Iberostar Costa Dorada Hotel, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £156
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
Located directly opposite the beach of Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada, at the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, only 15 min. from the international airport of Puerto Plata along Luperon highway and just a few minutes away from the town of Puerto Plata. loading...
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Iberostar Costa Dorada Hotel Reviews
" We had read many reviews about going... "
Submitted By: Mrs J McDonough
We had read many reviews about going to the Dominican Republic, most of them good reviews. However, we had booked to stay at the Riu Meringue Hotel and decided to change to the Iberostar Costa Dorada following reports of sickness.
We were not looking forward to the holiday but on arrival at the hotel, the lovely welcome was just the start of a really good holiday. The staff were really helpful and were always courteous and gave you a smile as you walked past and said hello.
The staff who looked after the activities worked tirelessly to keep everybody amused. The evening entertainment was not to our taste but you had to give them credit and appreciate the work they had put in to put on a different show each night.
The tours were really fun. We chose to go on the monster truck which was a really good day out. Again, the staff there were really pleasant and helped make the day so good. We called into a village in the middle of nowhere. Expecting them to be on the smelly side, the public toilets were spotlessly clean and the home we visited was also spotless.
We also went river rafting which was a bit scary but well worth it. There are lots of rafts which go out one after the other but you generally all stay together. If a raft goes over, they are all there to help you back into the raft. The guides were great and really funny. You could purchase a DVD of the day which everyone watched as they ate their meal at the end of the day. It was a long day but gave us great memories. Last but no means least, the tour rep at our hotel was really helpful. She was very informative and was easily contactable.
Overall, the hotel, the people of the Dominican Republic and the country itself were great. It was not recommended to go outside the complexes which we only did a couple of times and were fine, but we would definitely go back again. If you do go, we hope you have a great time!
We were not looking forward to the holiday but on arrival at the hotel, the lovely welcome was just the start of a really good holiday. The staff were really helpful and were always courteous and gave you a smile as you walked past and said hello.
The staff who looked after the activities worked tirelessly to keep everybody amused. The evening entertainment was not to our taste but you had to give them credit and appreciate the work they had put in to put on a different show each night.
The tours were really fun. We chose to go on the monster truck which was a really good day out. Again, the staff there were really pleasant and helped make the day so good. We called into a village in the middle of nowhere. Expecting them to be on the smelly side, the public toilets were spotlessly clean and the home we visited was also spotless.
We also went river rafting which was a bit scary but well worth it. There are lots of rafts which go out one after the other but you generally all stay together. If a raft goes over, they are all there to help you back into the raft. The guides were great and really funny. You could purchase a DVD of the day which everyone watched as they ate their meal at the end of the day. It was a long day but gave us great memories. Last but no means least, the tour rep at our hotel was really helpful. She was very informative and was easily contactable.
Overall, the hotel, the people of the Dominican Republic and the country itself were great. It was not recommended to go outside the complexes which we only did a couple of times and were fine, but we would definitely go back again. If you do go, we hope you have a great time!
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- Date of Holiday:Oct 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" My boyfriend and I went to Iberostar... "
Submitted By: Miss C Gough
My boyfriend and I went to Iberostar Costa Dorada for 2 weeks and had an amazing time.
When we arrived our cases were taken by porters and we were impressed by the grand reception area with a fountain with turtles swimming in it and flamingos in another area by the main bar. We were given a short tour and our room block was indicated.
We were in block 5, facing the sea and had an amazing view of paradise, we were so impressed. The room was very clean and spacious and well furnished, with all amenities. Our cases were delivered to our room within 10 minutes and tips are well appreciated.
The hotel itself is spread out across the complex and the garden area is so well kept and beautiful, the staff work very hard to keep up the high standards. There are three al a carte restaurants, we only went to the Mexican and Brazilian.
We definitely recommend the Brazilian but the Mexican was a bit of a letdown, they did not even do fajitas! The food in the main buffet was great, with lots of choice and grilled steak, fish and chicken were always available, and the soups were gorgeous. One tip though, do not eat the sushi, I had a tummy bug for 1 day.
The drinks selection was great, there were lots of flavours of slushes which were very refreshing and the cocktail menu was fantastic, our favourites were mojitos, margaritas and kir royales. Even champagne was included. The local beer was very nice and refreshing to drink in the day time.
The pool area was very nice; it was kept clean all throughout the day and at night when the pool is lit up it is beautiful. My only complaint about the pool area is that if you want loungers with an umbrella you have to be up very early, well before 8:30am.
The beach disappointed us a little, there was lots of sea weed on the shore and it sometimes got very windy, that could have been due to time of year though. We were told by another couple that the beaches on the south of the island are breath-taking but the hotels do not compare to Iberostar Costa dorada.
The entertainment team were very enthusiastic and had us in stitches during the day; they spoke excellent English and became friends with everyone. At the night some of the shows were excellent, especially The Lion King, all the kids even took part and they had a real baby dressed up as simba. However, some of the dancing shows were a little repetitive.
We went on 2 excursions, our favourite was paradise island, it’s an early start and took quite a while to get there, but it is DEFINITELY worth it! You get taken to the island by speed boat and it is so beautiful, the sand is white, the sea is clear and the snorkelling was great. You even feed the tropical fish bread and banana as you snorkel round the coral.
It was very hot every day and it sometimes went cloudy in the afternoon, however you still get tanned. We both came home extremely brown :) It gets very hot in the evening.
This is a tip for the girls, DO NOT take your hair straighteners that are 240v because they do not work (these include the popular brand) I could not straighten my hair for 2 weeks and there is no electrical shops that sell hair straighteners, argh!
I hope my review has helped those that have either booked or are thinking about booking Iberostar Costa dorada, we loved it and would recommend it to young couples, even though it is a family hotel. It is great value for money and offers something for everyone.
When we arrived our cases were taken by porters and we were impressed by the grand reception area with a fountain with turtles swimming in it and flamingos in another area by the main bar. We were given a short tour and our room block was indicated.
We were in block 5, facing the sea and had an amazing view of paradise, we were so impressed. The room was very clean and spacious and well furnished, with all amenities. Our cases were delivered to our room within 10 minutes and tips are well appreciated.
The hotel itself is spread out across the complex and the garden area is so well kept and beautiful, the staff work very hard to keep up the high standards. There are three al a carte restaurants, we only went to the Mexican and Brazilian.
We definitely recommend the Brazilian but the Mexican was a bit of a letdown, they did not even do fajitas! The food in the main buffet was great, with lots of choice and grilled steak, fish and chicken were always available, and the soups were gorgeous. One tip though, do not eat the sushi, I had a tummy bug for 1 day.
The drinks selection was great, there were lots of flavours of slushes which were very refreshing and the cocktail menu was fantastic, our favourites were mojitos, margaritas and kir royales. Even champagne was included. The local beer was very nice and refreshing to drink in the day time.
The pool area was very nice; it was kept clean all throughout the day and at night when the pool is lit up it is beautiful. My only complaint about the pool area is that if you want loungers with an umbrella you have to be up very early, well before 8:30am.
The beach disappointed us a little, there was lots of sea weed on the shore and it sometimes got very windy, that could have been due to time of year though. We were told by another couple that the beaches on the south of the island are breath-taking but the hotels do not compare to Iberostar Costa dorada.
The entertainment team were very enthusiastic and had us in stitches during the day; they spoke excellent English and became friends with everyone. At the night some of the shows were excellent, especially The Lion King, all the kids even took part and they had a real baby dressed up as simba. However, some of the dancing shows were a little repetitive.
We went on 2 excursions, our favourite was paradise island, it’s an early start and took quite a while to get there, but it is DEFINITELY worth it! You get taken to the island by speed boat and it is so beautiful, the sand is white, the sea is clear and the snorkelling was great. You even feed the tropical fish bread and banana as you snorkel round the coral.
It was very hot every day and it sometimes went cloudy in the afternoon, however you still get tanned. We both came home extremely brown :) It gets very hot in the evening.
This is a tip for the girls, DO NOT take your hair straighteners that are 240v because they do not work (these include the popular brand) I could not straighten my hair for 2 weeks and there is no electrical shops that sell hair straighteners, argh!
I hope my review has helped those that have either booked or are thinking about booking Iberostar Costa dorada, we loved it and would recommend it to young couples, even though it is a family hotel. It is great value for money and offers something for everyone.
-
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" We stayed at Iberostar for 2 weeks in... "
Submitted By: Mrs J Tennant
We stayed at Iberostar for 2 weeks in May 2007 and were delighted with the standard of the accommodation, and also the quality of the hotel. From the moment we arrived until we left we were pampered to say the least.
Our cases were taken from us at reception and transported to our room - that was the first ever that has happened! The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming and nothing was too much trouble.
The maids were excellent and the food was out of this world - talk about choice!
The themed restaurants were very good and particularly enjoyed the Tropical restaurant and the staff there were excellent - as were all the restaurants. The shows were breathtaking - particularly the Lion King!
I would thoroughly recommend the outback safari trip as it shows how the real Dominicans live and is very humbling.
Would also recommend the trip to Ocean World and the sea lion and dolphin encounters -amazing!
Our cases were taken from us at reception and transported to our room - that was the first ever that has happened! The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming and nothing was too much trouble.
The maids were excellent and the food was out of this world - talk about choice!
The themed restaurants were very good and particularly enjoyed the Tropical restaurant and the staff there were excellent - as were all the restaurants. The shows were breathtaking - particularly the Lion King!
I would thoroughly recommend the outback safari trip as it shows how the real Dominicans live and is very humbling.
Would also recommend the trip to Ocean World and the sea lion and dolphin encounters -amazing!
-
- Date of Holiday:May 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" There is so much to say about this... "
Submitted By: Mr I Lowe
There is so much to say about this holiday and especially about the hotel it’s hard to know where to start. Well this was our first all-inclusive holiday to the Dominican Republic so as you can imagine we was extremely excited. We left Birmingham on the 3rd July and although we booked with First Choice our operator was Airtours and the flight was with Thomson fly. A little confusing but didn’t cause us any problems.
The hotel through Airtours is a prestige holiday so you had pre bookable seats making sure they were together and use of the VIP lounge so we could relax and drink as much as you wanted before the flight and enjoy snacks and news papers which were free.
Once on the plane I must say I was quite impressed. I'm 6ft 4" tall and the standard legroom was 33" which was more than plenty. The seats were leather a 7" tv in the head rest in front. You could watch tv, films and plenty of games which kept you occupied. With 2 meals on the plane the 9 hours flight went really quick.
The only thing to this stage that I was a bit disappointed with was that we was not told about the $10 visa entrance fee to the DR and $20 to come home. It is only £15 pounds each but it would have nice to be told. Also we were advised to take DR pesos which is there currency but only the shops at the hotels took Pesos every thing else is $. All the taxis, tipping, excursions and motorised water sports including diving on the island all take $usd. You can use pesos but you lose out converting pesos to $usd so my advise is to take majority $usd.
When we arrived at the airport the DR people will try and help you with your bag to the coaches. Guess what they want tipping its only about 30ft and they want $2. Not a lot but over the entire holiday it will mount up when every body asks for tips. We didn't mind in the hotel as it made your holiday, but watch out for the beggars as well.
On a cheerful note when we arrived at the hotel it was a very welcoming site. The entrance is all open and greeted with a fountain full of turtles and friendly staff. We were given a welcome drink and didn’t have to wait long before we had our key cards to our rooms. The bellboy took your bags while you took a steady stroll to your room. The reception area was great, a pool with flamingos and bull frogs and there was even a peacock with 4 chicks walking around the foyer. What a great start.
We went to our room and the bellboy came 5 min’s later. The rooms are quite spacious with a king size bed, TV with satellite TV 24 channels and films every evening and night. You have a well stocked mini bar, sofa, table and chairs in the room and a fantastic view of the complex from your balcony. On the bed was a swan made with towels and flowers. We could not fault the room at all. There is plenty of wardrobe space with hangers and a safe which is key coded. We were extremely happy with everything.
We then went for a stroll down to the beach and around the complex. It is very immaculate and well looked after. There were so many activities during the day. Archery, Shooting, Aerobics, Water Aerobics, yoga, Water Polo, Beach Volley Ball, Bingo, Spanish Lessons, Scuba Lessons in the pool, Darts, Pool and Tennis as well a a great health spa which was all free except the massage, hair and nails, which you had to pay for but the prices was not that bad. I haven’t mentioned the rest as there is so much to do it will take a while to write but we both need a holiday to recover.
The night entertainment was just incredible with a different show every night for the 2 weeks. The best shows was the Lion King, Viva Las Vegas, Black Laser Show and the West end night. The entertainers that work in the day are the same as the evening. I think they work from 7am -11pm for 12 days on with only 3 off and we complain at what we do. They work so hard and make it really special. They will have you in stitches all day and night dressing up in costumes and wigs, superman, Spiderman, Scooby doo were great.
After the entertainment they have bands and DR dancing till about 12 and if you want to carry on they have their own nightclub called route 66 open till 2am. It is fully air conditioned and sound proofed so you will never here it from out side.
The food in the resort is excellent, they have 3 speciality restaurant's which you have to book and can use once a week. However the main buffet restaurant caters for every body. Mexican, Spanish, Italian, English, Chinese and Dominican Republic food till it comes out of your ears. The soup is lovely the cheese counter is great and a 25 ft sweet counter. The waiters and chefs are great and cant do enough for you if you want something then just ask but it has everything however different dishes are alternated every day so you never get the same dishes every night. It a wonder how they do it but you cant fault the food at all. If you are hungry in the night or when you come out of the club then the Mexican restaurants open till 6am offering burgers hot dogs and steak with salad and bread etc. Much to say we never went hungry.
There are security guards all over the complex so it is very safe and quiet. They don’t allow parties in rooms and even stop the holidaymakers who have left the club shouting or screaming, if there is any trouble then they will sort it out for you pretty quickly. They even stop every body using the pool after 7 at night so they can treat it. So all in all it was a very restful and peaceful holiday.
If you wanted to phone the UK from your room then you can buy a phone card from your rep if you don’t want to take your own phone, which can be quite expensive to use. Just type in the following number 9, 1 809 200 8213 followed by your pin number then 0044 and your code without the 0 then the number. It even tells you how much is left every time you use it. The cost is $15 which is £7.50ish. This will give you 18 mins, however there is a 30 pesos connection charge, which you pay at reception.
If you want try your hand at scuba diving then they offer free taster lessons in the pool twice a day. If you enjoy the experience then they have a PADI diving school on site which is not free. However, for $399 (£200ish) you can get your divers licence and certification to dive any where in the world. You cannot afford to miss this opportunity if you are interested in this pass time. They are really friendly and very helpful. You can do single dives and do part of the full certification which you can take with you and finish the rest elsewhere.
The marine life is fantastic so if you can afford it I recommend it to any one.
Leaving the hotel at night is not recommended however, the complex is so big with so much to do then there really is no need to. They say its quite safe to go out in the day but if you wanted to see the island then there are many trips that you will enable you to explore this great holiday destination.
Some of the trips that are available are Sousa, Puerto Plata city tour, Paradise Island, Freestyle Catamaran, Outback Safari, Monster Truck Safari, White water rafting. All payable in $usd from the rep. And the most popular are ocean world and horse back riding, both are excellent and both our favourites. If you are adventurous then I recommend swimming with the dolphins and definitely swimming with sharks and stingrays. What an amazing buzz. The horse riding is only $40-$45 for half a day and they really look after you. Even if you have never been horse riding before then you will be trotting cantering and even galloping on these American style horses. It was truly amazing and wish we had done the full day. You will not be disappointed they even have a cow boys that ride with you if you cant ride and sit on the horse with small children.
Well what else can we say, it is by far the best hotel on the island and the service from everybody was truly amazing. They have made our Holiday to the Dominican Republic so special and we loved every minute of it. Can’t wait to go again next year.
The hotel through Airtours is a prestige holiday so you had pre bookable seats making sure they were together and use of the VIP lounge so we could relax and drink as much as you wanted before the flight and enjoy snacks and news papers which were free.
Once on the plane I must say I was quite impressed. I'm 6ft 4" tall and the standard legroom was 33" which was more than plenty. The seats were leather a 7" tv in the head rest in front. You could watch tv, films and plenty of games which kept you occupied. With 2 meals on the plane the 9 hours flight went really quick.
The only thing to this stage that I was a bit disappointed with was that we was not told about the $10 visa entrance fee to the DR and $20 to come home. It is only £15 pounds each but it would have nice to be told. Also we were advised to take DR pesos which is there currency but only the shops at the hotels took Pesos every thing else is $. All the taxis, tipping, excursions and motorised water sports including diving on the island all take $usd. You can use pesos but you lose out converting pesos to $usd so my advise is to take majority $usd.
When we arrived at the airport the DR people will try and help you with your bag to the coaches. Guess what they want tipping its only about 30ft and they want $2. Not a lot but over the entire holiday it will mount up when every body asks for tips. We didn't mind in the hotel as it made your holiday, but watch out for the beggars as well.
On a cheerful note when we arrived at the hotel it was a very welcoming site. The entrance is all open and greeted with a fountain full of turtles and friendly staff. We were given a welcome drink and didn’t have to wait long before we had our key cards to our rooms. The bellboy took your bags while you took a steady stroll to your room. The reception area was great, a pool with flamingos and bull frogs and there was even a peacock with 4 chicks walking around the foyer. What a great start.
We went to our room and the bellboy came 5 min’s later. The rooms are quite spacious with a king size bed, TV with satellite TV 24 channels and films every evening and night. You have a well stocked mini bar, sofa, table and chairs in the room and a fantastic view of the complex from your balcony. On the bed was a swan made with towels and flowers. We could not fault the room at all. There is plenty of wardrobe space with hangers and a safe which is key coded. We were extremely happy with everything.
We then went for a stroll down to the beach and around the complex. It is very immaculate and well looked after. There were so many activities during the day. Archery, Shooting, Aerobics, Water Aerobics, yoga, Water Polo, Beach Volley Ball, Bingo, Spanish Lessons, Scuba Lessons in the pool, Darts, Pool and Tennis as well a a great health spa which was all free except the massage, hair and nails, which you had to pay for but the prices was not that bad. I haven’t mentioned the rest as there is so much to do it will take a while to write but we both need a holiday to recover.
The night entertainment was just incredible with a different show every night for the 2 weeks. The best shows was the Lion King, Viva Las Vegas, Black Laser Show and the West end night. The entertainers that work in the day are the same as the evening. I think they work from 7am -11pm for 12 days on with only 3 off and we complain at what we do. They work so hard and make it really special. They will have you in stitches all day and night dressing up in costumes and wigs, superman, Spiderman, Scooby doo were great.
After the entertainment they have bands and DR dancing till about 12 and if you want to carry on they have their own nightclub called route 66 open till 2am. It is fully air conditioned and sound proofed so you will never here it from out side.
The food in the resort is excellent, they have 3 speciality restaurant's which you have to book and can use once a week. However the main buffet restaurant caters for every body. Mexican, Spanish, Italian, English, Chinese and Dominican Republic food till it comes out of your ears. The soup is lovely the cheese counter is great and a 25 ft sweet counter. The waiters and chefs are great and cant do enough for you if you want something then just ask but it has everything however different dishes are alternated every day so you never get the same dishes every night. It a wonder how they do it but you cant fault the food at all. If you are hungry in the night or when you come out of the club then the Mexican restaurants open till 6am offering burgers hot dogs and steak with salad and bread etc. Much to say we never went hungry.
There are security guards all over the complex so it is very safe and quiet. They don’t allow parties in rooms and even stop the holidaymakers who have left the club shouting or screaming, if there is any trouble then they will sort it out for you pretty quickly. They even stop every body using the pool after 7 at night so they can treat it. So all in all it was a very restful and peaceful holiday.
If you wanted to phone the UK from your room then you can buy a phone card from your rep if you don’t want to take your own phone, which can be quite expensive to use. Just type in the following number 9, 1 809 200 8213 followed by your pin number then 0044 and your code without the 0 then the number. It even tells you how much is left every time you use it. The cost is $15 which is £7.50ish. This will give you 18 mins, however there is a 30 pesos connection charge, which you pay at reception.
If you want try your hand at scuba diving then they offer free taster lessons in the pool twice a day. If you enjoy the experience then they have a PADI diving school on site which is not free. However, for $399 (£200ish) you can get your divers licence and certification to dive any where in the world. You cannot afford to miss this opportunity if you are interested in this pass time. They are really friendly and very helpful. You can do single dives and do part of the full certification which you can take with you and finish the rest elsewhere.
The marine life is fantastic so if you can afford it I recommend it to any one.
Leaving the hotel at night is not recommended however, the complex is so big with so much to do then there really is no need to. They say its quite safe to go out in the day but if you wanted to see the island then there are many trips that you will enable you to explore this great holiday destination.
Some of the trips that are available are Sousa, Puerto Plata city tour, Paradise Island, Freestyle Catamaran, Outback Safari, Monster Truck Safari, White water rafting. All payable in $usd from the rep. And the most popular are ocean world and horse back riding, both are excellent and both our favourites. If you are adventurous then I recommend swimming with the dolphins and definitely swimming with sharks and stingrays. What an amazing buzz. The horse riding is only $40-$45 for half a day and they really look after you. Even if you have never been horse riding before then you will be trotting cantering and even galloping on these American style horses. It was truly amazing and wish we had done the full day. You will not be disappointed they even have a cow boys that ride with you if you cant ride and sit on the horse with small children.
Well what else can we say, it is by far the best hotel on the island and the service from everybody was truly amazing. They have made our Holiday to the Dominican Republic so special and we loved every minute of it. Can’t wait to go again next year.
-
- Date of Holiday:Jul 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" My boyfriend and I stayed at the... "
Submitted By: Miss A Smith
My boyfriend and I stayed at the Iberostar from the 29/04/07 - 13/05/07.
We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to all our friends.
The rooms are clean and they are always working on the hotel grounds.
The Mexican and Brazilian restaurants are brilliant, not sure about the Tropical as we did not try it.
The entertainment staff are great fun and made are stay even more enjoyable!
We recommend going on the Outback Safari trip.
We wouldn't think twice about going back to this resort.
We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend it to all our friends.
The rooms are clean and they are always working on the hotel grounds.
The Mexican and Brazilian restaurants are brilliant, not sure about the Tropical as we did not try it.
The entertainment staff are great fun and made are stay even more enjoyable!
We recommend going on the Outback Safari trip.
We wouldn't think twice about going back to this resort.
-
- Date of Holiday:May 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" We have just spent two weeks at the... "
Submitted By: Hils
We have just spent two weeks at the Iberostar Costa Dorada, from 12-26 March. I will list out the good and bad points.
Good points:
Fab hotel, staff so friendly and helpful. The hotel and grounds were spotlessly clean.
Good choice of food and there is something for everyone. Beach barbecues were very good, as was the beach restaurant. Both the Mexican and Brazilian a la carte restaurants were superb, don't know about the Tropical a la carte as we never tried it.
Entertainment team were fantastic, worked really hard and the shows in the evening were very good. Reception staff were very helpful. No problem with security in the room and when the safe jammed, we reported it and someone was at the room within five minutes to fix it. This is nothing to do with some reports about thefts, our problem was the batteries that worked the safe had run out.
Nice sandy beach which was swept clean every day. Plenty of sun beds but if you want sun beds underneath a thatch on the beach, you have to get down there early as they are in short supply although there is plenty of shade under the trees etc.
Bad points.
It is the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea and is quite rough and not clear, not really good for snorkeling. A lot of rain. I know weather can't be helped but the brochures state 5 cms of rain for the month of March, we had that nearly every day. It rained every day we were there from about 3.30 pm and some of the tropical storms were really heavy, 5 cms in one day.
There is a lot of rubbish washed up on the beach, especially after a bad storm, and we saw a couple of syringes amongst the debris. Although like I said, the beach is swept clean every day. It wasn't safe to go outside the hotel unless with a tour, either in daylight or at night, so you are restricted to the hotel.
All in all, we had a very good holiday and the weather didn't spoil it as we were down on the beach by 8 am so had a good six hours sunbathing, although quite often it was overcast if not raining.
If anyone is considering getting married at this time of year in the Dom Rep, please read the weather small print carefully as there was a wedding nearly every day while we were there and it was always held when there was no sun or it was raining, although the staff went out of their way to make sure they had a day to remember.
Personally, we wouldn't go back to the Dom Rep because of the poverty and not being able to go out on our own but if you want an excellent hotel and aren't bothered about going out and about, you will have a wonderful holiday. The positive side of the rain was as we were all inclusive, we just had a few more margaritas etc and saw the funny side.
Good points:
Fab hotel, staff so friendly and helpful. The hotel and grounds were spotlessly clean.
Good choice of food and there is something for everyone. Beach barbecues were very good, as was the beach restaurant. Both the Mexican and Brazilian a la carte restaurants were superb, don't know about the Tropical a la carte as we never tried it.
Entertainment team were fantastic, worked really hard and the shows in the evening were very good. Reception staff were very helpful. No problem with security in the room and when the safe jammed, we reported it and someone was at the room within five minutes to fix it. This is nothing to do with some reports about thefts, our problem was the batteries that worked the safe had run out.
Nice sandy beach which was swept clean every day. Plenty of sun beds but if you want sun beds underneath a thatch on the beach, you have to get down there early as they are in short supply although there is plenty of shade under the trees etc.
Bad points.
It is the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribbean Sea and is quite rough and not clear, not really good for snorkeling. A lot of rain. I know weather can't be helped but the brochures state 5 cms of rain for the month of March, we had that nearly every day. It rained every day we were there from about 3.30 pm and some of the tropical storms were really heavy, 5 cms in one day.
There is a lot of rubbish washed up on the beach, especially after a bad storm, and we saw a couple of syringes amongst the debris. Although like I said, the beach is swept clean every day. It wasn't safe to go outside the hotel unless with a tour, either in daylight or at night, so you are restricted to the hotel.
All in all, we had a very good holiday and the weather didn't spoil it as we were down on the beach by 8 am so had a good six hours sunbathing, although quite often it was overcast if not raining.
If anyone is considering getting married at this time of year in the Dom Rep, please read the weather small print carefully as there was a wedding nearly every day while we were there and it was always held when there was no sun or it was raining, although the staff went out of their way to make sure they had a day to remember.
Personally, we wouldn't go back to the Dom Rep because of the poverty and not being able to go out on our own but if you want an excellent hotel and aren't bothered about going out and about, you will have a wonderful holiday. The positive side of the rain was as we were all inclusive, we just had a few more margaritas etc and saw the funny side.
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" This hotel is top draw everything I... "
Submitted By: stevie191268
This hotel is top draw everything I read on watchdog about this hotel was spot on, we had a great time the staff could not do enough for you.
The people we met were all very nice and it was good not to hear people moaning about the hotel, every one was happy which is rare as you can’t please everyone but here was dif. Everyone was pleased to have booked to stay there.
The people we met were all very nice and it was good not to hear people moaning about the hotel, every one was happy which is rare as you can’t please everyone but here was dif. Everyone was pleased to have booked to stay there.
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:holiday place ( coco tours )
" My wife and myself stayed at the... "
Submitted By: Mr M Drew
My wife and myself stayed at the Iberostar and from the moment we arrived until the time we left, everything was brilliant.
The food was excellent both in quality and choice.
The rooms were well furnished and maid service was every day.
The grounds are kept spotless the entertainment is good. The choice in drinks is excellent.
We only did the one trip that was the mega truck really excellent day out it and it makes you realize how lucky we are in the uk.
We have travelled quite a lot and without a doubt this was the best holiday we have ever had, all the staff are brilliant.
We liked the Iberostar so much we booked for Iberostar Bayahibe for next year but we will go back to Iberostar Costa Dorada.
The food was excellent both in quality and choice.
The rooms were well furnished and maid service was every day.
The grounds are kept spotless the entertainment is good. The choice in drinks is excellent.
We only did the one trip that was the mega truck really excellent day out it and it makes you realize how lucky we are in the uk.
We have travelled quite a lot and without a doubt this was the best holiday we have ever had, all the staff are brilliant.
We liked the Iberostar so much we booked for Iberostar Bayahibe for next year but we will go back to Iberostar Costa Dorada.
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- Date of Holiday:Nov 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" I know I know, everyone says the same... "
Submitted By: Mr J Macdonald
I know I know, everyone says the same about this hotel, that its great/fantastic. Well all I’ve got to say is that it’s all true, it was the best holiday I’ve ever had!
Read all the reviews they're all true! I read that some people have complained about the beaches. Well the beaches are lovely and natural, with palm trees hanging over the golden sands. They are picture postcard perfect!
Read all the reviews they're all true! I read that some people have complained about the beaches. Well the beaches are lovely and natural, with palm trees hanging over the golden sands. They are picture postcard perfect!
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" We went to Iberostar (from New... "
Submitted By: Mrs C C Shaw
We went to Iberostar (from New Zealand) to surprise my wee brother who got married at the resort.
There were 11 of us in the wedding party. We really had a great holiday. From the moment we arrived we felt like royalty as the staff are all very efficient and couldn't be friendlier.
The resort it's self was amazing. Plenty of entertainment all day everyday and if it's a relaxing quiet time you're looking for instead of being around the pool, you have the choice of sun beds in the gardens or on the beach which was beautiful.
Plenty room for everyone so it never felt too busy.
We were well impressed with the food. There was always plenty of choice and it varied from day to day. We especially enjoyed the Mexican restaurant and the tropical as well.
My Dad and 11 year old cousin really liked the choice of desserts and the free ice-cream all day!
Evening shows were always very energetic but we chose to sit in the main lobby and enjoy a few Coco Locos instead.
The rooms were always kept immaculate and fridges well stocked.
The wedding it's self was lovely. It was just unlucky it was during a tropical storm! It was well organised the only thing I think they could do to improve the day, is to have a room or serve finger food or something as we (And others who got married on different days) found there was a long time hanging around in the bar until evening for the meal!
But it was all very romantic...the wedding photos on the beach are lovely.
We went on a couple of trips. Mega trucks discovery trip is great and also puerto Plata trip up the mountain. Both were very humbling and it was great to see some of the Dominican ways of life.
All in all it was a great holiday and I think great value.
There were 11 of us in the wedding party. We really had a great holiday. From the moment we arrived we felt like royalty as the staff are all very efficient and couldn't be friendlier.
The resort it's self was amazing. Plenty of entertainment all day everyday and if it's a relaxing quiet time you're looking for instead of being around the pool, you have the choice of sun beds in the gardens or on the beach which was beautiful.
Plenty room for everyone so it never felt too busy.
We were well impressed with the food. There was always plenty of choice and it varied from day to day. We especially enjoyed the Mexican restaurant and the tropical as well.
My Dad and 11 year old cousin really liked the choice of desserts and the free ice-cream all day!
Evening shows were always very energetic but we chose to sit in the main lobby and enjoy a few Coco Locos instead.
The rooms were always kept immaculate and fridges well stocked.
The wedding it's self was lovely. It was just unlucky it was during a tropical storm! It was well organised the only thing I think they could do to improve the day, is to have a room or serve finger food or something as we (And others who got married on different days) found there was a long time hanging around in the bar until evening for the meal!
But it was all very romantic...the wedding photos on the beach are lovely.
We went on a couple of trips. Mega trucks discovery trip is great and also puerto Plata trip up the mountain. Both were very humbling and it was great to see some of the Dominican ways of life.
All in all it was a great holiday and I think great value.
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- Date of Holiday:Oct 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" We returned from our second visit to... "
Submitted By: Not Specified
We returned from our second visit to this resort in May 2006. We loved everything about the hotel and would have highly recommended it. However, on our last night money disappeared from our hotel safe.
Staff at the hotel implied that it was not possible, that we must have misplaced the money; we were made to feel like we were lying. We also received phone calls from a Spanish man asking for Peter throughout the duration of our holiday. On the day the money went missing a showerhead had been left on the bath by the maids.
When we were on our way out that evening a maintenance man knocked at the door, said he had come to fix the shower, then left saying he would come back later. We thought this was a little strange as we had not reported the shower as being damaged. Maybe this was a coincidence.
We informed the Thomas Cook rep, she was not overly helpful! She said it was too late to phone the police as we were leaving in a couple of hours. In all honesty she was not very sympathetic and did not seem surprised.
Staff at the hotel implied that it was not possible, that we must have misplaced the money; we were made to feel like we were lying. We also received phone calls from a Spanish man asking for Peter throughout the duration of our holiday. On the day the money went missing a showerhead had been left on the bath by the maids.
When we were on our way out that evening a maintenance man knocked at the door, said he had come to fix the shower, then left saying he would come back later. We thought this was a little strange as we had not reported the shower as being damaged. Maybe this was a coincidence.
We informed the Thomas Cook rep, she was not overly helpful! She said it was too late to phone the police as we were leaving in a couple of hours. In all honesty she was not very sympathetic and did not seem surprised.
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- Date of Holiday:Apr 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" As per all the other reviews I've... "
Submitted By: Miss K L Preston
As per all the other reviews I've read about this resort, it is fantastic!
The staff work really hard and are always happy, even though they seem to be working from the moment you wake to the moment you retire to your room! The night shows are particularly entertaining. Some people have commented on them not being of high standard, but come on, lighten up, they are entertainment at their best, the staff have worked long and hard to put on the shows and you can tell. My partner commented that The Lion King show was better than that he'd seen at Disney World Florida earlier in the year! Yes they may be cheesy but that's the fun of them!
The food is fantastic, always lots of variety and the specialty restaurants are worth pre-booking. There is a wide range of drinks available too, even premium brands, although you'll have to ask for them! Champagne is also free flowing, an added bonus! Watch out for the cocktails, just when you think they aren't strong and have necked a few they suddenly hit you!
The only thing that I can fault is the amount of bird droppings in the pool, I only ventured in on a couple of occasions as it did put me off. I think they could maybe do to have someone cleaning it more often throughout the day. Other than that the pool is a decent size and you could always find a sun lounger.
The rooms are very clean, however for a 5 star maybe they could be a bit more 'fancy', I found them a bit basic, but I guess that's just the snobby side of me! The mini-bar was a good idea but I thought there could be a better selection of drinks in there.
Overall (bar my couple of niggles which really aren't something to take into consideration when choosing this resort) I found the Iberostar to be all that it says it is and would recommend it to anyone who is debating which resort to choose. I'm glad that I listened to all the reviews as they are all very much correct!
The staff work really hard and are always happy, even though they seem to be working from the moment you wake to the moment you retire to your room! The night shows are particularly entertaining. Some people have commented on them not being of high standard, but come on, lighten up, they are entertainment at their best, the staff have worked long and hard to put on the shows and you can tell. My partner commented that The Lion King show was better than that he'd seen at Disney World Florida earlier in the year! Yes they may be cheesy but that's the fun of them!
The food is fantastic, always lots of variety and the specialty restaurants are worth pre-booking. There is a wide range of drinks available too, even premium brands, although you'll have to ask for them! Champagne is also free flowing, an added bonus! Watch out for the cocktails, just when you think they aren't strong and have necked a few they suddenly hit you!
The only thing that I can fault is the amount of bird droppings in the pool, I only ventured in on a couple of occasions as it did put me off. I think they could maybe do to have someone cleaning it more often throughout the day. Other than that the pool is a decent size and you could always find a sun lounger.
The rooms are very clean, however for a 5 star maybe they could be a bit more 'fancy', I found them a bit basic, but I guess that's just the snobby side of me! The mini-bar was a good idea but I thought there could be a better selection of drinks in there.
Overall (bar my couple of niggles which really aren't something to take into consideration when choosing this resort) I found the Iberostar to be all that it says it is and would recommend it to anyone who is debating which resort to choose. I'm glad that I listened to all the reviews as they are all very much correct!
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2006
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" A group of 10 of us spent 2 weeks at... "
Submitted By: Mrs JM Mellon
A group of 10 of us spent 2 weeks at the Iberostar Costa Dorada last July.
We were slightly concerned at the fact that there was so many of us with regards to sitting together at meal times etc, but the hotel staff were more than happy to accommodate us.
Rooms were very clean and spacious, the grounds were beautifully kept and most importantly the food and international drinks were fantastic. Fab staff, fab company and overall a fab holiday!
We were slightly concerned at the fact that there was so many of us with regards to sitting together at meal times etc, but the hotel staff were more than happy to accommodate us.
Rooms were very clean and spacious, the grounds were beautifully kept and most importantly the food and international drinks were fantastic. Fab staff, fab company and overall a fab holiday!
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Airtours
" Staying at Iberostar at Christmas was... "
Submitted By: Mrs J C Bonnett
Staying at Iberostar at Christmas was the best holiday our family have ever had!! The hotel was immaculate, with the people there to make it extra special for all of us. The staff were so friendly, food was superb, resort was idyllic - what more can I say!! I would recommend this holiday to all ages. I felt we were treated like royalty - nothing was too much for the Dominican people. We went out and met the locals on an organised trip - an eye opener I must say! Even though there is a great deal of poverty out of resort, the people were so accommodating. I would definitely return to the resort, once I have saved enough money.
A holiday of a lifetime and one definitely to remember!
A holiday of a lifetime and one definitely to remember!
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- Date of Holiday:Nov 2005
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:MyTravel
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From the majestic reception with its turtle and flamingo pools to the private beach it is excellent. There is a lovely pool with a Jacuzzi in the middle, surrounded by beautifully kept gardens and, a rarity these days, plenty of sunbeds by the pool, in the gardens and on the beach which is very clean and watched over by a security guard.
There were three speciality restaurants, Brazilian, Mexican, and Tropical but we did not try these as the main restaurant offered a very varied cuisine from all countries. If you wished you could eat or drink somewhere on the complex at any time of day or night. The restaurant and bar staff were friendly, helpful, and always smiling!
Although we did not take part, there were many activities provided by the Star Friends all day long but the crème de la crème was the evening entertainment by the Star Singers, Star Dancers and the Star band. These shows equalled anything seen on the West End stage and all the performers were excellent.
Our room overlooking the pool was very spacious and each day brought an inventive sculpture of towels and flowers from our maid. Apart from the beach there is nowhere to go around the hotel but there are plenty of excursions on offer from tour operators but I did hear from other guests that the hotel offers the same excursions which are cheaper.
Our favourite excursion was a trip to Saona Island involving five modes of travel - coach, plane, river boat, speedboat, and catamaran. Costly, but a trip well worth doing. We also enjoyed the Monster Truck Safari, despite our truck breaking down after helping another one out of the river and the Jewels of the North trip was very interesting too.
Beware, on almost every trip you will be plied with the local rum, whether on a truck, at sea, or in the coach!
We partook in a trip to Ocean World but found it was overpriced and that the shows were sparse and repeated all through the day. The one redeeming feature was the sea lion show which was amazing. We took part in the Dolphin Encounter which was very endearing. At these encounters, photos are being taken all the time by a photographer but they are very expensive to buy - £5 for an amateurish 6 x 4 photo and it’s not even in a folder!
Another trip on offer is the half-day to Puerto Plata and the cable car (£22 each) but apart from the cable car, it was just a round of rum and jewel factories where you were encouraged to part with your money - similar to the 'blanket trips' in Spain which are free!
However, all said and done, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this hotel and wouldn't hesitate in recommending it to anyone.