What's your flavor
If it's your first time coming to the DR, and you're curious and adventurous enough, you can cover a large swath of the island in a week. This will allow you to find the flavor that suits your desires most.
In a general sense, the North coast caters to the beach bum/sporting type. The worst thing about Cabarete in my opinion is leaving; it's absolute hell. Many would say the same about PP/Sosua. The golf in the North is exclusive and quite expensive, but well worth it if you like to try everything once (or in my case Playa Grande 4 times).
Again in general, the South coast offers more of the cultural aspects (I?m thinking mostly S.D. and the old America's/history theme) but with that comes far more people at the beaches and the inherent activities of a large international city.
I've only been to Altos de Chavon once (my furthest venture East), and I have yet to frequent any of the beaches beyond Guyacanes (sp) Embassy, Juan Dolio and Boca Chica. But I understand they are beautiful. Farther East and working north, you?ll find more remote beaches, some you may have completely to yourself, but less likely to find a cold Presidente on call, smaller towns, less people, etc.
selfcurledgirl if you are going strictly for the beach/resort theme, I think the Juan Dolio area may not satisfy you. At least it wouldn't me, the AI thing isn't my flavor at all. If you want to see S.D. and all the cool stuff you can do here, then it should work well for you, you?re only a short bumpy ride away. The people I've tooled around this island were grateful to be able to see a little of each flavor, North, South and the city.
If you have an idea in your mind that you might make the DR a recurring theme in your life than I'd recommend you come for two weeks (or more if you can swing it) and scout it all out; North from PP to Samana, South from S.D. to the East, Punta Cana, etc. All very doable in that amount of time with some to spare to settle in and enjoy a few days at what you?ve found agreeable.
If you're able to do that and you can make the logistical effort of getting yourself everywhere (read: patience, perseverance and the language), then you are surely to find a spot you'll want to come back to over and over again. In this regard also, once you get the knack of getting around the island you'll find that beyond this general description, there are numerous other things to see and do.
If you dig the AI thing there are some places for you to lose yourself in great beauty and fawning treatment and attention, on all sides of the island.
If you want to be an adventurer and try numerous beach sports, climb the highest mountain in the Caribbean, fly down hillsides on bike, up them on horses and back down again jumping off and sliding down 27 waterfalls, you can do that too.
A proverbial bevy of flavors for those so inclined to taste what the tropics can be all about.
Edited to add: From what I glean from people lately is that the weather has been less than predictable in the past year or so; just not following the "normal" patterns.
I personally love storms and especially the cooling effect in the city (those 2-3 minutes are like a slice of heaven!). Point being I wouldn't let previous weather (unless you're petrified of hurricanes) have a huge bearing on your decision. Besides, the sun gets to be a bit too much and a daily storm is usually a welcome thing. Rarely do they last more than a half-hour/hour.