BlueBay Villas Doradas

Upon arrival to BlueBay, guests are greeted with cold towels and welcome drinks. The open-air lobby -- with its billowy blue curtains, tall ceilings, and copper-colored hanging lanterns -- makes a nice first impression. From the lobby, it’s easy to hear the day’s activities. Staff members circle the pool, rallying guests to participate in anything from water relays to foam pool parties, to dance lessons, and beach olympics. After dark, full-scale outdoor theater performances take place near the pool, along with aquatic aerobic shows, and nighttime pool volleyball tournaments. The nice thing about BlueBay is that for those who aren’t activity-crazed there are also quieter, less-involved ways to enjoy the property. There’s a designated quiet pool, a mini-golf course, a palapa for beachfront massages, and a full-service, on-site spa. Kids aren't allowed. 

Located in Playa Dorada, a gated hotel community just outside of downtown Puerto Plata, BlueBay Villas Doradas is within walking distance to shops, a variety of restaurants, and the Playa Dorada golf course. Although not all hotels in the Playa Dorada complex are beachfront, BlueBay is located directly on the beach -- but it tends to get quite windy in the afternoons. The beach also sees its fair share of local vendors, who incessantly try to sell their wares to hotel guests. The hotel is about a 12-minute drive from downtown Puerto Plata, and about a 22-minute drive from Gregorio Luperon International Airport.

Upon first glance, rooms at BlueBay appear modern, with sleek white furniture and pops of bright color. However, it doesn’t take long to realize that the back-lit headboards and trendy blue lighting are just deceptive trickery -- a trompe-l’oeil of hotel interior design. The white shag rugs and and gauzy blue drapery distract guests from what really lies beneath -- old and dingy tile floors, worn, pilled bedding, paint chipped walls, and dated furniture. Bathrooms are similarly deceiving. Though they are nicely tiled, with huge walk-in showers, many guests complain of drainage problems that no amount of towel swans or scattered rose petals can hide. Rooms are equipped with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and a small desk/dressing table. Some rooms have balconies or patios, but none have ocean views. Rooms are housed in three-story buildings scattered across the property. There are no elevators, but ground-floor rooms are available.

Like many all-inclusive resorts, BlueBay has loads of features and is known for its day-long entertainment schedule, filled with activities from morning yoga to beach volleyball tournaments, to nightly theatrical performances. There are three pools at BlueBay, two located in the center of the property, and one that’s a bit more secluded. The two larger pools are surrounded by lounge chairs -- but guests won’t do much sitting here, as there is constant poolside entertainment and an enthusiastic staff that encourages guest participation. One of these pools has a large, often occupied, swim-up bar, while the other has a volleyball net that sees a good deal of action. The third pool is in a designated quiet zone. It’s much smaller than the other two, but the quiet pool is an ideal spot for guests looking to take a break from the rowdiness of the other pools. The spa and fitness center are adjacent to the quiet pool area. The fitness center is small, but has a few cardio machines, water dispenser, and free weights. The spa is Asian-inspired and features dark woods, rich fabrics, and small Buddha statues in each of the treatment rooms, along with a sauna. BlueBay’s beach is large, with hundreds of lounge chairs and a few exclusive, cushioned beach beds for an extra charge. The beach can get pretty windy in the afternoons, and no matter the time of day, beach vendors roam up and down the shore line, selling everything from handmade bracelets to freshly ground cocoa powder. There are four on-site restaurants and several bars at BlueBay. Restaurants include a steakhouse, a seafood option, an Asian-fusion establishment, and the classic all-inclusive buffet. Food is mediocre, drinks are made with bottom-shelf liquor, and restaurants' menus lack variety, but the food is noticeably better and fresher here than at other nearby all-inclusive resorts. Perhaps the most annoying part of BlueBay’s is the fact that seemingly basic services like beach towels, Wi-Fi, and room service, are not included in the cost of the room.