Occidental Allegro
Playa Grande
The prospect of spending some time on an un-spoilt beach
with the waves playing away their rhapsody as they rush to the shore is indeed
enticing. In fact, the Dominican Republic offers just that and more, however,
finding the perfect accommodation, one that does not tax the pockets too much,
is an integral part of a memorable vacation.
Occidental Allegro Playa Grande is a name that crops up
often when you look for cheap yet decent Puerto Plata all inclusives. While
many reviewers have been raving about their fantastic experience at the hotel,
there is certainly no dearth of negative feedback either. So, here is a look at
how the Allegro Playa Grande really measures up and if it truly compromises on
convenience in an attempt to provide a bargain or if it does indeed give you
the best of both worlds.
The location
If you are looking for your very own spot in the sun, the
Allegro Playa Grande will certainly deliver with its close proximity to the
beach. Add a small but picturesque mountain range to this image which lends the
perfect serene backdrop to the resort and it is easy to understand why the
facility has been a crowd pleaser.
While the resort is less than half a mile away from another
Occidental hotel, the Caribbean Village Playa Dorado, the
massive 324 unit facility with two distinct sections is built on a sprawling
piece of land which gives it an air of seclusion.
The amenities and the
general look
For its budget price, this all inclusive of Puerto Plata
sure does offer a lot; divided into an adults and a family sections, the rooms
open towards the two swimming pools, the beach and the greens which are not
part of the facility.
In-room amenities include a coffee maker, television with
cable although most programs are in Spanish, telephone, Jacuzzi, iron, hair
dryer, mini bar, balcony , etc. The
general facilities offered by the hotel include a safety deposit box, doctor on
call, internet service, access to computer and printer, live entertainment, gift
shop, spa, Laundromat, currency exchange, travel desk, car rental desk and
more.
What works for the
Occidental allegro Playa Grande?
The rooms are spartanly furnished but comfortable enough to
make your stay enjoyable; of course, you would get more from one of the 3 star
resorts in the area.
The beach is just a five minutes’ walk from the resort and
the path to it meanders through willowy pines and verdant bushes, so the way is
as beautiful as the destination itself.
There is ample of room on the sands and you can have a frolicking time
with a game of volleyball or just working on that perfect tropical, sun kissed
look.
The resort very graciously provides kids entertainment which
works out well for parents who want some time to themselves. Also, the overall
environment is very family friendly.There are two pools in the hotel and with ample of chairs
and lounges, you can find the perfect spot to have some fun.
What does not work in favor of this resort?
While a simply done
up room would not be a problem for most when on a beach vacation as people
hardly like to come back to the hotel before nightfall, there can be
significant disparity in the overall look of the suite from one area of the
hotel to the other. In fact, some guests have had to ask for several room
changes just to find decent accommodation.
Although the live entertainment seldom goes beyond 12am and
the best they do is a Karaoke session, if your balcony faces the pool, the
music and the ruckus can be quite disturbing.
The beach is good but the waters are inevitably too rough to
swim or even indulge in a bit of water sports. Also, it is not unusual to find
several hawkers on the beach trying to make a quick buck from foreign tourists;
however, most of them are thoughtful enough to move away when you utter a
polite “gracias, no”.
The staff does pay attention to customer satisfaction but is
distinctly friendlier when you are generous with the tips.
The biggest complaint with this Puerto Plata all inclusive
is that, there simply isn’t much to do in the area. You could visit the
archeological museum and the art gallery which are about 2 miles away but for
anything more, you would have to rent a car. Also, the hotel is quite a
distance away from the airport, so you will need to take a cab or rent a car as
soon as you land.
Our verdict!
If you are really
looking to save money on accommodation and use it for more fun pursuits offered
by the Dominican Republic, then the Allegro Playa Grande will just be right for
you. However, you know that old adage, “you get what you pay for”, well, it
certainly holds true in case of this facility.
So, if you are looking for plush surroundings and luxury,
this is certainly not the place to go to. In fact, if you are willing to loosen
those purse strings just a wee bit, you could do much better with another
establishments in Puerto Plata.
Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club
A near perfect amalgamation of varying
vacation accommodation choices, the Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club comprises
of several resorts that offer everything from Spartan but affordable rooms that
are ideal for people traveling on a budget to luxury villas that are
particularly well suited for people visiting the Dominican Republic in groups.
So, whether you are trying to save up on your stay or even if money is not an
object, this resort complex which includes several different type of Puerto
Plata all inclusive will not disappoint.
Yet, despite the stellar reputation of the
Lifestyle brand there have been some complaints about the service and the
overall maintenance of the facility which does raise some questions. So, should
you be choosing the Lifestyle Club for your vacation in the tropics or would you
be better off with another all inclusive hotel in the area?
The location
Puerto Plata is undoubtedly one of the more
picturesque neighborhoods of the tiny Caribbean country with its colonial style
houses that hobnob with more modern facilities and shopping areas. Despite
being a tourist hot spot, the area has retained an unmistakable sense of
tranquility and quiet.
Then, there is the fabulous coastline
to consider; after all, a visit to the tropics would not be considered a
vacation at all unless you get back with the perfect sun kissed look at the
memories of some frolicking times spent on the beach.
Nestled amidst emerald, rolling hills,
the resort is built atop a terraced side of the range which swoops down right
to the amber beach below and the crystal blue waters. Apart from the
picturesque shore and locale, there is a lot more that the area offers like the
Ocean World and several beach side restaurants that serve up a range of local
delicacies.
The amenities and the general look
The one thing that gets the attention
of almost every guest staying at the Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club is the
unmistakable Caribbean charm and look of the complex. With lovely whitewashed
villas that sport red, thatched roofs, peeking out from a sea of palm foliage and
the lush, expansive grounds, a mere walk around the resort is enough to delight
most.
The cobblestone pathways that meander
through well manicured lawns and across picture perfect Mediterranean style
villas also lead to several restaurants and bars within the complex. Then,
there are the 5 pools including one built in a split level lagoon style that is
simple too irresistible to be stayed out of.
A
spa, a swim up thatched bar, tennis and volleyball courts and an outdoor
whirlpool bath are among the added attractions of the facility. Other amenities
include a beach club, seven restaurants, child care and laundry facilities,
kiddie pool, live entertainment, medical help, play ground, shopping area, polo
club and more.
What works for the Club?
If you want more than some fun in the sun from your vacation
to the tropics, the Lifestyle holidays Vacation Club will be the perfect resort
for you. In fact, the location of the facility along a tiny northern fishing
village is just right to give you a taste of the real Dominican sights and
sounds. Once you have had your fill of the sun and sand, you can explore the
tiny mountainous towns of Jarabacoa or Constanza or try out one of the day
excursion offered by the resort.
Most notable among these are the outback jeep safari,
offshore fishing, the monster truck safari, scuba diving, dune buggies and
more. If a boat trip tickles your fancy, you could not only enjoy the calm
waters around the island nation but also spot some elusive whales enjoying
their natural habitat.
Also, a distinct
advantage of staying at the Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club is that you get
access to several facilities at the price of one. While you will only be using
the accommodation of one establishment, you can visit the restaurants and bars
throughout the complex while enjoying the varied entertainment options provided
by the different resorts in the complex.
What does not work in favor of this resort complex?
As it frequently happens in holiday clubs of this size, some
areas of the complex are in dire need of attention but the staff often turn a
blind eye to these. However, the fact that these rooms and areas are less than
habitable does not stop the management from renting them out. So, you may very
well get stuck in a damp, musky room where nothing seems to work, not even the
toilet.
Unfortunately, while they will listen to your complaints
patiently, unless you are willing to shell out more very little will actually
be done to upgrade you to a better room. Also, another issue is that just about
everybody expects tip whether they deserve or not and when it is not
forthcoming the service level goes from bad to worse.
Our verdict!
All in all, this is a facility which has a lot of potential
and everything going for it; however, the shoddy management practices, blatant
and often annoying marketing tactics and abject disregard for the actual
comfort and well being of their clients is what has led to numerous complaints
about this resort.
Yet, if you are looking for a range of accommodation options
under one roof in the famed Puerto Plata area, this will be your best choice.
Just do not head to the facility expecting five star treatment or luxuries; as
long as you are willing to spend the day languishing on the beach and just
intend to come back at night to crash, this place will work for you and facilities
like the Cofresi Palm Beach and Spa Resort which are part of the Lifestyle Club
are not too taxing on your pockets.
Cofresi Palm Beach & Spa Resort
The Cofresi Palm Beach Spa and Resort is part of the
Lifestyle vacation club in Puerto Plata. One among a range of accommodation
choices offered by the hospitality group, the resort is located on sprawling
grounds and is ensconced amid rolling, green hills to one side and the stunning
coastline of the Dominican Republic on the other. In fact, the breathtaking
array of colors created by this natural visage is enough to make most choose
this resort.
Of course, the affordable price tag is another factor that
works in favor of this establishment. Despite this, there seem to be no dearth
of complaints about the Cofresi Palm Beach Resort which does compel people to
ponder over the prudence of taking their business to this facility. So, here is
a look at how this resort compares to the other Puerto Plata all inclusive and
if it is really worth your time and money
The location
What do people expect
from a vacation to the tropics? Simply put that question can be answered with
just “a lot of fun on the beach”, and the Cofresi Palm Beach Spa and Resort
certainly lives up to this expectation. However, people seldom spend all their waking
hours enjoying the offerings of the shoreline, so the entertainment
opportunities provided by the resort and the options available in the vicinity
of the hotel along with the service standards offered by the establishments
also play an integral role in making a fabulous vacation experience.
Located in the Puerto Plata area in the north eastern parts
of the country, the resort is a stone’s throw away from a picturesque yet sleep
fishing village that has retained its old world charm. The coastline named after the famous pirate
Captain Roberto Cofresi, the ocean here is perfect for a wide array of water
sports from kayaking to fishing and from snorkeling to water skiing. Also, the
surrounding areas boast of innumerable tourist attractions including a national
park, the Ocean World Marine Park and more.
The amenities and the general look
With almost 500
rooms, the Cofresi Palm Beach Spa and Resort sure does live up to the larger
than life brand name of the Lifestyle hospitality group. With expansive grounds surrounding the white
structures that seem to rise from a sea of green palms, the resort is
juxtaposed against a verdant hilly range that offers ample opportunity for
exploring the local flora and fauna.
Among the amenities offered by the resort are over 6 pools
which form a part of the Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club
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