Dominican Republic: Talanquera Beach Resort: an attractive hotel in a tropical setting. (Barcelo Talanquera Beach Resort)

Name: janna

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Product:	Barcelo Talanquera Beach Resort
Date:	03/03/01 (2209 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: sun, sandy beaches, wonderful scenery

Disadvantages: 9 hour flight from the UK

We visited the Dominican Republic in January 2000. We had booked a late availability holiday, which was allocated on arrival, but guaranteed to be a minimum 3 star All Inclusive Hotel and on the south coast. For around £430 each for a two-week holiday, we thought this a good deal.

~setting~

The Caribbean Sea borders the island's south coast and the Atlantic Ocean in the north. Juan Dolio, in the south, is a newer resort about one hour's drive from the airport at Santo Domingo.

This area offered palm-fringed white sandy beaches, edged by shallow turquoise waters and sheltered by a coral reef, plus all year round temperatures of around 25C.

In 1999 this part of the island was badly hit by a hurricane. We were told that a few weeks prior to our arrival, the beachside hotel annex had looked like a building site as this had been badly damaged and work was underway to restore it. The only evidence of the hurricane was a few palm trees that had been struck down by the force of the winds and not yet cleared away.

Unfortunately part of the coral reef was also dead, another casualty of the storm, but there were signs of it coming back to life as not all the coral was dead.

~the hotel~

The Talanquera is an attractive hotel complex divided in two by a coastal road. The main complex is situated on one side with a smaller annex on the other side next to the beach and offering wonderful sea views.

The main complex offers pleasant tropical gardens, which feature many freshwater ponds containing guppies, mollies, tilapia and some very large terrapins. If you are looking for a relaxing time, take a book and unwind in a quiet spot in the gardens.

There are four swimming pools featuring small wooden bridges and waterfalls surrounded by terraces for sunbathing.

~accommodation~

Rooms were basic but spacious and clean and with air-conditioning - bath, shower, and toilet, twin
beds, and television (which didn't work too well, but we don't go on holiday to watch the telly).

~eating and drinking~

Several years ago outbreaks of food poisoning used to occur regularly in the Dominican Republic. Most of the larger hotels nowadays have agreed to work with the CRISTAL programme ensuring that the highest standards of health and hygiene are maintained.

The main restaurant offered buffet meals. There was always plenty of food on offer and a great variety to suit all tastes. An Italian restaurant provided a la carte meals for which you needed to make a reservation.

On the beach was a bar/restaurant that provided snacks at lunchtimes and served seafood specialities in the evenings. We often used to sit here in the evenings, gazing out to sea watching the magnificent sunsets whilst sipping our pina coladas. (well, I sipped pina coladas, husband is more of a beer drinker).

~activities~

Watersports such as windsurfing, snorkelling and kayaks are offered from the area around the beach bar.

There was a small gym and fitness room, but we did not see anyone using it; although we did spot a few 'Mr. Body Beautiful's' strutting around.

There was a games room providing pool, table tennis and table football which seemed popular with the youngsters.

~entertainment~

The local people have a great love of music and dancing. 'Merengue' a local version of the Lambada, is especially popular and you are likely to hear it wherever you go! Which is certainly true of the entertainment group at the Talanquera.

Most of the entertainment is hotel based. There was entertainment every evening in the way of dancing, singing, mime, comedy and variety shows.

~in search of the Talanquera Country Club~

Local minibuses, on the hour, provide transport to the Country Club. As horseriding was available here, we decided to pay the Club
a visit. At nine o'clock one morning, we boarded the minibus, together with a young Dutch couple who also wanted to try the horseriding. "Talanquera Country Club please" my husband says to the driver, who shrugged his shoulders looking puzzled, but nevertheless drove off. About 15 minutes later our driver pulls into a magnificent area of green parkland, smart buildings and stops for us to alight. We are very impressed indeed, what a wonderful place the Talanquera Country Club is; they must have some very smart horses here.

The four of us walk into the Clubhouse, impressive interior with comfortable chairs, well stocked bar area, just the place to have a drink after our horseriding. The person behind the bar did not speak any English. We decide we can take a walk outside and find the stables ourselves.

And walk we did, we found the tennis courts, a swimming pool and the golf course, but no sign of horses and no one to ask. About an hour later we returned to the Clubhouse. This time, the manager was on duty and informed us that this was the Metro Country Club and there were no horses here!

We did arrive at the Talanquera Country Club much later that morning. And what a difference! A minibus took us along a very bumpy dirt track between a sugar cane plantation; a dilapidated sign greeted us, tin shacks and about ten very sorry looking horses.

But I certainly cannot complain about the riding. If you are a non-rider who would like to try this activity, you must try western riding. These were extremely well trained horses with western saddles and split reins. Hold the reins higher than you would normally and in one hand. The paces for western riding are walk, jog and lope; it is an extremely comfortable way of riding and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The horse went exactly where I asked him to go (not like mine at home, who has a mind of his own!). But please wear sensible shoes, not like the young woman whose s
andals kept falling off!!

~conclusion~

This island offers beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and coral reefs, lush countryside, golf, watersports, nightclubs and casinos, spectacular mountains and mangrove swamps. The people are friendly, cheerful and relaxed.

If you are reading this and considering the Dominican Republic as a possible holiday destination; go at the end of January or early February and take a day trip to the Samana area in the north of the island where you can witness the majestic sights of humpback whales rolling and diving as they come into the bay at that time of the year to mate.

A thoroughly enjoyable holiday that I would recommend.

~additional information~

This Hotel is available from the following tour operators:

Thomson
www.thomson-holidays.com
or telephone 0845 200 6795

Airtours
www.airtours.co.uk
or telephone 0800 028 4936

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