I'm halfway through a ten-day vacay down here, and based on the extraordinary price and the mixed reviews, I went with very modest expectations, which have been FAR exceeded. Sure, I've had better meals in very nice restaurants at home and on trips; however, I've never had a problem finding tasty stuff to eat here. Have I been at better overall facilities? Yes, but I've paid about three to five times more for that privilege. Everything here is great, and it's an incredible value. If I can get a similar deal next year, I'll definitely come back.

One of the great things is that there are a lot of open air buildings just off the 1/2 mile beach that connects all three resorts. Thus, there's always someplace for you to go if you want to get out of the sun, grab a drink, or take a break for a bit. However, it's worth noting that there is a large number of smokers, and since these structures (bars, restaurants, entertainment venues) are open-air, people tend to smoke everywhere. It's pretty dramatic. It's more than a little bothersome to me (I'm travelling solo this time), and that reason alone might discourage me from bringing my young kids next time.

Finally, for some context, I'll note that this is my first all-inclusive vacation. I've gone lots of places, but never to an all-inclusive.

Well taken care resort, not perfect, but none ever is. Over all we had a great time and part of it was that we traveled with a good friends. Location was beautiful –hills on the background and lushes greenery around. Very nice, large and clean pool. Lots of places around the pool and on the beach to hide from the hot sun. Drink and snacks delivered to your chair-nice touch! Our room was nice-fresh and updated with some sea view (a bonus). No problem with musty smell, bugs and clean to perfection (trust me I know-we are innkeepers ourselves). Plenty of hot water for shower (narrow shower – we are not big people) and well stocked mini bar. Never tried the restaurants-we are vegan and it is much easier to find something on the buffet than explain to the waiter what we do or not do eat. Buffet restaurant was fine, clean and well stocked. Servers were attentive most of the time and polite. Food- better than cafeteria, not fine dining- not expected one. Good variety, somewhat repetitive-none of us (we were a party of 4) was ever hungry. Red wine was horrible! Lobby was nice, with some sitting areas-free (slow) wifi -1 hour max a day/once per day. Found the drinks rather “thin” – especially at the pool bar. Mojitos were good while they lasted – 3 first days and then no fresh mint. Entertainment by regular crew-horrible, please send them for some training. In general whole entertainment stuff was well below expectation –full of fart jokes, sexual stereotypes and just plain boring. Grounds are well groomed daily by pleasant gardeners. Whole resort (with adjacent 2 others- Bachata is the newest and best of) nicely laid out for walks. Stay away from the strip of souvenirs stores – with exception of 1-2, all are “in your face” trying to sale-same with daily trip people-way to aggressive. We had relaxing massage on the beach – very nice, well priced. Will we go back?– no, but we never go to the same resort twice. We had a good time and for the amount we spent it was a good value. Use common sense- if you do not pay $3000 per person per week – it is not real 5 star resort with fine dining- you get what you pay.

My new husband and I spend 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year 2012. What a wonderful holiday/ honeymoon we had. I had emailed the hotel requesting an upstairs room and also mentioned it was also our honeymoon so wanted it to be perfect as possible. On arrival we went to our room 434 which was very well placed in the resort and and spotlessly clean. Also we were welcomed to the entrance with beautiful swans made from napkins and flowers. This continued right up to our floor. Inside the room there was a touching honeymoon gift for us. What a lovely arrival. This set the scene for the rest of the 2 weeks. The staff are so dedicated and cannot do enough for you. All the areas are kept spotlessly clean and very organised. Both Gala Dinners for Christmas and New Year were outstanding. We found the food in general very good and always something there we wanted to eat. The staff spent all day on Christmas and New Year Eve's decorating the public areas and restaurant. Both were beautiful 10 out of 10 for all the efforts put into this. We found it very relaxed and laid back and enjoyed the option of visiting the other hotels within the resort. We also appreciated the fact that Friedrich Stieb, Manager Guest Services, took the time to come round the public areas most days and spoke to the guests to check all was okay. He was very interested in what you had to say. The only downside was the free Internet in the lobby was pretty hopeless a lot of the time but then again it is a third world country so I suppose it's got to be expected. There was a bit of a problem getting a sun lounger round the pool as people were reserving them and by 7.45am they were all taken. I complained to our rep about this and she assured me that management had been made aware of this and were taking steps to control this. Apart from his we had an absolute wonderful holiday/honeymoon and will definitely go back. Can't wait!

Much has been written in the many reviews already available. Clearly there is a wide array of opinions. Our positives...... Food was fine but don't bother with the limited a la carte restaurants. Not worth the hassle. Wine on site is brutal. Bring your own if your thirsty.

We took the advice of some and got an Ocean view - top floor of buildings 1, 3 and 5. Worked out very well. Nice to see the sunset and have immediate access to a beautiful and lesser used beach. Pools were always busy but had a lot of fun at the swim up bar meeting people and enjoying the watered down rum based drinks. Beach at Bachata was not so nice and did not go in the water much as a result. Better to walk down to the Merengue beaches.

There is a casino and a $50 buy in Texas Hold'em table with $2 and $4 blinds. Louie runs the table and keeps order. Very nice guy - If you go please tell him Andrew from Ottawa says hello!
Enjoyed a few nights there with a cigar and made some money.

The evening shows at Bachata are terrible. Merengue is much much better. Our room was fine and only had one shower that we lacked hot water for 5 minutes. Showers were in good condition. Beds were firm, pillows lumpy and not comfortable. I would not go back but I prefer VRBO's to all you can consume....

When we arrived at the hotel at 1 am Saturday the valet then took an hour to bring us our luggage. Recommend DIY.

Had some massages on the beach and they were good.