Just wrapping up a three-day stay at the Casa Colonial - an architecturally stunning property with exceptional service, fabulous food, tasteful decor, heavenly linens and bedding and a peaceful spa. From start to finish, the staff here has looked after our every need with warmth and class. No request has gone unheeded. No detail has been overlooked.

Sadly, though, after enjoying blissful days at this five-star property, every night we have been offended by the relentless intrusion of offensively loud music coming from the resort next door. Loud bass beats, tacky DJ shout-outs and absurd faux-sirens persist until 1:00 a.m. every night.

It is such a shame that a world-class property like Casa Colonial has to sit astride such a disruptive neighbor. Would never suggest that guests at the other property should not enjoy their outdoor evening entertainment, but the volume level is far beyond anything reasonable and hopefully Casa Colonial can prevail on local authorities or their neighbors to find an appropriate accommodation.

This was our first trip to Puerto Plata. We selected Casa Colonial after doing considerable research on the internet. We were delighted with every aspect of the stay. The hotel is very unique. Rooms and common areas are beautiful. The grounds were very pleasant. Everything is well maintained. Our room was very spacious and was exceptionall clean and comfortable. All the employees went out of their way to ensure that all of our wishes were met. The food and service in the restaurants was exceptional. We will definitely return to this hotel on our next visit to Puerto Plata.

My husband and I visited this hotel for our honeymoon. Overall, it was wonderful. The staff were excellent, especially the men at the front door and the concierge. The grounds are pretty, the water sublime. Below are my detailed pros/cons of this luxury hotel.

The Good
1. The rooms, even the lower price rooms, are lovely.
2. The staff are very attentive.
3. The view from the rooftop pool is great.
4. You can put everything on your bill for check out, including taxis that you take during your stay. This means not having to worry about change.
5 Beach chairs and palapas are comfortable
6. They left us romantic rose petals and a bubble bath our first night.
7. Close and easy trip for airport.
8. I ended sick and there is a good medical clinic for tourists one minute away that they easily connected us with.
9. Nice spa, small but good workout facility. Lobby is very pretty.

The Not Great
1. The food at Lucia was not very good, many guests complained about it. We heard they lost their former chef so perhaps this is why?
2. We were left great chocolates bedside each night but often these were covered in small bugs when we returned from dinner.
3. We were constantly harassed by salesmen on the beach, every few mins a new one came by bothering our reading and rest in the sun asking us to by clothes, booze, cigars, pedicures etc. It was annoying.
4. We were never approached by the hotel restaurant staff while we were on the beach to ask if we wanted drinks or food. Not sure if they do not offer beach service but we were used to this in other hotels.
5. There was loud music from the hotel next door late at night from their club.

I would go back The good outweighed any negative.

Staying at Casa Colonial is like staying at an uncle's Plantation House in the heart of the Caribbean. As a Small Luxury Hotels of the World you can expect well trained staff willing to pamper the request of the small number of guest staying at 50 Luxury Suites.

What's cool about this hotel is that it is hidden within the Playa Dorada Complex, a popular destination for Canadians and New Yorkers in the late 80s. Since some the hotels of that period where transforms in Condo Appartments, Casa Colonial will give you the Shocking Look that you get in Italy when you go around places of low profile, not dangerous at all, but not flashy at all, until you get into it's gates and there it is Paradise.

In fact the must romantic dinner I have ever had, was at this place. I strongly encourage you to book a dinner at the beach and, when I say at the beach it is literally a table for you, at the beach with waiter and chef just serving you. Book ahead since it is highly requested and it might not be available if you don't booked at least one day ahead or as soon as you arrive.

The hotel is an ocean front property, the beach is good, but what I like more is the service you get from the hotel. I have tried with my wife and also with my daughters and they still remember the family dinner at the beach too, as well as the indulgence of the Spa with great products to pamper you.

You probably don't want to leave from the hotel once you are there. The guest I have found seams to be handpick too, a happy cosmopolitan small crowd that also make the stay pleasant, but since the place is big, you can also have your own space if you don't want to mingle. If you are staying at other hotels in the region, such as Cabarete, you might be aware that if by the timing you are visiting there is a national holiday in the DR, the beaches and roads get crowded, but that never affect the place (during my previous visits) because it is like a private Chateau o House as we said before.

Good places to see near by are Cabarete, after Sosua, let's say 30 minutes away. Cabarete is the regional Capital of the Windsurf and KiteSurf. If you go there, try eating at Papi's Restaurant, he is such a character, is like Foxy's at Just Van Dyke, you have to visit the place, except that here the attraction is the Food instead of the drink. If you approach a bar there, try a Jar of a Bar-Fly if you are in a group or by the glass. That's the Painkiller of the place.

In a nutshell, friendly staff, great place, spacious rooms, very private atmosphere.