jumping off the balcony with no parachute when I'd get pissed off about my falling, bruises and scrapes and the BD Excursion rip-offs, etc. You can read my review on their site. We'll be back to DR but probably the Caribbean side. At least there wasn't a hurricane.More