We just got back from our trip and for the most part it was wonderful! We did the six star apple deal and didn't know which hotel we would be getting till we arrived at the airport. We were a group of six and we ended up at the Now- which is a great hotel but you MUST know that they may have your room at there new section which requires you to take a shuttle and is very far from the beach and all the restaurants The only reason we knew this is because our shuttle had pulled up at the front of the main lobby 1st then turned aound. We wasted 2 hours trying to get a new room. The manager initally didn't give us an option and tried to convince us how great it was over there, however all we seen were flight attendants and pilots in that lobby. Then he tried to make us upgrade and pay more money!!! Finally we got him to move us at no charge. During all of this our apple rep was no were to be found and when we found him, he told us we were lucky got moved. They need to sale that side as a 4 star. Other than that the hotel was nice, workers were very friendly! The entertainment team were friendly- great job- fabio star, happy face, franklin, smiely!!! Food was pretty good , housekeeping at times was inconsistent-we didnt get enought towels or they forgot to give us towels! The italian and french restaurant were our least favorite and chinese and the blue water grill were awesome! Buffet was pretty average -typical resort buffet.

The hotel Now was everything we expected. Food was great, room was superb. Staff was exceptional especially at the pool area. Baby Apple and Miseal took very good care of us. Highly recommend this resort!

Entertainment was fantastic. Fabio Star great entertainer. Modesto took very good care of us in the restaurant!! Come to this resort you will have a FABULOUS Time!

Had a great time in Larimar. Awesome staff, good food, lots of alcohol. Room service always kept room clean, beatiful scenery, and best of all the entertainment team! (look for Fabio)

Perhaps we were just unlucky but we had lots of problems with this resort. Started off when we checked in - I have never been to a hotel where they want you to buy extras, VIP extras or the FREE VIP book worth $250 once you have been over to their sister hotel next door the Secrets , at the Reception Desk!!! It was like being back to Tenerife where you have all the Timeshare reps. lurking about waiting to pounce on you. This is just a scam to get you over there and then they will try and sign you up for holidays to take within their group - a sort of timeshire deal; Heard lots of people moaning about this. Also they will stand at the doors to the Carnival Restaurant in the mornings, again to get you over to the Secrets - I overheard one of the telling a guest that they were on a commission and this is probably why they are so pushy. Didnt like this at all.

This hotel does not provide a Bureau de Change, you have to take the bus to the Shopping Center, this is free) for this. Also I did not realise that you do not need to take Dom. Pesos but US Dollars - so anyone coming to this hotel that do not use $ please remember to take $'s with you.

We were in a Tropical Room - which is short for at the back of the building next to the service road - even the management say the aspect is not good. But if you want a better view than you can pay an extra $30 per person per night for poolside or $50 per person per night for seaview. Our first room was unacceptable, the smell was awful, musty damp smell. The aircon did not work, the safe was broken the fridge was empty, pillows were missing as was the dressing gowns. It took a lot of phone calls to get a room change and then we went to 2228, this was marginally better, the room still smelled, I think this could be the standing water in the whirlpool bath. As this room was situated on the first floor , the view was the same, back up of the Secrets Hotel, but we had everything else - except the dressing gowns, and I really could not be bothered to complain about these.

The rooms themselves were spacious and cleaned really well. We only had one bad experience when we returned to find no clean towels. I rang down at 5.10pm to ask for some replacements and after 6 phone calls they appeared nearly 2 hours later!!

If I am honest I probably did not like the open bathroom concept, although my husband thought lying in the batch watching TV was great.

The food was varied but cold to luke warm most nights - hence both myself and hubby took ill on the same night - 18th January, he was better after a couple of days but I am only just getting better now and it is the 3rd February. I should have listened to the comments on Trip Advisor re. the food not being hot. Did not do any of the themed restaurants because I was ill so I cannot comment on these. I am sure that this hotel would not pass the Health & Safety recommended temp. for keeping food warm - so beware you have been warned.

On a more positive note, I thought the entertainment was good, the resort is beautiful and kept spotlessly clean. The beach is to die for, except for the sand flies, I got bite to death when we went to the beach to watch a movie.

I wont be returning to this hotel, we never got an apology from the Management for the problems when we first arrived. Mind you some people moved 2/3 times before they were satisfied and some of these were in the PREFERRED. So it is obvioulsy a widespread problem that really needs dealing with.