We just got back from another mini escape to Life Styles Tropical resort and there has been a big improvement over the last year. We went a Cheap Caribbean deal and again certainly got our money’s worth. The grounds as usual were well kept and looked great. The staff very friendly and willing to do whatever was needed.
We did have a problem with our original room 4009 which as a bit bigger than a closet and the bathroom left a lot to be desired. After two nights we asked to be moved and immediately we were moved to 5220, a much bigger and nicer room. They admonished us for not complaining the day before as they could have moved us then. Oh well… The rooms still have not been upgraded to the level of flat screen TVs but they were recently painted and spruced up.
VIP beach was as usual very nice, comfortable and the snack menu as good as ever. The servers and bar tenders attentive and the drinks were pretty good. In fact they made the best Bloody Mary I have had in a long time.
The biggest surprise was the improvement of the food quality. This was found from the buffet to the ala carte restaurants. This was the first time at lunch I could say the food at a buffet was good and in fact much better than expected. We did talk to the executive chef who has been there for just a year and he said he had been trying to improve the food quality. He has met his goal. The Sunday night gala party was as good as any we have been to and the food was amazing from fresh roasted pig, roast beer, lobster, crab legs, lamb, fish and all the salads and sides you could think of. The show was pretty good as well.
All in all a very enjoyable 5 days. For those of you worrying about your “Cheap Caribbean” holiday….stop worrying.
BObK

Good
- Clean rooms, air conditioning up to the task
- The merger of the two hotels since December 2012 (it has allowed us the buffet, beach, swimmingpool, bar, from the other hotel ... ... a lot to explore.
- The food is simple and very good.
- Alcohol is served in quantity and strength no problem.
- There was no chair running in the morning ... it was very good.
- Staff (& John Cena...host of a lot of activities) are impeccable.

Bad:
- The beach is really ordinary.
- The "lifestyle" reserve VIP beach, room, etc ... based "class" social ... is really a negative thing for our society.
- 1 floor floors are filled with moisture ... but no problem to change.
- The activities are interesting but not more than that.

We stayed Jan. 21 to Jan. 26th. and had a great time. Room was in 3rd building, very quiet. Grounds are well kept, pools are clean, facilities - even the pool side bathrooms - very well kept. Buffet was good, typical foods included pasta bar, pizza, chicken, pork, lamb, seafood. Not a lot of beef, but good local dishes too, plenty of fresh fruit and seafood, and if you can't find something to eat, you must be a very picky eater because every day there had to be at least 20 different dishes to choose from, plus local stuff like rice and beans, and wonderful passion fruits! And ice cream at lunch every day.
The shower is a little funny, no curtain or anything, so if you run the water full blast you will have a flood, but if you only run it half blast you will be fine. Seemed to be more hot water later in the day then 1st thing in the morning.
When we got to our room, the TV was not working and there was no beer in the fridge, we had to call the front desk twice but within a half hour or so it was handled.
When you get to the airport, pay the porter the $3 he wants and you will breeze through the airport and he will bring you right to the Cheap Carribean desk. On the way to the resort, the guide told us not to drink stuff with coconut milk in it because milk, plus booze and sun = sick. The wine is not all that good and they will tell you so; not a lot of grapes in DR, so they make it out of apples and all kinds of other stuff, though the beer is excellent.
Beach? Clean and well kept. Bars? Stocked and friendly. Food? Pretty good. Staff? Awesome.
On a side note; the 2nd day we were there, my bf got sick because he had surgery a few days before, and developed a reaction to the latex they used on him; his entire face was swollen so bad his eye was shut closed. I went to the lobby, right away they brought us to the clinic, the doctor pumped him full of anti-swelling stuff and anti-biotics and they saved our vacation.
Go, you will have a great time plus the VIP beach is very nice but the regular beach is where we spent most of our time, more shade and you are a lot closer to the water.
Marie B and Chris R

I can't wait to come back. We had an awesome time. All of the staff was wonderful. Especially the entertainment crew who include. Chocochoco, putytan, john cena, lenny. Cravittz , tairis and. Especially jhony bravo. U all make it hard for us to leave but easy for us to come back
Thank u
Dolores and michael bonaguro