Helen,

Which side of the island in the Dom Rep have you been looking at for a resort and secondly which resorts have you looked at so far that are giving you concern with the reviews.

Angie.

we would rather the white beach side which i think is bavaro , we were going to book the wyndham playa dorada because we stayed in this chain of hotel in mexico which was fab but the reviews for dom rep one are quite bad.

If there's one thing I've learnt in years of review reading, it's that there's no such thing as the perfect hotel and sometimes the more reviews you read, the more confusing and off-putting it can all get.

Some people will love a place whereas others hate it (prime example - the Almond Beach Village in Barbados) and you really have to try and read between the lines. I find the reviews on this site more balanced, whereas over on TA our friends from across the pond have very high expections which are rarely met.

Getting back to the point, although I've yet to try the DR, I reckon you can't go far wrong with Iberostar resorts. Riu also have a very good reputation, especially the Palaces.

Helen,

We love the Iberostar chain of hotels they have the Iberostar Bavaro, Iberostar Punta Cana/Dominicana which is all on the same resort but if you book to stay in the Iberostar Bavaro you can use all the facilities at the other two.But if you booked to stay in the Punta Cana/Dominicana you can only use each other facilities not the Bavaro.
Here is a map of the resort layout.
http://www.dresseldivers.com/en/images/puntacana/mapa%20punta%20cana.jpg

Info from Iberostar website for Bavaro.http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Punta-Cana-hotels/Iberostar-Bavaro_3_61.html

Punta Cana http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Punta-Cana-hotels/Iberostar-Punta-Cana_3_64.html

Dominicana http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Punta-Cana-hotels/Iberostar-Dominicana_3_63.htm

If there are any other questions dont hesitate to get back to me. Will help all I can.

Angie.

Ive stayed at the Iberostar costa dorada for 3 weeks. Loved it, but nothing outside of the hotel in terms of bars etc. If you want any further info let me know.

Daughter and s-i-l stayed at Iberostar costa dorada last October with 2 teenage girls and thought it was fabulous.

I have actually just come back May 12th from our 6th visit to the Iberostar Costa Dorada as said in my previous post the Iberostar chain is one of our favourite chain of hotels.

Angie.

We're off to the Dreams La Romana hotel in Bayahibe in August. All the reviews seem to be excellent, and there's more being added weekly.

hi, i have been looking at the iberostar costa dorada it looks to have everything we look for in a holiday can you tell me anything about the place, because thomas cook say 2010 go on sale next wednesday so iam hoping to book it if i can get the right price thanks

Helen,

What specific questions would you like answers to, fire away,I will be pleased to answer all.
This resort is clean,well presented,lovely helpful staff cant do enough to make your stay perfect, food top notch with a buffet restaurant, 3 a la cartes, poolside bar and snack bar, many activities going on all day long by the Starfriends entertainment team.

Angie.

thanks angie, is it very big to get around and can you recommend a room on a low floor near pool and is there 2 pools or is the smaller one just for kids, is there anything outside the hotel or is it not safe thanks for being so helpful its a hard descision to try to get it as right as possible before booking

No its not too big to get around at all. All 9 Blocks are interlinked so if you have sudden shower you can walk from block to block to get to the main reception, buffet restaurant, 2 of the 3 a la cartes and lobby bar and theatre bar where evening entertainment is held without getting wet, which I find is a big bonus. The 3rd a la carte Tropical is the pool side snack bar in the day which they transform in the evening into the Tropical, lovely atmosphere for evening dining right next to the beautifully lit up pool.
The pool is one very large pool with a jacuzzi in the middle with a smaller childrens pool seperate from the main pool right next to the main pool.
We always ask for Block 8 which is our favourite block, you cant actually request rooms at the resort but you can request which block you prefer, they will send you a very polite email back explaining that requests will be accommodated if availability is possible on your arrival, but saying that we have always stayed in block 8, also request a ground floor room, which we have done and always have been allocated one except this year, and I think they gave us the top floor(only 3 floors)as they gave us an upgrade to a Junior Suite as it was our 6th visit.
There is nothing directly outside of the hotel but a 5min taxi ride up the road is Playa Dorada Shopping Mall, with bars, restaurants and shops which is nice to get off resort for a little while and have a look around, otherwise there are alot of different tours to go on.If your interested on any info on tours I will post them if you wish.It is very safe to go out and about in the Dom. Rep even though your tour reps say it is not.Cant understand why they say that.
Here is a link to the layout of the resort.
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/304320/photo228.html

Get back in touch if you want anymore help.
Angie.

We stayed at Ocean Sands/Blue in Bavaro last August and it was the best hotel yet. We've previously stayed at Iberostar CD and Riu Merengue.
We are giving Serenis Tropical Suites a try this year! Loved the Bavaro area - that beach is amazing!

We love the Riu chain and had a bril time at the Merengue in the North. You can use the facilities of the 2 hotels either side, which we did regularly.

We're trying the south this year and have booked Dreams La Romana.

We're trying the south this year and have booked Dreams La Romana.

Shirley - I've looked at that one in the past, but wasn't sure if it had enough to do for the kids - looks a lovely romantic get-away - be good to hear your thoughts on your return. When are you off?

Hi Chris,
We fly 6 weeks Wednesday - 5th August. 2 weeks of relaxation with 2 other couples. All our children have grown up so we're now enjoying a new lease of life

Sounds wonderful! I can't wait for that - mine are 13 and 15!

As Angie said you cant beat the Iberostars, just returned from IB* Bavaro it is amazing out there, definitely returning to try another maybe the Costa Dorada one Angie??? ( Have you posted a trip report anywhere?) , Anyway i think where ever you book your sure to have a great time its just so beautiful and the people are so friendly. Good luck with your holiday hunting let us all know where you book x

Have tried several chains in the caribbean but have to say my favourite is Iberostar....the best one we have been to is the Hacienda Dominicus in Bayahibe.