Hotels & Resorts Limiting Dominicans Reservations

El Hijo de Manolo

It's outrageous, egregious, preposterous!
Dec 10, 2021
4,963
3,221
113
Dominican Republic
I'm just curious as to the stimulating conversation at one of those swim up pool bars. Hey Jim, how much pancakes and eggs did you eat at the buffet this morning? Duhh I got me my money worf. This place great ain't it, drink beer and pee at da same time.
I dunno but I'm eyin' up that blonde from Alabama. She sure is purdy, don't tell the Mrs., she'll cut my u-know-what off! Golly gee, i think she's wonna my cousins from Mobile!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big

AlaPlaya

Frequent Flyer
Jan 7, 2021
426
297
63
Texas
Unless it's changed from when I was there, if you want to be on the beach for vacation, I think you're pretty much limited to being in an AI(?).
There are rental apartments in Playa Turquesa which is right next door to the Whala!Bavaro. But otherwise you're correct. Pretty much everything else is an AI.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cavok
Jan 9, 2004
11,137
2,504
113
There are rental apartments in Playa Turquesa which is right next door to the Whala!Bavaro. But otherwise you're correct. Pretty much everything else is an AI.
There are multiple beach access points in Bavaro w/o staying at an AI. One of the best known is by the Jellyfish restaurant.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
 

SKY

Gold
Apr 11, 2004
14,201
4,385
113
Certainly the AI model works........as the tourist numbers certainly reflect that success.

My AI of choice in PC is the Hyatt Ziva.

That having been said, my go to spot for a non-AI experience, and my first preference in PC, is Tortuga Bay.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
Excellent hotels at 8 and 12 Times the price of this one. Hyatt is $586 per night. Tortuga Bay NO meals or drinks Included is $900 per night....................You left out the Hotel de Paris.............
 

MariaRubia

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2019
2,826
3,810
113
Excellent hotels at 8 and 12 Times the price of this one. Hyatt is $586 per night. Tortuga Bay NO meals or drinks Included is $900 per night....................You left out the Hotel de Paris.............

I was having this conversation with a friend last week. The big issue with charging these prices is that I've never seen service which you'd expect to get at those types of prices in Dominican Republic. What this country does well is the friendly, chatty, "hola mi amor" type of service. But the minute you try to take that up a notch and get into the chocolate-on-the-pillow type of service I just don't think that Dominicans culturally lean towards that. Dominicans are never great problem-solvers, in fact they seem to positively love it when there's a "bobo" and most of the time nobody does anything to solve it because "no es mi culpa" or "no se que hacer". Everyone here loves a line. They love to make you wait in line. They love having a form that you have to fill in. And they love pressing hundreds of buttons on a computer and then saying "no tengo sistema".

And then add into that the infrastructure problems. Electricity which comes and goes. Water which comes and goes. Huge lines at the airport when people arrive. Scammers on the street. It just doesn't add up to a US$ 900 per night experience if you ask me. Good luck to those who are charging it, but to me this is the home of the endless buffet, the cheap vacation for low- to middle-class customers. Other places in the Caribbean like Antigua or the Cayman Isles will always do the top-end stuff way better.
 
Feb 16, 2016
3,292
2,589
113
-
@MariaRubia #126 is a stand at the plate and watch straight walk off grand slam. ⚾
Home run trot.
And I at the plate to give you a high five.

With what I know about everything you said in your post, even if I wanted to pay that kind of money a night for a vacation, I would not do it here in 🇩🇴.
 
Jan 9, 2004
11,137
2,504
113
I was having this conversation with a friend last week. The big issue with charging these prices is that I've never seen service which you'd expect to get at those types of prices in Dominican Republic. What this country does well is the friendly, chatty, "hola mi amor" type of service. But the minute you try to take that up a notch and get into the chocolate-on-the-pillow type of service I just don't think that Dominicans culturally lean towards that. Dominicans are never great problem-solvers, in fact they seem to positively love it when there's a "bobo" and most of the time nobody does anything to solve it because "no es mi culpa" or "no se que hacer". Everyone here loves a line. They love to make you wait in line. They love having a form that you have to fill in. And they love pressing hundreds of buttons on a computer and then saying "no tengo sistema".

And then add into that the infrastructure problems. Electricity which comes and goes. Water which comes and goes. Huge lines at the airport when people arrive. Scammers on the street. It just doesn't add up to a US$ 900 per night experience if you ask me. Good luck to those who are charging it, but to me this is the home of the endless buffet, the cheap vacation for low- to middle-class customers. Other places in the Caribbean like Antigua or the Cayman Isles will always do the top-end stuff way better.


I take it you have never been to Tortuga Bay. I have been there multiple times and if you value peace, tranquility, an oceanfront suite and world class service that cannot be found at an AI…….this is for you. It is expensive and is not AI……...but you do get what you pay for there.

It is head and shoulders above any of the AI’s in the DR, including my favorite AI Hyatt Ziva.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
 

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
33,322
6,722
113
dr1.com
I was having this conversation with a friend last week. The big issue with charging these prices is that I've never seen service which you'd expect to get at those types of prices in Dominican Republic. What this country does well is the friendly, chatty, "hola mi amor" type of service. But the minute you try to take that up a notch and get into the chocolate-on-the-pillow type of service I just don't think that Dominicans culturally lean towards that. Dominicans are never great problem-solvers, in fact they seem to positively love it when there's a "bobo" and most of the time nobody does anything to solve it because "no es mi culpa" or "no se que hacer". Everyone here loves a line. They love to make you wait in line. They love having a form that you have to fill in. And they love pressing hundreds of buttons on a computer and then saying "no tengo sistema".

And then add into that the infrastructure problems. Electricity which comes and goes. Water which comes and goes. Huge lines at the airport when people arrive. Scammers on the street. It just doesn't add up to a US$ 900 per night experience if you ask me. Good luck to those who are charging it, but to me this is the home of the endless buffet, the cheap vacation for low- to middle-class customers. Other places in the Caribbean like Antigua or the Cayman Isles will always do the top-end stuff way better.
Agreed but top notch service doesn't require top notch luxuries. The Dominican forces you to re-examine your priorities. No water- shower will have to wait. No electricity- do something that doesn't require electricity....etc. My wife would say " no te preocupes, esto es la republica dominincana, todo es posible.
 

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
33,322
6,722
113
dr1.com
I take it you have never been to Tortuga Bay. I have been there multiple times and if you value peace, tranquility, an oceanfront suite and world class service that cannot be found at an AI…….this is for you. It is expensive and is not AI……...but you do get what you pay for there.

It is head and shoulders above any of the AI’s in the DR, including my favorite AI Hyatt Ziva.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
No doubt, but most people can't afford that kind of price.
 

MariaRubia

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2019
2,826
3,810
113
Agreed but top notch service doesn't require top notch luxuries. The Dominican forces you to re-examine your priorities. No water- shower will have to wait. No electricity- do something that doesn't require electricity....etc. My wife would say " no te preocupes, esto es la republica dominincana, todo es posible.

So you'd be happy to pay over US$ 500 a night and have no electricity? Or A/C that doesn't work properly and when you call the reception to report it they keep saying they will come and sort it out, and nobody ever comes?

It's fine if you're paying peanuts, but not at that price point.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Yourmaninvegas

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
33,322
6,722
113
dr1.com
So you'd be happy to pay over US$ 500 a night and have no electricity? Or A/C that doesn't work properly and when you call the reception to report it they keep saying they will come and sort it out, and nobody ever comes?

It's fine if you're paying peanuts, but not at that price point.
Huh?
 

D'Arcy (Apostropheman)

Karma, it's worth waiting for ;)
Apr 10, 2022
553
521
93
Here and there
I'm not sure what the issue is with people vacationing where they want and paying whatever they are comfortable with. How some can claim that others "can't afford it" is questionable, and insulting, likely they have no idea or a way to prove their ignorant assumptions, nor is it important. How others choose to spend their money is no one else's business ;)

Likewise for those claiming that there would be no electricity, "or A/C that doesn't work properly and when you call the reception to report it they keep saying they will come and sort it out, and nobody ever comes?" or that food is not included...No doubt that TB has backup power and I'd bet they also have responsive staff. Breakfast is included, and that leaves many local options for other meals. The last thing I want is to feel forced to eat "from the trough" like at lower-cost AI options.

I would LOVE to stay at a place like Tortuga Bay, and when I "win the lottery" again, I may just move there LOL :p
 

bob saunders

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
33,322
6,722
113
dr1.com
So you'd be happy to pay over US$ 500 a night and have no electricity? Or A/C that doesn't work properly and when you call the reception to report it they keep saying they will come and sort it out, and nobody ever comes?

It's fine if you're paying peanuts, but not at that price point.
Read my post again. I never mentioned resorts , I was talking about the country in general.
 

keepcoming

Moderator - Living & General Stuff
May 25, 2011
5,643
3,480
113
Everyone's price point is different for different reasons. I know many that go to Punta Cana and their main concern is being able to spend time at the beach/pool. The room, food, etc.. is a bonus so they are not fussy about it. On the other hand, I know many that go that want the opposite, great room, food, etc.. Punta Cana definitely offers a variety for different price points. It is all about what you are looking for in a vacation. We have stayed at many of the resorts, and I can honestly say we have never experienced no electricity, A/C, or lack of water. We have even been there during storms and there was never a problem.
 

SKY

Gold
Apr 11, 2004
14,201
4,385
113
Everyone's price point is different for different reasons. I know many that go to Punta Cana and their main concern is being able to spend time at the beach/pool. The room, food, etc.. is a bonus so they are not fussy about it. On the other hand, I know many that go that want the opposite, great room, food, etc.. Punta Cana definitely offers a variety for different price points. It is all about what you are looking for in a vacation. We have stayed at many of the resorts, and I can honestly say we have never experienced no electricity, A/C, or lack of water. We have even been there during storms and there was never a problem.
PC Hotels are as stable for electricity, AC, and water as ANYPLACE you can think of in the World today.............