I along with my wife and 21 month old son stayed at the resort from 7 - 21 October 2004.

Having read some of the reviews, a lot of which were poor ones, we were slightly worried about this hotel before we got there. I have to say that our concerns were groundless and I'm sure the poor reviews posted earlier must be about a different hotel because this one is fantastic!

Accommodation - we were situated in block 2 of 5. Whilst there was a hotel being constructed next door, this did not distract at all. Obviously a view of the pool or the beach would have been better but this didn't distract from our holiday as we didn't spend much time in our room anyway. The rooms were spotless although a little dated perhaps. The cleaning staff were excellent and there were clean towells and sheets every day.

Food - the food was excellent in all the restaurants we tried. The choice and quality were amazing. The waiting staff were very attentive, always topping up drinks before you had a chance to ask.

The Staff - the staff were so friendly and professional it was untrue. The animation team were great but the guys that make the whole place tick are the 4 Italian reps from Eurotravel (Pier, Valario, Andrea and Alice). Whilst not employed by LTI they were mainly responsible for the beach and pool games and the shows in the evenings. They really did "make" our holiday. My advice would be to get involved with the activities as it really is great fun.

The Beach - the beach is simply stunning

The Pool - again stunning and very clean and safe for kids.

We took our 21 month old son with us and he was treated like royalty by the staff!! He had an absolutely fantastic time. Whilst there wasn't a great deal on offer for him, the pool and beach were enough. The only slight critism it that the only play area is set up for older children and they could do with catering for the younger kids too. There is a kids club available for 4 years+ but dont know how good this was.

The fellow guests were very friendly. I have read poor reports about German guests but from my experience this could not be further from the truth. The Germans I met were very very friendly. There were not many English speaking guests, mainly Germans and Italians but to be honest I dont go to foreign countries to see other British people!!! It was much more fun communicting by some sort of sign language or broken French or whatever!!

Overall we had the best holiday ever and we were very sad to leave after 2 weeks which simply flew by.

Would I go back to the Dom Rep? Without doubt!

Would I stay at this hotel again? Absolutely

My wife and I and our two daughters, aged 7 and 3, traveled to LTI Beach Resort in Punta Cana for two weeks in March 2004. It was our first trip to DR after several trips to Cuba and Florida. We chose LTI because it featured kid’s activities and the property looked great in the web photos. When we walked through the lobby onto the grounds, we were amazed at the beauty. The landscaping and level of maintenance was excellent – very lush and tropical.

We had a premium room on the 3rd floor in building 5, right on the beach next to the dive centre. The room was a good size, clean with a great view of the ocean. We liked the stocked fridge – water and pop daily! We only saw 2 lizard-critters in the room and had some ant colonies set up shop after the kids left some cookies out in the open. Watch the tile floors with wet feet – very slippery!

The resort had a good “vibe” and the pool area was the place to be as it was central to most of the facilities. Some resorts in Punta Cana are so huge and sprawled out that there is no sense of community. We met a lot of people there and it was interesting to talk with people from Canada, USA and Germany. The beach was the best part of our stay, and since we walked the beach a couple of kilometers daily in either direction, we were convinced our stretch of beach was the best. It had a shallow, gradual slope and small waves due the reef just off shore. Other parts of the beach south of LTI had huge waves, strong undertow and steep slopes into the water – not kid-friendly.

Our stay included water sports and we took out the catamaran, body boards and my wife learned to scuba dive and took her first open-water dive on the only stormy day we had in two weeks – I guess when you’re underwater it doesn’t matter if it’s raining!

The kids had a great time in the kids club with Bea from Germany. She was very patient with the kids and had a variety of activities to keep them busy. They still talk about her.

The evening entertainment was a kiddy-show and games before the stage show began at about 9PM. The stage show was predictable and hokey most times, although when they brought in a DR folk music band and dancers the professionalism and enjoyment went way up. They did play some interactive games with the audience which I made a fool of myself in a couple of times! Good thing we were too tired at night to expect too much! We didn’t go to the bar/disco but we saw it in the day and it was about the size of my living room. I think the real parties happen elsewhere. The internet café was a great way to keep an eye on the bank account and email and the cost was reasonable.

North along the beach from LTI is strip of shopping huts along the beach, you can get everything there, but don’t buy anything on your first few days – the vendors can sense your vulnerability. Check out all the shops and don’t feel intimidated by their “in your face” sales pitch. My wife bargained these guys so hard they gave her things to get rid of her. The big gimmick down there is that Mamajuana / DR Viagra – it tastes like crap and Canada Customs won’t let it into Canada. The best deals are on the beach. When you go on tours and stop into tourist trap gift shops, save your money and buy your souvenirs on the beach.

We went on the Bavarro Runner full day excursion and it was a full day: sugar cane plantation, homesteads, horseback riding, cigar shop, etc. If you have spoiled kids take them and show them how kids on the plantation live, they might learn to appreciate what they have back at home. I bought some nice vanilla flavoured cigars at the cigar tour, very nice and reasonable price. Drinks and a meal are included on the tour; it was pricey but an exciting experience.

The food was good and they had a good variety with no theme repeated in the whole 2 weeks that we were there. The Italian restaurant was really good and even my Italian wife thought the food was prepared well. We loved the Neptune pizza. The grill by the pool was never crowded and when you’re in mood for meat and potatoes, the grill is the place to be. Breakfasts were the great – bacon, eggs, fruits and the best, melt-in-your-mouth croissants you’ll ever taste. You can smoke everywhere, so militant non-smokers should save their “glares of disgust” for back home – different culture … different rules!

Finally, we flew out of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on West Jet instead of Toronto and what a pleasant experience that was! No traffic, no lines and we were home in 15 minutes.

LTI Beach Resort has set the benchmark for quality and value in a holiday! We would go back without any doubt.

LTI-Beach Resort Punta Cana Dominican Republik.
We started ouer holidays February 10-2004 and had booked a stay for 3 weeks at the LTI-Beach Resort Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
Here is a excerpt out of my diary,which i wrote.
10 February 2004-Tuesday
The Tour bus from the airport to the hotel was waiting.Once boarded we were told that they had good news and bad news for us.The bad news: LTI was booked out and we would go to Ocean-Spa-Resort for 3 Days.The good news mostly empty promisses.Once arrived there with our group of 11 we ended up in one of the far back buildings with a strong smell of sewer.Even so this was classified a 4 star Resort.It took 3 trips to the reception for keys that did not fit the Safe deposit box.
13 February 2004- Friday
Today we will leave for LTI-Beach Resort.At 2:30 Pm the pick up was to take place but nothing happened until I got angry and demanded action.Then 2 taxis for our group were dispatched shortly.At LTI we got the room we asked for # 3105.It was supper time when we got there.
Tried to phone home with Canada Collect but next to impossible - no answer. Children’s show in the theater started at 8PM until 9PM.After that adult entertainment would start.But mostly always he same.
This Letter was mailed to LTI-Headquarters
Edmonton March 4-2004
To Whom it may concern.
This is to certify,that when our group of 11 were picked up by the Air-Transat Bus a Tour Operator from Air-Transat escorted us to our Hotel”LTI-Beach Resort”,for our three weeks holidays starting February 10-2004 until March 2-2004,we were told that they had good news and bad news for us.
The Bad News: LTI-Beach Resort was overbooked and we are to go to the Hotel”Ocean Bavaro Spa and Beach Resort”.This will require the first 3 days.
The Good News:
We would receive at LTI-Beach Resort a higher priced room with Ocean view.[Not true]
A free complimentary Hotel room safe and a free lobster dinner.[Only burned lobster and dry]
We would be offered as choice of a free week stay or 100.-$ US.[Free stay was never overed later]
Promises kept:Was only the free lobster dinner on the beach,which I could have done without.
My free safe voucher from Sears was accepted from me,despite the free safe promised.
The rest of the group without Voucher received their free safe.
The overbooking which took place fragrantly involved 11 Guest from our group from Edmonton,as well as 28 Guest arriving at the same time from Germany as well as others.
My number was # 104 if this refers to the total person's involved.For 39 I had names and addresses.
The overbooking interrupted our holidays because of packing unpacking,moving,waiting,
with almost a day lost from our stay.Extra expenses are also involved.
As seniors we don't want this extra stress.We picked a smaller size Resort of 447 rooms,
but had to stay for 3 days at the Bavaro Resort with 630 rooms.
Wnen we where waiting to be transferred to LTI Resort on Feb.13 -2004,we had to spent hours in the Lobby waiting and waiting until I finally go so frustrated to approach the management.
At this time 2 taxis were dispatched immediately.
On February 21 with the wrong year 2003,we found the included letter under our door at the LTI -Beach resort.
This compensation of 100,-$ US is not satisfactory.We are requesting 300,-$ US for each of us.Which would to amount to 600,-$ US.With this we will refund Sears the voucher for the safe.
Included: Copy of some other guests in ouer group
Copy of letter from Chantal Boucher[Assistant Supervisor Air Transat Holidays
Copy of names from German and Canadian Tourist
This letter was never answered by LTI Headquarters where this letter was mailed to.LTI-International Hotels
Humboldtstr. 140-144
51149 Köln
So my advice is be aware of overbooking.The food ? Always the same mostly chopped in small pieces.Dinning hall very dark and windy because same is open.That is when I got my cold.My wife said the food was terrible.
Rooms clean and well looked after.Beach narrow but clean.The hotel grounds covered by sales man selling time share apartments they claim are located next door.The hotel desk refuses to change larger US $ bills to single dollar bills to use for tips.Would tell guest's to use the bank which of course for an extra cost.
I could write much more for this is what I want to say for now.We been in Varadero a few times in different resort's and we like it there much better.Gerloen@telusplanet.net

Excellent Resort with 5 star quality service since your arrival. Nice quality and clean rooms with good food. Nice pool and a lovely beach. Great Shows and a good Social Team to keep you busy during the whole day and night. I will can't wait to go back again......Gracias por todo!!!