I just returned from a week at the resort and am NEVER returning. The first room I was given smelled of smoke, mildew and was a dank cave. The next room I asked for (as they try and get you to upgrade at check-in) was a jr. suite. I stayed in it overnight and woke with sever sinus problems due to the mildew. I again upgraded to an ocean view honeymoon suite. It was not laid out particularly well but I had no choice. The bed was like sleeping on a slab of cement.
The hot water was intermitent and when the power went out (daily) the pressure was non-existant. The room staff was accomodating and filled the mini-fridge as I requested. Good thing as the buffet was horrible. The resturaunts were not much better but once we found the Brazilian rodisio we booked it three nights. The entertainment was average. The booking desks for the varous tour companies are adequate at best.
I will say the drinks were better than most as we had a perk of top shelf Barcelo .
The resort needs better attention to detail and better organization. I have travelled extensively in this country and found Puerta Plata resorts much more attentive .
If you need a bed to crash, don't care about the room or amenities in it this is the place for you. If you want an enjoyable vacation at a sunny resort this is NOT for you. BEWARE!!!!

My husband and I travel to DR every year this is probably the only complaint we have ever had, and its still not bad.
We are big time beach lovers we spend from 9am-6pm on the beach the whole time we are away. so its our most important spot on a resort.I'm going to try and explain this...when coming to the end of the resort towards the beach there are many beach chairs etc then to go in the water you must then step down a bank(very dangerous)the land has eroded away.When you get down the bank and drag a beach chair with you,there is not much room for the many passing people to walk past you, pretty much all locals as there are condos or apartments on each side of this resort.When the tide is coming in or the water gets rough you must then go back up the bank as it fills in with water.Other than that the food was great service was great the entertainment was very very lame and they didnt have it every night.However we dont go away for these things once you have been away a few times you dont watch the entertainment anyways.
So if you are NOT die hard beach people this is the place for you.If you are go somewhere else as you always have to watch your things that they dont float away we could have stayed up top however you are up so high all you can see is way out in the water.i love to sit back and watch the waves come in.
Enjoy

This Hotel Excellance come by way of their Staff. They will go out of their way to help you. Several different languages are spoken by the staff as well. The facilities are very nice, the rooms are average and clean. The food at the buffet is average. The nightly entertainment is extremely talented. Wow! What a Show! The Singers,the Band, and the Dancers are all very talented. You will enjoy this Hotel.

Wonderful vacation. Was A little worried reading the reviews seeing I had already book my trip. Let me just say front desk was always there to help as well as guest services. Could always find something to eat that I loved. Lots of things going on at the pool everyday. Beach beautiful. Maid service wonderful. Just need to say this, don't worry like I did it was a great vacation.