Our stay at this resort was one of a kind. I have been to many destinations (Atlantis (Nassau), Hawaii, Cancun 2x, Vegas...) and this trip ranks right up in there with all of them. I think it is important to understand the age and gender of the reviewer as well, so I am 21, Male from NYC who was here on Sring break with 3 other college friend (2 Females, and 1 other Male).

I will start of by saying, we did not go in expecting the beauty of Hawaii, or the nightlife of Cancun. How could you? We went in expecting a quality resort, with actvities planned throughout the week to keep us busy. Our expectations were correct. The hotel staff was amazing, they make the trip all the more worth while. Superman was especially funny, and if you plan on going to the hotel in the near future, you will see for yourself.

The rooms were nicely decorated, and a nice size. Bigger then our room in Hawaii, I would say on par with rooms in the states. The air conditioning unit wasnt the greatest, I like the room freezing cold at night, and it never seemed to get that cold, but it wasnt hot by any means. We had a nice balcony with a relaxing garden view (S414, and S415). Our room S415, was a corner room so our balcony was more open then the others. The bathrooms were decent, water pressure was low (remember 3rd world country), and the toilet flush was very weak as well (cant throw toilet paper in toilet!). The water temp. was never an issue. We always left one key in the room to keep the AC on. I suppose this is to keep electric down, because DR is such a poor country. There were a few blackouts during the week, but it kicked back on after a few mins. The fridge was stocke with 2 sodas, 2 beers, and 2 waters a day for free. Once we opened our door we had a nice view of the sea and gardens as well.

The staff as I mentioned before was excellent except for one day. Front desk staff was very pleasant, and they spoke a fair amount of english. Most of the staff spoke decent english. However when you leave the hotel, the language barrier is more apparent, luckily we had someone who knew spanish. Our bad experience was at the Mexican restaurant. The service was horrible, and they were rude and inconsiderate. For example, we sat there for 1 hour and 20 minutes before the waiter came over with our food or gave us an update, and there were not more then 15 people there. My friend ordered Ribs, and when his meal came they simply gave him pork chops and walked away LOL! Other than that, the staff was excellent, the Italian rest. was great, all the bartenders were awesome, and the Chocolate Friends were superb. Their nightly shows were a trip, nothing like it I have ever seen. So budget yet so silly. Although they do rebuild the set everyday amazingly. I would go back just to hang out with the Choc. Friends, you will see when you go.

Th activities were also fun. Everyday there was Water-polo, beach volleyball, basketball, tennis, minigolf, soccer...They even had some games they made up, a few games with balloons, frisbees, etc. My personal favorite was water-polo and tug of war. By the way, the foosball games were intense in the sports bar! Other activities that we did were snorkeling, kyacking, wind surfing, sailboating, paddleboats...alll FREE remeber!

The beach was nice as well. A litte shelly in the water, but there were plenty of good areas to swim around in. I was upset we couldnt go too far out bc there was massive amounts of sea weed, but this doesnt ruin the experience. No waves, another bummer for a college kid, but it was great for families and couples trying to relax. IF you swim to the reef, you will see hanfulls of tropical fish, make sure you bring a underwater camera. The beaches cant be compared to anything in hawaii, but they were as expected of a Dominican resort. Get up early and get yourself a nice cabana on the ocean. There was about 15-20 of them I would say. It was fun tanning and then relaxing under them!

The pools were perfect, lots of fun. Even though the pool bar is not open to get drinks in the pool, all you have to do is hop out, and there is a open bar on the adjacant side. So dont be worried about the pool bar not being open IN THE POOL, it is open you just have to stand up to get your drinks. Pina colatas were killers all week. And whoever posted you cant get drunk was wrong, because there were a few nights where we were trashed. There were 2 cool water jacuzzi's which was awesome because you get so hot outside. The cool water one was amazing the afternoon we went in. The hot jucuzzi provides an amazing ocean view and is tucked away behind the rocks by the pool. Nice and hot, for those who like their jacuzzi's hot!

We left the resort one day and ventured into Santo Domingo with a rental car, just ask the concierge. $45 for the day for a SUV. Great experience. I am not the type to be scared, but my friends made me get in the car and leave when we began to venture around the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. We were the only americans around, when some old spanish lady started yelling at us not to walk towards the fort. Our friend translated and said she told her it was very dangerous not to go that way. So as we turned around and headed in another direction we walked past a man with a shotgun sling over his shoulder. He didnt bother us, and it didnt bother me, but they were freaked out so we left. IF you are traveling with a family stay with the group tours offered by the hotel. If you are adventurous, go ahead and travel on your own. It was a awesome experience i will never forget. We drove all over the city, and to see such poverty, it is a mind opening experience.

The food was good. Everyone had stomach aches all week, but it was more from drinking with their ice cubes and the frozen pinas. The snack bar was convient, although they had some interesting items (Pizza with hotdogs and corn as toppings). The view from the seating area was to die for. The breakfast buffet was on point. Basically because we were all young, the buffet style all you can eat was awesome. Chicken, smashed (yes smashed LOL) potatoes, steak, PASTA!!, break...all was great.. Break and pasta was perfect for me (Italian). The Italian place was very good, and the Domincan place good too.

The casino was fun. I am experienced at playing craps, so they couldnt fool me when they tried, but beware of the craps pit. If you start winning on points, they try and take a dollar or two from you everytime and put it in the middle for dealer bets. Most people didnt even know it was happening. I saw them take about 15-20 bucks from some guy in 5 minutes. When they tried to do it to me when we first got there, I immedatley asked whats going on, and they tried talking their way out of it and smiling asking for tip. I asked for it to be taken down and they did. I found this to be very rude and un-sportsmanlike, but I didnt let that effect my time. We would up playing a little everynight and left 50 bucks up each. Casino opens at 8 PM every night. I didnt play anything else, so I cant speak for the other games.

The locals come on the weekends, but do not ruin any of the experience. In fact, I felt they inhanced it, making it more of a authentic vacation.

Arrival and Departure advice. Keep you luagage with you, dont let the dominicans try and lure you into letting them help you carry it. All they do is walk you to your cab or tour van (which is 25 feet mind you) and then they DEMAND a tip. I was on crutches so my friends carried my stuff, but they learned the hard way.

All in all it was a great trip. It was an awesome bargain, all the food and drinks being included was amazing. Even though tips are included, we still tipped, esp. the bartenders and wait staff. It is customary to tip good in NYC so it wasnt a big deal to us. They appreciate even a dollar, which reminds me, bring lots of small bills; they are easier to tip with and easier to bargain with! If you have any questions email me, I will be sure to answer. If anyone has any advice on RIO, thats where our summer trip is, please email me too! Hope my review was helpfull!