My husband and I booked this particular resort as it was within our budget and the review for it made it sound so appealing, we wanted to bok somewhere paradylic for our honeymoon.

ARRIVAL
From the outside, the hotel does look more than a 3 star. Massive lobby and wide reception desk, the whole area was clean and tidy. As we arrived late afternoon, we were also offered a complimentary fruit punch as we checked in. Because we were on honeymoon, we were told when we reached the resort to request an upgrade, as aparently they do this. So we did, but were told that we didn't need an upgrade as our room was "beautifully located".
We ere then taken by buggy to the room. We did begin to wonder how enormous this resort was. We reached our room. Bottom floor of Building 21. Got into the room I was absolutely gutted to learn we didn't have a balcony.

THE ROOM
It was enormous, with two huge king size beds, but I had a real issue with not having a balcony. We had our 3 year old with us, so knew when it came to bed time we'd be restricted to staying in the room and not having any time to ourselves. Also, there wasn'tanywhere to hang dry our towels. It also smelt and felt very damp. There wasn't any ceiling lights, only a "hallway" light, a vanity table light and bedside lamp. It was a real pain getting ready in the evening, as we had to close our curtains for privacy and the room was very dark. The beds were comfortable, but we weren't happy with it. The Air-con was very loud and we had an infestation of ants and I was bitten all over my legs every night, even through we made a concious effort to shake the bedding.
The Management said they would only upgrade us for $60 per night for all of us to have a balcony, yet a lady we met there had a double room and had a balcony, and after reading reviews on here, twin rooms DO have balconies. They just didn't care, so we didn't ask them for anything again.

THE FOOD
The only really edible item was the eggs, whether scrambled, fried or omelettes. But you can't be eating eggs everyday for two weeks. They did have a large selection of foods, always had cereal in the morning, though that tended to be limited to two different kinds, and they had watermelon, pineapple, mango and almost black bananas. Lunch and dinner there was salads and pasta if, like me you couldn't stomach the concoction of whatever they did to their chicken, beef and pork. I DID try all the dishes, which is why I can complain about them. We tried all the restaurants, and were very good, and the service was good and we wouldn'e eaten at the Beach Restaurant every night given the chance, the meals there were delicious. the only place you could get a baked potato! the red wine was nice, and the bar staff were VERY generous with the spirit portions, especially the rum. That's one good thing about the resort - they offer almost every kind of drink to tickle your fancy. If you prefer a gin and tonic over a rum and coke or a cocktail, they privide these.
I did get a little annoyed with the buffet themes as they had caribbean, french, but not once did they have english theme. The rolls, pastries, puddings were always very dry and unedible. And it's a good job they had tinned mushrooms as they're my favourite veg, and I'd have been very cross if they didn't supply them.
I did feel a little bad, because the chefs obviously worked VERY hard on producing tray after tray of meals, and tried to cater different things to suit the tourists without them getting bored, but sadly, I just didn't rate their concoctions. The pizza on the beach was lush, there was always a queue for it, but I was very disappointed with the chips. Nice chips, but went cold very quickly.

THE RESORT
Being a busy hotel, you hardly saw anyone, and there was plenty of availability of loungers round the pool and likewise on the beach. It was burning hot round the pool, and the pool was lovely and refreshing, nice and big with a cute island in the middle of it, and was nice so you didn't get bored of a square one. It's just s hame there wasn't any parasols with the loungers, because my husband's skin can't take the heat like mine, so I didn't have a huge opportunity to lounge round the pool because there was no shade.
the beach was lovely. Very open and spacious and plenty of palm trees for shade for my husband, but sun pockets for me to enjoy the sun while he protected himself. It was unfortunate over the Easter weekend the sea was so unpredictable, as no one was allowed in the sea, which did really annoy me. It was quite rough and choppy so it wasn't crystal clear like I hoped it would be. Everything was spaced out nicely, and we took advantage of the mini-golf, complimentary towels and kids club play area, although I never saw the Kids Club open??

STAFF
Reception staff were fine, polite. Bar staff were fine, too, as were the waiting staff in the restaurants and buffet restaurant. The Entertainment staff were really good. They worked hard and were very polite to the tourists. The biggest headache was definately the beach sellers and the VIP workers. They would not leave you alone. Both my husband and I snapped at the VIP staff, as they hounded us for the two weeks we were there. They would not take no for an answer and would follow you everywhere you walked - until we had to swear at them to leave us alone. And I don't know what the Information Pack we were given meant when it said if you tip the Chaimbermaid's, they do a better job cleaning your room - we tiped them and they didn't do anything extra at all.

SHOPPING
Hotel shops were redicuously expensive. we were even quite disappointment how expensive the Plaza was. We were advised to take dollars as it's widely accepted, but everything is priced in peso, so you don't get the proper exchange rate, so they make extra money from you. Thats a warning - take peso, and only take dollars for booking excursions. the Orange Flea market was interesting, and annoying. Cheapy, cheap and looky look - they all sold the same things, some vendors were OK, some were rude and aggressive. Not fantastic value for money at all.

EXCURSIONS
If you can afford it, try everything that is on offer, we wish we'd taken about $500 more because we missed oout on two excursions we wanted to do because of the prices of them all. A rough guide to take for a couple of decent excursions plus spending money is $1,100. But only book them via your Rep. It may be cheaper in the Plaza, but you're not guarenteed the same insurances your hotel provides.

WEATHER
Lovely. Boiling hot, but nice and cool in the evenings. It was cool to experience a tropical down pour, and the area gets flooded very quickly!

also, try the traditional coffee in La Casita, it's stunning.

I just arrived back from spending a week at this wonderful resort. We stayed in building #19, right close to the beach. Our room was amazing!! A two storey one bedroom apt, with a large balcony, dining area, living room with pull out couch, stairs leading upstairs to the bedroom with two double beds, washroom, tv, walk in closet, and washroom. The rooms were kept very clean and updated. (no remote, but how lazy can one be?! Get up off the bed already!!) lol
Maid service was there daily, and if u were still in your room they would leave all the needed towels and extra toilet paper.
Food was ok. Kind of bland, but always a lot of variety at the buffet. There are 4 a la carte restaurants to go to during your stay. All were decent. (Beach grill is my fave - get the ribs!!) I am a VERY picky eater and DID NOT GET SICK!!! There is no food poisoning!!! Beach is beautiful!
There were activities daily such as dancing lessons, beach volleyball, and contests. You can pay extra for water activities like snorkeling, banana boat rides,etc. Nightly entertainment each evening, some nights beach party, Bingo, and shows put on each evening at 9:30pm involving members of the audience.
Front desk staff, wait staff, bar staff and entertainment staff were all very friendly and accomodating. I found most spoke English, some better than others. The entertainment staff was the BEST!!!
Make sure to arrange some day trips, the Outback Safari was soo much fun! (Julian is the greatest!)
There was supposed to be a disco open on the resort, it was not. However, a five minute walk down the street is Coco Bongo, Hemmingways and Roadway. Coco Bongo was by far the best "disco"!! These are all safe areas to go, as they are still within the resort property.
BEWARE - FLEA MARKET!! These vendors at the orange flea market at the very end of the beach will try to rip you off. Bring them down to half the price they first ask for. Prices at the local plaza (also a 5 min walk) are reasonable, u can talk them down a bit too. They won't try and rip you off like the flea market though.
I was hoping to make this a short review, however I wanted you all to know THIS RESORT WAS FABULOUS!!! NO SICKNESS, NO COMPLAINTS, BEAUUUUTIFUL ROOM, (not all rooms are the same mind you) FRIENDLY PEOPLE!!! Do not forget your bug spray for night time, or your thermal coffee mug to keep drinks flowing and cold!!
Enjoy your time here, and please do not hesitate to ask any questions via email.

We just returned (April 2, 08) from our 2 week family holiday and can hardly wait to go back.

We read all the reviews prior to booking which most reviews sounded very good, but once we booked we read more, and most were "beware". I can tell you I was scared prior to arriving, but there was nothing to be afraid of it was great.

ROOM - I was pleasantly surprised. We were located on the 3rd floor of Building 20. Our room was very large, had 2 queen beds, fridge and a large balcony. We had great cleaning staff, and we looked forward to seeing what kind of things were made with our bathroom towels (my favorite was the swan). Airconditioner was a bit loud but we got use to it. We had hot showers and high pressure but again it depended on the time of day. During our first week the resort was full (Good Friday and Easter vacation time) and if you didn't have your shower before 5:30 the water was cooler and the pressure was very low. Our second week - we always had hot water and high pressure.

MEALS - Food was plentiful - a bit bland - but something for everyone. My daughter is a very picky eater, but there was something even for her. Breakfast - we ate all our breakfasts at the buffet - I looked forward to my morning omelet, and enjoyed trying out the special banana or fried pineapples. Lunch - we ate most of our meals at the beach - which has great pizza and the burger and fries were great. We also did go up and had a few lunch buffets - which you even can make a grilled sandwich. Dinner - We tried each of the 4 al la carte restaurants and some even twice. I am not sure which one was my favorite, but enjoyed each one just a much.

SWIMMING - The first few days we could not swim in the ocean as the waves were to unpredictable. Once these days passed - the ocean was so warm , and it was fun to play in the waves. The beach was awesome - and the lounges were comfortable. The ever blowing wind kept you cool. We did play at the pool a few time which was clean and enjoyable. My husband and daughter joined in on the water volleyball.

EXCURSIONS - we took two different excursions - we went to the plaza and booked there. You can negotiate if you have more than 3 people. It is almost $20.00 per person cheaper than at the hotel.

MONEY CONVERSION - better at the plaza - we used the exchange directly beside the Maryisol Excursions.

MISC. - Bring large thermal cups - they are great for the beach - and before you leave you can use them as a bargaining tool with one of the beach vendors for something you want.

Enjoy your time and Have a wonderful vacation.

Brenda/Robert/Sydney

We have just returned from a week at the Celuisma in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. This is not the first time I have been there, and each time the experience is better. The food was wonderful, always warm and well prepared. The staff were friendly and accommodating and the room was perfect. We took out 19-year-old daughter with us and she loved it and has already started saving for next year.

I have read a lot of negative reviews about this resort and would like to say that it should be rated a lot higher than 3-1/2 star. I have read that people have suffered food poisoning. We spoke to a number of different tour guides there and NO ONE has heard anything about food poisoning. Perhaps these people contacted a flu bug on the plane on their way down and are calling it food poisoning. I had food poisoning at one time and it does not last a week or two weeks. Once you have been sick as a dog for about three days and your system is CLEANED OUT, it is over. So they did not have food poisoning. Perhaps they were not cautious about what they were eating. You obviously do not eat anything that has been sitting out in the sun most of the day and not expect to be ill.

When you travel south, you are there for the sun, surf and good time. If you have a clean room and come across a few ants, so what! You can have ants in your own home. It is only natural that you will find water stains, you are alongside the ocean and they do have some pretty wild storms. Unless the mold is creeping up the walls, you are not going to become ill.

No hot water!!!! We certainly did not have that problem in our room. My sisters were in an adjoining building and did not have hot water when we arrived. They informed the front desk and it was fixed right away.

Instead of complaining about picky little things, why not tell people what a beautiful spot it is, how clean the grounds are, how clean the pool is, how wonderful the drinks were, and how friendly the people were.