GRAN VENTATA - PLAYA DORADA AREA

[Jacqui]

We're two couples who are booked to stay at GRAN VENTANA HOTEL in Playa Dorada Complex, Puerto Plata, D.R.

If YOU HAVE STAYED THERE, PLEASE SHARE any thoughts/insights/tips about:

- Rooms (which & where are best rooms, why)
- Food (Buffet & a la carte restaurants)
- Reservations (a la carte restaurants, any tips)
- Pools (quiet vs. main pool)
- Discos (Andromeda, Crazy Moon, Charlies, Tropimal - in/outdoor, admission charges, music styles??)
- Beach & Ocean (rocky, need water shoes, deep?? etc.)
- Currency (need to convert before/after arrival to pesos?)
- Excursions (which ones? best prices? where to buy? any to avoid?)
- All other tips, suggestions you'd like to share with us are greatly appreciated.

Thanks to everyone who reads and responds...
Much appreciated.

 

[Bob Morris]

Hi there;

If you followed the earlier thread re: Gran Ventana you will realize that I am sold on Gran Ventana. I should point out that my wife and I are in our 70's so our views are somewhat biased in that regard.

If you like lots of "action" you may prefer a room facing the main pool. The stage where the evening shows are performed looks out toward that area so you can, from some of the rooms enjoy the whole thing from your own patio or balcony.

The food is magnificent everywhere. Although you are allowed one meal each week in one of the specialty restaurants we did not use all our tickets. We found the variety and the flexible eating times at the cafeteria most convenient. Starting in 2000 we were allowed to book all of the specialty restaurants for the entire stay at one sitting. A bit of advice, inspect the package you are given at check-in to be sure you do have all the tickets you are entitled to. Even if you don't find them all immendiately we found that the desk was very good at filling the package even 2 days after check-in.

We particularly enjoyed the Octopus and the "Roast Duckling" entree. I feel that they must have some huge ducks down there if what we had was duckling! The Mediteranean was also very nice and the meals and service excellent. At the Beach Club we found that evening insects wanted to feast on my wife almost as much as we were fed. However she was a rather isolated instance. I was not bothered at all, maybe just a thicker skin!

The quiet pool is just that. There is no amplified sound system and the "Fun" team doesn't put on it's shows there. There is a bar there and that's also where the Mediteranean restaurant and the people who handle all the restaurant reservations hang out. If you do get rooms on that side (which is the newest building) I heard numerous people complain when they had rooms on the side of the building AWAY from the pool that neighbouring resorts were rather noisy well into the morning hours.

Discos - not our scene - as you have probably guessed.

The beach features both sand and rock. I never found any foot protection necessary. The depth is gradual. At 5' 7" I could get at least 30' out from shore before I had to swim although there were surprising currents at times. The tide has quite an effect shrinking the beach considerably at times.

I find the most convenient thing is to carry some US$ (even as a Canadian) but the bulk of any spending we do there is either on plastic or drawn from the machines. You will find a small shopping mall just outside the gates of the hotel which is where you will get the best rate of exchange for anything you wish to change. At the hotel they offered 9 pesos to the Canadian Dollar - at the mall it was always over 10. The US$ was treated the same in both places. One hint - if you do draw from the machines be sure that you are alone - that wasn't a problem at the mall but in Sosua I found a machine very slow about returning my card and there were a pair of sharp eyes watching as I keyed in my code.

As for tours our opinions are, again, biased by our age and stiffened joints. You don't say how you are travelling but we always go Air Transat and found that the hostess at the hotel (Alexandria, by name) was the best person to deal with.

If I've overlooked anything feel free to email me. On Feb. 1 we will arrive for our 4th visit.

One last thought occurs - our payment thoough our travel agent to Air Transat Holidays is stipulated to include "gratuities". We found that ignoring that and carrying a few US $1.00 bills improved already excellent service. I maybe dropped about $50.00US last year and felt that it was some of the best money I have ever spent in my life.

Enjoy!

 

[Randy]

Re: GRAN VENTA NA- PLAYA DORADA AREA

A very accurate description.May I offer one warning.For breakfast one day they had these big,juicy sasuages cooking on the grill.The cook gave me one and I made a sandwich of it.Got about halfway done before my wife noticed it was still a little red.You know the rest of the story.After about 2 weeks I started feeling better.Wise man once say- "ALWAYS CUT PORK IN HALF BEFORE GOBBLING DOWN".Have a good time, it's a great resort.

 

[Bob Morris]

Re: GRAN VENTA NA- PLAYA DORADA AREA

Thanks Randy;

I must admit that sausages were something that I steered clear of. Primarily because the only ones I saw were on the "hot table" and they are a type of food that have a very short "shelf life" when cooked.

 

[Randy]

Re: GRAN VENTA NA- PLAYA DORADA AREA

These were "fresh off the grill", in the back dining room on the left where they make the omelets. As for short shelf life,you are most correct: 8am. eating, by 8pm feeling very badly. This does not change my feelings about this resort,and will definitly go back.The information on checking all meat before ingesting is a solid tip for all.