Just returned to Santo Domingo from a few nights in Barahona staying at the Hotel Costa Larimar, (December 2006) between Christmas and New Year's. They offered all-inclusive, no beverages, or hotel only packages. We took the all-inclusive option, at RD$2000 per adult including all taxes, and the kid stayed free (5 yrs old).
The hotel is located a few blocks south on the Malecon in Barahona, going towards Pedernales. It sits between the main road and the beach, and was well-lit and had a big sign, so it was easy to find. (This is about a 3 hour ride south to get to Barahona from Santo Domingo).
If you are looking for a place to stay with nightclubs, animation shows, discos, big parties - this hotel is NOT the place. If you are looking for fine dining, and many different theme restaurants, this is NOT the place. No sankies or hookers in sight during our stay. Lots of Haitian families were there (Port o Prince is only about 1 1/2 hours away). If you are looking for a family-friendly, kid-friendly, place to unwind, then come here.
I would guess that they were only at about 20% occupancy during our stay. The rooms are spotlessly clean, a little worn around the edges, but all rooms looked like they have a balcony headed towards the ocean. The A/C performed great, and was clean too. No in-room fridge or water.
The food was "adequate". It wasn't fancy, there was limited selection, but it was fresh, it varied between meals and nights, and there was sufficient selection that everyone had something to eat which they enjoyed. No leg of beef carvery, etc but it was adequate. They did have a room service menu with many more choices available (at a cost).The beverages sucked (juices and sodas). We solved this with a run to a colmado.
The beach wasn't so great either. 100 meters of sand and shells then progressed into the water with about 20 feet of sand bottom and 2 feet of water, which then progressed into 4 feet of water with a muck bottom, and there were mangrove islands about 100 meters out. Lots of shells for the kid to find and pick up. At its busiest, maybe 6 people on the beach. There were plenty of sand flies and mosquitos at the beach but the bar supplied free OFF spray.
They have a nice swimming pool, but with limited shallow play area for the small kids. Adult supervision required. (Good excuse to spend all afternoon in the pool with the kiddies, even if I didn't always feel like it). Nice areas to just loaf in a lounge chair and catch a nap or some sun.
There were several colmados/bars along the main road if one wanted to go catch some action or drinks with the locals. We went out to dinner at Brisas del Caribe, about a kilometer up the road, and gorged ourselves on fresh fish on the second night for about RD$1500. Then we had dessert back at the hotel later.
At night, no noise from the street, no loud music, in fact, it was very quiet even outside. Once inside the room, there is no outside noise intruding.
Check out was painless, and the price was the price. No mistakes, no hassles. We will return. We did unwind, and feel ready to face the new year.
Hotel Costa Larimar, Ave. Enriquillo #6, Barahona. Tele: 809-688-6130 or 809-524-5111 and website: www.hotelcostalarimar.com
The hotel is located a few blocks south on the Malecon in Barahona, going towards Pedernales. It sits between the main road and the beach, and was well-lit and had a big sign, so it was easy to find. (This is about a 3 hour ride south to get to Barahona from Santo Domingo).
If you are looking for a place to stay with nightclubs, animation shows, discos, big parties - this hotel is NOT the place. If you are looking for fine dining, and many different theme restaurants, this is NOT the place. No sankies or hookers in sight during our stay. Lots of Haitian families were there (Port o Prince is only about 1 1/2 hours away). If you are looking for a family-friendly, kid-friendly, place to unwind, then come here.
I would guess that they were only at about 20% occupancy during our stay. The rooms are spotlessly clean, a little worn around the edges, but all rooms looked like they have a balcony headed towards the ocean. The A/C performed great, and was clean too. No in-room fridge or water.
The food was "adequate". It wasn't fancy, there was limited selection, but it was fresh, it varied between meals and nights, and there was sufficient selection that everyone had something to eat which they enjoyed. No leg of beef carvery, etc but it was adequate. They did have a room service menu with many more choices available (at a cost).The beverages sucked (juices and sodas). We solved this with a run to a colmado.
The beach wasn't so great either. 100 meters of sand and shells then progressed into the water with about 20 feet of sand bottom and 2 feet of water, which then progressed into 4 feet of water with a muck bottom, and there were mangrove islands about 100 meters out. Lots of shells for the kid to find and pick up. At its busiest, maybe 6 people on the beach. There were plenty of sand flies and mosquitos at the beach but the bar supplied free OFF spray.
They have a nice swimming pool, but with limited shallow play area for the small kids. Adult supervision required. (Good excuse to spend all afternoon in the pool with the kiddies, even if I didn't always feel like it). Nice areas to just loaf in a lounge chair and catch a nap or some sun.
There were several colmados/bars along the main road if one wanted to go catch some action or drinks with the locals. We went out to dinner at Brisas del Caribe, about a kilometer up the road, and gorged ourselves on fresh fish on the second night for about RD$1500. Then we had dessert back at the hotel later.
At night, no noise from the street, no loud music, in fact, it was very quiet even outside. Once inside the room, there is no outside noise intruding.
Check out was painless, and the price was the price. No mistakes, no hassles. We will return. We did unwind, and feel ready to face the new year.
Hotel Costa Larimar, Ave. Enriquillo #6, Barahona. Tele: 809-688-6130 or 809-524-5111 and website: www.hotelcostalarimar.com