A sprawling 385-room all-inclusive, Puerto Plata Village Resort is located in the Playa Dorada Complex about 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Plata. Though it’s not directly on the beach, the budget hotel does provide private beach access for guests. The on-site pool is huge and has a swim-up bar, but like most of the hotel, it’s seriously dated and in need of a major facelift. Rooms are small and tacky, with threadbare bedding and electric-blue accents, and all of the rooms’ windows are opaque -- not that there’s much of a view from any of them. Bathrooms are all-white affairs, which is helpful for spotting crawling ants and other critters that find their way into the rooms. The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort is a better option in this price range.
A sprawling 385-room all-inclusive, Puerto Plata Village Resort is located in the Playa Dorada Complex about 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Plata. Though it’s not directly on the beach, the budget hotel does provide private beach access for guests. The on-site pool is huge and has a swim-up bar, but like most of the hotel, it’s seriously dated and in need of a major facelift. Rooms are small and tacky, with threadbare bedding and electric-blue accents, and all of the rooms’ windows are opaque -- not that there’s much of a view from any of them. Bathrooms are all-white affairs, which is helpful for spotting crawling ants and other critters that find their way into the rooms. The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort is a better option in this price range.
Located in the safe mini-tourist city of Playa Dorada, this family-friendly upper-middle-range resort has an above-average buffet, 425 clean rooms that are among the most modern you'll find for this category, and one of the best beaches on the north coast. It’s a great value, if you ignore the cheap booze and a pool that's less awe-inspiring than others. The atmosphere tends to be quieter than at many other mega-resorts; partiers may prefer the Iberostar Costa Dorada, though its rooms are more dated.
Located in the safe mini-tourist city of Playa Dorada, this family-friendly upper-middle-range resort has an above-average buffet, 425 clean rooms that are among the most modern you'll find for this category, and one of the best beaches on the north coast. It’s a great value, if you ignore the cheap booze and a pool that's less awe-inspiring than others. The atmosphere tends to be quieter than at many other mega-resorts; partiers may prefer the Iberostar Costa Dorada, though its rooms are more dated.
Playa Dorada Beach House is an all-inclusive, two-and-a-half-pearl property located on Playa Dorada beach. The resort’s 411 guest rooms have dated decor and simple furniture. This trend continues throughout the property, where everything from the fitness center to the pool area could use a refresh. Dining options include a buffet and four a la carte restaurants, but the food -- particularly at the buffet -- is subpar. While the beach is great, many neighboring properties provide access to the same stretch of sand, including Be Live Collection Marien, where rates often aren’t much higher, but the experience is significantly better.
Playa Dorada Beach House is an all-inclusive, two-and-a-half-pearl property located on Playa Dorada beach. The resort’s 411 guest rooms have dated decor and simple furniture. This trend continues throughout the property, where everything from the fitness center to the pool area could use a refresh. Dining options include a buffet and four a la carte restaurants, but the food -- particularly at the buffet -- is subpar. While the beach is great, many neighboring properties provide access to the same stretch of sand, including Be Live Collection Marien, where rates often aren’t much higher, but the experience is significantly better.
The 516-room Iberostar Costa Dorada all-inclusive resort is a solid upper-middle-range property located right on a long, sandy beach that’s just a short drive from the center of Puerto Plata. Rooms are simple but well-maintained, featuring balconies, minibars, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning. Ringed with loungers, the pools are large and lively, while the spa offers a serene atmosphere and lots of great treatments. The entertainment program is packed with activities for all ages, including games and competitions for children 4 to 17 years old. Buffet and a la carte restaurants receive good reviews from past guests, but some complain that the buffet can lack variety. Couples wanting a child-free vacation may want to consider the adults-only and all-inclusive BlueBay Villas Doradas resort.
The 516-room Iberostar Costa Dorada all-inclusive resort is a solid upper-middle-range property located right on a long, sandy beach that’s just a short drive from the center of Puerto Plata. Rooms are simple but well-maintained, featuring balconies, minibars, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning. Ringed with loungers, the pools are large and lively, while the spa offers a serene atmosphere and lots of great treatments. The entertainment program is packed with activities for all ages, including games and competitions for children 4 to 17 years old. Buffet and a la carte restaurants receive good reviews from past guests, but some complain that the buffet can lack variety. Couples wanting a child-free vacation may want to consider the adults-only and all-inclusive BlueBay Villas Doradas resort.
Be Live Collection Marien is an all-inclusive, three-and-a-half-pearl property located on the outskirts of the gated Playa Dorada tourist complex. The resort’s 584 guest rooms are generic and a bit dated but welcoming -- the newer Superior Deluxe Rooms are significantly more polished -- with all including coffeemakers and minibars. Be Live’s all-inclusive rates cover a standard lineup of features, including a few decent dining options, a massive pool, and ample entertainment -- plus guests have direct access to Playa Dorada beach. With modern facilities and an easy-going vibe, the resort offers good value for Puerto Plata; although extra fees for things like Wi-Fi and personal safes can add up somewhat. Travelers looking for a more upscale stay on the beach can check out Casa Colonial Beach and Spa.
Be Live Collection Marien is an all-inclusive, three-and-a-half-pearl property located on the outskirts of the gated Playa Dorada tourist complex. The resort’s 584 guest rooms are generic and a bit dated but welcoming -- the newer Superior Deluxe Rooms are significantly more polished -- with all including coffeemakers and minibars. Be Live’s all-inclusive rates cover a standard lineup of features, including a few decent dining options, a massive pool, and ample entertainment -- plus guests have direct access to Playa Dorada beach. With modern facilities and an easy-going vibe, the resort offers good value for Puerto Plata; although extra fees for things like Wi-Fi and personal safes can add up somewhat. Travelers looking for a more upscale stay on the beach can check out Casa Colonial Beach and Spa.
Sunscape Puerto Plata Dominican Republic is an all-inclusive, three-and-a-half-pearl property located on scenic Playa Dorada beach. The resort’s 585 guest rooms are well-kept and sunny, featuring flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, and large bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers, but none have ocean views. Sunscape is a solid choice for fans of all-inclusive resorts, offering a nice balance of amenities geared toward families, groups, and couples, as well as an array of decent dining options; although the fee for in-room Wi-Fi will be a turn-off for some. Travelers looking for an adult-only resort in the area can consider BlueBay Villas Doradas.
Sunscape Puerto Plata Dominican Republic is an all-inclusive, three-and-a-half-pearl property located on scenic Playa Dorada beach. The resort’s 585 guest rooms are well-kept and sunny, featuring flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, and large bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers, but none have ocean views. Sunscape is a solid choice for fans of all-inclusive resorts, offering a nice balance of amenities geared toward families, groups, and couples, as well as an array of decent dining options; although the fee for in-room Wi-Fi will be a turn-off for some. Travelers looking for an adult-only resort in the area can consider BlueBay Villas Doradas.
Part of the sprawling Lifestyle Holidays complex, the Cofresi Palm Beach is a lovely, upper-middle-range property with a gorgeous white-sand beach, five pools, a tranquil spa, and a long list of on-site activities that appeal to both families and couples. Updated rooms feature sleek decor and spacious marble bathrooms; yet-to-be-updated rooms are bland, and show some wear and tear. Nonetheless, this hotel is a great option for those seeking a laid-back beach getaway.
Part of the sprawling Lifestyle Holidays complex, the Cofresi Palm Beach is a lovely, upper-middle-range property with a gorgeous white-sand beach, five pools, a tranquil spa, and a long list of on-site activities that appeal to both families and couples. Updated rooms feature sleek decor and spacious marble bathrooms; yet-to-be-updated rooms are bland, and show some wear and tear. Nonetheless, this hotel is a great option for those seeking a laid-back beach getaway.
