our holiday was from jan 31 to feb 8 08 twenty two fo us stayed at the iberostar dominicana it was my best friends wedding and it was the best holiday weve ever been on the service was fantastic the food was great hotel was spotless and the staff couldnt have been better we shall definatly be going back

We booked Iberostar Dominicana for our first time visiting the Dominican. We went on 27/12/07 for two weeks. The flight over was horrible, we hadnt noticed that we had to stop in manchester 1st for 2hours to pick up more passengers, but after that the 9 hour flight was still veryyyy long, and it didnt help that the plane was filthy and the food was terrible!
But once arriving the heat hit us straight away, you start sweating almost immediately. The airport is a tiny little hut, where you get your photo taken and pay your entrance fee to the country. Once outside the airport, it only took 20 minutes to get to the hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were greeted by one of the reception staff, given our all inclusive bands and a cold fruit drink. Once a few forms are signed, they gave us our key and off we went.
We were room number 4249, it was a great room, right on the top floor facing the pool, sea, resturant and entertainment. The rooms were very nice, and really spacious. We had two double beds, fridge (which was stocked everyday), television, dressing table, two large wardrobes and a coffee maker and table. The bathroom is very modern and cleaned everyday. The is loadsss of nice food and plenty of it, we ate in 4 al a carte restaurants (mexican, steak house, star rock & oriental) we had no trouble booking any of these, just simply asked and got the times we wanted. In the day the food is great, they do show cooking outside and buffet style inside. We spent at least 9/14 days at the beach, its gorgeous, the sand is so soft and white. Im not much for the sea anyway, but I found it a little choppy as it is the atlantic ocean. The night entertainment is ok a little tacky compared to everything else there, it is all catered for familys with young kids, although there was a few good shows and new years eve was a good night, they gave out champagne, grapes and party packs. As for day trips we only did 1, and it was amazing we went to Saona island, it is such a great day out. you get to go on a catamaran, speed boat, visit a desterted island, have a bbq and at the end you go to a natural pool where you can hold star fish! I definately advise you do this trip, i think it cost £ 70 for the two of us. I would definitely go back to the Dominican and i would say back to this hotel but would try somewhere else just for a new experience. ONLY ONE BAD THING - DO NOT USE THE PHONE TO RING THE UK!!!! We had a bill for £140 for two weeks after making about 15 short calls. I think its something like £1.50 a minute!

My husband and I just returned yesterday from Punta Cana Dominican Republic, we enjoyed our stay at Iberostar Dominicana from Jan 26th thru Feb 2nd 2008. Our Apple Vacations Rep., Carlos did a great job.

Our room was great; we were upgraded to a suite. The room was very clean, spacious and the mini bar was well stocked with beer, water and sodas. Everyday there was beer, water and sodas. Be sure to tip our maid she'll make animals out of your towels and will leave flowers in your bathroom.

The beach was my favorite spot. We spent more of our time at the beach and only one day at the pool. There was always plenty of chairs. The only true disappointment was there was no pool bar. Oh well!!

The food at the hotel was fine. Ignore all the reviews where the food was bad . . .they're just picky eaters. Be sure to eat at the Sports Bar; the beef plate is great as well as the chicken sandwich. Get the Chocolate Brownie for desert. Breakfast at the buffets were nice . . .I had pancakes and fresh donuts everyday. They also make omlets and made to order fried eggs. A light breakfast is also served at the restaurant near the beach. Be sure to check that out. There's also a nice lunch available at the restaurant near the pool, burgers, chicken, pizza and etc. I don't think you can go hungry! Don't forget the ice cream stand - personal favorite - Chocolate.

We ate at the Gourmet restaurant . . .the only item on the menu is lobster . . . .it was awesome! However, my husband doesn't care for lobster, so when we were done eating he went to the buffet for some "meat"!! The steak house was great too. Our table was in the sand, it was a perfect meal on the beach!

Our favorite tour was the Jeep Safari, book it through Matilda near the beach. (it's a iberostar rep. the jeep safari isn't offered through Apple vacations) It was a great all day tour; driving through the country side, getting into the sugar cane fields, into the mountains and ending at the beach. What a great way to see the sights of the Dominican Republic. Be sure to bring candy and small items for the children.

We did the Monster Truck tour which was nice. We were taken to a farm site and saw how the people lived and made coconut oil. This tour also ended at the beach.

My husband and the other guys in our group did a four wheeler tour which went along the beach and into the jungle. The gals stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the sun and beach.

The Iberostar is a great hotel chain and I recommend staying here or at the Iberostar Paraiso Beach in the Riveria Maya area of Mexico. The Iberostar provides a above average experience.

My family of four stayed in the Dominican for two weeks in October 06'. We got married in the Punta Cana due to bad weather but even that could not of ruined a fantastic family holiday. It was BRILL.
The staff are all fantastic and very hard working. The maids who are usually mothers themselves are amazing they put so much detail into everthing even my childrens teddy bears were catered for. I would suggest taking some colouring books and crayons for these women to take home for there kids as they are usually away from there families for about ten days at a time and get what a british person earns in a week for a month. I took some pocket sized games for my children for the hotel room when i passed them over to the maid when we were leaving I felt like Father Christmas she was so grateful.
The entertainment staff were non stop and the kids club was great. We would take the children at about 9.30am and have to drag them away at about 5ish. The kids had an amazing holiday so they tell us, they were to busy with practicing for shows, archery, water baloon fights and so on to be bothered with us parents.
I have just give up smoking so I can save up enough money to go again that is how much I want to go back.

WE LOVED IT