The completely relaxing break! (Holiday Resorts in Dominican Republic in general)

Member Name: notionlogic

Product:	Holiday Resorts in Dominican Republic in general
Date:	21/10/01 (649 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: climate

Disadvantages: flying time

Now that the kids are getting that little bit older (18, 16 and 14) and since I was feeling a little flush earlier this year, it was decided to go for the BIG one - an all-inclusive Carribean holiday!! We reviewed the brochures and to my intial dismay, everyone chose the most expensive one - the Dominican Republic. Where's that I thought? what is there to see or do there? Still, I had decided that whatever they want is what they get, at least this year anyway - after that most of the kids will be too old to want to go anywhere with the "old" fogies! So we booked it with JMC and eventually paid up the full amount, eagerly looking forward to the departure date in August 2001

Now to get up to date...
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We returned from our holiday in early September after probably the best 2 weeks break I have had in a long time. What was it like I hear you cry? well, read on...

Our package flew out on a Monarch airlines jet from Gatwick and to be honest it was a bit of a squeeze. It just about remained on the bearable side as we were all excited to be finally on our way. I am more used to the scheduled flights with free drinks and halfway decent food but on our flight, as with most charter airlines, the people were a bit too close together and drinks were extra. The facilities were fine though and the movie helped pass the time. On arrival it was raining - cue complaints from the kids!

Our rep at the airport was efficient and we were soon herded onto our coach to go to the hotel. The trip was uneventful once you got used to the Dominican's style of driving - a sort of "I was there first" mentality! There are a number of good quality major roads being built and I can see that in a year or two it will be almost up to the US or UK standard. It is however a strange contrast to see major highways being built past what can only be described as third world shacks!

In fairly good time we
arrived at the ‘Costa Caribe’ hotel having driven through a couple of towns and some fairly dry and dusty fields of sugar cane. In contrast to the scenery encounter on our drive, the hotel had huge palm trees and lush grass plus an impressive entrance. After a minor cock-up at checking which was quickly sorted out, we got to our rooms. They were fairly big and had two double beds for added relaxation. The satellite TV proved to be useful when relaxing out of the sun and in the evening when unwinding before dinner. The bathroom was not so big and the bath/shower were in need of attention but other than that everything worked. And when I say it was an all-inclusive hotel, I mean 24 hours a day free drinks!!!

The standard buffet-style meals were very good with plenty to chose from and not just the more common stuff - the variety was amazing. Roast beef, pork, lamb, various sausages, plenty of vegetables and of course free drinks! Also included in our deal were two other restaurants to choose from - a Mexican and a Dominican - that you had to book in advance on the morning of the day you wanted to go there. Both were of a very high standard and worth the trouble of gettin up early to ensure a boooking .

The hotel provided many activities for free within the all-inclusive package. Mini golf, bikes, tennis, basketball, gym facilities, table tennis, wind surfing, kayaks, sailing and pool tables among many others. As is only to be expected, I never even got around to trying all of them although I did my best. I wanted to relax so that was what I did, no rushing around from one activity to the next!

Every evening, the 'Chocolate Friends' entertainment team put on a show - with a varying amount of success in my opinion. In general though it was very well done and provided many good laughs! Without wishing to knock them in any way, it was noticable that the males within this entertainment team were always very interested in the
female guest but I suppose that is only to be expected. I was probably more on edge given the ages of the kids and I never saw anything untoward going on so maybe I really am just an old fogie!

We went on 3 trips in all - Saona Island, Catalina Island and River Rafting - and all were very well organised and good value for money (but not cheap). The two island trips involved travel on either speedboats (bumpy, exciting but wet) or a catamaran (smooth, exciting but wet). The rum flows freely, the beachs you visit are true caribbean paradises and all the guides were knowledgable if overpoweringly proud of their country. The river rafting trip was billed as an exciting, thrilling adventure but in reality was simply a great day out. Paddling down a clear (and cold) mountain river with the occasional, mildly risky rapids to contend with.

All in all, a great destination with friendly people and a lovely climate. I would definitely recommend this to anyone thinking of going and, at some point in the distant future, I can see myself going back there too!

A couple of tips if you are thinking of going:

1. It's US style voltage and plugs
2. Take US dollars and travellers cheques. Everyone takes dollars there
3. Don't be confused by the fact that the Domincan Peso has the same symbol as the US Dollar. Just remember the exchange rate.
4. Take enough cash for the trips as well - it may be all inclusive but you really should get out and see the country too!
5. If it rains when you are there, get out in it, it's the most amazing feeling standing in a tropical downpour (maybe thats just me though)

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