Stayed at the Blue Bay 6.22.08 thru 6.29.08 and this was our first time there. We had a great time. The resort is very well kept and very clean. Pool (3 of them) were very clean. Our room was a standard room and was very adequate. Had a king size bed and yes the beds are very firm, nice shower with very good water pressure. The room was cleaned by 3:00 pm and there were times that we did not get enough towels and when we called the front desk and asked for more we had them within 10 min. They also came to the room between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm and picked up the dirty towels and left you clean ones. The refrig was always restocked with water pop and beer. The food is good in the buffet but like most all inclusive resorts by the end of the week it starts to look the same. We ate in the Sea Food restra. it was OK, the nice thing was it was air cond. and they serviced you. Lobster was $30.00 extra. The beach was great they rake it every night. Pleanty of beach chairs and pool chairs. We went to ocean world and it was great My wife swam with the dolfins and we did the sea lion encounter. Price for my wife for entrance, sea lion encounter and swim with the dolfins was $190.00 us. Also did the Puerta Plata City tour with cable car was $ 45.00 us included lunch. Over all it was as great time and great resort and we would go back again. No matter where you go you will find something negative but at this resort it was very minor. Give it a TRY!

I consider myself a seasoned traveler, last minute looking for last minute deals. My mom, sister and I spent a week at the Blue Bay this was my second trip to Puerto Plata my first stay at this resort.

Check- in
Went smooth, we were greeted a friendly welcome not to mention a cold wet towel and a cocktail. Our room was not ready, as it was 11:30 am. The resort information was reviewed and all-inclusive bands given for us to enjoy the resort while we waited.

Customer service
Customer service at this resort is great! They must go through some great training.
They really make you feel at home and work to make your stay pleasant.
Many people complain about the yellow shirt salesman, tell them you already have a vacation club if not interested.

Rooms
Our first room was in the 1100 as it was a nice room but smelled of smoke and we awoke to smoke smell the next morning, We ask to be moved and they moved us right away to building 5 top floor.
The rooms are basic with 2 beds, tile floors, stocked refrigerator- the first round is on the house stocking of the frig after is $10, good air conditioning with a ceiling fan. Safe available for uses $11 week.
I found the room lacking dressers for clothing, a few shelves in the closet my sister pretty much lived out of the suitcase as there was not enough places for clothing unless you hung everything hangers.

Restaurants
The main buffet had plenty of selections however; you won’t go hungry! I’m a salad person and I felt There was not a lot of selections for lettuce unless you wanted iceberg and watercress greens.
Beach -Snack hut
Hamburgers, hot dogs Chicken nuggets, toppings for burgers, french fries
Hamburger and hot dogs weren’t bad as the tasted like real hamburger unlike other resorts I have been to and wondered what I was eating.
It would have been nice to have some fresh salsa and tortilla chips offered at the snack hut

All the ala cart e restaurants were great! Our favorite was the Oriental we had sushi, springrolls, chop Suey and the fried ice cream was the best. We celebrated my birthday at the grill, I had the chateaubriand that was tender and very good, and they provided a birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday. Nice touch!

The seafood restaurant was also nice I had prawn and avocado salad and the shrimp and pasta in red sauce, my mother had the grouper, which was good.

Bars
All of the bars were great!
The pool bar could use a bartender a little more lively.
They would make anything they had ingredients for, they had a list of favorites located by the pool bar which was helpful when trying different drinks.

Entertainment & Activities
Organized daily and posted in the lobby for guests. It does make it fun if you get to know the animation team, as they are hilarious.
Super Tino, The Cat, Machelo, James Bond, Lorenzo, DJ Rock, Tony Montana, Anaconda, Mosquito

Beach
If you have been to other places in the Caribbean try not to compare to much!!!
Remember you are in the Atlantic not the Caribbean.
The beach is good but the sand is amber colored and coarse.
The water is beautiful as long as the sun was shinning, this resorts kind of sits in a bay.
There are beds with sheer canopies on the beach and around the poolside if you just want to take a nap on the beach.

Shopping
Nice mall complex within walking distance to purchase souvenirs
There were always locals selling their goods along the beach remember to bartere with them

Side trips
We took 2 tours
Jungle tour and waterfalls – ok if you want to see a village in the mountains, cocoa, coffee and how cigars are made we also stopped at the school and waded through a muddy river to get to the mountain and falls.
Caterman and snorkeling trip to Sousa Bay was wonderful the crew did a wonderful job.

I must say this resort exceeded my expectations for the price paid.

Just landed back after a 2 week holiday at bluebay with my husband....really good holiday overall and here is my overview....hope it helps????:

Check-In / Rooms - nice touch with cold drink and refreshing cloth on arrival and check-in was completed within 10/15 mins. We had booked a room with 2 beds but were given a ground floor double (near the tour/towel hut). Rooms very basic and not as glam as shown in brochure pictures - but they were clean. Towels provided twice daily (although a little worn), and water also replenished daily. HOWEVER....the room was like Noahs Ark for Cockroaches.....I expected one or two it being the Caribbean and all, but despite the room being treated on numerous occasions, we had several of the blighters on a daily basis. A bit sick of it to be honest after 2 weeks, but we seemed to be the only ones with any real problems, so think we were just unlucky with the room and its location

Food/Bar/Service - Service generally good, quick and very friendly.....we did notice it declined a little towards the end of our hol as the resort got busier...but still good overall. Bar service quick...sometimes given glasses, other times plastic cups...really random. Food in a la carte restaurants was good....go for the Chateaubriand in the grill though!! Buffet was good compared to similar resorts we have stayed in ...to be honest, they cater well for the numbers...there was always a choice of 2/3 meats, fish, veg, potatoes, rice, salad, soup, pasta etc...they even have a healthy option bar at the rear!

Staff - Made the holiday! Always smiling and helpful...we had a problem with air conditioning one night and that was fixed within 10 mins...really accommodating and eager to please. Really friendly service. BUT...although we never experienced it, we met several other couples who told us that the animacion team had approached them towards the end of their holiday and asked for a tip, or gave them 'sob stories'....which I think is really wrong...the couples were going to tip them generously anyway, but this really put them off doing so. The timeshare blokes tried to mither us 2/3 times, but they wern't pushy and after several 'No's', we were left alone

Shopping/Golf etc - Plaza a little poor and expensive to be honest...I would shop elsewhere (maybe the Flea market someone else suggested??). My hubby played gof twice...few tips....after 4pm it is way cheaper....regardless of whether you have a handicap certificate, you have to pay $15 for a caddy...who then expects a hefty tip also...Hubby said it was good but very very hot...so take plenty of water/drinks as they are not readily available on the course. Bank machines available at front of plaza.

Pools - All 3 pools are quite shallow...the main pool where the swim up bar and entertainment was, was filthy at times with insects and sun lotion slicks etc, and it was several days before we seen this being actioned....especially noticeable if you sit at the pool bar....however Juan will not let your drink empty at this bar so be warned....you may be sat there for some time!

Shows - Not bad for this type of accommodation ...but the Michael Jackson show, the Magician Show and the imitation show are very entertaining! Great Animacion team

My main gripe was the flight inbound with Thomas Cook Premier (yeh right)...which has nothing to do with the hotel....and the cockroaches...and the 'expectation' of a tip

Overall though, we had a fab time....ive mainly outlined our negatives just to give you a realistic expectation, but dont let it put you off in any way....


Hope this helps? Any probs.....please feel free to email me

Cheers and ENJOY!!

We had a wonderful holiday at this hotel. Arrived 11 May 08 for two weeks. The management and staff are exeptional. The accomodation and hotel in general are of a very high standard. The food in all the resteraunts was beautifully presented and tasted as good as it looked. (put on 7 pounds in weight to prove it).(Take some glam clothes for evening dinner as most people made an effort). The animation team have unbelivable energy and dedication and looked after Papa (Jim 71), myself and son James and daughter-in law Ant very well. There are all kinds of entertainers in the eveing on weekdays. Sunday is day off and Saturdays are beech party. The programme of the animation team has no offensive language or anything unsuitable for your Granny to listen to or see. I am a Granny and a Christian and I enjoyed the whole thing. Keep it up you crazy bunch. The grounds and facilites are very clean and the pool water is tested every day .We had a good holiday here in 2004 but the refurbishment that has taken place since then is unbelievable. We booked our trips through rep. Outback safari great, Thanks Ruddy and driver. (Not much shade on beach when boogy boarding so be prepared) Swam in river, ate all food provided had a great day. Free Style Catamarans great.(would advise second week as you realy need to be able to be in the sun for a while). Sea World swimming with Dolphins, never to be forgotten. May seem expensive but worth every penny for the time you are in with them and surprises I wont spoil for you.) Jim and Jimbo went golfing. Best to play after 4pm due to heat and slightly cheaper, called Twilight Golf. Insted of taking own they hired everything and all fine.We took USD and changed them for Pesos as this saves any problems with the exchange rate of dollars to pesos, as the change you will get will be in pesos. Had no problem using debit card at the Plaza cash point.
Weather had two overcast days and 1 rain. Had rain late and overnight sometimes but did not have any problems. Very hot at night outdoors. Could only wear one pair of shoes as feet swelled. Had some bites and Jungle formula tropical did not help. Will go back to Lavender spray that works fine for me.
Will definateley go back to this hotel again asap. We payed for executive lounge at airport for return journey as in 2004 there was no AirCon at airport, but there is now so we will know for next time.
Hi Jamie on reception. Hope you got the hat in the post. Thanks to all for a very memorable and happy holiday.
Pappa Jim, Mama, Jimbo and Ant