The resort is spotless with people constantly gardening, emptying bins, getting rid of used glasses.
The beach cleaners are out at 0500 rakeing their own area and prunning trees, there are buckets provided for waste food and cups and are being emptied throughout the day to keep flies away. There is always a lovely breeze here and plenty of shade if required.
The beach is not the best so you need water shoes as there is coral on the edge of the water and if you venture out to the reef. No nasties are in the water and fish are in abundance of all colours and size. Entertainment is there day and night, play a variety of games, theres a kids club run by 'big mama' and on an evening it is low key and somewhat repetative but they do try but it is not the paladium. Will we return? Can't wait!!!!

The resort itself was slightly more exclusive that some neighbouring resorts, but when you left it for entertainment, you do get harrassed by the locals to buy which gets very annoying.

Horseriding in the hills was brilliant, the casino in Playa Dorada was great with free drinks all night and there is a mall to buy presents but mainly cigars (overpriced)

The beach was very shingly and the sea was extremely rough so was really difficult to snorkel or any water sports apart from windsurfing.but if you go to nearby Sosua, the sea was very calm.

The beach was very clean with plenty of room, not once did we have a problem getting sun loungers.

Each hotel has there own non-motorised sport section, the hotel we were staying in had free snorkeling equpiment and canoes which you also got life jackets.

Shopping is an experience in Puerto Plata. We found that it is much cheaper in the local plaza on the Playa Dorada complex and you didnt get hassled as much.

The beach is not white sands and turqoise sea, but we knew this before we booked so there was no disappointment when we arrived.

The staff were always collecting empty cups off the beach and raking up leaves and any litter, it was clean and safe.

The swimming in the sea is operated by a flag system as the water can be rough, it also slopes a fair bit, so keep an eye on young children.

Could be very good if resort got its act together

I know this isn’t a review of the resort but as all the excursions originate around Puerto Plata, I thought it would be better posted on here rather than on my hotel review.I rated the resort as 5, but to be honest we didn't see the resort proper and the ratings are based on the excursions.

One morning we got a taxi ($25 return) from the reception to the Teleferico, (cable car) this is something we particularly wanted to do, some of the tour operators do it as part of a package but the First Choice Rep said they didn’t do it as they could not get insurance.
After a 15-minute taxi drive we arrived at the lower station of the Teleferico, the taxi driver said he would pick us up in about 2 hours time. On entering the taxi you will be approached by locals offering their services as guides, we had been advised to turn them down, which we did.
We purchased tickets and waited for the descending cable car to return, while we were there a magician was doing close up magic with cards and balls, which was very entertaining.
The views from the cable car are fantastic only bettered by the view from the top where you can see the whole of Puerto Plata spread out below you. There are some really nice gardens at the top as well as a statue of Christ.
While we were waiting for the return cable we were watching birds of prey flying around which we were later told were vultures.
If anyone does go on the Teleferico, can I suggest that they do as we did and make sure they go early as later on a lot of the view is obscured by heat haze.

The second excursion we went on was the Outback Safari; the truck picked up we at 8.30 from the hotel by the guide George and the driver Junior.
After a couple of other pickups along with an interesting and entertaining introduction by George (ask any adult who has been on this excursion about Car wash no 7 etc!), the first stop was at a Dominican home, made our eyes open as to how lucky we are to have a nice house with running water and electricity, things that we all take for granted.
This particular house did have some electricity from a solar panel that was paid for by the Outback Safari organisation in return for being allowed to show tourists round.
Cooking was done on a stone stove, there were several generations of the family living in 2 rooms.
Next stop was a plantation with various fruits growing wild in there natural surroundings where we were able to sample fresh fruit and sugarcane.
As we went further into the countryside children came running out of houses asking for sweets etc, we had been asked not to give them anything as they stay off school to try and beg of tourists.
Instead we were asked to put all the various things we had taken with us (toys, pens pencils etc) into a bag to be handed in at the local school which is where we visited next and the gifts would be distributed by the teachers as rewards to encourage the children to attend school.
Next stop was a rum shack where you could buy coffee and surprise surprise rum, followed by a trip to a river where people could wade out and then be carried along by the current before wading ashore.
Lunch then followed at a ranch type restaurant, with dancers and a crocodile in a pen.
We then boarded small boats and travelled down the a river through mangroves, followed by Boogie boarding on the beach at Cabarate, 15 miles of sand and surf, fantastic.

The third excursion was to Ocean World, which although we decided not to swim with the Dolphins (or sharks!) we thoroughly enjoyed the day.
It was interesting to be able to watch the Dolphin and shark encounter and being able to walk through the tropical aviary where we had a photo taken with my wife, son and myself all with parrots and toucans sat on our shoulders!
There is also another aviary where small colourful birds (a bit bigger than budgies) landed on your arms and head; at one point I had about 8 all on the palm of my hand!
We enjoyed the tiger grotto, where you can swim in a pool only separated by a glass screen from two tigers, and ideal to cool off in.
They also have a sea lion show, very well but a similar routine to other shows I have seen at many other parks and zoos in other countries.
The park was about ten minutes coach drive from the Merengue where we stayed and the only problem we felt was that the day was too long, shortening it by about an hour or so would certainly make it more enjoyable, other people said the same thing, and I am sure if people had young children with them it could become unbearable for the youngsters (as well as the parents!)
Definitely worth a visit but a very long day (picked us up at hotel at 9.30 and dropped us of at 6.00)

Hopefully this info will be of some use to other people in planning their trip to the DR.

The beach was gorgeous with free sunbeds and water sports.

The entertainment at the hotel was very good but finished at 11pm. so everyone then heads down to the plaza to a few of the bars.

I recommend Hemmingways and Roadway. They're little clubs which play a bit of everything. The locals do go there but are friendly enough.

Just be a bit cautious girls. The guys can sometimes get a bit 'too' friendly but again, just tell them no or that you have a boyfriend and they leave you alone.

The resort of Cabarette was reasonably clean. Only problems is fumes from the traffic, especially as most locals ride motor cycles, mainly as taxis.

Cant comment of the resort entertainment, as we stayed on the hotel premises or went on pre-arranged sight seeing.
There is a small town with shops, restaurants and bars, if you walk from hotel towards Cabarette via the beach there are bars and restaurants, including an irish bar. Beware that, so we were told, prices are high for beer etc.

Beach is very clean, and locals are always cleaning any debris.

Would definately visit this resort again. Quiet, hot, a nice breeze at times. It is lovely to watch all the wind surfers and water sports going on in the sea.
We had a go at boogie boarded which was free at our hotel, it was great!

Watch for the size of the waves, as they can change that quickly, I know, I was there.... and didn't see it!

Sosua was a lovely resort, it looks a little tired compared to european destinations but then that is what you would expect.There is everyting you could need. A chemist, a supermarket lots or tourist shops and plenty of restaurants.

The main Sosua beach was lovely with a long stretch of white sand.

It has many shops and bars, and the market is about 10 mins walk away with an abundance of shops and a wonderful beach. Although you get hassled quite a lot from the shop owners who try and beat their neighbours price, a polite no thank you will do.

All in all the resort and the people were great and would definitely go again.