November 2002
We just returned home from a week at the Coral Marien. In general it was one of the best vacations that we have taken in our 55 years.
We arrived at the Puerto Plata airport from JFK in N.Y. about twenty minutes early; customs and immigration was a breeze. We didn't have as much trouble with the people trying to carry our bags as we have had previously had at the Santo Domingo Airport. Caught a van type cab to the Marien $20.00 US it' s about a 25minute ride to the resort. Check in was very smooth and quick. There were four of us, myself, Joanne, my wife, and friends Michael and Wendy who were our guests as we are members of the Coral Vacation club. We were taken to our two, one bedroom suits by tram. It was only one P.M. and we were all settled in.
Beach and Pool
The beach is rather small, in my opinion but is kept very clean with plenty of shade huts and palm trees. Pool is were we spent most of our time and I must say it is absolutely magnificent! Every day we played pool basketball, volleyball, and water polo, had a blast. When doing these things remember to wear water shoes, I didn't and tore up the balls of my feet. The pool is open from 8AM until 8PM but people were in there later and nothing was said.
Food
Food at the buffet was varied and well presented. We all agreed that the food was better than we expected. Breakfast was excellent with many choices of fruits, made to order omelets and eggs, bacon, sausages, and French toast, pancakes and many assorted breads and rolls. Dominican coffee is strong and one of my favorites, I bring back home as much coffee as my luggage will allow me to stuff in. Lunch and dinner are also very good with many choices. Dinner usually has a theme like Mexican or Caribbean. The Mexican restaurant (reservations are required) that is part of the all-inclusive package is great! We ate there twice and both times the food and service were superb! There is also a snack bar, when Mexican rest is closed that offers French fries, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and fruits and salads plus other items from the buffet. The snack bar is open all night plus most of the day. We were very pleased with everything!
Staff
Now this is what makes a vacation, the people! I can't say enough about the Chocolate Friends, their energy, skills and most of all there friendly personalities made our trip as enjoyable as it was. Also the other guests were friendly and contributed greatly to our trip. Chris and Janine from Long Island was a couple that we met and became instant friends with plus many others. Michael and Wendy (our guests) liked the Coral Marien so much that they bought a vacation club package. We have had ours for three years and have never regretted purchasing it.
Tours
We, all six of us, did the quad runner tour. Had a blast going all over the countryside on our individual four wheelers. We went through many rural villages and it was amazing how poor, but happy the people are. Tour is approx. three hours with stops for a soda, a swim in the river, and at the beach. We must have covered around forty miles on our trip. Chris and Janine did the snorkeling trip and the catamaran day trip and said both were fun and worth the money. The quads and the catamaran were $55.00US P/P.
We had a great week with great friends new, and old and can't wait to return the end of Feb. If you have any questions or comments or would like to see the photos from this trip feel free to e-mail me at jblersch@optonline.net
We just returned home from a week at the Coral Marien. In general it was one of the best vacations that we have taken in our 55 years.
We arrived at the Puerto Plata airport from JFK in N.Y. about twenty minutes early; customs and immigration was a breeze. We didn't have as much trouble with the people trying to carry our bags as we have had previously had at the Santo Domingo Airport. Caught a van type cab to the Marien $20.00 US it' s about a 25minute ride to the resort. Check in was very smooth and quick. There were four of us, myself, Joanne, my wife, and friends Michael and Wendy who were our guests as we are members of the Coral Vacation club. We were taken to our two, one bedroom suits by tram. It was only one P.M. and we were all settled in.
Beach and Pool
The beach is rather small, in my opinion but is kept very clean with plenty of shade huts and palm trees. Pool is were we spent most of our time and I must say it is absolutely magnificent! Every day we played pool basketball, volleyball, and water polo, had a blast. When doing these things remember to wear water shoes, I didn't and tore up the balls of my feet. The pool is open from 8AM until 8PM but people were in there later and nothing was said.
Food
Food at the buffet was varied and well presented. We all agreed that the food was better than we expected. Breakfast was excellent with many choices of fruits, made to order omelets and eggs, bacon, sausages, and French toast, pancakes and many assorted breads and rolls. Dominican coffee is strong and one of my favorites, I bring back home as much coffee as my luggage will allow me to stuff in. Lunch and dinner are also very good with many choices. Dinner usually has a theme like Mexican or Caribbean. The Mexican restaurant (reservations are required) that is part of the all-inclusive package is great! We ate there twice and both times the food and service were superb! There is also a snack bar, when Mexican rest is closed that offers French fries, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and fruits and salads plus other items from the buffet. The snack bar is open all night plus most of the day. We were very pleased with everything!
Staff
Now this is what makes a vacation, the people! I can't say enough about the Chocolate Friends, their energy, skills and most of all there friendly personalities made our trip as enjoyable as it was. Also the other guests were friendly and contributed greatly to our trip. Chris and Janine from Long Island was a couple that we met and became instant friends with plus many others. Michael and Wendy (our guests) liked the Coral Marien so much that they bought a vacation club package. We have had ours for three years and have never regretted purchasing it.
Tours
We, all six of us, did the quad runner tour. Had a blast going all over the countryside on our individual four wheelers. We went through many rural villages and it was amazing how poor, but happy the people are. Tour is approx. three hours with stops for a soda, a swim in the river, and at the beach. We must have covered around forty miles on our trip. Chris and Janine did the snorkeling trip and the catamaran day trip and said both were fun and worth the money. The quads and the catamaran were $55.00US P/P.
We had a great week with great friends new, and old and can't wait to return the end of Feb. If you have any questions or comments or would like to see the photos from this trip feel free to e-mail me at jblersch@optonline.net
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