the best hotel in Juan Dolio?

heavennsangel

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I'm trying to book a vacation from Aug 26 to sep 1st.I'm thinking Juan Dolio or B.c . I havent booked anything yet and need some advice on where to stay.It's for my boyfriend and i.Any ideas and recomendations would be gladly appreciated.Thanks so much i know you guys are experts at this. :)
 

MommC

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Depends on what you mean by "best"!

By Canadian and American standards the "best" resort is most likely the Hilton Costa Caribe.
A close second would be Embassy Suites located in the Metro Golf and Country Club (a little isolated as it's IN the complex and NOT on the beach road) or also La Capella (altho' they've had some 'staffing' problems lately - see Robbery in Juan Dolio thread).

Nicer resorts (a little less expensive and not quite so fancy) would be Colonial Tropical and Plaza Real (not to be confused with Playa Real).

Then theres always Barcelo Talanquera (read Miguel's recent posts on this resort) for the budget minded that just wants a clean, comfortable, 'nice' resort that's in the middle of the Juan Dolio strip so you can get out and wander and explore.

Check out the DR1 Hotel listings.....

and do a search for Juan Dolio resorts and you'll find some good reviews!
 

Zorro

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Best Hotel in Juan Dolio?

I recently spent a week there with my wife and 3 kids and I should have have followed all the reviews. Avoid the Barcello Talenquera if you can. It's inexpensive alright but it's not to the level expected of an international traveler/vacationer (and it's not really on the beach, like they advertise. you do have to cross a small street to get to the beachfront part of the Hotel. The whole thing was very disapointing to say the least. There must be something about the place that attracts loud rowdy (and rude) people.

After one night at the Talenquera, we decided we were not spending our week of vacation like that. We forgo our payment for the rooms and left to look around for a better place (we didn't even argue about getting a refund, since we knew that would probably not happen anyway).

Just up the street we found the Barcello Capella and it was great!!!!.
It's a moderately priced resort with a large well manicured grounds and a great wide, clean beach. Service was excellent, as were the food and drinks (not watered down like the those of its brother 'resort' down the street). The rooms are clean and all in all, I don't have any complaints or bad comments about this place. Whenever I come down to the Juan Dolio area, I am coming here for sure.

Do some research and pay attention to the reviews.

Good luck and enjoy!
 

miguel

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Jul 2, 2003
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Ok!

Listen very carefully.

I came here asking about the Talanquera Resort in San Pedro/Juan Dolio and I got mixed comments about the place. Well, it was about 2 in favor and 30 against. Read my thread on the "General Stuff" forum.

I received a PM from a member who lives nearby and she told me about her relatives' experiences. I then emailed the place and I got the nicest reply the same day. I decided to booke it just for 2 nights just in case I did not liked the place and had to move to another resort.

All I will say is that I was there a little over a month ago and I have NOT one complain about the place. They treated me and my companion so great that I decided to stay more days. They treated us with so much care/respect that I ended up cancelling my reservation at the Hamaca in Boca Chica.

The food was good. The drinks were good. The restaurants were good. The atmosphere was good. The room was very, very, very clean. Even though I booked online, when I got there I requested a room by the beach and Rafael(from the front desk) was nice enough to change my room and got it for me. But even if he could not, it was not going to kill me to walk 20 steps to get to the beach, for cying out loud!!.

As said on my thread, I will not recomment the Talanquera, or any resorts for that matter, to anybody for the simple reason that what I may find acceptable, others may find unacceptable.

I knew off hand that I was not going to get a 5 stars resort. One gets what one pays for. In my case, I got 50 times more than what I paid. Crap, in one day, I think, I drank and ate more than what I paid for the 4 days!.

If you think that 40-50 dollars per person, per night will get you a 5 stars resort, FOGGETABOUTITTTT!!. If you don't care about pety little crap, pay the 40-50. If you care about pety little crap, go to another resort and pay double or triple that amount.

In my case, they treated us with so much respect and care that I WILL go back and stay there again. But that's me. I know my likes and dislikes.

Good luck.
 

ricktoronto

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Zorro said:
It's inexpensive alright but it's not to the level expected of an international traveler/vacationer (and it's not really on the beach, like they advertise.

"International travellers" don't stay at All Inclusives at all. They know better.

"4 or 5 *" AI's will rarely if ever be equal to a real 4 or 5 star hotel rated by someone other than the hotel or tour company itself (which is where those All Inclusive star ratings come from, folks -they are not objective ratings whatsoever).
 

MommC

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You said it Rick!!!

Now if I was to compare the Hilton Coral Caribe in Juan Dolio (a 4-5 star AI) with the Hilton Hotel in Sorrento all of a sudden the Hilton in JD becomes a 2 star at best and Tananquera a flop house on the beach (yes you have to cross the service road from the main hotel to the beach but that's the way most of the resorts in JD are!)

A true International traveller would be staying at Casa de Campo in La Romana or at the Jaragua in Santo Domingo where you need 4 wheeled transportation to get to the beach (I have yet to find the beach in CdC!).
 

hollywood north

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Yep - crossing that service road is just the way it is and so what!
I stayed at a time share/AI (whose name I forget-I know it was damaged in one of the storms a few years back and may not even exist now).

That 'road' was actually great beause I enjoy walking and exploring...little traffic - lots to look at.

MommC - I think that Casa de Campo beach is private to the resort as it is man-made. If I was spending large to stay at such luxurious joint - that place would definitely lose points in my book just due to that fact. Then again, as Miguel stated - everyone has different comfort levels and expectations.
 

brownsugarny

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help with the Hilton Costa Caribe

Hello
I will be staying at the Costa Caribe Hilton on 10/6/2005 thru 10/16/2005 with 50 of my close friends. So what is the real deal ??
Is this place a dump ??
or what??
 

MommC

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Or what ......would be your answer!

Costa Caribe is a very nice resort with excellant facilities.
Most of the tourists staying there are American,Canadian or European.
The grounds are beautiful, food is good, service is good , casino is the newest in the area etc.etc.etc.

Enjoy your stay and be sure to post a Trip Report in the trip report forum when you return home! ;)
 

drloca

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Oct 26, 2004
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I think this is the best resort in JD and have stayed there 8 times and will be returning in November.
Go with no expectations and you wont be disappointed! It is pretty basic but since you are going in a group, you will no doubt have a great time! Enjoy ;)
 

dulce

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The Costa Caribe certainly is not a dump. If you are going with 50 people it sounds like you will have fun no matter where you stay. Yhe beach at CC is the best along that stretch. You can walk to the left along the beach and settle in wherever you like. The food,service,pools,sports bar and disco at CC are all good. Keep in mind that it is LOW season and all resorts are probrably short staffed. Then again, you may be the biggest group there and have special service to yourselves. Be sure to get out of the resort and explore Jaun Dolio. Check out the Choclate Plaza just outside the resort for shopping during the day and disco at night. Ask for which nights they have bands. Keep going on the beach road and turn right onto Calle Blvd. for more shopping during the day. Check out some of the resturants in Jaun Dolio. Many people say they like El Meson for Dominican food, Plaza Real for Italian and Guilla's for a good variety. If you get hungry for a good American pub style hamburger then Guilla's is the place to go. Try to get to Guilla's on Monday night for the live band and to meet locals as well as ex-pats living in the area. ENJOY and as MommC be sure to let us know how you liked JD.
 

Conchman

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I dont wanna hijack the thread, but I got a big Halloween weekend coming up and I need a place to stay in JD with a bunch of buddies. The hotel needs to allow 'guests' which we can 'register' since we are all coming together from the north coast.

Since we might be rowdy I was thinking of renting a villa near the beach, near Caribbean Sun (whatever that is..a restaurant?). Anybody know some villas to rent for the weekend near there?

let me know, feel free to PM me.
 

miguel

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Where do they find these people!!

Would you people, PLEASE, tell us how much you are willing to spend!.

Give us a round number.

What can be cheap for you may not be cheap for others.

How are we supposed to help you if you just say "does anybody knows a cheap hotel....". What are we, Houdinis to know what price you are looking for!!?.

Make it a little easy for us and tell us the amount of money that you are willing to spend and I am more than sure that you will be helped faster.

I, for one, would help you faster/quicker!!.
 
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dulce

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Conchman said:
I dont wanna hijack the thread, but I got a big Halloween weekend coming up and I need a place to stay in JD with a bunch of buddies. The hotel needs to allow 'guests' which we can 'register' since we are all coming together from the north coast.

Since we might be rowdy I was thinking of renting a villa near the beach, near Caribbean Sun (whatever that is..a restaurant?). Anybody know some villas to rent for the weekend near there?

let me know, feel free to PM me.

Plaza Real sounds like a good option for you. They have small apartments and allow guests. They would have everything you need there. Take a look at their website( in Italian) but disreguard the prices there. You live on the island and know how to negociate prices. They have a small supermarket ,nice Italian resturant,pool,massage hut,bar,kitchens and good advice for the area entertainment. I used to hang around there quite often when I lived in Jaun Dolio and usually there were groups of Italian men staying there for the winter or vacation. They always had a great time there with no problems from the management. There are some apartments big enough for 6 guys.
I really can't help you with villas for rent in the area. I am not aware of anyone who rents a villa just for a weekend in that area. HAVE FUN!!!!!
 

Samantha18

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Jun 7, 2003
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I am sorry.
Cheap for me is 10 up to 30 dollars per night...
I could have the oportunity to book the Talanquera for 46 Eur/night, that`s not much, but it`s so far from the town itself...

Playa real is closed as far as i read.
 

botc115

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Aug 8, 2005
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I understand there is a five star hotel between Sosua and Cabarete, does anyone know the name of it? I will be coming down there next month and thought I would check it out.

MommC said:
Costa Caribe is a very nice resort with excellant facilities.
Most of the tourists staying there are American,Canadian or European.
The grounds are beautiful, food is good, service is good , casino is the newest in the area etc.etc.etc.

Enjoy your stay and be sure to post a Trip Report in the trip report forum when you return home! ;)
 

juanita

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Apr 22, 2004
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Samantha18 said:
I am sorry.
Cheap for me is 10 up to 30 dollars per night...
I could have the oportunity to book the Talanquera for 46 Eur/night, that`s not much, but it`s so far from the town itself...

Playa real is closed as far as i read.

Go to Fior Di Loto (Juan Dolio), $10 - 40 per room! Do a search "Fior Di Loto" to get more info.

(809) 526-1146
 

FireGuy

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botc115 said:
I understand there is a five star hotel between Sosua and Cabarete, does anyone know the name of it? I will be coming down there next month and thought I would check it out.
The only two which might remotely qualify are Breezes and Viva Wyndham Tangerine - neither of which I would say are 5* (IMHO).

Breezes would be 3.5* - 4* and Viva Wyndham Tangerine would be 4* - 4.5* depending on the weighting of the criteria used.

Gregg