Cabarete - Dominican Republic (north)

Advantages: nice relaxing holiday, friendly people, great weather.
Disadvantages: hassle by the beach vendors, some shop keepers and time share people

...We have just spent two fabulous weeks in Cabarete on the North coast of Dominican Republic, and I want to tell you all about it. We flew with Thomson and it cost us approx £600 each. Spending money, we probably spent around £400, not including our diving course. First off a bit of geography, DomRep occupies one half of the island of Hispaniola. One of the larger islands in the Caribean. The other half of it being Haiti. It is approximately 8 1/2 hrs away from the UK, but is well worth the time taken to get there. Remember hurricane Jeanne, of September 2004 hitting and devastating Haiti and Dom Rep, well we got there about 7 days after she did expecting to find devestation and in fact had wanted to cancel our holiday, but didn't as we would have lost all our money. So with trepidation, and fearing the worst we went. We need...

wendy155 09.11.2004 · Read review
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Review of General: Dominican Republic

Discover the Dominican Republic

Advantages: Beautiful beaches and greenary
Disadvantages: Too many beggars

...When I saw the photos for the Dominican Republic, in the brochure, I thought ‘I want to go there!’ Where better than to spend two weeks in the glorious sunshine in the middle of December! So we (Michael and I) splashed out £700 for an all-inclusive deal of unlimited food and drink (both of which appeals to us) to the destination of Sousa. The flight was a very long 9 ½ hours and I would recommend getting first class if you can stretch your money that far. We were crammed in like sardines with elbows and sweaty arm pits everywhere. I definitely envied those sat at the front in their big armchairs. My first impressions of the Dominican Republic were of disappointment. As we travelled on the coach dropping off other holidaymakers, the place was baron and run down but it is a third world country. The Hotel Eventually...

melmel 19.08.2001 · Read review
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Review of General: Dominican Republic

Dominican Heaven Republic

Advantages: Cheaper than other Caribbean destinations, Goregeous beaches, crystal clear water.
Disadvantages: Long flight, 'Hasslers', ear-infections from the pool

.... The third was a Mexican restaurant. They served typical Mexican dishes here like tacos etc. And as I'd come to expect by now, the food was wonderful. Anyone guess I like food yet!? I love sampling different foods. This was a brilliant place to sample lots of different and diverse recipes. There was also a midnight snack bar open in the woods by the beach from about 11pm. There was a disco-type event in an open building near the food huts most nights, although this wasn't the main entertainment. Back in the hotel complex by the pool and bar, there was an open air stage. They put on entertainment here every night, and it was pretty good. There was a play/dance show, which actually depicted some Dominican Republic folklore. It was very well done and most of the cast were children from a local school. Some shows could be quite...

joannavos 30.04.2001 · Read review
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Review of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)

Catalonia Bavaro Resort Dominican Republic

Advantages: Entertainment, The Brits, Excellent food, Amazing location and great Excursions
Disadvantages: Mosquitoes eat you alive, Sambuka after a Japanese meal, Staffs lack of English and being hassled off the resort while shopping

...favourite waiters at the resort, they will really look after you. On the resort though there is a fly market once a week! During our stay our ‘first choice’ holiday Rep was great and done everything we asked of him, he was gay as you like but had a heart of gold. The only warning though is to get good health insurance because I was almost ripped off big time by the onsite doctor. I had a tooth infection and the doctor tried to charge me £95 for antibiotics, this was reduced to £45 with the help of our Rep. Overall: We liked the resort although I would only give it a 4 Star Rating. If we ever return to the Dom Rep I think I would look at a different Hotel. Are you planning on getting married? Look elsewhere because I have never seen anything like it. Sunbathers surround you, only palm leafs for effect and the ceremony is extremely tacky...

SouthernComfort 19.05.2003 · Read review
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Review of General: Dominican Republic

Enjoy yourself in the Dominican Republic

Advantages: Price, weather, beaches, accommodation
Disadvantages: 9 hour flight

...I went to the North of the Dominican Republic to get married 4 months ago. It was the most beautiful place I have ever been to, and the best holiday we have had. We stayed at the Hotel Riu Merengue which in itself was paradise. The staff of the hotel were very friendly and obliging and the people of the Dominican were extremely friendly. The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country with a poor lifestyle. We went on a monster jeep safari trip which was excellent but we were amazed and saddened at the poverty but also glad to be able to see the country away from the tourism side, the real Dominican as it were. The weather was excellent, the beaches were gorgeous and the entertainment in our all inclusive hotel left other hotels we have visited, standing. I would recommend the Dominican Republic to anyone. You will be hard pressed...

liz.carl 10.11.2000 · Read review
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Review of General: Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic - Dont miss out

Advantages: Weather, Food, entertainment
Disadvantages: Security

...My first experience of the Dominican Republic was when i was 15.It was the end of March and I went along with my parents, grandparents and younger brothers and expected it to be a typical family holiday with a bit of argueing combined with the constant echo of 'Im Bored' from my brothers mouth... I was soon proved wrong when i arrived and was greeted by the beautiful weather and smiles of all the staff on the resort. I went for 2 weeks all inclusive so i liked the fact that i was never hungry or thirsty for the entire time there. The was so much to do there, it offered everything from your usual watersports and diving etc to the amzing game of volleyball and archery and many other games and providing competitions too. This helped me to make friends quite easily and the resort was huge with about 6 or 7 pools so fortunately i wasn...

spr_mattey 06.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of General: Dominican Republic

Playa Dorada Hotel and the Domincan Republic

Advantages: Everything is beautiful and the beach is right outside your hotel
Disadvantages: Easy to get sick of the food on all inclusive holidays

...bike and a helmet and you followed a guide through little villages on the roads and fields and to the beach. This was a terrific and fun way to see the real Dominican Republic. Don?t forget a bandana for your mouth if you go on one of these trips as the roads are very dusty! There was also an opportunity to do diving for first timers and your diving certificate in two full days and chances to snorkel. I went on an Airtours tour to the south of the island to La Romana, which is much more wealthier than Puerto Plata, and the island of Saona (The Caribbean coast. (Puerto Plata is on the Atlantic coast)). We flew in a light aircraft to La Romana and got to see across the country by plane, we went on a speed boat to the island of Saona, which is beautiful and much nicer than the beaches at the hotel. The sand is whiter and the sea is so blue and clear...

Tricity 24.10.2003 · Read review
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Review of General: Dominican Republic

Vive La Republic

Advantages: All those beers
Disadvantages: Not close enough

...I had already read about The Republic Bier Halle on the net so, when doing a spot of Christmas shopping in Glasgow, I was thinking less about 'The first Noël' and more about 'Bush Noël' (it's a beer). The Republic opened in October 1999, a welcome change to the usual, ubiquitous, trendy bars in central Glasgow and is going from strength to strength. Recently the owner, Colin Barr (now there's a name to suit a chosen occupation!), opened a new bar in Glasgow's south-side called The Bier Stube. He has plans to open another in Sauchiehall St., and one in Edinburgh (can't come soon enough) with more to follow. The bar can be hard to find but it needn't be. It is situated at 9 Gordon St., just a few metres off Buchanan St., Glasgow's main pedestrianized shopping thoroughfare. It could be easy to miss as there's only a doorway...

proxam 06.02.2003 (25.05.2004) · Read review
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Review of Bier Halle Republic Pub - Glasgow

Hôtel Restaurant La Flambée -dine in style but bedrooms plain.

Advantages: Beautiful dining room
Disadvantages: Bedrooms adequate but not elegant.

...We stayed at the Hôtel Restaurant La Flambée in Bergerac in November 2008 for two nights and enjoyed breakfast and dinner. What follows is an honest account as possible about the hotel as I can provide. Hopefully this may help if you are planning to visit this part of the world. We flew to Bordeaux but the most convenient airport for the hotel is actually in Bergerac as the hotel lies about 2 miles outside the town. Incase you are not familiar with this part of the world these places are in the main wine growing areas, and are in South West France. Flying time from the UK is about an hour and a half if you are flying from the London areas. Easyjet will take you to Bordeaux from Luton, likewise British Airways will fly you from Gatwick, and Ryanair will fly you from Stansted to Bergerac. This area is great as it is possible to use as...

Violet1278 20.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Hotel Restaurant La Flambee, Bergerac

MAKATI SHANGRI-LA HOTEL - A Place for those with Discerning Taste

Advantages: location, wonderful accommodations, delicious food
Disadvantages: expensive

...Makati Shangri-la Hotel is classy. And expensive. Staying there is a luxury which my family and I indulged in one weekend using the discount vouchers included in my Shangri-la Senses card. Makati Shangri-la is one of the most popular hotels in Metro Manila and is often chosen as the preferred residence of most foreign dignitaries and executives visiting the country. The moment you step into the lobby, you could already feel why it is given a five-star status. The lobby itself is impressive with its spiral staircase and huge chandelier hanging on top of a beautifully-designed floral centerpiece. However, some may find it a bit imposing. As to the service, it is prompt, impeccable and very professional although somehow I long for the more intimate service that I get from hotels of a lesser caliber. The room we occupied is...

24kgold 15.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Manila