I had read so many bad reviews about this place that I was nervous to go and I swore that I would write a review, good or bad when I got home. I don't know where these people stayed or what they expected, but this was amazing. The check in was quick, our room was in the 6th building, with a balcony facing the pool. The room was beautiful. The service was amazing. The food had a major variety and was really good. The pools were clean and nice. The beach was awesome. The vendors are great, just say no thanks. They are expensive, look, but don't buy, unless it is really unique. Freddy with transit is ther everyday. There is a lot to do. The nightly entertainment is great and funny. Take insulated drink cup. There is a market down the road which is kinda pricy too. There is a market 30 mins down the beach, it's nice, but they really pressure you. Be prepared to barter. offer less then half. We went into town for the day. There was a guy in a yellow shirt (some had blue) that will walk you around and take you to shops and give you a wlaking toure ant keep the locals at bay and keep you "safe" and we gave him $15.00. He walked us around for 3 hours. Cheaper in town. DO NOT give money to the locals, as they will follow you and HOUND you like crazy, I mean nasty. We got a cab back for $15.00.

Everyone seemed on here to be so negative and seemed to expect somethin more. This is a third world country that you are goint to, it's not the Hilton, they try. You are going for sand, sun and drinks, remember that and don't sweat the small stuff.

My only complaint is that when you have a lte flight you have to check out by 1 or pay $10 per hour. They give you a room to shower in later in the day, but there were no towels and it was not really clean, as others had been thre. They should let you keep you room. Aside from that, it was awesome.

We vacationed at the hotel from March 28-April 4,2008. We found the hotel just fine.!
We decided to take a taxi from the airport to the resort instead of the bus.So when we arrived a little earlier then everyone else, the front desk was great. Our room could have been a little nicer but the amount of time that is spent in your room throughout your vacation is minimal, so it suited us just fine. Lots of hot water and alot of pressure coming from the showers,,,even at peak time.
The food was plentiful and a good variety. Keep in mind that there is alot of food that is Dominican style, but if you like to experiment this is idle for you. There is a hamburger and french fry booth if you perfer.
The staff tried to do as much as possible to make your stay pleasant and enjoyable. There is alot of shopping at the market just down the beach approx. 30 min. Great Bargains!!!! There is also a small mall down the resort strip to enjoy also. I found that Playa Dorado is a great place to do a variety of things. We went on some great excursions and met some wonderful Dominican people to take us around and show us things that most tourists wouldn't see. It was great. The jewellery store on the resort which is located on the beachfront side, is great. They don't rip you off and one of the employees,Claudia is fantastic.
All in all the trip was great!!!! Golf was walking distance....what more could you ask for.
If you have any questions pls feel free to contact me.

I would like to share with anyone interested in finding a place to spend a peaceful, restful dream vacation. I write this review from experience. I discovered this island paradise twenty years ago at the Occidental Allegro Playa Dorada Hotel in Puerto Plata, Dominican Rep. The very first time we went on summer vacation was for two weeks. From the first moment we arrived, the hotel stood out gloriously. We have visited Miami, Bahamas, Nassau, Venezuela, Costa Del Sol but we always come back to Puerto Plata and the Occidental Allegro Playa Dorada Hotel. There everyone takes great care of you from the general manager to the staff and grounds people. Everyone does whatever possible to satisfy the tourists. And always with respect, and courtesy. There you'll find an unbelievable beach with the bluest water you've ever seen. There are activities for all age groups and interests. Water sports, golf and tennis are abundant. There is also ample time to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds the hotel and to take time to reflect and relax. You can enjoy the ocean or the two swimming pools all day and night.
There is something for all ages. For youngsters there are daily activities and for the older ages there is entertainment and shows daily. When you arrive at the Occidental Allegro Playa Dorada Hotel it's like being home. We enjoy six weeks out of every year. And we always return with a new found sense of self and discovery.

Rose and Roberto Gonzalez

Just returned yesterday from this resort and would like to commend the hotel staff for making me and my husbands stay a fantastic one!! Friedrich, the guest services manager went out of his way, to make our stay in the hotel a very injoyable one. The a la carte restaruants were amazing. But I would have to say my favourite meal was the lobster dinner on the beach- this was booked though guest services manager for an additonal cost, but was well worth it!! I definetly will go back.