I'll take a nice beach over a crowded dirty pool all day long and 2X on sunday
- Thread starter MariaRubia
- Start date
Nice rate at an AI
Gosh, I tried to post something that was helpful. And some of you just love to bitch bitch bitch. Honestly, nobody cares if you go there or not, I was just trying to tell those who are interested that there are some decent rates out there.
No they're Dominican, but they will still be talking about cars. Maybe baseball and cars, and obviously food being Dominican men, and their mothers. But same pattern basically.
Do you know Big......youve described him to a T
With young kids (or even a bit older) a beach doesn't always work, rough water, etc. Honestly in all the resorts we have been to, we have never had any real issues with the pools. The kids for the most part used the "kids" pool. I do not go in the water, never really liked doing that. It also depends on which resorts you go to and when.
I think it's also important to manage expectations. I usually don't expect service to be very good in DR (compared to a first-world country). If I'm paying US$ 60 per person per night all inclusive, then provided the room is reasonably clean, the A/C works, there is something that I can eat and there are basic drinks like cuba libre and beer I'm happy. As I've said on here many times before, I'm far happier to go cheap than go expensive in DR as I am fully aware of Dominican service standards and I believe that nowhere is going to justify me paying several hundred dollars a night. I get far less frustrated when I'm paying buttons and enjoy it a lot more.
I have sung the praises before of Tortuga Bay and stand by my observations that it is a first class property.
As to AI, only one in the DR was awarded a top ten world designation by TripAdvisor and it is the only AI on the list;
Tripadvisor Reveals 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Hotels Winners, Unveiling the World's Most Unforgettable Stays
Tripadvisor, the world's leading travel platform, revealed the winners of its annual Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Hotels, spotlighting this year's top-rated hotels worldwide as identified through Tripadvisor reviews. Claiming the title of the No. 1 Top Hotel in the world is Secrets...
www.hospitalitynet.org
I have been to both Tortuga Bay and Hyatt Ziva/Zilara and they are excellent value for the money in all aspects, but to each their own.
It is becoming quite obvious that the hotels now being built in the DR are catering to a different tourist. While there are lots of options at the lower price points, and will continue to be, the higher end accommodations are gaining traction and popularity and the service level has risen commensurately.
In the non AI category, I would like to try the new St. Regis, but Tortuga Bay keeps calling me back.
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
Idk where this happens, I think most men just talk about various hot women. I mean, well, since the Honeymooners went off the air 🤷🏻
Tripadvisor Reveals 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Hotels Winners, Unveiling the World's Most Unforgettable Stays
Tripadvisor, the world's leading travel platform, revealed the winners of its annual Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Hotels, spotlighting this year's top-rated hotels worldwide as identified through Tripadvisor reviews. Claiming the title of the No. 1 Top Hotel in the world is Secrets...
I have been to both Tortuga Bay and Hyatt Ziva/Zilara and they are excellent value for the money in all aspects, but to each their own.
I have never been to either, however I know most people say they deliver an excellent product. But they really ought to for what they are charging. The Hyatt goes over US$ 1000 per night per room in peak times. This is the type of money you might expect to pay for a proper 5 star hotel in London with all the costs associated with one of the world's most expensive cities. To be charging that sort of money in DR, where staff are paid buttons and where real estate is relatively cheap, then of course everything should be absolutely excellent.
Having lived in DR for so long, I very much doubt it would be, and this is the reason I won't go. I just honestly believe that the culture of DR doesn't lend itself to the type of service standards that you'd expect that price level. I certainly would object to having to line up for drinks or for food (which a lot of reviews of Hyatt mention) or having anything at all not working in my room or spotty wifi.
So whilst I respect your opinion, for me I'd much prefer to pay 1/20th of the price that you pay in Hyatt and take my chances at Bahia Principe. As I said, the rooms will be clean, there will be something I can eat and drink, the kids will enjoy it and I won't come away feeling cheated.
Just to get a room on the beach for this price without food and beverage is well worth it..........
To be fair, you are comparing high season Hyatt with low season Bahia and in two distinctly different locations. My Hyatt costs for approximately the same time frame as yours is $250 pp. That includes an oceanfront room with club level amenities or it would be even less expensive. Having stayed there before, that is more than a fair price for the superior amenities they offer.
There is no question the Hyatt and many other hotels in the DR offer a better product than many/most of the current crop of AI's in the DR.....and for that you need to pay. For those that choose something different..........to each his own.
As to Bahia, I have only stayed at one, the Cayo Leventado Samana and it was quite good but certainly not up to the standards of the Hyatt.
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
The strongest thing that Punta Cana has going for it is the diversity of hotels. If you take some time to research your trip you can find what you are looking for. Whether it is a top of the line hotel with a higher price or just a reasonable or even cheaper vacation on the beach. Some here on Dr1 understand this and some just don't..............
My wife and I have different standards on what is quality, so usually we meet somewhere in the middle. This year we are taking the teachers to Lifestyles tropical resort in Cofresi. Price is right, and all the teachers want is a pool, decent food, and drinks. Half them will have little kids with them and their expectations are not really that high. Clean rooms, kiddy pool, Volleyball, ...etc. My wife and I would rather go elsewhere, however it is only 2.5 days in our life.
I like the Hyatt Zilara although the prices have gone up since we stayed there. Most of the reviews I read are good, there are also negative ones. It is an AI though, so IMO while the service level is above the Bahia, it is still an AI. When people ask me where they should stay in Punta Cana, my first question is "what do want or expect from the resort". Some say they do not care; they just want a good pool/beach. Others say they want a resort with a good selection of ala-cartes. Or some say they want a quiet resort, one where they can just relax. It comes down to what you are looking for and how much you want to spend. The type of person(s) that stays at the Hyatt/Secrets are normally not what you may see at the Bahia. It is a different atmosphere and that is what some people are willing to pay for. I agree that spending a lot on a vacation (resort) then having it not be what you expected would make someone feel cheated. Paying $1000 per night, of course you're expecting an excellent product, but I would not expect the service level of a 5-star London hotel when staying at an AI in the DR. For some, paying $1000 (for example) per night makes them feel as though they are getting something "better". Of course, everyone has their own opinion on what "better" is. I agree with how you view it, you know what you are paying so you have an idea of what to expect.
So if one want a quiet resort with a decent selection of à la cartes, which ones would you recommend in the mid-range ? Thanks in advance !
Some that come to mind are Finest Punta Cana (Excellence adult only side), Hideaway Royalton, Majestic Mirage, Bahia Luxury Ambar (it is part of the big Bahia complex).
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I would actually recommend a resort for DN that is NOT in Punta Cana. La Romana Hilton in Bayhibe, the Adult VIP section is exactly what he is looking for. Quiet and top notch Ala Carte restaurants. And a tip, you can go to one A La Carte restaurant and order from two others. A propina with the right waiter goes a long way in this place.............Also swim up rooms..........
The La Romana Hilton is a good choice if you want something not in Punta Cana. Both the adult side and the family side are nice. My only issue is it can be a bit pricey at times. But prices have gone up for most places, so it is pretty much in line with mid-range prices. It would definitely be one of my choices.