We recently returned from our second week-long stay; the first was last May. Even though we thoroughly enjoyed our visit last year, in our opinion, a few things have actually improved since then. In 2015, we noticed a lot of comments in reviews about food not being kept at proper temperatures and our experience echoed those concerns. This appears to have been addressed, as we consistently found hot food to be hot and cold food to be cold. In the buffet, service was much better this time around. Unlike our prior visit, there was never a wait to be seated at a table and the staff continually checked in on you, refilling drinks, etc. And we enjoyed dinner at the Rodizio even more than the steakhouse that preceded it. The resort is a beautiful place, staffed by lovely people and a tremendous value for your money. We look forward to returning again next year.

I’m writing this review in order to address, point by point, Serena N’s, Jersey City, NJ, long list of comments, which are far from being correct or at least objective.

From the beginning you start on the wrong food when affirming that “$1 each (this is more than enough for DR)”. If you tip, you tip what you want not what is “enough for DR”. The front desk staff speaks English. Waiting in line happens everywhere, especially if there are people who arrived before you.

Taking in consideration that the specialty restaurants are serving both hotels, La Romana and Bouganville, reservations are imperative. Would you like to go to the restaurant and not have a table? Not having your reservation printed is not anybody’s fault. Wi-Fi in remote areas is slow and unreliable anywhere.

Ref. 1) It’s the Tour Operator’s, in your case JetBlue Getaways, obligation to inform its customers of any construction on the site. We were informed about it by out T.O. Air Transat Vacation 4 weeks before our departure date. The Hotel CANNOT contact every single guest because they DON’T have the information to do so.

Ref. 2) We have been at this hotel several time and not ONCE did we got sick. We have heard about some people getting sick, but from here to say that “our food was served with bugs flying/crawling around on it” is simply unjust.

Ref. 3) WRONG. All the staff is extremely polite and accommodating. It’s true that not everybody speaks English but that’s true in USA too. The distance from the Building 54 (which is the one in front of the contraction site, which by the way we visited) to the construction barrier is 10 metre or 30 feet. The AC did not work because the room was not occupied. As you say, it needs a key-card to be inserted in order for the power in the room function.

Ref. 4) INCORRECT. There is no charge for Room Service or restocking. It does take time however, because there are other people requesting the same service. The menu is that of a Snack not a French Restaurant because there is no Restaurant service in the room. As for “they were unwilling to respond” may I inquire how did you ASKED.

Ref. 5) WRONG AGAIN. There are many brand name liquor and whisky/brandy included; only 3 liquors (Cointreau, Grand Marnier and Drambuie) and 1 whisky (Glenfiddich) are not included, if I remember correctly. It’s TRUE that at 11 pm everything closes, but nobody takes your drinks away and if you want to party there’s the Disco at Pueblo Principe in front of the Family resort. Until 11 pm you can have as many drinks of the same mark without problems. The bartenders are very good and it is you who have to tell them how you want you drink, the quantities are measured and if you fill up the glass with Coca-Cola then you get a 99 to 1 drink. The Poolside bar does have some brand name alcohols but not all the ones found at the Lobby bar. It’s a POOL BAR not a pub.

Ref. 6) MISINFORMATION. There are 2 main buffets on site; the main buffet Jazmin, which is indoors and air-conditioned, and the Los Corales, which serves Lunch and is a Steak House at dinner time. In Los Corales you may be bitten by mosquitos (not “You will be bit my mosquitos.”) because it’s an Out-doors facility.

Ref. 7) We did not eat at Takar, so I can’t comment.
Los Corales / Rodizio, as you say, it’s out-door and the hotel cannot control the air temperature. It is a half buffet - half restaurant but the food is excellent. As for the flies, there are funs above the service stations but once again, you are OUT-DOOR.

Ref. 8) We did not eat at El Pescador, so I can’t comment. Did you ask Charlie Chaplin how an old shoe tastes?

Ref. 9) YES, the French Restaurant is the only one offering full-service. For your information, cheese is ALWAYS served at room temperature. From your comments “THE DESSERTS ARE ALL TERRIBLE AND ARE OF A 2 STAR CALIBER RESORT” looks like you are more acquainted with 2 stars resorts.

Ref. 10) The entertainment at LGBP Bouganville is excellent; pool side cooking, pineapple and coconut drinks, aquatic aerobic, and many other activities during the day, until 5 pm. At night there is a live singer in the lobby. The shows are at the family side and they are for all the guests, some likes it, some don’t. The Disco, as all the other buildings, are marked on the map inside the envelope you receive at check-in and also on the 3 or 4 panel maps; there is one just when you walk from the Reception to the beach. So the “horrible burger place” was “better than room service”. So that’s what you were looking for, a burger place!

Ref. 11) You are right about the water, it’s murky, but if you took the time to read 2 reviews you’d have known that. Every reviewer says so. The beach is beautiful, with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrella for shade, if so you wish.

Ref. 12) Glad you found something good to say. As for the haircut, I’m a man and will always go to a barbershop not a hairdresser.

Ref. 13) The house wines are Spanish wines and are good for house wines. I drunk mostly Rose and I liked it.

Ref. 14) Glad you enjoyed the excursion.

Ref. 15) Car rental companies are the same everywhere. What this has to do with the hotel?

Ref. 16) NOT TRUE. We have the same request (sent, pillow, ironing) to our butler and everything was done to our satisfaction. It’s probably HOW YOU ASK. What is pathetic it’s you not wanting to understand that the staff is responding to your way of “ASKING” and “TALKING”. The Management, and we met everyone at different occasions, does care for the wellbeing of the guests in an exceptional way.

Ref. 17) Casinos are for fun and having a good time. If you want to win, buy a lottery ticket and pray.

Ref. 18) So you know how a 1 star hotel work! Wi-Fi in remote areas is slow and unreliable anywhere.

Ref. 19) The power grid is not own by the hotel. Every time the power went off during our stay the hotel’s generator kicked in.

Ref. 20) It all comes back to your way of behaving. You get what you give.

Ref. 21) We exchanged our towels for clean ones, leaving the card with the pool staff and at the end of our stay recuperated the card to return it at check-out. Don’t see a problem there.

Ref. 22) The “Graydon’s Room” banner is used, as your butler said, to mark loyal/repeat guests. It’s a mark of distinction and appreciation by the hotel, and by taking it down by yourself you just proved you are not worthy of it.

We visited this hotel during the last week of May, at the same time as Serena N., and hope to return as soon as possible.

I'm staying here right now and really like the resort and the staff are very friendly. However I was approached on my first day and asked if I wanted to attend a presentation about VIP membership. This was meant to last one hour but took two hours of time wasted on my holiday (my own fault for accepting). And now today I have been approached again - this time the man did not believe I had been to a presentation and wanted to know who referred me. I don't appreciate the approach or being spoken to this way. I'm hoping no one asks me about this again!