PPO or Sosua? Which resort?

I sent you an email. Being a single traveler it is more fun to stay at a non AI. Some people enjoy AI's but if I wanted to stay around with some cheesy entertainment, same type of food, and fellow tourists I would stay in the states. AI's not girl friendly by the way. The regulars here can tell you about Sosua and PP more because I have only been in the south. A trip is what you make of it. Some people dwell on all the negative little things and complain but I look for what is new and enjoyable. Try to learn to dance merengue or stumble through a conversation in horrible spanish, and see people laughing with you. The people in the DR are very friendly but as in any country, if you hang around the main tourist areas you will not see the best of the Dominican people as compared to other areas, sorry that is my opinon from experience. Be adventurous if you want, stop at a local bar without tourists and ask an elderly lady to dance, and see her smile and laugh as she outdances someone half her age. Buy a child a coke and see how their eyes light up, that is experiencing dominican culture. Take a beautiful woman out to dinner and go out dancing and if everything works out, you will have a memory that will always remain in your mind. Some things are priceless and can't be easily had at an AI or vegetating with fellow tourists.
dale7(just my thoughts)

Puerto Plata Beach Resort hotel apartments US $28 per night. Swimming pool, beach across the road (Malecon), town 5 mins. motoconcho ide or 20 minute walk away!!
Rooms are: Dble bed, bathroom (with shower) kitchenette with fridge, cooker, dining/sitting area with cable television, & a HIGHLY efficient a/c system. Has a security guard for keeping undesirables out of hotel grounds & a reception area manned 24/7. Restaurants are local & some are excellent. - Grahame.

You might want to take BushBaby up on that suggestion.
Alternative is to go to Sofy's B&B for a night or two and scope out where the action is ....And the owner of Sofy's can point you in the right direction (sofys_bb@hotmail.com). Another option is Condos Dominicanos in Sosua (Sofy's is in POP) (www.condosdominicanos@codetel.net.do ??)
At condos, Eddy can show you around a bit...

Either way, you will have fun, meet nice folks and relax...

HB

Personally I prefer Sosua or Cabarete which is close to POP airport and Sosua is even closer to POP than Puerto Plata. Depends on what you are looking for and budget as to what I would suggest. You won't be the only American there that enjoys regardless of your friends experiences.

regards
Escott

Thanks for the plug HB but that should have been www.condosdominicano.com (Maybe that's why I haven't heard from you in a while) LOL

Bushbaby

Can you give Ray and myself the website and/or email address for Puerto Plata Beach Resort and Casino. Ray did some searching but had no luck. Thank you.
dale7(when lost ask for directions, lol)

Ray/Dale- Grahame took me on a tour of this resort 2 weeks ago. Very nice pool and the rooms are definately worth $28US per night. Located on the Malecon, walking distance to several bars. One thing Grahame I think these 2 were asking about "meeting locals". Does the hotel allow visitors?

Ray/Dale7,
The Puerto Plata Beach Resort Hotel & Casino WAS owned by AMSHA (I thought it was Ahmsa??) so their website might well contain the information you seek. I'll try phoning them tomorow to see if they have an e-mail address & then post it here if they do. The TEl. No. is 809 586 4243.
No, the hotel is NOT directly on the beach - you have to walk across the Malecon (Sea-front road). Front gate to Beach is 50 yards - just enough to build up a thirst for another Presidente!!!

Yell me when you get here & I'll join you for a cold one somewhere.

Randy,
I KNOW you weren't asking for yourself but the answer to that question is "Yes(ish). By talking nicely to the guard on the gate & making an introduction to the female accompaniament, sometimes they will let them in. It should be noted that they come in WITH the guest, they are NOT allowed through the gate without the guest being present to walk them up to the appartment. - Grahame.

Ray,
I also prefer Sosua and Cabarete over POP. Don't worry about the American tourist thing. Most Dominicans welcome American tourists over Europeans because Americans are not such cheap bastards when it comes to tipping. I try not to stereotype an entire country like others on this board but that's just what I've seen in my travels.

Glad you don't stereotype like the others here! LOL Cheap bastards indeed! hahaha

1 ocean place is just an apartment complex with a pool and that is the only water view you will get. You can do better than 40 per night. You going to have a car? Eddy at Condos Dominicanos has less expensive rooms with a pool. Hell you can get a 2 bedroom for that money there. Europa is 30 a night with a pool.

Villa Chessa is 35 for a one bedroom with beautiful pool, great breakfast, A/C in bedroom terrace and 3 doors down from the casino. Car recommended or motorconcho everywhere from there.

RAYNJ we went to an AI but didn't have the AI package hard to explain lol. We ate out in susoa every night and had lunch on the beach breakfast was always around $2-50 and dinner ranged from around 95 pesos to higher depending on what you had
The fruit was great fresh and taste like what it was ,the service in all the restraunts was exlant.
If you go to susoa try the WaterFront was a good meal graet service and exlant food .

Sosua/Cabarete

That's where you want to be. You can stay AI, there is nothing wrong with it, especially in Sosua where you are actually in a town and not in a commune.

Beach, beer, locals, quiet spots (if you know where to find them). Hire a driver, go to Playa Caleton, Playa Grande....These small towns are great places to start from.

I recommend Eddie's condos, they are clean, very well kept pool area, guard at night, close to everything, very reasonable.

Good luck
marc