I've spoken with a few people who remarked that my trip report about my Thanksgiving vacation was very negative, specifically, the resort.
I'd like to talk a little bit more about the resort, which was the Ocean Arc Decameron.
It was offered as part of an internet package through Travelocity. For between $400-$800 more, I could have gone to a different resort. However, the price was right for me. I did not expect anything lavish. Also, because it was through Travelocity, I did not have airport service. Since I speak Spanish it was easy for me to get around, but I can imagine the feeling of someone fresh off the plane, trying to figure out how to get there, and getting charged an outrageous price.
I basically got what I really needed...a clean room, a clean bed, and food while I was on the resort.
For me, this was a last minute trip and I did not care much where I stayed as long as it was safe and clean. The Decameron met those standards for sure.
When I said the food was blah...that is only because I've experienced superior Dominican cooking in the past, so I am biased. I noticed other guests seemed very happy with food choices. I stuck as close to la bandera as possible. Rice, beans, meat, salad. There certainly were other choices. I ate fish one night that was very good.
The issue of the bathroom...the drain didn't drain very well, and the tap water was brown. I did not see this as a major inconvenience. I brushed with bottled water. I think it is fair to mention this to potential guests.
I think the other key to my previous, negative-sounding report was that I was not there to be entertained. Therefore the activities they had scheduled for their guests did not appeal to me. I was tempted to try the SCUBA but preferred laying in the sun. There were a lot of things to do, I just didn't want to do them.
As Tony said when I saw him, this type of package is ideal for someone staying just a short time, a week or less, who needs a home-base but is able to travel around at will. That is exactly what the Decameron was for me. If I had paid more money for a better resort, I may have been inclined to spend more time on it.
In summary, I would recommend the Decamaron. The price was right. The beach was close. There was a lot to do, even if you had no idea of what was outside the resort. It is what it is. Not the best, not the worst.
I'd like to talk a little bit more about the resort, which was the Ocean Arc Decameron.
It was offered as part of an internet package through Travelocity. For between $400-$800 more, I could have gone to a different resort. However, the price was right for me. I did not expect anything lavish. Also, because it was through Travelocity, I did not have airport service. Since I speak Spanish it was easy for me to get around, but I can imagine the feeling of someone fresh off the plane, trying to figure out how to get there, and getting charged an outrageous price.
I basically got what I really needed...a clean room, a clean bed, and food while I was on the resort.
For me, this was a last minute trip and I did not care much where I stayed as long as it was safe and clean. The Decameron met those standards for sure.
When I said the food was blah...that is only because I've experienced superior Dominican cooking in the past, so I am biased. I noticed other guests seemed very happy with food choices. I stuck as close to la bandera as possible. Rice, beans, meat, salad. There certainly were other choices. I ate fish one night that was very good.
The issue of the bathroom...the drain didn't drain very well, and the tap water was brown. I did not see this as a major inconvenience. I brushed with bottled water. I think it is fair to mention this to potential guests.
I think the other key to my previous, negative-sounding report was that I was not there to be entertained. Therefore the activities they had scheduled for their guests did not appeal to me. I was tempted to try the SCUBA but preferred laying in the sun. There were a lot of things to do, I just didn't want to do them.
As Tony said when I saw him, this type of package is ideal for someone staying just a short time, a week or less, who needs a home-base but is able to travel around at will. That is exactly what the Decameron was for me. If I had paid more money for a better resort, I may have been inclined to spend more time on it.
In summary, I would recommend the Decamaron. The price was right. The beach was close. There was a lot to do, even if you had no idea of what was outside the resort. It is what it is. Not the best, not the worst.
