TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

I came a long way with my husband and two children for a beach vacation. We are very disappointed in the beach and the guest services. The beach and pool: This is our 4th full day here. Except for our first day, we haven't been able to swim in the ocean due to the tremendous amount of sargassum on the beach. Piles of it. We have spoken to guest services, who tell us that the beach will be cleaned, but then have changed the story when it isnt, and even had one representative tell us that he went swimming this morning and that it is clean. Please see picture of what it has been like for the last 3 days. We therefore have had to use the pool, which is not what we had come for, especially with adolescents, as there is not much to do in the pool except to wade and avoid guests throwing and catching balls in it. To make matters worse, although signs say that guests are not to reserve seating around the pool with their towels, by 7:30 am there are almost no empty chairs. So if guests can't use the beach nor lay by the pool for lack of chairs, what is there to do? It would be quite reasonable to enforce the rule for the courtesy of all guests. A la carte eating: When we arrived we were asked to download the hotel app in order to reserve an a la carte restaurant. We did so right away but have not been able to get a reservation. Guest services have told us to go back each morning to see if there is a cancelation but none yet. We were told today that maybe there would be an availability on the 27th. We are leaving on the 26th. I won't delve into the people constantly bothering guests to take pictures with birds, go on excursions or the like because in the grand scheme of things, that isn't what has made this trip so disappointing, but I am mentioning it in case others would find this uncomfortable. The reason I am attributing the 2 stars is that the buffets have quite a lot of choice in food, the drinks and coffee are plentiful, and apart from the fact that those with whom we spoke at guest services did not help us with a reservation nor did they seem concerned about the fact that we can't use the beach, the staff are smiley and kind. We are trying to make the best of the weather and our time together, but truly, for the amount that we spent on this trip and after having read about the beautiful beach, it is such a disappointment. Update: I think it only fair to say that after having seen my review, a manager came to see us and asked me if I could explain the situation. I did, and we were given two a la carte reservations, some complementary sweets, and she offered her apologies on behalf of the hotel for the disappointments. Though this was much appreciated, I cannot recommend this resort as, sincerely, the beach was unusable for 5 of the 7 days we were there.

The beach and the hotel infrastructure are a major plus of this hotel. The area is beautiful, well maintained, and very pleasant to spend time in. The food was very good, with a nice variety and good quality. On the downside, the bed was extremely soft, which made it difficult to sleep well. In addition, the service was only average and could be more attentive. Overall, the hotel has great potential thanks to its location and food, but comfort and service could be improved.

This resort is definitely NOT a 5* resort. I would rank it a 3 or 3.5 at best. I we gave stayed at many 5* properties and this one does not in any way compare. The staff is not friendly, nor do they speak very good English. It seemed like communicating was always a struggle and they almost never smiled. The room was disappointing, the AC struggles to cool The room lower than 22 degrees and the shower/bathroom situation is much less than desirable. There is a big panel of glass separating the shower and the bedroom that is see through. The door to shut the bathroom is just another glass panel that provides zero privacy. The bedding is cheap and there is no fitted sheet they just throw a sheet over the mattress that bunches up easily. The beach is among the worst I’ve seen for a beach hotel. It is very narrow, steep, and covered in seaweed. The grounds are pretty especially at night but the pools are oddly located and have no beach or water view and are spread out. The food is not good. In fact almost our entire group has been sick from the food. My husband and I paid a visit to the doctor on property who was very nice and helpful which is one of the only pros… for the price there are much nicer and accommodating resorts. We will not return and have honestly been turned off from the DR.

Pulling into the resort we saw beautiful and well manicured grounds...That's basically where the positivity ends. At check in we were immediately contacted by a guy trying to sell us something and on our way to the room peddlers selling their souvenirs, etc. Majority of the staff were rude, acted like they were doing you a favor. (there were several good workers, too though!) Constant peddlers. We just wanted to be left alone. Never happened...We chose the DR for a "beach vacation". Unfortunately the beach and water was full of seaweed the entire time, and although the resort can't control that, it was very disappointing. You can obviously go to lots of other destinations and not have that. Lesson learned. Beach was also very small and steep... Food was "ok" and had lots of options to attend but mostly the same food at every place. Ala carte restaurants were nothing special. Same quality as buffets but they tried to make you feel like you were getting something better. Wait staff was MUCH better at those restaurants, though... Our room was TERRIBLE. We had a poolside junior suite with king bed and sofa bed. No privacy in the frosted glass bathrooms if lights were on. You could literally see everything. Shower was the weirdest thing I'd ever experienced. Engineering marvel. Words can't explain it, you just gotta experience it. Our power went out a minimum of 2 times a day and up to 6 (and that's just when we were in the room, so who knows how many more times it actually happened??). It would come back on its own anywhere from 2-15 minutes after going out. We brought it up to the staff on day 3, and of course absolutely nothing was followed through on it and we never heard from them again... Our room was never "cleaned". Things were on the floor on day 7 that were there on day 1. Ants everywhere. Towels were "kinda" replaced. Old ones were left on the floor and not taken with cleaning staff. Never got new hand towels or wash clothes again after used up on day 2.. Beds were made each day (no fitted sheets so that was awful), bath towels were replaced, trash can were emptied, and I think that's about all they did the 7 days we were there. Tried to see if they'd do better by leaving a more generous tip on day 3 but nothing changed so decided to stop tipping altogether...The pools were a bright spot. Get there early to save loungers... We are not "world travelers" but have traveled enough to know good rooms, food, and service from bad.

Everything excellent and I really liked the food and the plays and over all everything was really nice. Thank you roselyn