Lifestyle Tower Cofresi Beach #1, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | (888) 905-8267
Gorgeous white-sand beach has a VIP area with daybeds
Pristine, quiet pools
All Residence Suites have kitchenettes and dining tables
Residence and Presidential Suites boast balconies
Guests have access to the sister properties’ amenities, including numerous restaurants and a kids’ club
Tranquil spa with a pool and lovely cabanas (located at sister property)
Long list of on-site activities includes tennis, basketball, and water sports
No rowdy spring breakers (a con for some!)
Massive size makes it difficult to get around unless you rent a golf cart
Public beach area is busy with vendors
Not many dining options unless you visit the sister properties
Fee for Wi-Fi for those not on the all-inclusive plan
Part of the massive Lifestyle Holidays complex, this smaller, tranquil property attracts families and couples with its pristine pools and spacious suites. With the beach nearly a 20-minute walk from some rooms, and amenities spread throughout the sister properties, the sprawling nature of the upscale complex can be a pain, but it allows for tons of activities and a relaxed, uncrowded vacation.
Scene
A quiet, upper-middle-range resort in the Lifestyle Holidays complex
Made up of two clusters of suites (Presidential and Residence), the Vacation Club operates like two smaller properties within the Lifestyle Holidays complex. The farthest from the beach, they each have their own pool, restaurant, and bar, but most guests venture to the sister properties to use their facilities as well; this includes a vast variety of dining and activity options. Unfortunately, reaching them can be quite a trek; the hotel provides a shuttle, and golf carts are also available for rent.
Overall, the scene is incredibly tranquil -- even more so than at the other calm Lifestyle Holidays resorts, such as Cofresi Palm Beach and The Tropical. Most guests are families and couples who enjoy the resort’s laid-back vibe and spacious, homey suites.
Location
On the sprawling Lifestyle Holidays complex
The Vacation Club sits on the massive Lifestyle Holidays complex located in the sleepy town of Cofresi. Home to little else, Cofresi is the site of the popular Ocean World Adventure Park, which is right next door to the property. The shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife of Puerto Plata are about a 15-minute drive away, but most guests do not leave the property during their stays. The Puerto Plata Airport is about a 30-minute cab ride from the resort, and costs around $40 USD each way.
Rooms
Guests can choose between Residence Suites or recently renovated Presidential Suites.
While the entire complex boasts over 1,000 rooms, the Vacation Club is home to just two clusters of suites, each gathered around its own pool. Residence Suites are generally the larger options, and all come with kitchenettes. All Residence Suites have patios or balconies and flat-screen TVs, and decor is simple but appropriately beachy with white wicker furniture and earth-toned beds and sofas.
The Presidential Suites feature similar decor, but have been more recently updated. This shows most notably in the Presidential Suites that have kitchens (some do not); stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and dark wooden cabinets give them an upscale vibe. Decor varies but most Presidential Suites feature plenty of leather accents and up-to-date technology such as large flat-screen TVs.
Features
Access to the complex’s features is a great perk, but it can take a while to get around.
Situated on the massive Lifestyle Holidays complex, the Vacation Club is surrounded by numerous sister properties where Vacation Club guests can enjoy all the facilities. These include a lovely spa, tennis courts, a basketball court, a fitness center, a kids’ club, over a dozen pools, nearly 20 restaurants and 40 bars, and a nightclub.
Due to the size of the complex, it can take an extremely long time to reach these features. The hotel does provide a property shuttle, but it makes infrequent stops, so most guests rent golf carts if they don’t want to find themselves trekking up to 20 minutes in the midday sun.
The white-sand beach here is perhaps the standout feature. With a plethora of available water sports and a VIP section (complete with luxe, two-story daybeds), the beach is absolutely gorgeous; white sand meets turquoise waters for miles.
Most Vacation Club guests make use of the features at sister properties, but the Presidential Suites and the Residence Suites each surround a pool, both of which are decidedly tranquil since the Vacation Club is one of the smaller resorts on the complex. One a la carte restaurant, one buffet restaurant, and one bar, with occasional live music, sit alongside the Presidential Suites; Residence Suites boast a bar and an Italian restaurant.