Best North Coast Resort for Gringos

[Chip]

I am on the verge of finally getting some of my family to come visit me here in the DR and was wondering what AI resorts would you guys recommend on the North Coast that are comfortable and of utmost importance, have food that won't make anybody sick. A bonus would be if they are somewhat economical too, but not the most important. The resort doesn't really need to have any exceptional activities, although a decent pool and close to the beach would be good. I'm sure my family will be busy spending time with our kids.

Thanks

 

[FireGuy]

Do you have a geographical area (POP, Sosua, Cabarete) which would be preferred?

Do you care if you are close to a town or is relative isolation OK (no planned outings on your own)?

Gregg

 

[Chip]

Do you have a geographical area (POP, Sosua, Cabarete) which would be preferred?

Do you care if you are close to a town or is relative isolation OK (no planned outings on your own)?

Gregg

We live here in Santiago so 2 hours travel time or so would be preferable.

 

[FireGuy]

My suggestions would be (in no particular order):
- Riu (Mambo, Merengue or Bachata; in a complex together with exchange priviliges except for dinner).
- Grand Oasis Marien (Costa Dorada area).
- Iberostar Costa Dorada (Costa Dorada area).
- Gran Ventana (in the Playa Dorada complex).

I have stayed three times at the Riu complex for a total of four weeks and two weeks at each of the other three.

If you have specific questions, just ask.

Gregg

 

[Chip]

My suggestions would be (in no particular order):
- Riu (Mambo, Merengue or Bachata; in a complex together with exchange priviliges except for dinner).
- Grand Oasis Marien (Costa Dorada area).
- Iberostar Costa Dorada (Costa Dorada area).
- Gran Ventana (in the Playa Dorada complex).

I have stayed three times at the Riu complex for a total of four weeks and two weeks at each of the other three.

If you have specific questions, just ask.

Gregg

Thanks. I'll research their websites.

 

[BushBaby]

Gregg's list is spot on with the (possible) omission of Gran Ventana in Playa Dorada. This hotel is almost as good as Costa Dorada but has the small advantage of being in the Playa Dorada complex IF THAT IS PERTINENT to their requirements. ~ Grahame.

 

[FireGuy]

Gregg's list is spot on with the (possible) omission of Gran Ventana in Playa Dorada. This hotel is almost as good as Costa Dorada but has the small advantage of being in the Playa Dorada complex IF THAT IS PERTINENT to their requirements. ~ Grahame.

Grahame,

You know me better than that...

Please re-read my post - LOL.

Gregg

 

[oriole100]

Wyndum Tangerine (sp) is an option. On Caberete Beach. Foods good, Beach is Great and I think it costs a lot less. I could be wrong but... I understand they have good deals now. Might be worth checking.

 

[Chip]

My inquiry started because after years of no avail trying to get my family to come visit me it dawned on me that I should just have them come to a resort instead of my house in Santiago in order to really impress them and get their feet wet. It seems I had shot myself in the foor all these years for telling how we lived in the campo in Moca right after I got married. They were under the impression apparently that most of the country was "campo". A hard lesson learned but I'm very excited after looking into these resorts because they really look impressive and know they are going to have a great time.

 

[La Profe_1]

Chip, if you decide on the Rius, PM me. I know the North Coast Sales Manager and she might be able to do a special rate for you.

 

[BushBaby]

Grahame,

You know me better than that...

Please re-read my post - LOL.

Gregg

Sorry Gregg ..... :ermm:..... but as you know, being now Dominicanised I am allowed to say - "No mi culpa'!!!

I noticed that Lambada had not responded yet to this North Coast question thread :surprised & I was determined to beat her to this one. In my rush to post first I didn't see the reference to Gran Ventana on your list!!

I'll now go back to sitting in the shadows again!! ~ Grahame:chinese:

 

[El Tigre]

I have stayed at the Coral Marien (which has been renamed to something else now) and also at the Iberostar. They are both side by side and honestly I prefer the Iberostar. I felt it was better maintained and the food was better.

 

[Buster1]

casa marina in sosua is reasonable and never had any problem with the food. you can walk everywhere and a short cab ride to cabarete.

 

[FireGuy]

I have stayed at the Coral Marien (which has been renamed to something else now) and also at the Iberostar. They are both side by side and honestly I prefer the Iberostar. I felt it was better maintained and the food was better.

I agree with your assessment but there may be considerations which the OP has not yet expressed which could change this as a recommendation.

JMHO

Gregg

 

[FireGuy]

casa marina in sosua is reasonable and never had any problem with the food. you can walk everywhere and a short cab ride to cabarete.

While what you say is correct as to location, Casa Marina is a poor cousin next to all of the properties on my list. As a resort goes it gets a Basic rating, IMHO.

Gregg

 

[Fiesta Mama]

casa marina in sosua is reasonable and never had any problem with the food. you can walk everywhere and a short cab ride to cabarete.

My husband and I were just there in June 2009. The food was not great. There is little selection and they serve the same things every day. Also, they only offered bacon one morning the entire week we were there and the other breakfast fare was not very appetizing. In addition, my parents stayed there in 2005 and my dad got very ill from eating something there. The only reason we still stay there is because the price is usually right, the grounds are nice and it's in the right location for us to visit family, etc. Also, if the OP lives in Santiago, the other hotels are in a much better location.

 

[El Tigre]

While what you say is correct as to location, Casa Marina is a poor cousin next to all of the properties on my list. As a resort goes it gets a Basic rating, IMHO.

Gregg

Yup. Casa Marina does not compare to the ones on your list. When they first opened it was worth it. Now a days not so much :ermm:

 

[rsg]

Yup. Casa Marina does not compare to the ones on your list. When they first opened it was worth it. Now a days not so much :ermm:

If you need to be in Sosua, then Casa Marina will do, but it cant compare foodwise with the quality of food with the resorts in POP.

 

[bellakins]

Orbitz has good deals

I've been doing a lot of research and there are a lot of great deals now, before
Christmas. Then the prices go up for the holidays, then back down a bit in January... Go on the internet and check out Tripadvisor and especially Orbitz.
I found great prices for the Grand Oasis Marien.
Also, sometimes cheapcaribbean.com has excellent deals.

 

[Black Dog]

I would recommend one of the Riu hotels. I love Casa Marina for many reasons but the Riu hotels are a better quality and geographically better located for trips to and from Santiago, you could save up to one and a half to two hours on a round to visit them and if you add that up as lost time over a 1 or 2 week stay that's a lot of extra time with your family!