Nice rate at an AI

[johne]

I've just booked Bahia Principe in La Romana at the end of June, the rate came out at US$ 66 per person per night all inclusive which I think is very good. I've got another booking for Alma de Bayahibe for US$ 80 per night per person in a suite mid-June also all-inclusive. These places deliver a pretty solid product, I'm not massively into AI and have never had a really nice meal in any of them, so I prefer to go cheap-and-cheerful and at these rates you can't complain about anything.

If anyone fancies north coast, you can find very good rates out-of-season at Viva Tangerine in Cabarete (usually around US$ 50 per person per night). This place has big contracts with Canadian travel companies in high season and the rest of the year they sell super cheap to get butts on sunbeds.

I stayed at BP in La Romana adults only the first week of May. We thought is very good value and a severe upgrade of AI that I used 10.years ago and then got tired of the AIs. We staid 3 nites , for two people, twin kings for.$900.
Drove there in one hour and fifteen minutes from SDE. We are planning to go back in about another month.
Service desk on side of lobby is very responsive. Saw what was a possible leak from a Jacuzzi above me and they fixed at once AND changed my room to a better location on second floor.

 

[SKY]

I stayed at BP in La Romana adults only the first week of May. We thought is very good value and a severe upgrade of AI that I used 10.years ago and then got tired of the AIs. We staid 3 nites , for two people, twin kings for.$900.
Drove there in one hour and fifteen minutes from SDE. We are planning to go back in about another month.
Service desk on side of lobby is very responsive. Saw what was a possible leak from a Jacuzzi above me and they fixed at once AND changed my room to a better location on second floor.

This is a perfect example to the negative posters who have never even set foot in an AI. They have no clue about value. For $150 each you had a hotel on the beach with decent food and beverage included. Try and book an Ocean front room elsewhere and pay for 3 meals and drinks a day and add it up. And mid class hotels are usually just as good as many high price “Name” hotels…………..And you can even pay less than $150 a day for the same............

 

[NanSanPedro]

I stayed at BP in La Romana adults only the first week of May. We thought is very good value and a severe upgrade of AI that I used 10.years ago and then got tired of the AIs. We staid 3 nites , for two people, twin kings for.$900.
Drove there in one hour and fifteen minutes from SDE. We are planning to go back in about another month.
Service desk on side of lobby is very responsive. Saw what was a possible leak from a Jacuzzi above me and they fixed at once AND changed my room to a better location on second floor.

Johne, how was the food and the pools?

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

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..............

I would tend to agree. I hear the Riu is a great bang for the buck.

 

[keepcoming]

I would tend to agree. I hear the Riu is a great bang for the buck.

Actually, the Riu is. For the price it is a decent option, if you are looking for more of a party atmosphere. There are always going to be those who dislike AI's. But for many it provides an easy option for a vacation. Beach, pool, food and drinks all right there, no need to leave the resort. That option appeals to many people, no worrying about where to go eat, etc. Not every traveler is the adventurous type, wanting to travel about the island, etc. Some just want to unpack, head to the beach or pool and that is it. Nothing wrong with that and Punta Cana provides that option.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Not every traveler is the adventurous type, wanting to travel about the island, etc. Some just want to unpack, head to the beach or pool and that is it.

Hey, exactly, when you can get killed right there at the resort, who needs to venture out

 

[bob saunders]

90bk9biño

I would tend to agree. Ig3. hear the Riu is a great bang for the buck.

.j

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

90bk9biño

.j

I assume you are not in agreement.

 

[MariaRubia]

I stayed at BP in La Romana adults only the first week of May. We thought is very good value and a severe upgrade of AI that I used 10.years ago and then got tired of the AIs. We staid 3 nites , for two people, twin kings for.$900.
Drove there in one hour and fifteen minutes from SDE. We are planning to go back in about another month.
Service desk on side of lobby is very responsive. Saw what was a possible leak from a Jacuzzi above me and they fixed at once AND changed my room to a better location on second floor.

Well it all sounds good for $150 per person per night. So we are paying nearly 1/3 of that. Hopefully people can see what a great deal it is. I am pretty sure we will eat and drink more than what we are paying. The AIs often offer these crazy low rates just to fill empty rooms. And in addition booking systems are often so complex that discounts get overlaid and hotels end up selling a few rooms at crazy discounts until someone notices.

 

[MariaRubia]

To be honest I always chat to the staff and make friends if I can. I usually give a reasonably large tip to one or two key staff and make sure I get their WhatsApp so I can let them know when I'm coming back.

Whenever I return they always upgrade me and they always reserve me into the a la carte restaurants. All these hotel staff know how to give good service - if they choose to - even in a cheap hotel. And that makes a big difference even if you're paying almost nothing to stay there. I think the fact that I ran a hotel also helps as they know I understand their pain.

These are the perks of being an expat.

 

[playacaribe2]

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).

I would nix the Royalton Hideaway but add Lopesan to your list.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[keepcoming]

I would nix the Royalton Hideaway but add Lopesan to your list.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

I would not consider Lopesan a quiet resort.

 

[SKY]

I would not consider Lopesan a quiet resort.

It is a long way from quiet............

 

[keepcoming]

It is a long way from quiet............

The resorts I mentioned in post #37 for the most part are resorts within a larger resort complex. Gives you the option of having the quiet you want but also access to the other resorts within the complex. More dining options, etc.

 

[playacaribe2]

I would not consider Lopesan a quiet resort.

Only stayed once, but I had no issues with it being loud. It does have one of the two best gyms I have seen in the DR at an AI..............the other being Ziva/Zilara.

It all depends on what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay. That having been said, it is nice to have the choices currently being afforded in Punta Cana. On my first trip circa 1998, there will only 5 hotels with little differentiation between them.......except the name.

Commenting further, I have an invitation to a soft hotel opening in Cabo Rojo, supposedly ready for December 2025 (Dominican time). I do hope the advancement of the area has learned some lessons from the urban planning mistakes made in PC. Since I will be delivering some EV's to the area in late June or early July, I likely will be able to determine whether the pace of construction can meet the deadline.

On another note, the poor stepchild of the DR, i.e., the northcoast, is seemingly having a revival of sorts. Time will tell of course.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[keepcoming]

I think the Lopesan is good choice for a resort, just not a resort I would think of as quiet. Although in most resorts you can almost always find a spot/area that is quiet to relax in, I know I have. Thinking back to when I first went to Punta Cana, many if not most of the resorts there now did not exist. Wasn't it called Punta Borrachon at one point?

 

[Fulano2]

90bk9biño

.j

.k

Is this Mensa?

 

[playacaribe2]

I think the Lopesan is good choice for a resort, just not a resort I would think of as quiet. Although in most resorts you can almost always find a spot/area that is quiet to relax in, I know I have. Thinking back to when I first went to Punta Cana, many if not most of the resorts there now did not exist. Wasn't it called Punta Borrachon at one point?

Yes it was. Not many people are aware of its previous name. I have only heard it referred to by that name once.....and that was from an old timer (dominican) residing there.....many many years ago.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[keepcoming]

Yes it was. Not many people are aware of its previous name. I have only heard it referred to by that name once.....and that was from an old timer (dominican) residing there.....many many years ago.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

My FIL is a great storyteller...lol, that is where I heard it.

 

[bookbox]

Which website are you using to get these rates?

I've just booked HM Alba Bayahíbe in mid June, 3 nights all inclusive for £270 ($350) which i think Is a excellent deal. I used Expedia and could have paid less (under $300) but we wanted a junior suite rather than a double room. The hotel may not be 5 Star but the location looks fabulous!