Holiday Village Resort

[katiegp]

late arrivals

We won't get to the resort until at least 9 pm. Is there anyplace to still get food at that time? We leave Edmonton at 8:00 a.m. our time and we're not counting on Skyservice meals to last all day. If the buffet is closed is there some place to grab a hamburger or something?

 

[luv2travel]

Ola Amigas y Amigos

:cheeky: Hey everyone!!! Hello from Paradise.

I'm here at the Holiday Viallage and everything is wonderful. I dont know where the moaners went but it sure was not here. The staff is great and the food is awesome. Plumbing problems DO NOT EXIST and other problems are too minor to mention.

Hope all of you who are coming here soon will have as great a time as my group is.

I will post a full review when we get back.

 

[Goonergal]

Tourist Card / Departure Tax

We sent off for our Tourist Cards in the middle of January - only took about 4 days to come back. All is requried is a photocopy of your passport and just the page with all the important information on, ie. photo, name etc. It costs ?10.00 per person and you have to send postal orders NO personal cheques. I just think it's 1 less thing to worry about and no hassle at your arrival airport.

You might have to pay departure tax now but, First Choice brochure states that "Holidays departing on or after 1st May, a compulsory overseas departure & Tourist tax (roughly ?17.00) will be added at the time of booking". So for all us lucky people going after the 1st of May we have got 1 more thing less to worry about.

Thanks for all the "posts" on the taking of malaria tablets - still undecided what to do yet.

 

[Gopher]

Customs Question

I remember from last year that when you land at the airport in Puerto Plata you have to fill out a short form for each passenger in your party, can anyone tell me if you can get these forms and have them filled out in advance? Thanks

 

[Goonergal]

Customs

Don't know if this is what you mean, but when we received our Tourist Cards, we were also sent 2 forms. The sort of information you have got to complete is: Flight Numbers, how long are you staying for, which airport you are flying from, which resort you are staying at, which airport are you flying into etc. So the nswer to your question is maybe yes, as long as you apply for your tourist card before you go.

 

[lindajaney]

We won't get to the resort until at least 9 pm. Is there anyplace to still get food at that time? We leave Edmonton at 8:00 a.m. our time and we're not counting on Skyservice meals to last all day. If the buffet is closed is there some place to grab a hamburger or something?

The Mexican restaurant is open and will make pizzas and burgers for you. They are open until midnight or later.

 

[Griz]

Hiya folks,

Just here to quickly post about the travel requirements etc that people have been asking. This is only my experience thus far - so people coming from England may have something different.

As far as the Tourist card goes - we were given ours once we were in the air on our flight. We didn't send away for them from an embassy etc.

When they pass out the tourist cards, they also pass out forms from the government DR that ask your address and such. You need this form and the tourist card once you land and get to customs & immigration.

On the way back, the way it was explained to us was that you pay your $20 USD, are given a blue form to fill out and the people at the airport take that before you board the plane as well.

No worries folks - Signature and I assume First Choice give you all the stuff you need so no need to go out and do it yourself.

 

[Griz]

A few responses to people's questions...

GaryC - re: Malaria pills - if you choose to take them (which we haven't found necessary) - make sure you get the ones that allow you to consume alcohol.

Re: Mosquitos etc - RELAX. I have been here four days and have yet to see one. Unless you plan to leave your windows and door open all day everyday - there's no need for a plugin.

KatieGP - Buffet will still be open when you arrive at 9pm. The mexican place will serve snacks starting at 11pm. You will get meals on the Skyservice flight (and the breakfast is actually half decent - an breakfast burrito, banana bread and juice). Pack some snackies too.

Let me restate my point about the mosquitos - they are not that bothersome! Back home, when I go camping I need as much mosquito protection as I can get. I haven't swatted a single one down here - there are fewer mosquitos here than back home! So relax folks - Mosquitos *love* me, and I haven't been bitten by one yet.

 

[garyc]

Hi griz thanks for that information hows your holiday going are you in the deluxe rooms, whats the hotel like overall, what trips have you been on and have they been with signature / first choice. Have a great time many thanks.

 

[sharon366]

A few responses to people's questions...

GaryC - re: Malaria pills - if you choose to take them (which we haven't found necessary) - make sure you get the ones that allow you to consume alcohol.

Re: Mosquitos etc - RELAX. I have been here four days and have yet to see one. Unless you plan to leave your windows and door open all day everyday - there's no need for a plugin.

KatieGP - Buffet will still be open when you arrive at 9pm. The mexican place will serve snacks starting at 11pm. You will get meals on the Skyservice flight (and the breakfast is actually half decent - an breakfast burrito, banana bread and juice). Pack some snackies too.

Let me restate my point about the mosquitos - they are not that bothersome! Back home, when I go camping I need as much mosquito protection as I can get. I haven't swatted a single one down here - there are fewer mosquitos here than back home! So relax folks - Mosquitos *love* me, and I haven't been bitten by one yet.

lucky you,, i got back 6 days ago but i got eaten alive by the mozzies, hubby got bit 3 times but the children didnt, but in no way did it spoil our holiday, we had a fab time, it is a lovely place, just wish we were still there now

 

[Joeybennie]

Hi
Just got back after two great weeks.
We were two adults on our own and just to let you know on the coach from the airport which was full of people staying at this hotel there were about 3 children, dont know if this was because it was not school holidays...
Mossies - they got me - they always do - despite the deet and the plug in and the patches! Malaria tabs -we took the Avalcor (spell ?)ones from Boots with no side effects
Food - buffet is reasonable - like any other buffet - various meats/poultry/fish every night. A la cartes are good - you can book them in reception 9-11 and 3-5 every day for the day you book and the day ahead. There were never more than 2 people in front of us and we booked them all (twice!) Wine is nicer in the a la cartes and the service is excellent - fave one was the Italian.
Room - we had an upstairs room overlooking the golf course - air con was excellent - no leaks - no plumbing problems - very clean. Tip - remove the lampshades and you will be able to see fine! Fridge was stocked with beer 7 up, coke and water. On the first day we left a note with 2US and asked for diet pepsi and we got it every day. We spoke to some people and they tipped their maid 2US every day but only got their fridge filled about 3 times - I guess we were lucky.
Weddings - there were 2 while we were there - saw the gazebo which was all decorated and looked very nice.
Beach - fantastic beach - you can walk for ages in either direction. Sea is very rough though - no good for small kids
Pools - the activity pool was reasonably quiet (unless there were activities going on) but its not very big. The wave pool was excellent - we loved it. There were more adults in there than kids who only really go in it when they put the waves on. And for anyone wondering there were topless bathers at both these pools.
Entertainment - Aquannox bar - adults only - 8-9pm - there is an English singer called Steve who has only been out there for two weeks - he will sing anything you ask and is brilliant and quite funny. He managed to get the whole bar singing and dancing by 8.30 - then at 9pm he has to give the extension lead for his laptop to the bingo caller so it goes dead till 11pm when he comes back for Karaoke till 1am!!! As for the entertainment team - they do try their best but they are all young and obviously lacking experience. I spoke to the First Choice rep and she told me the two Canadian girls were leaving in two weeks and being replaced by Brits. They should just send Steve down to the stage as he knows how to work a crowd!!
There was a beach party once in the fortnight we were there. They had a dancing act come in a couple of times but the entertainment board didnt reflect what the show was that night.
The cinema looked ok but we never made it in there.
Didnt make it to the disco but the casino has slots and tables so worth a look even if youre not playing.
Outside the hotel we went to the Plaza a couple of times - there is a bar called Hemmingways that has good music. There are the usual tat shops for souvenirs - go upstairs - the cinema staircase - and they are cheaper prices.
Airport - First Choice give you tourist visas to fill in on the plane. You pay 10US when you get there and they have blue forms which you need for coming home so pick up then. You pay 20US to the side of the boarding gate.
Overall - I would say this is a 3* and will improve as they get their acts together - if they could sort out the entertainment then there would be nothing bad to say.
We did hear people saying they had been ill but these were the same people I saw eating plate after plate of food and drinking beer from 10am and then sitting in the sun all day - we didnt have any trouble and I always get an upset stomach.
Enjoy - you will have a ball x Any questions please ask

 

[tcandas]

tourist card??

Hi joeybennie

Sorry for being a bit thick but do u mean that u pay 10$ us on the way in and 20$ us on the way out. Would hate to not have money left if i need it to get home.

 

[v.gadsby]

thanks joeybennie thats a great review really put my mind at rest !

 

[darwenlass]

Hi,
how long did it take to get from the airport to the hotel, ie any other drop offs or was the coach just for the holiday village.
thanks
tracey

 

[Joeybennie]

Hi - yes you do have to pay 10US on the way in and 20 on the way out !

Its about half an hour from the airport max - we didnt stop off - the whole coach was just HGVB there and back - I suppose this is a bonus with only First Choice flights. By the way the flights were good and it was less than 8 hours to get back. Food as always is quite ropey but the seat space is brilliant for economy, there were choice of about 10 films (you had to pay to upgrade to get 4 of them). I have flown premier class 4 years ago and it was worth the money, however the first choice planes now have the seats in rows of 2,3,2 just as first class so its really not worth spending the extra on the upgrade (IMHO). Also on the way out I thought the bloke behind me was whacking my head rest but when I went to the loo i saw he was playing a touch screen game a bit heavy handed - be warned !!!!

 

[planner]

FRUSTRATION

Hi everyone - sorry for being out of touch!

First of all - to everyone I was supposed to meet at 6pm on Saturday - I COULD NOT GET ON THE RESORT. According to security at hte gate - new rules - especially on weekends - no band no entry. I was quite frustrated that I could not even let you know I could not get in. I am sure long term this is not an issue.

I am meeting in the next couple of days with the Hotel Manager and will cover this.

Second - my internet has been down for 2 days at my home office. So I could not even get an email to some of you.

Please send me a PM if you want to meet up. Meanwhile for those who brought supplies, please leave them at the front desk with my name on it or, find Louise the British Rep, she knows me and will hold them for me.

thanks everyone. I will also get caught up on the thread and answer your questions later today.

 

[Bentley]

Where do you have to go for snorkelling at this resort? Is it within walking distance? Do they have equipment for use? Thanks.

 

[CLOWE]

Nervous Bride

To Planner or anyone else who can help,

Is there an actual hairdressers on the site and are they familiar with doing wedding hair (as in putting up) no offence but i really want my hair to be lovely on my wedding day and dont want to go to them if they dont know what they are doing. ?????

Planner - If i can be really cheeky would you be able to check this out for me as the nerves are starting to settle and it would be a big relief if they were good hairdressers. xx

 

[Mitchthewitch]

hi mitchthewitch...plz let me no the outcome of your daughters investigation....manythanx

Sorry for delay in letting you know the outcome of my daughter's enquiries. There are two types of standard rooms at the complex (as stated in the brochures). What you need to do is look at your confirmation invoice. Where it gives you all the room details you need to have a DBLE+2 or DBLE+3. This means that you have got a room with 2 queen beds in it.

We have a DBLE+2 so are OK. If you don't have either of these two references, I would suggest getting in touch with your travel agent. This is the sort of problem that makes booking through an agent a benefit; if you do it over the internet, you are scuppered.

 

[sharon366]

Hi
Just got back after two great weeks.
We were two adults on our own and just to let you know on the coach from the airport which was full of people staying at this hotel there were about 3 children, dont know if this was because it was not school holidays...
Mossies - they got me - they always do - despite the deet and the plug in and the patches! Malaria tabs -we took the Avalcor (spell ?)ones from Boots with no side effects
Food - buffet is reasonable - like any other buffet - various meats/poultry/fish every night. A la cartes are good - you can book them in reception 9-11 and 3-5 every day for the day you book and the day ahead. There were never more than 2 people in front of us and we booked them all (twice!) Wine is nicer in the a la cartes and the service is excellent - fave one was the Italian.
Room - we had an upstairs room overlooking the golf course - air con was excellent - no leaks - no plumbing problems - very clean. Tip - remove the lampshades and you will be able to see fine! Fridge was stocked with beer 7 up, coke and water. On the first day we left a note with 2US and asked for diet pepsi and we got it every day. We spoke to some people and they tipped their maid 2US every day but only got their fridge filled about 3 times - I guess we were lucky.
Weddings - there were 2 while we were there - saw the gazebo which was all decorated and looked very nice.
Beach - fantastic beach - you can walk for ages in either direction. Sea is very rough though - no good for small kids
Pools - the activity pool was reasonably quiet (unless there were activities going on) but its not very big. The wave pool was excellent - we loved it. There were more adults in there than kids who only really go in it when they put the waves on. And for anyone wondering there were topless bathers at both these pools.
Entertainment - Aquannox bar - adults only - 8-9pm - there is an English singer called Steve who has only been out there for two weeks - he will sing anything you ask and is brilliant and quite funny. He managed to get the whole bar singing and dancing by 8.30 - then at 9pm he has to give the extension lead for his laptop to the bingo caller so it goes dead till 11pm when he comes back for Karaoke till 1am!!! As for the entertainment team - they do try their best but they are all young and obviously lacking experience. I spoke to the First Choice rep and she told me the two Canadian girls were leaving in two weeks and being replaced by Brits. They should just send Steve down to the stage as he knows how to work a crowd!!
There was a beach party once in the fortnight we were there. They had a dancing act come in a couple of times but the entertainment board didnt reflect what the show was that night.
The cinema looked ok but we never made it in there.
Didnt make it to the disco but the casino has slots and tables so worth a look even if youre not playing.
Outside the hotel we went to the Plaza a couple of times - there is a bar called Hemmingways that has good music. There are the usual tat shops for souvenirs - go upstairs - the cinema staircase - and they are cheaper prices.
Airport - First Choice give you tourist visas to fill in on the plane. You pay 10US when you get there and they have blue forms which you need for coming home so pick up then. You pay 20US to the side of the boarding gate.
Overall - I would say this is a 3* and will improve as they get their acts together - if they could sort out the entertainment then there would be nothing bad to say.
We did hear people saying they had been ill but these were the same people I saw eating plate after plate of food and drinking beer from 10am and then sitting in the sun all day - we didnt have any trouble and I always get an upset stomach.
Enjoy - you will have a ball x Any questions please ask

just wondering, what dates were you out there