We booked through a travel agent who told us the resort was a 4 star and it was nice. Well this was our honeymoon and we wanted nothing less than a 4 star of course. The travel agent put in requests for us to stay in the newer building and a king size bed and off course for the honeymoon upgrades listed on their website. Upon arrival the rooms were not ready until 3 at which point we just walked around tried the snack bar which the burgers were red on the inside yuk! Went back to the front desk to check in we showed her our marriage certificate which she looked at it and really didn't know what to do with it. I asked if we are getting the honeymoon up grade? The comment given was I guess I can see if we have an ocean view room available fine we said then proceeded to the room only to find that it was runned down and the ceiling fan hanging unsafe, we returned to the front to ask for a different room they showed us two others that were in worse condition and stunk.
Off course we ended up staying in the first one, we did not receive our honeymoon package at all, the a la cartes were terrible if it wasn't for the buffet we would have starved.
We were leaving Sunday to come home, well the saturday mid day we were unable to go swimming( approx 100 kids took over the pools) , attend the evening buffet and see the shows because they have what they call a Weekend Pass for the Locals to come in a use the facilities for 3 days for a small fee. They had about 300-400 locals staying at the resort the place was just packed no seating outside for the show or in the dining room. We went to our room by 8:30 and watched TV (if I wanted to watch tv I could have stayed home it would have been cheaper).
Needless to say the travellers were very unhappy that had to stay for a few more days, our bus ride to the airport had some very angry people.
WE will never go back to the playa dorada complex too much hasselling by the locals and the service was not 4 star it may have been a 2 1/2 if that.

Although it's been over six months, I can't say enough about this resort. We have been visiting Playa Dorado for the past ten years and just love it!!! I can't say enough about Friedrich Stieb, Guest Services - He is totally customer focused and aims to please. Whenever any type of issue surfaced - he resolved it to our satisfaction. Friedrich is an absolute asset to this resort!!

Thank you Friedrich and we'll see you in October!!!

All the bad reviews of this place are true. The food is AWFUL. Desserts from the buffet get circulated on carts in the restaurants. The Grill restaurant is just plain insulting. So much so that the soggy and lumpy pasta in the Italian restaurant actually feels like gourmet food! The place is rundown, and quite dirty. Linens and furniture have all seen better days...in the 80s! The beach is so-so.

The saving grace are the staff that handle entertainment - the poor guys try so hard and actually manage to help you forget the pitiful place this is.

This is our second time to the Dominican Republic but first time for Rachel (7). The hotel is lovely clean & welcoming. Staff are all very friendly & will do anything to make sure that your stay is brill. Rachel says this is the best holiday & hotel ever!! She still plays the MEREN HITS 2007 CD & does the Club Dance. The brilliant entertainment staff made her feel like a princess every day. They even managed to get me & hubby up a few times to have fun. Entertainment was FUN FUN FUN - very childish humour but everthing done was given 100% by the entertainment team. Brilliant and well worth a return.