Reviews of Paradise Beach Resort & Casino, Playa Dorada

I would not visit here again. im not a picky person about room conditions but they were ridiculous. the light did not work so i checked the bulb and it as covered in flies, anyone could break in the balcony, i caught a cold off the dirty air condtioning unit, cut my foot on the tiles on the pool, fag ends all over the beach, some wild cat trying to share my dinner, to top it all their towel card policy is shocking, someone stole my towel and i complained to the reception staff, but they did'nt care and said i had to pay $50 for the towel card!!!! the entertainment was a joke. bingo everynight, same routines everyday and the bar was stinking of stale lager. every drink had rum, in it, even if you ask for vodka! does not look anything like the nice pictures. you only get what you pay for and i wish i payed more for a better hotel and a more enjoyable stay

After reading loads of other comments from other guests my husband and I were a bit concerned about this holiday, but despite the reviews it was one of the most enjoyable ones I have been on for a while. This is not a 5 star resort and people should not be expecting it this it is a basic hotel with ok facilities. The staff were very friendly, nothing was too much trouble for anyone. The food was not fantastic, but was acceptable (and that statement is coming from a Microbiologist).



Any problems we encountered which were minimum were dealt with immediately by our fantastic holiday rep Sonia.



I would recommend it as a place to stay especially as it has the best part of the beach.



A few tips would be: They don't have pint glasses, so if you want one take plastic ones, there is no facilities for tea or coffee but there is always a supply at the hotel, insect repellant is a must.



I would also recommend the trip on Mega trucks and a trip to ocean world also go to puerto plata.



Hope you enjoy

Paradise Beach Resort- Feb 2008



Enjoyed DR on a trip to a different 3.5 star hotel last year. However this year at Paradise..(variously rated at 3 to 4 stars on different sites !).....yikes



VERY FIRST IMPRESSION: needs maintenance, non-smiling reception staff.



SUBSEQUENT IMPRESSION: lots of indication that maintenance needed, all staff seen during our brief stay seemed generally non-smiling, no enthusiasm, lethargic-unhappy to have what must be a pretty good job by DR standards..(general attitude problem at this place??)



BEACH- very good.



ROOMS= DISASTER! I did NOT pay $$$ for an attic, and did NOT book an attic, but rather a "standard" room (thinking also it would have a balcony..wrong!

Was given a key to an attic. This was up a tiny, somewhat dangerous winding staircase (how do people get suitcases up there?) In spite of what on-line booking had clearly indicated, reception manager said 'attic' WAS the "standard" room!!!!!



Two replacement rooms -reluctantly- offered were dark, very small, musty, tiny windows...apparently only "suites" have balconies.



Desk staff were polite, but again unsmiling, slightly dismissive, annoyed? Sheesh, we didn't pay this much hard earned money for an unhappy, uninviting experience.



Had to pay extra $ but we got the heck out ASAP to a 4-star hotel further down the beach.



Immediate impression at the other hotel= well maintained, all staff smiling

Later impression was that all staff seemed generally quite happy to be working here and hotel was very well maintained. a much better vacation experience for sure than what the Paradise seemed to hold in store.



Will go back to DR, Won't go back to Paradise Resort which does not seem appropriately named!

Once we booked, we checked some reviews through the independent holiday review sites and were astonished to read review after review slating the general condition of the hotel , services and in particular the rooms.



These views were not reflected in the holiday reviews on the Thomson site we booked through. We were shocked but decided to make our own minds up once we got there.



This Hotel is in major disrepair; we notified our Rep on the first day but were told we only had the option to move rooms as a hotel move was not possible. We had expected the rooms to be basic but there were cracked tiles, mould on the walls, dirty lampshades, filthy windows, damp bedding, a TV which did not work and exposed wiring for appliances.



We complained and were upgraded to a larger room which displayed most of the aforementioned problems, within two days we had move twice again due to complete power failure in our block and then the next room had a broken air conditioning unit. The room we settled in was nice but for a hotel with only fifty percent occupancy I would have expected to be moved to this one first.



As mentioned the hotel is in major disrepair, the gable end of our block has most of the rendering missing or cracked and many exterior walls have large damp patches. The air conditioning units, bathroom suites and general decor are so dated now the whole feel is of a place time forgot.



The pool has a one meter ledge around it which is a slippy surface, many people including myself suffered from falls which could have been avoided if it was a non slip surface. The free towel service was a waste of time, every towel I received was either heavily stained or had holes; I complained to the service desk but was told this is standard service.



To summarise, I have stayed in many hotels around the world and regard Thomsons and World of Tui as a quality brand and feel in this occasion I have been let down, I believe the description online to be mis-leading and feel this hotel should not be part of their programme.



The services offered and facilities may be of a three star level but with everything in dis-repair and of a shoddy standard I am surprised Thomson are willing to send people there.

Despite falling on bad weather for 4/5 days this hotel is excellent. There is no better in the area for location sat on the gorgeous beach. The staff are very friendly and the food has a different theme every night with top class service in the dining area. We were sick of hearing people complaining about the food when in actual fact the choice and availability was excellent, our thoughts on the complainers were what the heck do they want ???? Our air con did leak after a couple of days and it took a few days before they fixed it but hey they are laid back over there not like us. Our only complaint if any was that there could be a bit more choice drink wise.



If you want a really really chilled out beach holiday then this is the place for you we loved it. The rooms are in the process of being re-decorated which some probably are due but ours was fine for how long you are in it each day.

Myself and 7 friends stayed at this hotel in June.



Overall I had a fantastic holiday and loved staying here. Yes it is in need of a renovation but it’s not that bad as everyone says it is. It is the only hotel that is on the beach front and the views are beautiful.



I would recommend this hotel to people who aren’t too fussy like me but appreciate the atmosphere of the hotel. I will stay here again when I go back.

I have just returned from 2 wks in the Paradise Hotel and I have to say that we had a great time!



The rooms are basic but they are definitely clean and as for the amount of time we spent in our room during the holiday it more than met our needs. The food was generally fine. There was a different theme every night and so it really depended on personal taste on how you found it each night. There is also burgers, chips etc being severed from noon until about 4 and again from 12 until 1 am so nobody will ever go hungry!



The staff were brilliant and seem to really make a point of getting to know all of the guests on a first name basis during their stay which I felt added a lot to the entire holiday experience.



The weather was also fantastic and we met lots of really nice people so had lots of fun. The Paradise Hotel is not a 5 star resort so if that is what you are looking for try somewhere else, but we had a fantastic time and I'm of the opinion that wherever you go there are always people who like to find something to complain about.



We had a great holiday.

The worst rooms we have ever stayed in. We changed rooms 3 times, each time we were told we were in a superior room (don’t think so), there was even mould on the bed base.



Each one was shabby, furniture was really old and in a bad state. The paintwork was years old, but the worse thing was the damp and musty smell.



Since we returned home we have had to wash everything, even though we did not wear half of the clothes we took, the musty damp smell was in all our clothes and suit cases.



Our bathroom had louvered slats, which were fixed at open. We ended up having to stuff all the slats with toilet paper to stop the insects etc from flying / crawling in.



Would never stay here again, cost us over £1800 for 1 week, and it rained everyday.



We drank mostly cocktails as the spirits did not taste anything like they should.



Food was not too bad, and the staff in the restaurant were very nice, as were the bar staff too.



Furniture at the bars was all white cheap plastic tables and chairs.



Would say this was NOT a 4 star by any stretch of the imagination. Would rate as a 2 star for rooms, and maybe a 3 star for the rest.

This was our 2nd time to this hotel and yes it is dated but is being updated. We had an excellent room right on the quiet beach.



Food and drinks were excellent and no one got ill except for an ear infection.



This hotel is cheap and cheerful and the staff will try their very hardest to make your holiday the best ever.



In response to a comment about the ice, is not made from tap water it is brought in in bags the same as all other hotels.



The pool is cleaned every day between 6am and 7am. We were in a party of 5 and met with other groups of 6 and 4 and no one was sick except for loose stomachs but nothing needing more than a couple of stoppers.



I always become like this and have stayed in 5star hotels in Dom Rep and was the same. I think its down to the rich food and lots of veg and fruit that I don't eat at home as well as all the fluids!



If you are looking for a cheap holiday in a gorgeous country be sure to check this hotel out.

One word AMAZING!!! I've have just returned from my trip and me and my friends have had the time of our lives and are completely depressed to be back home!!



The hotel was perfect and our rooms were out of this world with top class air conditioning and spacious rooms with great views. The maid came every day with fresh towels and flowers and cleaned the rooms superbly!



The major thing that made our holiday was the entertainment staff- they were FANTASTIC!! Every night there was a better show each one as good as the other, and after the shows finished the staff would all join us at the bar, at the end of the holiday we became great friends with them all and I will miss them!! A couple even took us to their home towns which was a real eye opener! All the entertainment staff were GORGEOUS and could not do enough to please you.



The entertainment throughout the day was also first class, with crazy games taking place such as cocktail making comps, boat races in the pool, darts, iron man comps, football games (both on the field and in the pool) water volley pool and many more including daily water aerobics!



You were free to come and go from the complex as you pleased and we frequently visited a Dominican night club about 10 minutes away, every one was friendly and it is not as you would expect at all!!

The music varied between English and Spanish and we enjoyed the up beat Spanish music so much that we all bought a CD from the complex to remind us of our fantastic holiday!!



I can not understand how people would find fault with this complex with its good food, cleanliness, friendly staff and great facilities!!



I have had the time of my life and I and my friends are already saving up to go back again, hopefully before the year is out!!

Well when we turned up me and my friend weren't too impressed, it was raining and the show wasn’t good so we went straight to bed.



The next day and the rest of the holiday was excellent, the shows were really good and funny, the food was nice as well and the clubs were good, we went to crazy moon once but didn’t enjoy it because it played Spanish music all night, so we ended up going to Hemingway’s, mango and roadway.



The staff were really nice and friendly and always going far to please you. Our room was fine, it had one double bed which was fine because there was only 2 of us and the bathroom was nice as well there’s no complaints there. This was the best holiday I had in a long time and I would highly recommend you to go.

I hate to start this review but I guess we need the bad as well as the good. The holiday was overall a complete shambles.



Rained and stormed every evening and became quite scary at times, but to be expected in this season I was told.



We had one lovely day weather wise when it was very hot, over 100 degrees, but this was spoilt by constant building work around the pool. And the beach was much worse with all the debris from the sea that had been washed up, not like the pictures in the brochures I can assure you.



Couldn’t really leave the complex as there were armed guards at the main gate to do with the problems with Haiti or something so we could only go out on guided tours...which I might add were very expensive.



We swam with the dolphins which is a total must but everything else a big let down. We were intimidated to go into the casino where I would say we were conned out of a fair amount of money, yes our fault but they told us we were spending one amount when in fact it was much, much higher. Left us really hurt and full of upset, but sure not to let it ruin the holiday, we plodded on but nothing seemed to get any better.



entertainment started at half 10 every night and in the humidity, you were tired by this point and wanting to go to bed. Our room had serious leaks in every time it rained we asked to be moved 3 times, and on the final time they finally moved us for a fee. Not small.



Our parents joined us the second week as we were supposed to be getting married there, but didn’t in the end and put it off for a year, but still wanted to take the paid for holiday. Anyway my mother in law had visited next door before, the Gran Vantana and said it was fabulous. She was sorely disgusted and disappointed in our choice.



Oh yes, and the second day I had serious food poisoning for 3 days. Another raw steak in the al a carte. Don’t go, just don’t do it people!!!!!

Absolutely Fantastic!!! After all the bad reports we had read before we arrived we didn’t know what to expect.



Our room was really clean and really big it had two double beds and there was only the two of us.



The food was delicious there was lots of variety. The main restaurant had different themes most nights i.e. English, Mexican, French etc this was along with the normal buffet food on offer. Both a la carte restaurants were lovely and made a change from self service.



The beach was amazing and was joint on to two of the hotels restaurants.



We had no faults what so ever with this hotel and neither did anyone we had spoken to on our stay. We would definitely recommend it!!

The bad reports are obviously from people who are never satisfied, and would find faults with 5*plus accommodation!!!

When we initially walked into our room at the Paradise Beach Resort we were so disappointed. The room was small and damp smelling with mould in the wardrobe and paint peeling off the wall. It had one tiny window that couldn't be opened and looked straight into a hedge. The toilet didn't work and when we attempted to turn on the air conditioning the unit fell off in our hands. We decided there and then that we did not want to spend our two weeks holiday in that room as it was just depressing. So.. we went to reception and they were extremely helpful. While we did have to pay extra they were able to upgrade our room and from there on out there is very little we could fault with the hotel.



The new room was fresh and airy and the maid service was without fault. The little extra touches like flowers in the bathroom or your towels folded in the shape of a swan all added to this magical holiday!



We were on a fully inclusive package and the food was delicious. There was a variety of dishes available at each meal-time and snacks available at other times of the day. We drank our fill of all the local beverages at the bars too! You have a pass to dine in the a la carte restaurants (of which there are 2) once a week but we didn't actually eat in either of them at all as the buffet was so varied each day we didn't feel the need to. Also, in the a la carte restaurants you couldn't wear shorts or flip-flops and in that heat you just do not feel like getting dressed up.



The Dominican Republic itself is an amazing country and the only advice I would give to people is not to waste your time there sitting by the pool or on the beach - explore it and see the real country, you'll still get a great tan!!!!



I would have no problem recommending this hotel to anyone but I would say to them to pay the little bit extra and get yourself a suite or an upgraded room!! One thing that we did feel was missing, even after the upgrade, was a fridge. There was nowhere to keep bottled water cool and we had only bought it and it would be warm!! But overall, a magical and most memorable holiday!

I have just returned from the Paradise Beach Club & Casino in Playa Dorado after a week’s holiday. It is the 3rd time this year that we have been there on our hols.


I must say that this is a great hotel and good value for money. Yes the rooms could do with a lick of paint, but hey who in their right minds goes all that way to stay in the room all to the time. As the old motto goes “you get what you pay for”!!!!


The food has improved each time we have been, lots of choice for everybody. They have even introduced a kids corner in the main buffet restaurant.


I can’t really comment on the entertainment as we spent all our evenings in the casino. The staff in there are really friendly. As long as you are playing, you receive free drinks in there as well.


Anybody thinking of going to Paradise Beach, don’t waste space in your luggage by bringing beach towels. The hotel provides a towel service FOC.


The staff throughout the complex is really friendly. Nothing is too much trouble all very helpful.


Would highly recommend this for a cheap getaway A+++