best up to date places to stay in pop area

Iberostar Costa Dorada and Coral Marien Be Live will always be good...and open as most of other resorts are closing recently

T.E.

Can't go wrong with any of the 3 RIU's. If you decide on Lifestyles get the upgrade to VIP, anything less will not be good. We love Iberostar Costa Dorada. Enjoy

Riu Mambo closed last week so two RIU's left...

T.E.

Having stayed at the Riu Mambo recently, I can say that I am disappointed to hear it is shut down. I came across a post somewhere from back in 2002 suggesting it would be shut down while the Merengue and Bachata would remain open. I am not sure if the Mambo is closed for the low season and will re-open or not. There were rumors that it would be closing when we were there, and staff said it was to become the "Merengue Village" come December.
Staying at one of the hotels allows you access to breakfast and lunch at all three, the liberty to wander from one end to the other, and the option of taking in events wherever they are happening.
Although the rooms we stayed in were not "modern", they were clean and comfortable. All staff (housekeeping, bartenders, groundskeepers, front desk) were extremely friendly and went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. I am not talking Sanky type behavior, just courteous and polite. Food was great as well.
I would recommend the Riu hotels. There are numerous reviews on tripadvisor which include pictures of the rooms. There are also some videos on youtube that show the rooms at the Merengue and Bachata. 90% of the reviews I found before going were positive. If anyone knows the true fate of the Mambo, please share.

lack of tourists... see following article

CIERRAN HOTEL RIU MAMBO EN MAIM?N; UNOS 200 TRABAJADORES PIERDEN EMPLEOS - Puerto Plata Digital

T.E.

JC,

I've been to several AIs on the island over the years. The best place - BY FAR - is the Iberostar Costa Dorada.


Preston

There's more selection of hotels and things to do in Playa Dorada though. I've stayed at Gran Ventana, Barcelo and Victoria... (V is closed now) but Casa Colonial is an upscale boutique hotel if you want more individual catering... Blue Bay is nice too but it has retro decor..on the upside it's adults only.

The Exterminator said:

Iberostar Costa Dorada and Coral Marien Be Live will always be good...and open as most of other resorts are closing recently

T.E.

Click to expand...

I agree - I stayed at both numerous times

Why do you think the hotels and resorts are closing? PP is dead. Other than the cable car there is nothing to do! Go to Sosua or Cabarete instead. Both are close by.

BlueBay Villas if you do not have kids. I have spent alot of time reading TripAdvisor, do not let people scare you, if BlueBay hasnt changed last few months, its a great hotel! Will be going back for the 5th(?) time soon. Get a room away from the show area, and you will have a great time there.

Also been at Grand Paradise and Iberostar, they are very different then BlueBay.

Grand Paradise is medium/typical family hotel, except for nice rooms. The rooms are very nice, BUT and it is a big but, many rooms have doors between them (family option to combine rooms), this leads to you can easily hear people/tv etc from the other room, which is not good. GP is also expensive compared to what you get.

Iberostar is better then Grand Paradise, but also huge, alot of walking, nice hotel grounds.

BlueBay is adults only, small hotell and very nice hotel grounds. Good service, very good food. Rooms could use a renovation, but they are ok.

I strongly suggest BlueBay for people without kids.