My husband and I honeymooned at EdenH Real from June 23-June 30, 2008. We had read all of the negative reviews and were nervous, but had decided to enjoy ourselves...and we did! We had the most amazing vacation ever. We would absolutely stay at this resort again. Our biggest complaint was that we had to listen to other spoiled Americans complaining! All of their complaints were things that could so easily be fixed, they were just trying to find something to complain about. We enjoyed ourselves so much that this will probably be a very long review...

Our room was beautiful. We really enjoyed the open bathroom. I can see how families with children may not like it, however. We couldn't change the channel on the TV when we first got there, but we called guest services and (no exaggeration!) in 3 minutes there was a knock on the door and when he couldn't fix it, he brought another TV to our room in less than 5 minutes. The safe was also locked open when we arrived, and from the time we called guest services to when it was fixed was under 10 minutes.

It seems like the most complaints are about the restaurants, but we just rolled with it and didn't have any problems. Since it is the low season, only 2 ala carte restaurants are open each night, along with the buffet. The first night we went to the buffet so that we could get a feel for the resort and how the restaurants worked since we had read so many horror stories. The second night we went to the Italian restaurant--there was about a 45 minute wait (with lots of people complaining) for the indoor tables, however, there were several outdoor tables open. It was a beautiful night so we offered to take one of the outdoor tables and got seated right away. We started showing up at the restaurants at about 6:25 and always got seated immediately. If there was a wait at one restaurant, we could always just walk straight into the other one. The only night we waited was our last evening when we decided we wanted to sit at the hibachi table--but we just put our name on the list at 6:30 and then came back at 7:30 and got seated immediately. We definitely did not have any of the problems at the restaurants as other people did.

On Friday evening they had a beach party. We really enjoyed it. They worked hard on setting it up all day long--there were tables and chairs set up with linen table cloths. There was a huge buffet set out there too, with music. They also brought in vendors to barter with, we got a beautiful necklace/bracelet set for a great price. Don't forget to barter! At about 9:45 there was a fire eater on the beach...it was really neat!

Another common complaint is about the lounge chairs. We went down to the beach around 9:00 every day and got a beach front umbrella with two chairs every day but one (and on that day we were just in the 2nd row). So we didn't have that problem at all--and can I say that the beach is absolutely amazing!! It was very beautiful and they worked hard at keeping it clean. There were always two security guards on the beach keeping harassing vendors away. There were activities on the beach (yoga, dancing, soccer, boating activities) but they were quiet and didn't bother us--we just wanted to relax and we were easily able to do that!

We were green bands and didn't have any problem with getting served right away and always had plenty of alcohol in our drinks. Alexis at the swim-up bar was our favorite, he was always cheerful and kept the atmosphere fun. We always tipped him generously, and he would generally see us coming and would have our drinks ready for us when we got up to the bar.

On the subject of tipping, that was one thing that drove us nuts the entire week. So many of the Americans did not tip unless they were at the bar! We were shocked at their ignorance. We brought an extra $300 for the week for tips and easily went through it, as we like to tip. I don't know what the service without tipping is like, but once you are known to be a good tipper the service is beyond amazing!

We took an excursion one day. Santos, the Apple Rep, was very informative and so helpful in getting it all organized. We went on the Marinarium. A boat took us out to a fenced off area where we snorkled, then we got back on the boat and took about a 1/2 hour cruise down the beautiful coastline to a "natural swimming pool" which was just off this really BEAUTIFUL undeveloped beach and the water about 100 yards out was almost chest deep on me (I'm about 5'3) and there was absolutely no seaweed--lovely! The boat had an open bar with plenty of drinks so I would really suggest that tour--we got picked up from EdenH at 8:00 and got back around 1:00.

So that's my super long review...I would suggest this resort to anyone that is looking for a good time. It is great for honeymooners like us who want a quiet, relaxing place, but is also great for families who don't want a big party resort. I am 24, my husband is 27 and we both like to drink, (and the drinks are flowing!) but overall it's not the place where everyone is wasted.

OH and one last thing...there are photographers walking around that will take your picture with various animals (it's different every day, we saw monkeys, snakes, iguanas, parrots, etc) but any honeymooners need to search out one of the photographers and get a photo shoot taken on the beach. I don't remember his name...but there are two photographers. One is white with longer hair, the other is African-American and very clean cut. Search out the African American man, he takes BEAUTIFUL pictures. I posted several of his pictures along with several that I took.

If u are American be prepared for ALOT of trouble w/ comunication because even 95% of the guests at this resort are European that ONLT speak Spanish along with the staff!
We arrived on Saturday June 28th w/ our 2 teenage daughters & 2 of their friends (we ALL had separate rooms ), but me & my husband had purchased the upgrade to Paradise Club. There were no problems with the check-in & we all got our rooms very quickly.
After the check-in we arrived at our room to find a very lovely & spacious room (so far soooo good). Once we arrived at the room we found that we did not have washclothes, called down to front desk were told yayaya they be there soon or so we thought thats what they said, but 2 hours later NO washclothes. ONLY to find out the next day (still NO washclothes) from our Apple Vacations rep at the resort that they DO NOT furnish washclothes that this is your responsibility.
As far as the upgrade for me & my husband the ONLY thing we got that our daughters did not get was BUD LIGHT beer (kid u NOT!!!!). If you are a beer drinker DO NOT PAY for the upgrade & the only top shelf liqiour that we found was Malibu Rum.
We have been on MANY trips out of the country (Cozumel 4 times, Cancun 3 times, Grand Cayman1 time, Jamaica 2 times, & all have been All-Inclusive, but we have never ran across the troubles that we had at this resort.
I probably need to mention that we are scuba divers. Me & my husband went down there w/ the intention to both dive, but my husband went out the 1st day without me & when he got back & told me about his adventure& I did NOT do any more of the dives. The boat was like a row boat w/ motor & vis was very bad w/ nothing to see. The coral was colorless & no sea life to speak of. Also, the current on the Atalantic side is VERY rough (which this resort is on the Atlantic side, not Caribbean. So that means that the water is not crystal blue, but yet dirty green).
We went here with the intention of having an open mind about it being a NEW resort with problems to work out, yet after staying 8 nights I feel that the problems this resort has has NOTHING to do with being new, but with just not caring! Most (90%) of the employees of the resort just DON'T care.

We went with an open mind, but were terribly disappointed. We have traveled in South America, Central America, Carribean Islands and Mexico and this was the worst. Overall, the Dominican Republic and the Eden Real Arena leave you feeling like you are stuck in a tourist trap. The service is lacking and the prices for souvenirs and incidentals are ridiculous. The vendors are nothing, but rude and annoying. Our biggest complaints regarding the hotel were the restaurant availability, the HARD mattress, the food quality and overall lack of follow up from staff when you had a problem. My husband & I were both sick from the food for days. I would suggest bringing antibiotics with you.
We couldn't wait to get home to get well and sleep in comfort.

If you are looking for a vacation with absolutely beautiful beaches (with nothing but turquoise waters and no sea weed) and service with a smile and true appreciation for you business, go to Cancun. The price is similar, but the experience leaves you wanting to stay forever.

Okay, so we will start with the good, this should be the quickest!

GOOD----The resort is absolutely beautiful, the rooms are nice and spacious. Never had any difficulty finding spaces by the pool or the beach. We really enjoyed some of the employees (Lorenzo, Carlos, Jose Luis) that worked in the hotel, they were always willing to help us out whenever we need it

BAD--The mosquitoes are definitely a huge problem, I dont think its the hotels fault, however just a problem with the area. The customer service can be somewhat poor. One night at the Asian restaurant, while arriving to eat at 8pm, we basically were berated for no reason as the hostess got snappy with us because they had to stop seating tables. Another incident involving a lady who decided to completely bypass and ignore us at the pool bar and helped other customers. It was disrespectful and not cool. To eat at any of the speciality restaurants--we had to arrive at 630, if you arrive too late, you'd be chancing it. When we actually ate at the asian restaurant, the food wasn't that great! and THEY decide what your going to eat. In addition to, the nightlife was absolutely miserable, they have three nice bars but really haven't made an effort yet to spice it up!

ADVICE--ARRIVE at DINNER at 630 everynight or your screw (eating at the pavilion and festival can get annoying FAST), dont worry about the VIP (its just a difference of a pool and where you eat), not worth the money, There is also alot of Europeans who stay at this hotel therefore be prepared for problems with communicating with others. And be prepared for awful food (the best restaurant was the french!