The 516-room Iberostar Costa Dorada all-inclusive resort is a solid upper-middle-range property located right on a long, sandy beach that’s just a short drive from the center of Puerto Plata. Rooms are simple but well-maintained, featuring balconies, minibars, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning. Ringed with loungers, the pools are large and lively, while the spa offers a serene atmosphere and lots of great treatments. The entertainment program is packed with activities for all ages, including games and competitions for children 4 to 17 years old. Buffet and a la carte restaurants receive good reviews from past guests, but some complain that the buffet can lack variety. Couples wanting a child-free vacation may want to consider the adults-only and all-inclusive BlueBay Villas Doradas resort.
The 516-room Iberostar Costa Dorada all-inclusive resort is a solid upper-middle-range property located right on a long, sandy beach that’s just a short drive from the center of Puerto Plata. Rooms are simple but well-maintained, featuring balconies, minibars, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning. Ringed with loungers, the pools are large and lively, while the spa offers a serene atmosphere and lots of great treatments. The entertainment program is packed with activities for all ages, including games and competitions for children 4 to 17 years old. Buffet and a la carte restaurants receive good reviews from past guests, but some complain that the buffet can lack variety. Couples wanting a child-free vacation may want to consider the adults-only and all-inclusive BlueBay Villas Doradas resort.
The 299-room Casa Marina Reef is a mid-range, all-inclusive hotel that while far from luxurious, offers excellent value for the price. Highlights include two nice sandy beaches, appealing oceanfront pools, a huge central pool, free sports rentals, and all-inclusive food and drinks. Rooms are basic and pleasant with tile floors, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and small balconies. It’s also one of the few resorts that’s within walking distance of a real Dominican town, giving guests a chance to escape from the all-inclusive bubble. Beachfront massages are available in cabanas and there's an on-site dance club and daily entertainment. On the downside, the restaurants are often overcrowded, most of the food is mediocre, and the rooms are basic with no free Wi-Fi.
The 299-room Casa Marina Reef is a mid-range, all-inclusive hotel that while far from luxurious, offers excellent value for the price. Highlights include two nice sandy beaches, appealing oceanfront pools, a huge central pool, free sports rentals, and all-inclusive food and drinks. Rooms are basic and pleasant with tile floors, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and small balconies. It’s also one of the few resorts that’s within walking distance of a real Dominican town, giving guests a chance to escape from the all-inclusive bubble. Beachfront massages are available in cabanas and there's an on-site dance club and daily entertainment. On the downside, the restaurants are often overcrowded, most of the food is mediocre, and the rooms are basic with no free Wi-Fi.
The only all-inclusive resort in Cabarete, the mid-range Wyndham Tangerine stands out for its location; it's on one of the D.R.’s best beaches for water sports, and is just a 10-minute walk from downtown’s shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Rooms are basic but beachy, and there are annoying fees for extras such as Wi-Fi and use of the in-room safes. Nonetheless, this calm property attracts budget-minded couples and families who don’t mind skimping on luxe decor in favor of affordable rates.
The only all-inclusive resort in Cabarete, the mid-range Wyndham Tangerine stands out for its location; it's on one of the D.R.’s best beaches for water sports, and is just a 10-minute walk from downtown’s shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Rooms are basic but beachy, and there are annoying fees for extras such as Wi-Fi and use of the in-room safes. Nonetheless, this calm property attracts budget-minded couples and families who don’t mind skimping on luxe decor in favor of affordable rates.
Hotel Conde de Penalba offers classic Dominican charm in a small, relatively basic package in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial. Each of the 20 rooms offers plenty of vintage appeal with contemporary touches, though they can be a bit worn. All do feature modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen cable TVs, air-conditioning, and (optional) balconies -- some overlooking Parque Colon and the Palacio Consistorial. There's also a popular cafe and bar on the street level. The hotel stays true to its Spanish Colonial roots in every respect, although some guests may find common areas to be a bit more dowdy than vintage. While its nightly rates are higher, it's worth considering Hodelpa Caribe Colonial as well, which has more contemporary rooms and amenities.
Hotel Conde de Penalba offers classic Dominican charm in a small, relatively basic package in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial. Each of the 20 rooms offers plenty of vintage appeal with contemporary touches, though they can be a bit worn. All do feature modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen cable TVs, air-conditioning, and (optional) balconies -- some overlooking Parque Colon and the Palacio Consistorial. There's also a popular cafe and bar on the street level. The hotel stays true to its Spanish Colonial roots in every respect, although some guests may find common areas to be a bit more dowdy than vintage. While its nightly rates are higher, it's worth considering Hodelpa Caribe Colonial as well, which has more contemporary rooms and amenities.
Situated in the heart of Santo Domingo, the four-pearl Occidental El Embajador is within a short drive of the city’s main financial, cultural, and historic districts. The dated, '80s-era architecture and decor detract from the hotel's grandeur and solid list of resort-like amenities, particularly for a downtown city hotel. Although it lacks a beach, the lovely pool area, well-manicured grounds, a small casino, and several restaurants and bars tick many of the essential boxes for a Caribbean getaway. Each of the hotel’s 286 rooms are clean and include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies. Guests looking for a boutique alternative may wish to consider the Billini Hotel.
Situated in the heart of Santo Domingo, the four-pearl Occidental El Embajador is within a short drive of the city’s main financial, cultural, and historic districts. The dated, '80s-era architecture and decor detract from the hotel's grandeur and solid list of resort-like amenities, particularly for a downtown city hotel. Although it lacks a beach, the lovely pool area, well-manicured grounds, a small casino, and several restaurants and bars tick many of the essential boxes for a Caribbean getaway. Each of the hotel’s 286 rooms are clean and include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies. Guests looking for a boutique alternative may wish to consider the Billini Hotel.
Let's clear up one misnomer right off the bat: There is no casino at the three-pearl Dominican Fiesta Hotel and Casino. This 298-room property in western Santo Domingo does have plenty of other features, like a massive pool, spa, and a handful of bars with live music and panoramic city views -- but the look throughout the hotel is dated. It's a decent fit for businesspeople, offering nine meeting rooms, a proper business center, and a large gym. However, Wi-Fi is painfully slow, and the style of rooms ranges from pleasantly modern to more traditional. There's a lovely park next door, but it's a 25-minute drive to the colonial district, so vacationers might want to compare with the more modern Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo, with its casino and nearby nightlife.
Let's clear up one misnomer right off the bat: There is no casino at the three-pearl Dominican Fiesta Hotel and Casino. This 298-room property in western Santo Domingo does have plenty of other features, like a massive pool, spa, and a handful of bars with live music and panoramic city views -- but the look throughout the hotel is dated. It's a decent fit for businesspeople, offering nine meeting rooms, a proper business center, and a large gym. However, Wi-Fi is painfully slow, and the style of rooms ranges from pleasantly modern to more traditional. There's a lovely park next door, but it's a 25-minute drive to the colonial district, so vacationers might want to compare with the more modern Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo, with its casino and nearby nightlife.
With two infinity pools, access to a large beach, a modern spa, round-the-clock dining, and an on-site casino, Be Live Experience Hamaca Garden offers all-inclusive value and a spring break vibe. Technically, this is part of a three-resort complex, with shared amenities. The 355-room property appears to be in a perpetual state of renovation, rooms can be hit or miss, though each comes with a free minibar and private balcony. There's a definite party atmosphere happening at the pools and on the beautiful beach across the street. Many guests tout the dirt cheap, all-inclusive pricing as its biggest selling point, especially considering the low quality of food on offer at five restaurants. For an alternative beachfront resort, check rates at the nearby Coral Costa Caribe Hotel.
With two infinity pools, access to a large beach, a modern spa, round-the-clock dining, and an on-site casino, Be Live Experience Hamaca Garden offers all-inclusive value and a spring break vibe. Technically, this is part of a three-resort complex, with shared amenities. The 355-room property appears to be in a perpetual state of renovation, rooms can be hit or miss, though each comes with a free minibar and private balcony. There's a definite party atmosphere happening at the pools and on the beautiful beach across the street. Many guests tout the dirt cheap, all-inclusive pricing as its biggest selling point, especially considering the low quality of food on offer at five restaurants. For an alternative beachfront resort, check rates at the nearby Coral Costa Caribe Hotel.
Everything about the Albachiara Hotel is two notches above basic, but well shy of full-on luxury. All 36 rooms in this three-and-a-half pearl, all-suite property offer apartment-style amenities that include full kitchens and private terraces. Limited features include a large, clean pool and a prime location across the street from the beach that’s also within walking distance to the nightlife, shopping, and beaches of Las Terrenas. The distinct lack of additional features, like a full restaurant or spa, may leave some guests wanting more. Check rates at Hotel Alisei for a similar location and excellent spa.
Everything about the Albachiara Hotel is two notches above basic, but well shy of full-on luxury. All 36 rooms in this three-and-a-half pearl, all-suite property offer apartment-style amenities that include full kitchens and private terraces. Limited features include a large, clean pool and a prime location across the street from the beach that’s also within walking distance to the nightlife, shopping, and beaches of Las Terrenas. The distinct lack of additional features, like a full restaurant or spa, may leave some guests wanting more. Check rates at Hotel Alisei for a similar location and excellent spa.