We stayed at the Iberostar costa dorada for 3 weeks, at the time my daughter was 12 though. They do have a kids club called Star Kids. Lovely hotel and great food. Lots of wedding partys but certainly not a rowdy place by any means.

If there was any criticism about this hotel is the fact at night there is only 1 main bar which is the outside Auditorium where the shows take place, and then later Route 66 nightclub.

No bars nearby outside of the hotel.

We are off to Dreams Punta Cana next month. It won some kind of best family resort last year and has a kids club too. Might be worth a look. It's rated 4*+ with Thomson, who I find usually over-rate a resort by 1/2 - 1 star personally.

Pool is along winding one throughout the entire resort. There isn't much else outside the hotel though if you were after that. They offer a family room, which is basically 2 normal rooms interconnecting, or they also offer junior suites witha bedroom and separate living area.

Don't know what it is like in the flesh yet though, the above is just what I have researched.

Lisa

Hi Vicky

Just got back Monday from the Merengue and as you say it is a lovely place to stay we really enjoyed it. There wasnt too many children there for the first week but noticed a few more towards the end of the second week. I did notice the animation team taking them to play beach volley ball though and there is a kids club too I believe. Sorry I cant be more helpful. As for the weather we had ten days of rain and cloud which we didnt expect in March but still had a lovely time.

Sue

Thanks for all the replies!!!!
Dreams looks fab but very expensive in Aug!

At the merengue how was the food? what sort of choices was there and can you still go to the a la carte? i rememeber them serving nice steaks etc.

Thanks

Hi Vicky

I thought the food was good plenty of choice in the evening. Lunch times are usually the same i.e Hot dogs, pasta, fish, chicken etc but could always find something to eat.

They still have the Italian restaurant and the Steak house but have to admit we didnt try them.

Also the animation team are so lovely and really work hard.

Sue

Hi folks

Just got back from Dreams Punta Cana yesterday. If you want a place for kids this is the one. Also good for couples like us!

There is what they call the Explorer Club, which will take your lovely children and look after them from 9am to 10pm daily. They really seemed to be enjoying themselves. You'd see them marching down to the beach. Playing games there, all going into lunch together and the staff seemed as they were enjoying themselves as much as the kids. They had their own part of the hotel grounds with a Pirates Ship with slide into the pool, a playground and own building.

Another place they had was called the Core Zone, where they had a Wii, XBox, Playstation 3. A climbing wall, Tennis Courts, a Basketball/Football court. There was a bucking Bronco, a Euro Bunjee, all manner of Table top games. The list seems to be endless.

If kids couldn't be happy here, then I don't think they would be happy anywhere. There is also food like burgers and pizzas all day for them if they are that fussy and don't want to eat grown up food!

Thanks it sounds fab!