Holiday Village Resort

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drtampa

Bronze
Oct 1, 2004
1,087
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New Ulm, TX
No!!!!!!!!!! ?????????????????

Say what you want, but the hotel is most certailny NOT poorly run. The former Jack Tar staff that is present at Holiday Village, about 75% of total staff, is the best on this Island period. Changes take time and the corrections are being made.
I arrived here on 12/19 and will depart 01/01. I am a loyal JackTar "Repeater" since 1999 who is most impressed with the improvements.
Yes, there are changes that I do not like but they are those from 1st Choice which has made this a hotel that caters to age 3-10 and completely removed any and all dominican influences. You may as well be in Liverpool or Thunder Bay with a sun lamp.
You will most probably have a very enjoyable holiday.
 
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amalor

New member
Dec 27, 2006
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Is there anywhere I can read anything good???

I leave in 4 days and after reading everything here I'm getting pretty nervous!!
 
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sharon366

New member
Dec 1, 2006
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must admit, getting a little worried, i really dont mind teething problems and we are usually preity laid back on holiday and never complain, but we dont fancy camping out on the corridors,hope things are looking up when we go on the 22nd jan, anyone else going around that time
 
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HotTraveller

New member
Nov 28, 2006
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Sit back and relax!

Don't let a small amount of reviews worry you! Think about how many people have gone there and not felt they had to post any bad reviews, I'm sure thats because they had a GREAT time!!!! Its no fun when you have a bad experience, I know, been there and done that, but if they resolve the situation I am happy! You cannot go on a vacation and not expect one little thing to go wrong, it happens, its life, get over it!! Re-book at another hotel if you feel uncomfortable! I am trusting Signature vacations on their Judgement of the four star rating, sounds like its going to be a great place to be for my two weeks!


Cheers
HT
 
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planner

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Sep 23, 2002
4,409
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Current Status

Hi everyone. Well what a discussion we have today. I was at the resort today at 5:30 PM.

The hotel is NOT a mess. It is NOT badly run. YES there are some problems but everyone DOES care and they are doing everything they can to rectify things as soon as humanly possible!!!

I spoke with several hotel guests. NOT one had a major problem. I did hear about one guest (secondhand) who had a serious toilet problem. The guest was promptly moved to another (better ) room.

There will be problems folks. BUT some of these are related to this being in a tropical country.

Yes there are mosquitos. Get over it! Bring repellant with at least 22% DEET. That will take care of it. Use it especially between 5 and 7 pm when the bugs are the worst.

NO one is camping out in the lobby. There can be an overlap time if people are late checking out of their rooms or if there is a large group leaving. When someone checks out the rooms are completely cleaned etc. This can take a little time. So, relax, have a drink!!! They are NOT overbooked. They are overworked. This is being addressed.

I spoke with Signature reps and entertainment staff. They are working their a****s off to fix the problems. They understand how you feel. However - they too are tired of clients who want to do nothing but complain about even the smallest issues. Please don't take things out on them, they are trying their best.

Understand I do NOT work for the hotel, Signature or First Choice. I am simply trying to help out here.

I do not want to discount anyone's opinion or experience. Understand that everyone's standards and tolerances are different. YOu do NOT need to change your plans or cancel. Trust that things are getting better every single day! Come with some patience and an open mind. And remember it is an open bar.....LOL

To answer some other questions:

There is a charge for the cable running.

There is no charge for the kids programs (except special events)

There is no charge for the video games in the teen room.

A volleyball net is ready to be installed on the beach. They are just waiting for the post holes to be dug and the poles cemented in!

I hope this helps. I will continue to do what I can for everyone and answer questions for you!! Stay cool everyone and go back to getting excited about your trips!!!
 
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northontario

New member
Dec 29, 2006
2
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holiday village golden beach

Hi

I am leaving for HV on Jan 4th and am feeling rather devastated over the poor reviews. I thank you all for your posts. I booked this trip for my family back in September and have made numerous attempts to get info from my travel agent and Signatures but have had zero success. The only pictures I have seen are the ones the Planner orginally posted of the pool and waterslides. Signatures will not even provide me with room photos even though the resort has been open for approx. one month now.

I understand that we will be having fun in the sun and not to sweat the small stuff but some of the reviews sound like there are some very serious issues. I know that with the service I have received so far from Signatures that I will never book through them again. So any positive feedback, words of encouragement, photos or other links before we depart would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
 
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planner

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Sep 23, 2002
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I will continue to post reports, gather information and go to the resort so that I can report back what I find. If you have specific concerns please feel free to send me an email, Private Message or post it here.

Like I said, I was there today. I would not hesitate to book into this resort!
 
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selmabg

New member
Oct 29, 2006
73
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I wondered why we didn't hear from you! You were busy trying to comfort all off us. I hope you realize how grateful we all are!!! I've gotten some really good tips from this site and appreciate every one of them.
 
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Spire2000

New member
Dec 2, 2006
20
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Hi all,

I understand that there is some reluctance to believe that things are not running smoothly. You have no reason to trust my word, but I promise you that I did not exaggerate in my post.

With all due respect Planner, I appreciate all you've done for the people on this forum, but I can't imagine that you have received any positive feedback from any customers at the resort. If you truly have a positive outlook of the resort, I ask that you spend a half hour in lobby and just listen.

The place is on the verge of a mutiny. Again, there is no reason for you to believe me, but I gain nothing from your choice to either go or not go here.

I will have a full review tomorrow.
 
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planner

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Sep 23, 2002
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Spire2000 said:
The place is on the verge of a mutiny. Again, there is no reason for you to believe me, but I gain nothing from your choice to either go or not go here.
Click to expand...

If this were the case then everyone would be changing hotels. The occupance rate in Playa Dorada is fairly low for this time of year. People would be changing if it were indeed that bad.

I will read your full report with an open mind Spire! And if appropriate I will go back and ask management of the hotel and signature about various points!
 
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Ianb4

New member
Dec 22, 2006
7
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We are leaving tomorrrow and although a little concerned about a few negative reports, are determined to give it a go. If we can we will keep you all update while there.:p
 
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rdsanson@shaw.ca

New member
Nov 30, 2006
13
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thekidsdad

New member
Dec 2, 2006
9
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Not all bad

We are here at the moment and yes there are some problems but we haven't had any.

Our room is immaculate, 2 king beds, nice and clean, great air-con etc.

The food is excellent, bars are good (never really have to Q for a drink), entertainment at night is OK, bingo, quiz, show, kids disco etc etc.

The kids club is fantastic. 10.30 - 12.30, 2.30 - 4, 4.30 - 6 and 9 - 11. They do everything with them from trampolining to treasure hunts. Our kids are 4 & 6 and we can't get them not to go! Our day revolves around the kids club times!!

Weather is good at the moment, it rained heavily one night but the days have been hot & sunny. A little cloudy today but the weather can change in as little as 5 mins.

Some people have had problems with rooms not being right, some people have changed resorts (at a cost of $3500!!!) but believe me, we have high standards and as far as I am concerned they have been met.

People must remember they are in Dom Rep and not UK or Canada. Power does go off sometimes etc but this should be expected. it is still a developing country.

Staff at the resort are excellent. Nothing is too much trouble for them. Public areas are spotless and are always being cleaned.

Beach is nice and the bar down there has just opened.

Like I say everyones opinions will be different but I just thought i would share mine.

I will check this again over the next few days and if anyone has any specific questions I will be happy to answer if I can.

Just come here and have fun. Most of the teething problems will be ironed out over the next few weeks I'm sure.

Cheers
 
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planner

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Sep 23, 2002
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Nice to read a good review. IT does echo what I have seen firsthand.

Spire - your report in the other thread is well written. I think that the desk staff should have called in the manager as well as the Signature and FIrst Choice Representatives on call. That would have certainly helped.

This resort is all about family and kids. Dawn - they are continuously making progress. You will be okay!
 
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Sobourge

New member
Dec 29, 2006
15
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Good morning! I am glad to hear not everyone is having so much trouble ...

Can anyone tell me if the equipment and sports are available at the beach?

Another earlier comment said that they were not ready yet ...

Thanks and have a great day ... Wherever you are!

(It is snowing here in Montreal!)
 
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sunlovers

New member
Dec 30, 2006
2
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Thanks to thekidsdad for some good news. We will be leaving on Jan 30th for two weeks and reading our policy we can not make any changes to our reservations. I am so hoping that all the kinks will be ironed out by time we get down there. Can anyone give me some information on what the rooms are like in the Deluxe section. Have they been renovated too. I hear that this is the older section of the complex?
 
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