Just returned from Puerto Plata, DR. Had expected the worst after reading some of the reviews of Lifestyles Crown Residence Suites and Villas. Have done 5-star and yet we still throughly enjoyed this resort. Sadly, some reviewers had poor vacations, perhaps they expected 5-star. We enjoyed it here. We had a really nice 2 bdrm.-2 bath suite. The people were extremely friendly and helpful. Suite was fully stocked with clean towels and drinks daily...The food at the restaurants was good. Each has it's own theme and all asked we wanted a name brand after dinner liquor. Only the Blue Lagoon had lunches other than the buffet. They offered burgers, nachos and such. I will say, the resort should have other areas to pick up snack food when the buffets are closed for cleaning and setting up for the next service.The buffet wasn't bad at all, in fact some items were delicious. It's hit or miss depending on what you like. What do people expect from any buffet!!! Someone said they couldn't eat because seafood was next to other food types. Food allergies? Sorry, but don't go to ANY buffet! Another reviewer said they expected white sand beaches. I wish they were too, but I looked online before booking and none of the TripAdvisor reviewers of Puerto Plata photos showed that. If you researched you'd see other areas of the which were.The beach at the resort was still pretty and clean. Enjoy life more and relax!

This was my first time ever in the Dominican Republic and I was not disappointed. The Lifestyles Crown Residence Suites was a fabulous resort. Their logo is "Tell it only to your Best Friends" and I can see why - if you told everyone there would never be any rooms left! The service was impeccable and immediate. My every need and whim was attended to by enthusiastic, cheerful staff, always with a smile on their faces. I would definitely go here again and recommend it even to my worst enemies! What a great place. The food was excellent, the VIP pool and beach areas were very comfortable with both sunny and shady beds to be had. Staff were constantly cleaning the beach front and worked so hard to change the beach and pool areas from day use to night use, quick to fill an empty glass or ask if you would like something to eat, and yet they were very unobtrusive. The entire resort is like a small village, where you walk to the beach, walk out to a restaurant in the evening for dinner, walk to the bar for an after dinner drink, walk home - I actually managed to lose weight on this trip thanks to all the walking. It was just great!! You can really eat all you want of all the great food in the various restaurants and work it all off just walking back to your hotel/suite/villa! I have read some other reviews that were not very kind - I do not know why. I guess different people have different needs and each and every day of the year is going to be a bad day for someone. However, I encountered nothing but pleasant people (staff and other vacationers), great food, incredible weather and all reasonably priced. What's to complain about? Thank you very much for a very restful vacation Lifestyles. I'll definitely be back for another vacation!

We just returned from our vacation this weekend at this resort for the 4th year. Each year, we are so amazed at the improvements and changes. I am really not sure what the issues are regarding the negative reviews, as we have never had anything but positive wonderful experiences at this resort. They are constantly working very hard, especially when setting up the outdoor Sunday beach party, cleaning the beach, setting up outdoor beds.. Last year we had a 3 bedr villa and this year we stayed in the Crown Suites, in both 1 & 2 bedroom suites. Quick airport pick up, smiling helpful check-in staff (even found my friend's cell phone after they placed much effort to locate it), quick and easy dinner reservations (Food a plenty, and even the improved Buffet at Tropical), clean and safe accommodations (Rosa looked after us very well with full stock of water in fridge, towels), comfortable sun beds at the VIP pool and beach area (even on March break there was always a bed available at one of the many choices to soak up the sun or shade), very attentive service at all pool and beach areas and restaurants. We also once again met many interesting people from all over, who were always willing to share a joke or light conversation. At any time that you need something all you have to do is ask, and they did everything to help (we turned off the water heater by error, so couldn't understand why we did have hot water anymore, and our maid quickly showed us how to turn back on). Even though it was March break for many colleges, it was a refreshing change to see so many younger crowds also having fun. A small tip ($5) at the start of the week or every now and then ($1) or little gifts (candies, toys, makeup etc.) are very much appreciated by the staff, however not obviously expected. Many do not tip at all, however it is a very poor growing country, let's face it many Canadian service staff at home expect much more!
We will definitely return, and love the Dominican people/ staff/country. As always, you will get back what you give, so smile, try speaking a bit of Spanish, have patience (RELAX!), and it will be returned full force. Looking forward to seeing what's new next year (never boring!)
Pls. contact me if you have any questions

We transferred to this resort from a truly bad resort. With a last minute reservation and check-in they greeted us like old friends. The language barrier is difficult at times but we went to their country, they didn't come to ours. VIP treatment is prevalent thought the resort. There was a smell of sewerage in one small area where improvements were being made but it was minimal and construction was not an inconvenience at all. The food was not the standard USA buffet but was very good with allot of options. The specialty restaurants required reservations the day prior and did fill up quickly. We had just as good meals at the main buffet with the VIP gourmet restaurant being the only exception.

The grounds were very well groomed and as an early riser I noticed the staff on the beach and grounds grooming daily. There guest services did an outstanding job at booking our excursions and directing us to the different services were available.