Sosua Bay Hotel

We had booked our holiday in January '08 but didn't actually read the reviews until a week before we were due to go. They were dreadful and I just wanted to cancel the holiday, but we didn't and off we set.
We arrived early Friday evening just about the same time as hurricane Ike was hitting Cuba!
Our room was OK, certainly not the worst we had stayed in, we could have done with a few more coat hangers and a small table on the balcony.
The food in the Bahia restaurant was quite good and as I consider myself to be quite a 'snobby' eater, I was pleasantly surprised. The sushi restaurant was the one to be avoided as I don't really think they had quite grasped the idea of sushi! Both the Italian and Mexican restaurants were excellent.
The staff in the hotel were some of the friendliest people that I had ever come across and were always pleasant and chatty.
The pool areas were very nice but were sadly lacking in parasols and small tables to put your bags etc on, but they were cleaned daily. The lower sun deck area was our favourite as there was a nice breeze (some of the time) and a few parasols, but you had to get there quite early.
This would not be a hotel for anyone with walking difficulties as there are hundreds of steps!
One of the things which we didn't like at all were the VIP reps who pounced on you at every opportunity to sell you a timeshare, although they categorically denied that it was timeshare at all.
Another problem was if you went out of the hotel you were harrassed by the locals to 'come into my shop'. We have been toTurkey several times and I thought that they were bad but the Dominicans and Haitians really take the biscuit. We had only been to the supermarket 5 minutes away and within two seconds I had a braid in my hair, even though I had insisted I didn't want one.
The monster truck is a trip which should not be missed. We had a fantastic informative day out with 'Many', our guide and we had such a laugh.
One trip which we went on was the Samana adventure and El Limon waterfalls. Although it was a wonderful time when we actually got there, there was no mention in the brochure of an 8--9 hour bus trip! Nor was there any mention that you would be spending about an hour and half on the back of a horse!
The only real problem with the hotel was the entertainment, or lack of it! There was supposed to be all sorts of events happening throughout the day but the only thing we ever saw was Meringe lessons. Although we were there for two weeks the entertainment team only put on four shows, which as there wasn't really anywhere to go at night was a bit poor.
All in all we had a good holiday, met some super people and don't believe any of the reports which really slate the hotel as it wasn't bad at all.
Chris and Carole
UK

We had a brilliant time at Sosua bay hotel. We found that it offered great value for money, had plenty of facilities and good entertainment.
Having never been on an all-inclusive holiday before we didn't know what to expect and we were constantly amazed that we we didn't have to pay extra for any service, be it snorkling, al-a-carte restaurants, table football, bike rides etc etc.
We went in June and the hotel was fairly quiet apart from at weekends when locals would come and stay. there was a good mix of british, german and american tourists and everyone spoke good english.
The choice of food was vast and there was normally a chef that would cook your chosen meat infront of you.
The only down-side was that when we ventured outside the hotel we didn't feel completely safe, this was probably due to our inexperience abroad though, we were never pestered or forced into buying anything and locals would ask you nicely if you wanted to do what they had to offer.

I have tried to write a concise report but too many complaints to summarise so will list good and bad points.
Bad points first.
-Room, shabby, bathroom more budget motel than 4 star;
-Bars or in our case bar, rubbish - drinks, served in 200ml flimsy vending cups;
-Swimming pools not to good;
-Service - shabby, unless they knew you were a big tipper if you only leave tips after good service you will save a fortune.
-Maid service, below standard again unless you tipped every time you saw the maid. If you were not given good service, it got better after complaining but only for day or two .
A la carte restaurants.
-not opened enough ,and had little choice if all inclusive unless you ordered off more extensive a la carte menu which rather defeats point of all inclusive as you had to pay total amount not just a supplement.
Weekends were horrendous. The locals come to hotel for weekend place and was rammed. You couldn't get in the pool and had to watch your things as they were quite prepared to throw your stuff off your bed if they didn't have one. Could not get into restaurant.
Good points,
-Views setting and outlook ,absolutely brilliant,
-beach was superb ,sea clean and clear wasted on this place.
-food in buffet not bad
-a la carte very good.
-service in a la carte good.
Thompson's rep tried her best but think she was glad when we left. We met a lot of very nice people which is why we never asked to be moved. To summarise, not the best holiday by a long long way. We paid a lot of money as it was my wives 50th. Thought my expectations were too high but the majority of guests agreed with us.
If you have booked here best of luck maybe we caught them at a bad time

We were staying at the hotels sister hotel in Cabarette (The Azzoro) but because of a long list of problems paid to upgrade to the Sosua Bay. - We wished we hadn't. (Neither are great so it just wasn't worth the experience)
We both became ill - me with flu (passing out) and my husband with an upset stomach - whether this is related to the hotel I don't know.
The room was basic and the air con did not work - and was not fixed despite our requests - because we were only there 3 nights it wasn't worth the hassle to argue.
I found a caterpillar in my cauliflower at lunch one day - when we complained nothing was done - not even an apology.
Whilst some staff were friendly others were not. The location (in terms of the view) is superb but if you decide to stay here make it short & sweet. (And don't mind the flies or lack of sun loungers in the shade).

A great holiday hotel in a fantastic location.
The views of the bay are stunning and reality is just like the pictures in the brochure. The hotel itself is fine and the staff friendly and helpful. Bedrooms are fairly basic and probably not as comfortable as you would expect of a 4 star hotel in the UK but were clean and perfectly adequate. The food in the buffet is good but rather repetitive. Meals in the a la carte restaurants are superb. The all inclusive deal includes a wide range of drinks easily available all day in the hotel, by the pool and by the beach.
The hotel was very busy over Easter and sun loungers were more difficult to obtain but at other times the hotel was less busy and there was no problem obtaining loungers and other facilities at any time of day.
We had very few problems during our stay but those minor inconveniences we did have were resolved by the staff quickly and with a minimum of fuss.
Sosua Bay is very picturesque and the sea very gentle -this is not a surfing beach but is good for snorkeling etc. Guests can use the nearby Azzurro Club Hotel in Cabarete free of charge - Cabarete beach is larger with more surf.
All in all a great holiday - my three kids (aged 10, 12, 14) all agreed it was their best ever holiday.