hey care bear:
The email address is roomsgv@vhhr.com
As a general rule, we're not massive tippers! We find people tipping $1 a day, per member of staff who serve them, so for 14 days. 10 members of staff (at least) comes to quite a lot!
We're not 'tight' (I'm taking 18kg worth of donated clothes, toys, medical stuff for a local orphanage for disabled children in Puerto Plata when I go) but we don't agree in buying good service, when those who trully deserve a great tip get left behind!
We leave tipping, and wait for the staff who are really willing to help, with or without tips get a big tip at the end of the holiday (say $5-10 each) we also tip the gardeners $1 but they appreciate a nice cold drink every day more. And if you're going AI then it won't cost you anything, except a few minutes of holiday time!
We also take little gifts, especially cadburys mini chocolate bars, and give one to favourite members of staff every now and then, to let them 'taste england' these are cheep to buy from asda, and the staff really appreciate the thought.
It's up to you how much you tip... you shouldn't have to tip for good service when it's been paid for. We'll maybe leave $2 at the a la carte whenever we're there, $1 or a little present for the maids every other day, then if she's been really brilliant, a larger present (in cuba it was left over shampoos, hair accessories, mosquito repellant) but in the Dominican Republic, it'll probably be $5-$10 for the bar staff, whoever has given brilliant service will get $5 and the thermos insulated mugs we take (costing £1 each) the waiters/waitresses ger about $5 each (about 5 of them) plus a small present (English fruit tea/tea bags in a bag with hot chocolate sachets and biscuits is a common favourite)
So instead of us paying $150 for the two weeks in tips, it works out about $50! those who are genuine get the tips, and those who creep up to those who tip don't! The little gifts don't cost much (about £2.99 for a big bag of cadburys chocolate and £1.99 for tea bags to do 5 members of staff!) and they really appreciate it more! The drinks for the gardeners cost us nothing as we can just get some from the bar, and if we stand and talk to them while they drink them, if management sees, they wouldn't get into trouble, or be accused of taking what isn't theres, as we can say it is!
Have a great time! :-)
Hi dramaqueen,
Thanks for that, but can i just double check. tip maids $1 every day. do you tip barstaff when you get 1st round of drinks or every round. we are planning onleaving a lot of things behind- shampoos etc and little ones clothes cos he wont wear them again, and thought about getting nail polish and toothapste and that kind of thing to leave behind. maybe i'm just mean, but part of me thinks we are paying a lot for this hol so why tip, but i also know they dont get paid much.
do you tip anyone in the buffet bar, and would it be okay to leav big tips for particular staff at reception, give to them personally.
Thanks for that, but can i just double check. tip maids $1 every day. do you tip barstaff when you get 1st round of drinks or every round. we are planning onleaving a lot of things behind- shampoos etc and little ones clothes cos he wont wear them again, and thought about getting nail polish and toothapste and that kind of thing to leave behind. maybe i'm just mean, but part of me thinks we are paying a lot for this hol so why tip, but i also know they dont get paid much.
do you tip anyone in the buffet bar, and would it be okay to leav big tips for particular staff at reception, give to them personally.
Hi:
I only tip the maids every other day, so like one day, I'll leave $1, the next day, a small gift (like nail polish, make up, chocolate) then start again. So that's about $5 in tips for the maid, and if they've been especially good, then another $5 or $10 on departure day... no need to fork out $14!
We don't tip the bar staff at all during our stay. Or if we do, it'd be $1 each 1/2 way through. Then say $5 each... I think they make a small fortune from other guests, and we generally aim our money to the gardeners, who seem to be forgotten about!
For the waitresses, we randomly leave $5 on the table, like twice throughout the holiday, then a good tip at the end of the holiday.
We give the tips/gifts out personally, that way, we get the satisfaction of giving.
I totally agree with you on the tip thing. But I know from going to Cuba, the bar man is supposed to be the best job in Cuba... they make an absolute fortune in tips! If the hotel holds 200 guests, each gives the barman $1 a day! They'd be on more than me! I'd much rather tip people who work without such insentive.
I only tip the maids every other day, so like one day, I'll leave $1, the next day, a small gift (like nail polish, make up, chocolate) then start again. So that's about $5 in tips for the maid, and if they've been especially good, then another $5 or $10 on departure day... no need to fork out $14!
We don't tip the bar staff at all during our stay. Or if we do, it'd be $1 each 1/2 way through. Then say $5 each... I think they make a small fortune from other guests, and we generally aim our money to the gardeners, who seem to be forgotten about!
For the waitresses, we randomly leave $5 on the table, like twice throughout the holiday, then a good tip at the end of the holiday.
We give the tips/gifts out personally, that way, we get the satisfaction of giving.
I totally agree with you on the tip thing. But I know from going to Cuba, the bar man is supposed to be the best job in Cuba... they make an absolute fortune in tips! If the hotel holds 200 guests, each gives the barman $1 a day! They'd be on more than me! I'd much rather tip people who work without such insentive.
Hi all
Getting a bit worried, I have read some really bad reviews on this hotel, I've still got another 6 weeks to go yet. Has anyone been recently?
Am I worrying for nothing ?
Any feed back will be good.
Thanks
Mishie
Getting a bit worried, I have read some really bad reviews on this hotel, I've still got another 6 weeks to go yet. Has anyone been recently?
Am I worrying for nothing ?
Any feed back will be good.
Thanks
Mishie
Hi Mishie,
I also have read some bad reviews, but when you compare them to the amount of good reviews there are, its nothing to worry about. have a look at trip advisor. and just remember, you cant please everybody all the time. some people go on holiday and look for things to go wrong. people moan about the bedrooms- who cares, how much time are you going to spend in there. you're in the caribbean. rave reviews about the food. we go to gv in oct, and although nervous, i'm not going to worry too much and go with an open mind.
I also have read some bad reviews, but when you compare them to the amount of good reviews there are, its nothing to worry about. have a look at trip advisor. and just remember, you cant please everybody all the time. some people go on holiday and look for things to go wrong. people moan about the bedrooms- who cares, how much time are you going to spend in there. you're in the caribbean. rave reviews about the food. we go to gv in oct, and although nervous, i'm not going to worry too much and go with an open mind.
Hi Care Bear
Thanks for your reply, I have been reading trip advisor, these are where the bad reviews are coming from. As I am going with two children I just want everything too run smoothly. I think that I should stop reading review, and just look forward to my holiday.
Thanks again
Mishie
Thanks for your reply, I have been reading trip advisor, these are where the bad reviews are coming from. As I am going with two children I just want everything too run smoothly. I think that I should stop reading review, and just look forward to my holiday.
Thanks again
Mishie
We're going in 13 days! 
I have recently read some bad reviews, but when they are in the nature of "there were too many palm trees blocking my view from the room" or "I got my cocktail in a plastic cup because they wouldn't allow glasses on the beach" or "the beggers on Playa Dorada annoyed me!" you can see what sort of person it is who's moaning!
I have been to the Sol Cayo Coco twice, this has had a load of bad reviews, but I loved it!
When I return, I'll give an honest and fair review. People need to remember they're going to a LEDC!
I have not read reviews on here for a while. i'll have a look now! But I'm not worried at all! I fully intend to enjoy it! Laying on the beach with a cocktail, trying Dominican food, having a few and dancing to the birdie song! It'll be great!
I have recently read some bad reviews, but when they are in the nature of "there were too many palm trees blocking my view from the room" or "I got my cocktail in a plastic cup because they wouldn't allow glasses on the beach" or "the beggers on Playa Dorada annoyed me!" you can see what sort of person it is who's moaning! I have been to the Sol Cayo Coco twice, this has had a load of bad reviews, but I loved it!
When I return, I'll give an honest and fair review. People need to remember they're going to a LEDC!
I have not read reviews on here for a while. i'll have a look now! But I'm not worried at all! I fully intend to enjoy it! Laying on the beach with a cocktail, trying Dominican food, having a few and dancing to the birdie song! It'll be great!
Hi Drama Queen
I am not worried about peoples petty reviews. I can not understand how someone can complain about things like the colour of the sand, tiles on the floor in the bedrooms etc. The things that I am worried about is how clean things are and the food, all the other things are minor. When travelling with children one needs to be causious about these things.
Mishie
I am not worried about peoples petty reviews. I can not understand how someone can complain about things like the colour of the sand, tiles on the floor in the bedrooms etc. The things that I am worried about is how clean things are and the food, all the other things are minor. When travelling with children one needs to be causious about these things.
Mishie
Mishie, we're travlling with kids also- 8 and 3 and they are a big concern. the gv has signed up to a hygiene prgramme with a company called crystal and people regulary check the temps. sure they rated highly. but remember, you can get poorly wherever you go- england or abroad. i read areview on trip avisor about someone getting salmonella- how come she was the only one?? and she had been to a lot of bars drinking etc. more likely she picked up a bug from external place. also its in resorts best interest to keep food clean etc. i think i read once that you are more likely to be ill from plane food than resort food. try not to worry too much. easier said than done i know.
Hey Mishie:
These people probably drank the water without noticing or something! The thing I noticed though, which you may want to be careful, someone said they were ill after having drank the milk! With you having kids, you may want to be careful. Encourage them to try something different for breakfast instead of cereal, I can understand them needing calcium while you're there though, I've heard there's a shopping plaza nearby, maybe consider a trip there to see if there are any alternatives (ie: yoghurts, you can see how they're kept and can check the dates) Check all meat is cooked properly. Try to avoid the meats that are left out, go to the fresh cooking stations. Don't let the kids drink the water. Even make them clean their teeth with bottled water. Avoid ice cubes!
I know with me not having kids, it's easy for me to say, but my mum has an extrmly bad stomach (she had to have an operation 4 years ago to untangle her stomach from her lungs! She's still not the same!) We've been to the caribbean 3 times (cuba each time) Tunisia twice (one of which had a really bad case of illness) and she's yet to be ill! We take some rehydration salts, pepto bismol, rennies, immodium etc... just in case... But we always follow the common guidelines!
If you're referring to the recent one about the little boy who got ill, and his illness had a rather discusting cause, (I won't say it here) then if it was from the pool, or somewhere accessable to every guest then every guest would have taken ill! Maybe the child somehow managed to get the illness from the public loos, and his father picked it up from him. I don't know! 99% of reviews have said how clean the hotel is though. Very few have been negative.
A bit of a tip from me though... take a portable alcohol handwash with you at all times! These are available in Asda, Superdrug, Tescos etc... and cost about £1 for a bottle. They kill practically all germs. I carry one in my handbag at all times, and if I need to use a public toilet, I clean the seat first! Even clean your own bathroom through first. I know the maids do it. But they may have limited resources.
Have a great time! Don't worry
I totally agree with Carebear. How is it determined that the hotel is the cause?
These people probably drank the water without noticing or something! The thing I noticed though, which you may want to be careful, someone said they were ill after having drank the milk! With you having kids, you may want to be careful. Encourage them to try something different for breakfast instead of cereal, I can understand them needing calcium while you're there though, I've heard there's a shopping plaza nearby, maybe consider a trip there to see if there are any alternatives (ie: yoghurts, you can see how they're kept and can check the dates) Check all meat is cooked properly. Try to avoid the meats that are left out, go to the fresh cooking stations. Don't let the kids drink the water. Even make them clean their teeth with bottled water. Avoid ice cubes!
I know with me not having kids, it's easy for me to say, but my mum has an extrmly bad stomach (she had to have an operation 4 years ago to untangle her stomach from her lungs! She's still not the same!) We've been to the caribbean 3 times (cuba each time) Tunisia twice (one of which had a really bad case of illness) and she's yet to be ill! We take some rehydration salts, pepto bismol, rennies, immodium etc... just in case... But we always follow the common guidelines!
If you're referring to the recent one about the little boy who got ill, and his illness had a rather discusting cause, (I won't say it here) then if it was from the pool, or somewhere accessable to every guest then every guest would have taken ill! Maybe the child somehow managed to get the illness from the public loos, and his father picked it up from him. I don't know! 99% of reviews have said how clean the hotel is though. Very few have been negative.
A bit of a tip from me though... take a portable alcohol handwash with you at all times! These are available in Asda, Superdrug, Tescos etc... and cost about £1 for a bottle. They kill practically all germs. I carry one in my handbag at all times, and if I need to use a public toilet, I clean the seat first! Even clean your own bathroom through first. I know the maids do it. But they may have limited resources.
Have a great time! Don't worry
I totally agree with Carebear. How is it determined that the hotel is the cause?
Oops. That hotel wasn't the Gran Ventana I was referring to! But even so!
But even so!
Thanks Care Bear and Drama Queen
I know that I should really worry, I am not worried for me, or my partner, as we have been on a number of Carribean holidays. But this will be my childrens first, they have been Europe a number of times, but the Carribean is very different. Thanks for the advise, I always take cleaning equipment with me no matter where I go, and give the place a once over myself. Hope you both have a wonderful holiday, and Drama Queen don't forget that review when you get back.
Mishie
I know that I should really worry, I am not worried for me, or my partner, as we have been on a number of Carribean holidays. But this will be my childrens first, they have been Europe a number of times, but the Carribean is very different. Thanks for the advise, I always take cleaning equipment with me no matter where I go, and give the place a once over myself. Hope you both have a wonderful holiday, and Drama Queen don't forget that review when you get back.
Mishie
Don't worry, hun, it's as good as up!
The GV is a family resort! The little 'uns will be fine!
The GV is a family resort! The little 'uns will be fine!
make sure you do one too mishie- but can you include lots of kiddie related stuff please. have a fantastic holiday!
please. have a fantastic holiday!
and husbands 
Hi there Mishie,
We have just returned from GV on Sun 4th June.
Trust me you'll have a wonderful time along with the kids.
I've left a review on the site for you.
We have just returned from GV on Sun 4th June.
Trust me you'll have a wonderful time along with the kids.
I've left a review on the site for you.
Hi Chrissian
Thanks for that, just over 5 weeks left to go, really look forward to going now.
Mishie
Thanks for that, just over 5 weeks left to go, really look forward to going now.
Mishie
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