I went with my girlfriend for a week in mid january. The food here is pretty good, but not excellent. The room was nice size and clean. I asked for oceanview and got it without paying extra. The free booze was nice, especially because it rained for a couple days straight. As a surfer, it was great to be able to surf whenever I wanted without worrying about traveling far. The waves in winter get big, so those with little kids shouldnt expect to swim in the ocean everyday. Lifeguards rescued a few people while we were there. Also, keep in mind that there is really nothing else around so you just chill at the hotel the whole time. The gold course is supposed to be one of the best in the Carib too. All in all, its a beautiful spot and cheap. I thought it was a great value. I would go back for sure.

I just came back from Puerto Plata, DR and even though many people discouraged me from going there and instead recommended Punta Cana I am strongly recommending Puerto Plata!!! The hotel was above average, it certainly isnt The Four Seasons but its no roach motel. The maid service was great-fresh towels, soap, mopped and cleaned the whole room. The beach was BEAUTIFUL!!!! (almost) white sands, beatiful ocean, enough lounge chairs for everyone, easily accessible food and drinks and some cool boogie boards. The resort was very clean and wonderfully designed-pool was clean and big enough for everyone and there were several lounge chairs to go around. The only that was sub-par was the food-this hotel will make McDonalds seem like The Keg but if you can bare the essentials and food isnt the biggest deal than this is your place. If you are going as a couple or as a family or just to catch some rays and lay on the beach then this is the right place. This place is not for SINGLES looking to meet other singles.

We had no problems with theft or weird unauthorized room entries, a few other things went wrong. When we arrived our whole building had no running water for a full day so no brushing teeth or showering after a days travel. Our bathroom light had to be replaced and the t.v. in our room flipped for the whole trip. Luckily we don't spend that much time in our room.

We thought the food was average because we don't eat beef or pork, it was pretty much pasta and salad everyday.

The only other thing we didn't like was the animation team or the "fun club." We had several problems with them approaching me and being inappropriate while I was sitting right next to my boyfriend. We saw them hitting on girls of all ages, with or without boyfriends. The problem started when we would politely decline an invitation to play one of their games and they would get quite aggressive and rude. The bartenders and servers were great.

I find the Dominican people to be extremely welcoming and always wanting to speak and teach you Spanish. Raymundo the beach lifeguard was very nice and always went out of his way to walk across the beach to say hello and teach us a new sentence each day. The Beach dogs are so friendly and don’t beg for food, but just a short term companion. True mans best friend. They are happy just to walk down the beach with you. Although we did sneak them food, as their survival literally depends upon it. Overall we came home relaxed and stress free. However we would not return to Playa Grande, but I think I would recommend it to other people. The Beach is stunning. I think we were just unlucky with our room problems.

We would definetley return to this place. Food & drinks were excellent, staff was great, the view was breathtaking. We do not golf, but the course was excellent as some of the people we met went 1-3 times a day. The beach was a beautiful, pleasant 15-20 minute walk. My only complaint was the prices in the lobby stores and there were no post cards or stamps. I will send photos when developed.