Well all I can say is you lucky so and so going soon.
Firstly I would like to say a very firm thank you to all the people who have reported their experiences of this FANTASTIC hotel, for which I found more than useful in making my decision to go. Now its time for me to give something back, I will be submitting a full report soon but want to make it a thorough report to do it some justice.
In answer to PinguTM's questions here goes...
No problem getting sun beds at the beach or pool, we arrived at approx 9-3- to 10-30 each day on the beach mainly, yes there were the few greedy selfish people who reserve but not many, in our view we liked the area on the beach near the archery section as it was nice and quiet, and still got the sun and had parasols. as for the pool area again the greedy selfish slobs who reserve sun beds but there are loads to go around, and the reserved ones were usually by the bar, in summary we are very picky about where we sit on the beach or on odd occasions at the pool and we always found a nice spot to stay.
Nationality of guest's
Approx 10% Brits, 20% Americans 40% Germans 30% French
Animation Team
A smashing set of people approx 10 of them will be seen dotted around the place all day in different locations, one girl may come to you on the beach and ask if you want to take part in the Archery, a swift reply of No I'm just here to chill will send her on her way, with no hard feelings, same goes for Alberto who will come to you in the bar and ask if you want to see the show, again a quick no thanks will send him cheerfully on his way, after a while he gets to know you and tailors his approach accordingly, the others also very polite slapping your hand with a high five every now and again, but none of this felt like nagging.
You have to book the ala~carte restaurants at the guest services desk by the lobby bar open at 08-00 AM you need to queue but never more than 3 people in the queue when we were there, you can only make 2 bookings per visit so say book Monday and Tuesday on the Monday and go back on Tuesday to book Wednesday and Thursday etc... You need to be flexible with times as we had to eat at 8-45 or 9-00 some evenings which worked out well as we stuffed ourselves at breakfast and lunch which gave us time to make room for dinner!!! What FANTASTIC food.
The first day you arrive you will prob need to eat in the Buffet, please don't feel miffed by this as we were at first, it's because by the time you arrive the bookings will have been made for that day, but don't worry as the buffet restaurant is in our opinion to die for!!!!!!! With an excellent choice of food all brilliant quality and service as all of the hotel second to none, you get treated like royalty!!! You don't see mounds of fresh smoked salmon in a UK buffet. Or bucks fizz at breakfast!!!
The food throughout was superb. not so keen on the French Gourmet restaurant, had very limited menu, poor ceaser salad for starter, potato soup and lobster for main, followed by a cake for desert, no other choice. ask to see the wine list which they have, but don't advertise. Instead choosing to serve poor house wine.
Japanese restaurant a bit disappointing, not much on offer but the thrill of seeing it cooked in front of you is nice, not for the too shy as you will be sat around a table with approx 10 other people mixed nationalities.
Pool appeared fine could not see any missing tiles as I was also interested in this, I did see them cleaning the pool quite often it looks immaculate.
There is a good selection of cigars on site but wow what high prices, you may choose to go to the better of the 2 duty free shops at the airport terminal 2 at Punta Cana airport on the way back.
Don't even worry about bottled water, as soon as you arrive to your room there will be a big 1 gallon container of purified water on the dressing table, and a fridge full of approx 4 bottles of water 2 sparkling and 2 still, if you drop a couple of dollars each day on the dressing table you will have your fridge restocked every day, and 2 bottles of beer they give you each day plus 2 bottles of diet coke and fanta etc...
All water provided by the restaurants is safe purified.
Take US dollars with you and try to get them in singles, so you can give the odd tip like in the bar at night when the martini girls will bring you your order, you can also go to the bar as well if you prefer.
Dont be worried if you see poor weather forcast's before you go, we did but was nothing like they said, scattered cloud yes but it makes no difference, rain maybe but is over as quick as it arrives
Hope this helps, You can be sure you will enjoy this hotel
Currymonster
