Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read that you are a family of 6. 10k for 5 nights for a family of 6 doesn't sound too bad. You need to get 2 rooms or a suite plus 6 airplane tickets. Most all hotels will not let 6 people sleep in a normal room.

The $10k didn't include flights. Air would likely add nearly $5k more.

Oh ok. It will definitely be much cheaper in the DR. I'm the above Westin poster. We have previously stayed at Majestic Elegance and it was fine. The few sit down restaurants were actually pretty decent and prices were very reasonable. Our friends have also recommended Paradisius. There are a few of them in DR with various price points.

I do idev work in the DR. In about 80% of the country they don't have working wastewater treatment which means sewage dumps directly into the ocean. Do not swim in the DR.

Anonymous wrote:I just read that you are a family of 6. 10k for 5 nights for a family of 6 doesn't sound too bad. You need to get 2 rooms or a suite plus 6 airplane tickets. Most all hotels will not let 6 people sleep in a normal room.

The $10k didn't include flights. Air would likely add nearly $5k more.

I just read that you are a family of 6. 10k for 5 nights for a family of 6 doesn't sound too bad. You need to get 2 rooms or a suite plus 6 airplane tickets. Most all hotels will not let 6 people sleep in a normal room.

Anonymous wrote:We just got back from the Westin in DR and felt very safe. Food was mediocre but it was a direct flight from IAD, 5 minutes from the airport, safe, clean and had lovely pools. There was a free shuttle that took you around in a loop to the other areas of the Puntacana Resort which featured an eco reserve, shopping area with grocery store and restaurants as well as La Cana Golf and Beach Club. Rooms were comfortable.

Was it the best vacation we ever had? No, but it was very satisfactory.

Just to give you perspective, we paid about 5k for our DR trip. We are staying at the Ritz in the Cayman Islands for our next vacation and we are at 11k for just hotel and airfare. We'll need to spend another 2k or so once we get there so DR was less than half the price.

Anonymous wrote:Don't go to DR.

+1. With your requirements, just don't.

We just got back from the Westin in DR and felt very safe. Food was mediocre but it was a direct flight from IAD, 5 minutes from the airport, safe, clean and had lovely pools. There was a free shuttle that took you around in a loop to the other areas of the Puntacana Resort which featured an eco reserve, shopping area with grocery store and restaurants as well as La Cana Golf and Beach Club. Rooms were comfortable.

Was it the best vacation we ever had? No, but it was very satisfactory.

Go to Jamaica instead!!

I went there a few years ago and had a good time with none of the issues you mention. We stayed at the Gran Ventana in Puerto Playa. Flew into Santo Domingo and got transportation up to PP from there.

I won't go back only because of the DR'S recently passed laws requiring everyone of Haitian descent to move back to Haiti regardless of how long they have lived in DR. I won't spend my money there.

I've never been to DR, and have never really any desire to do so, but friends just got back and their pictures were gorgeous. I don't think they left the resort, but for an all-inclusive, it looked really nice- beautiful beaches, pools, nice hotel. I think it was very affordable.

We got married in the DR. If you want to avoid all of the items on your list, I would not go to the DR. I do not believe it is comparable to Mexico, I think they still have a ways to go when it comes to their tourism.
I would do Mexico or Jamaica. DR is cheaper for a reason.

That said, I'll tell you about our resort. We got married at Sunscapa Casa deal Mar. It is now called Dreams La Romana. It is difficult to get to, but once you do, the beach is one of the best in the world.
There were some bugs and some digestive issues in the group of 50, but not for everyone and nobody had a ruined vacation.

We have also stayed at the Grand Palladium in Punts Cana. No bugs, no food poisoning. It was actually ok. Not as good as Mexico or Jamaica, but could fit your needs well. I don't remember the drive...

So is DR that bad? Comparable to Mexico or worse?

Don't go to DR.

Six senses?

Mixed reviews from friends and family who have traveled to the DR, but everyone seems to be pleased with the value.

After pricing out an all inclusive on Antigua for my family of 6...$9,700 for five nights plus airfare...I'd like to compare it to a nice all inclusive in DR.

We aren't high maintenance, but...

-it must be easy to travel to/from
-it must be clean
-no mosquitoes or biting insects (one friend's vacation was ruined by bugs)
-no food poisoning
-safe (one friend's vacation was ruined by hotel staff rigging the ATM...after researching it, apparently this sort of thing happens there)