Reviews of Iberostar Costa Dorada Hotel, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

From the excellent service when...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2005

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs L Bloomfield

Comments:

From the excellent service when booking our holiday to our return home we can only rate the service and the holiday 10/10.



We were flown out to Puerto Plata from London Gatwick by First Choice Airways, even though we hadn’t paid for extra leg room, the plane was plenty big enough and each seat had it’s own TV where you could listen to music, play games or watch the selection of videos. Ear sets were provided free of charge and a nice complimentary set for the flight home.



The cabin crew were excellent, as was the food, drinks and the service. What a good start to the holiday. Arriving in the DR we were met by the rep, our paperwork, room number and all-inclusive wristband put on straight away to avoid a delay at the hotel. Porters put the bags on the bus and away we went for the short trip to the hotel. Once we arrived the baggage boys took the bags off the bus, labelled them with your room number and within 5 minutes they were waiting in the room for you, in the meantime a lovely frozen slushy drink was given to you, it was so refreshing First impression of the surrounding areas, fantastic.



After a short stroll to the room we opened the door to a very quiet and smooth running air conditioning unit and a ceiling fan. The room was immaculate, mini bar in the room stocked up with beer, water, cola, diet cola, lemonade and tango and restocked every day or every other day. Towels were in the shape of a swan with beautiful flowers, I used to leave the maid a little gift each day, such as scrunchie bands for her hair or small samples of face cream, deodorant or a tiny soft toy and would often come back to the room to find little chocolates or my nightshirt folded in a fan. There is plenty of hot water, the shower is powerful and towels are changed often.



Lots of channels on the TV if you want to spend time in the room and a balcony with table, chairs and a pull out clothes dryer. There is not a coffee maker or kettle in the room, but hey the bar or restaurant is open 24 hours. The swimming pool is fabulous as are the spas, Jacuzzis, steam room and spa facilities where you can get any sort of beauty treatment or massages.



The beach is kept clean, a bit of seaweed, but the beach boys do a great job of keeping it swept up. Lots of water sports on offer, plenty of sunloungers on the beach and round the pool, never had a problem finding one whatever the time of day it was. Pool towels were collected from the beach hut and handed back at the end of the day, saves room in the suitcase for other things you might want to bring.



Beach bar, pool bar and restaurant, just too much food and drink on offer, food was kept hot, the chefs worked hard to keep the food coming all the time whilst at the same time kept you entertained with their smiles and their singing and dancing, and this was before you even got to the main restaurants or bars.



I can’t find the words that would express the standard of food on offer in the main restaurant, which is open for breakfast, lunch and the evening meal. Even the pickiest of eaters would find it hard not to find something they liked. From freshly made pancakes, waffles, omelettes, doughnuts of every description, continental food, English food, lobsters, fresh mangos, pineapples, watermelon, passion fruit, the list could go on and on and all buffet served with a great big smile from the chefs.



The waiters and waitresses work so hard for so little money. A tip for you would be holidaymakers, tip at the beginning and then a small amount throughout your stay and your waiter will bend over backwards to accommodate your every need. It only takes a few pounds to ensure that they go that extra mile for you. They will still be great without a tip. Our waiter ALIMENDY was absolutely fabulous. He has now named us his mama and papa from England. We have never eaten so much or drank so much wine or tea. He is an absolute treasure.



There are 3 other restaurants you can book into but we loved the food so much in the main one that we never got round to trying them, other people we spoke to said that they were lovely. The entertainment team the STAR FRIENDS were amazing. So much energy from 9 in the morning till 1pm in the disco.



Whilst there was so much going on you were not forced into doing anything you didn’t want to do. The evening shows they put on were out of this world, the LION KING which involved the children from the children’s club also was breathtaking, I have never seen so many animals running around the hotel dressed in such fantastic costumes, thank goodness we didn’t have to put up with bingo on a nighttimes.



Nice dancing, the show followed by a mixture of music and if you still had some energy left, there was always the air-conditioned disco for the over 16s until 2pm. The trips we went on were arranged by our fantastic First Choice rep by the name of LUIS MARTINEX. Boy he sure knows his stuff and is so helpful and friendly, but then he does come from the Dominican Republic. He is a true asset to the IBEROSTAR, always a wave, a smile and a chat.



We went on the Dolphin Encounter and Dolphin Swim and they were both terrific, my husband also did the shark encounter, but I declined that one, the Outback Safari was excellent, make sure you take some sweets, crayons and writing books for the school you visit on this trip.



You see so much of the culture and countryside with excellent guides. White water rafting according to my husband was great fun, there is just too much to do here which is why we are going to return in December to carry on where we left off. An excellent hotel, excellent staff, in fact everything is excellent and we cannot find one thing to complain about, if we did, we would be nit picking.



This hotel should be rated higher than a 5* without a doubt.

Our third time here, and already...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2005

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr R Bell

Comments:

Our third time here, and already booked to go back next year.



We can never find fault at this hotel, the staff are so friendly and the grounds are extremely well kept.



Food and drink are of excellent standard, and this all makes for a wonderful holiday. We are not easily pleased and have had plenty of poor holiday experiences, but never here!

First class all round - no...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2004

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs S Brown

Comments:

First class all round - no faults at all - weather perfect hurricanes passed us by. Food - amazing choices - if you can’t find something to eat you must be very picky. Service from everyone can’t be faulted - maid service excellent. Stayed for two weeks - wanted to stay longer. Surely the best all inclusive ever. Never bored. Facilities, pool, beach, evening entertainment, restaurant (including specials) -GREAT. Great for snorkelling too. A fantastic choice. Weddings a speciality. Went for our silver wedding anniversary/birthdays - what a treat!! Let the hotel know if you are celebrating special day - they will surprise you.

This was the best holiday we...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2003

Tour Operator:

JMC Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs L Taylor

Comments:

This was the best holiday we have ever had. We will be returning this year. We got married in this hotel and it was perfect. We have told at least 2 different groups of friends (1 couple on honeymoon) who have been as a result and both have returned agreeing it was wonderful.


The staff were a real highlight - friendly, funny and would do anything for you. The entertainment was also brilliant - different every night (The night club was a bit cheesy though!). The restaurants were very good and the food was wonderful. There were no shops etc within walking distance but due to the fact the hotel was so fantastic you didn’t want to go out anyway! During the day the staff were always about arranging dancing, sports and games and they were around the pool checking your holiday was going well and if you needed anything.


The rooms were very clean and it was ideal for children too - we had a 2 year old with our party and he was fine. I cannot fault this hotel in any way. If you want a perfect relaxing holiday go here - ideal for Honeymooners, Weddings or families! If your thinking of going to the Dominican Republic you must go to this hotel - I was a bit worried about going as I had heard mixed reports on the island but it was perfect!

We booked to go to the Iberostar...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2003

Tour Operator:

JMC Holidays

Submitted By:

kailum

Comments:

We booked to go to the Iberostar after our friends told us how good it was. (Since we have visited a friend at work got married there and she also enjoyed her stay)



On first appearances the Iberostar Puerto Plata was amazing, walking into a large reception area greeted with a refreshing drink. After a quick booking in you were taken to your room.



THE ROOM........

Our room was very nice, with a massive king size bed, huge wardrobe with fitted safe, a large dressing table, bedside cabinets and a large television its own tall cabinet with the free bar fridge inside (filled to the brim on a daily basis with local larger a selection of well known soft drinks and water).



THE HOTEL.........

The hotel was spacious and very clean, plenty of seating in the shade and cooler because it was all open plan.

We saw a number of weddings taking advantage of the picturesque scenery and views for photos.

The pool was magnificent just like the picture in the brochure, all though it did get busy in the day, you could also take a short walk to the beach and relax under the shade of the palm trees.



With plenty of activities onsite available including windsurfing, canoeing, snorkelling, diving, or joining the entertainment staff for a game or two you will not be bored!



THE FOOD......

With a choice of three restaurants; Mexican, Brazilian, and I think tropical (I personally really enjoyed the Mexican). The restaurants have to be booked in advance and you are allowed to go (in peak season) to each restaurant once a week.

The main buffet for breakfast, lunch and evening meal s was also excellent, serving a variety of meals from traditional local food to good old steak and chips. Even the fussy eaters will find something to suit them.



THE STAFF........

The staff were very friendly and helpful at all times, doing their best to ensure you enjoy your holiday, and like all holiday resorts getting you involved in activities (without harassing you). On the one day that it rained they kept me and my family entertained, with mini golf and archery.

The evening entertainment ok but did take a little longer when a show was on because of the different languages.



JMC.....

Our tour operator was very friendly and helpful, and gave us some useful information during our induction and also the opportunity to buy phone cards.



What she failed to tell us (although we thoroughly enjoyed them) was that you could get the same trips in the shopping centre down the road, a lot cheaper.



We went on the Dominican discovery trip, which was absolutely fantastic, although tiring. In one day we went horse riding, visited a local village and school, had lunch, and the best of all went to a waterfall with five points which we had to climb then once at the top either slid down or jumped into a pool. This day was the highlight of our holiday!



We also went on a boat trip which again was an excellent day out; we stopped twice for snorkelling (equipment provided) took pictures of the beautiful fish and sunbathed the day away, relaxing on the deck.



Another day was swimming with the dolphins at the Ocean World about half an hour away from our resort. If you’ve always wanted to do this, I recommend you go there. It is an up and coming place to visit; you can have an encounter with sea lions, dolphins and sharks!!! When we visited (in 2003) they were still building, they told us it was being themed on Jurassic park, and once complete the entrance would be a magnificent waterfall. We will definitely go back to see this one day.



THE RESORT OF PUERTO PLATA.......

If you walk out from the hotel on to the beach and turn right, carry on walking down until you see some palm trees with their bases painted white, you can access a path which will lead you to the local resort golf club a medium sized shopping centre, with a number of little markets selling a variety of local arts excellent for gifts. Jewellery shops selling larimar and ambar (before making a decision look around quality and prices do vary) you will also find a number of agents selling trips (insurance is included and are a lot better value for money). You can also purchase cigarettes and if you are missing home there is a pizza hut!



OVERALL RATING........

The only reason I gave this holiday an 8 was because of luxury. We took up the opportunity to visit the neighbouring Hilton resort, and what a site to be seen that was (no doubt expensive but amazing none the less). The room we saw was too large ensuite bedrooms with a medium living room in the middle fitted with magnificent furniture throughout it looked better than my own house! and the cherry on the cake had to be the spa bath in although a small bathroom, another luxury room.



I would recommend the Iberostar Puerto Plata for couples and families looking for a relaxing holiday with the option of plenty to do.

What can I say, brilliant!
...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2003

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs W Gibbons

Comments:

What can I say, brilliant!



The hotel was wonderful, on arrival you enter the open air reception with a round pool of terrapins and flamingos and ducks! so many people trying to check in all at once but the staff were so efficient that it took no time at all and you were whisked away to your rooms in a golf buggy and the driver took our luggage up to our room which was on the top floor.



The rooms were nicely decorated and very clean and comfortable with a TV and fridge with water, beer and fizzy drinks. There were four of us and the rooms were plenty big enough with a large balcony overlooking the lovely gardens with peacocks.



The lagoon pool is large with plenty of sun beds and the free use of pool towels was great, especially when there was a downpour and you could change your towels as often as you liked.



Each day the entertainment staff handed out A4 sheets with the days events and times on so you knew exactly what you could sign up for. The team were very enthusiastic and even got our youngest daughter to join in - which she never does! The evening shows that they put on were really good. They usually had an early show for the children and then a late one for the adults in the large theatre area they have with a bar and waiter service. After the show each evening they get everyone up for a dance on the stage - the kids really loved this.



If you like to stay up late there is a nightclub where all the staff like to get you all up dancing - they have so much energy and work really long days and nights I don’t know how they keep so cheerful all the time.



The hotel is situated on a lovely beach with plenty of sun beds for all and on the one occasion (it was Easter) the hotel seemed full to bursting the staff raced around getting out more sun beds and cleaning them and placing them exactly where you wanted them!



The food was wonderful and I can honestly say that of all the holidays I have ever had this is the only country I have visited and NOT had an upset stomach. The waiters greet you with much enthusiasm and nothing is too much trouble. One evening I ordered champagne with dinner and the waiter said they didn’t have it in the restaurant, I said it didn’t matter and I would have white wine but he rushed out to the bar to get me some anyway! There is so much choice with the food you don’t know where to start and the presentation is beautiful. They have theme nights every night which usually ties in with the entertainment for the evening.



Whatever you do, DON'T miss the beach party! The chef arrives to cook paella on the beach with plenty of lobster, tasted wonderful. They also make sangria and teach you how to meringue.



The hotel also has other restaurants, which you have to book for in advance, you may visit each one, once per a weeks stay. We found these to be good just for a change.



This is definitely the best holiday I have ever had and also the best hotel I have stayed in. Don’t hesitate in going to the Dominican so much to do - better than St Lucia!