Best Value All-inclusive....Puerto Plata

[Peter and Cyndy]

hi...we have a group of 11...one seniour...four adults...six kids..ages 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16....looking for a great holiday at Christmas....thinking of the LTI near Soshua....would appreciate any suggestions..want to be there around Dec.22 for two weeks....flying out of Saskatchewan....

 

[Bob Morris]

Hi;

We have spent three (to us)glorious times at a resort known as Gran Ventana which is in the Playa Dorado complex just out of Puerta Plata. They have a large pool graduating from ankle depth to about 5 feet (I think that's the deep end). There is no diving. The resort has 510 rooms in three buildings, no elevators but there are a good many ground floor rooms. It is only a hundred yards or so from the beach.

It is not the cheapest but we have been completely satisfied, otherwise we would not have booked our fourth visit for Feb 1, 2001. The rates in the brochure don't jib with the package we were offered and put down a deposit for. Our deal is considerable less than the stated rates. I suspect that the many new resorts that have sprung up in the past couple of years have stiffed competition and may mean better deals are out there.

Hope this helps - if I can answer any more questions I am at <rlmorris@telus.net> Incidentlly we fly out of Vancouver.

 

[lorri]

I have stayed in the resort called Fun Royal/ Fun Tropical 4 times this year. It is really good. They have a separate pool for kids and they have separate staff to keep your kids busy all day. There are 3 restaurants and the entertainment is the best in the complex. I will be there for 2 weeks at the same time.... If you would like any more information please feel free to email me. I have also stayed at 2 other esorts over the years in the Playa Dorado Complex in Puerto Plata. I suggest NOT going to Sosua.... Some people love it but I hated it there.... Good Luck

 

[Eddy]

I would suggest Casa Marina Beach or Reef in Sosua, if you're into the "all inclusive thing". Playa Dorada seems to me boring. Sosua has the nicest beach on the North Coast (If not the DR)and a lot more life than the "Prison with the golden gates". Check it out. BTW hurry up for the dates you wish to travel it's getting late..

 

[Anders]

Hello Peter & Cyndy,

Havn?t been to PP, but me and my family (2xA + 1x14 + 1x19)spent 2 absolute perfect and most relaxing vacation weeks early in 2000 (january) at the Barcel? Bavaro Beach resort (East Coast). 5 hotels in a cluster with a big variety of entertainment, sport activities, food and "anastatics".

We will revisit in January 2001 because this was, in our opinion, the ultimate vacation resort. There are sites you can visit to read objective reports regarding this resort.

Have a nice vacation wherever you end up.

Anders

 

[Matt Juba]

Hola from a fellow Canadian,

I've been to Puerto Plata several times and I guess the answer to your question depends on you. If you are experienced travellers with a sense of adventure, the Playa Dorada complex may seem too artificial. One of the other responses compared it to a jail and while that is a bit extreme, it certainly is an unnatural environment. If, however you just want a resort to go to and wouldn't venture outside the grounds, it might be the place for you. You certainly don't have to worry about much on the grounds and there is a mall, bank, golf course, casinos and discos on the grounds.
My family and another family are planning a trip about the same time and we have looked at hotels in Sosua and Cabarete which are not all-inclusive. There are some good deals to be had and as a result we are going for two weeks. There is much discussion on this site about the pros and cons of Sosua but all I can tell you is that every time I have been in the area (10-12 times) I make it a point to go to Sosua beach. That beach is much better than Playa Dorada. Cabarete is a funky, clean and seemingly safe little town. You can find many hotels (including all-inclusives) on <A HREF="http://www.hispaniola.com">www.hispaniola.com</A> which has a Cabarete link. In my opinion you get more exposure to life in the Dominican Republic if you leave the compound.
If you wish you can contact me directly if you would like my opinion of certain locations.

 

[Greg and Connie Wales]

Hi Peter and Cindy,

I've read the other posts and I agree with 99% of what they said. But none of the posts seemed to indicate the writers know about your LTI Hotel. I do. My wife and I own a condo five minutes walk down the beach to the east from it.

The LTI Hotel is situated on the beach about halfway between Sosua and Cabarete. It has a nice private setting. Guests can select from condo or villa accomodations. There are miles of beach to walk, much of it secluded but safe (during daylight hours).
The hotel provides transportation to both Sosua and Cabarete numerous times during the day. There are also tours that you can take to all types of destinations. If your up to it, you can walk all the way to Cabarete by way of the beach and take the LTI shuttle bus back to the hotel.
I've heard from guests at the LTI hotel that you have the choice of being all-inclusive or not. (If you think you might be eating often in Sosua, Puerto Plata or Cabarete don't go the all-inclusive route. You can by your meals at the hotel one at a time. Drinks also. (Although one trip to Sosua or Cabarete and you can be stocked up with all the adult beverages you'll need.))
I've heard guests who were not on the all-inclusive plan complain that they felt like they were treated like second class guests when compared to how the all-inclusive guests appeared to be treated. That may not be the case but I thought I'd mention it.
So, what I'm saying is, in my opinion, you have the best of both worlds. You have the security of a single hotel, (not one in a cluster of hotels like the Playa Dorado complex is) Plus, you have two resort towns nearby with transportation available.
Find out if there is a representative from your travel agency or charter company stationed at the LTI hotel and make contact with that person if you have any complaints about you service. They are in the best position to correct any problems and you may never learn spanish for tomorrow.
Have fun. We'll be at our place at that time. Stop over and see us.

Gregory and Connie Wales

 

[Greg and Connie Wales]

Peter and Cyndy,
Here are some pictures of our place. (It's the first place you come to along the beach once you leave LTI Hotel.) BTW, nobody eats their breakfast closer to the beach than we do, from Sea Horse Ranch to Cabarete.
<A HREF="http://photos.yahoo.com/orangeqx">http://photos.yahoo.com/orangeqx</A>
Gregory and Connie Wales

 

[Hillbilly]

I am not going to read the other posts..

I would suggest that you investigate the Club Dorado. Not that is is any bigger or better, or that much less expensive, just that the rooms are larger and you can get all that crew into one apartment with two bedrooms and room for the kids. Get #913 if possible!)
We were just there last month and we had two 2 yr olds and 5 adults and we fit wonderfully.
I looked at a local (DR) newspaper ad and the Club Dorado is the least expensive place on the North Shore.
Furthermore, I do not like Sosua for kids. Generally speaking, it is a less sophisticated traveller that goes there, "social workers" are all over the place, the beach is very small and limited, and there is little to do nearby.
At least try to look into this.

HB

 

[Sooz]

Dorado Club is the place to go

Peter and Cindy,
We have been going there since '89 and strongly recomend it for the crew you are travelling with. Email me and I'll give you the details.
Don't wait too long as Christmas is a favorite time for the regulars at Hotetur Dorado Club.

Sooz

 

[Sarah]

Re: I am not going to read the other posts..

Hi Hillbilly - What do you mean, "social workers"? ~Sarah

 

[tgf]

Re: Social workers (Sarah)

I believe Hillbilly was refering to prostitutes, mariposas nocturnas, ladies of the evening, working girls, or whatever you prefer to call them.

 

[Sarah]

Re: Social workers (Sarah)

OK, great...so glad I asked.

 

[Karina]

Play Naco, Paradise, Heavens

Are all good choices and have excellent locations, they are on the beach. Take a look at a map of the Playa Dorada area and you can see how the hotels are situated if you prefer something on the beach. There are some inland hotels also that are less expensive. We were in POP in 99 and are returning this Feb 2001. We will once again stay within Playa Dorada complex, but do plan to spend a couple of days at Sosoua and Cabarette (we are seasoned travellers). It's nice to have the "safety net" feeling that the complex offers, and also the ability to jump on a local bus and spend the day in Puerto Plata, Sosua, etc. We've already taken a couple of the tours, so with do some different stuff this time around. Took our 17 yr old daughter and her girlfriend, and felt completely safe allowing them to be in the complex and visiting the discos, the plaza. Have a great trip!!!

 

[Deb]

I wouldn't recommend Playa Naco...

I just returned from 1 week at Playa Naco and wouldn't recommend it. It's a beautiful resort and in an excellent location, but the food is horrible. Believe me you'll go hungry!

My tour representative recommended Gran Ventana or Dorado Club for my next visit.

Good luck planning your vacation!

 

[Missy]

can you help??

I too, am considering vacationing in the DR for Christmas, but I would like to go therefor two weeks instead of one. I was there last March and stayed at the Gran Ventana, and have no complaints whatsoever. Everything was excellent, especially the staff. I was just wondering what other resorts were oin the same complex and also offered good service, food and location. I do not know what price range to expect (as my last trip was a graduation present)and this is what I am loking for. I know that you can get deals that are a lot better then the avertised ones, and I want to know how to go about this. If you can help me please email me at the address above.
Thanks for all your help

 

[Roberto]

Eddy Have a Good point

Playa Dorada seems to me boring. Sosua has the nicest beach on the North Coast (If not the DR)and a lot more life than the "Prison with the golden gates". Check it out. BTW hurry up for the dates you wish to travel it's getting late..

 

[Richard]

I agree with Eddy. If someone likes plastic they will love Playa Dorada but anyone who stays in Playa Dorada will certainly not enjoy a real Dominican experience. As far as sophistication gos, all-inclusive resorts often appeal to tourists who are too timid to truly sample a foreign country. They could be parachuted into any tropical resort area in the world they are all pretty much the same. at that rate, tourists might just as well save some money and go to Florida where they can rub shoulders with their next-door neighbours.

 

[Milli]

Re:MISSY THIS ADVICE

Well it all depends where you will be travelling out of. As you may already know...Christmas time is high season and can be very expensive time to travel. If you dont mind waiting for last minute specials this is your opportunity. The only downfall to this, is that by waiting it doesnt mean you will always get the best pick or choice of resorts.