dwkresin

I am the proud owner of a small resort. I joined this forum to get ideas from vacationers. I am not here to get guests. I have a very friendly staff and exceptionally clean resort with a bar. I plan to buy another resort but want to take it in a different direction. I want something more "hip" and family friendly. Let me know what would make you have an outstanding vacation.

suze

I like reasonable prices and don't need anything fancy.

Because I often travel solo, I prefer to stay someplace where there's a town to walk around and explore (not isolated) with things to see and do.

I don't want to have to rent a car, but prefer to be able to get from and to the airport via taxi or shuttle.

A pool is my only "must have" really. Air-con if I'm there in the summertime.

tch912

I have never traveled to Dominican Republic. When I looked at islands to travel to, I like small authenic hotels in safe areas. It appears DR has a large group of all inclusive resorts, which I am not a big fan of. I like to be able to walk or take public transportation to shop and eat. I only like to be on the beach one or two days in a week. I have read that people say the DR is not safe, but they also say that about Jamaica but, I have been to Jamaica twice and had no issues and never felt unsafe. I am aware of my environment and use precautions to be safe. Since I usually travel with two friends, I like if we all have three beds in one room, it's ok if one is a sofa bed or rollaway bed. Must have air conditioning and I like to have a lite breakfast included, juice, coffee, rolls, fruit etc. I hope this help. Good luck on your resort.

dwkresin

I have current property in Belize. Love it!!! The place in DR is out of the touristy area and safe. It is both good and a drawback at the same time. I was thinking of a tour through the hills to the other side of the island. I have more ideas than money is my major problem. I will probably have to leave the states to get this running so I verified the safety of the location. I will be there again in a month. It is time to check on my little resort and make sure all is right with the staff.

KVR

We love AI resorts and have been to many in several destinations. What I don't like about the DR is that their AI resorts are so huge and too full of people.

We like to very active on vacation. Getting off the resort and doing tours, excursions, shopping and sightseeing in a safe environment without getting harrassed or haggled to death.

Bars and restaurants and other activites need to be close so we can either walk or a cab won't cost a small fortune. We don't rent cars on vacation.

Would prefer included breakfast and an alcohol plan in the over all price over a full AI. Never seen any hotel offer that. It's either AI or not AI.

One of my pet peeves is there is never any room in the bathroom for a make-up area. The desk in the room always has a picture over it instead of a mirror. All rooms need A/C and a ceiling fan in them.

I tend to only book hotels with a really nice pool and swim-up bar. I have skipped booking hotels that didn't have one and paid a little more for the ones that did.

tch912

I looked at Tripadvisor and saw some smaller properties. I will do so more research. I am considering coming to the Dominican Republic. Thanks Dwkresin.

JeanH

I've never been to the Dominican Republic either. All I've read is all inclusive, or the need to be able to speak Spanish. So, I've never looked very closely.

I rarely stay at large hotels, usually small properties, preferably 10-20 rooms. Private bathroom. Air conditioning probably not necessary, assuming the property is sitting ocean front with a sea breeze.

I don't care about included food or drink. I don't care for breakfast, and fear I would find included alcohol a reason to 'over indulge'.

I live in Belize part of the year. Looking to extend that time.

suze

I went to the Dominican Republic twice, but it was many years ago. Before Punta Cana was even "invented". I don't speak Spanish and we didn't stay at an all-inclusive. It seemed as "safe" as anywhere else I've been (includes Jamaica and Mexico). One time a group rented a house in Sosua. The other with a boyfriend we came in thru Santa Domingo, then made our way by bus up and stayed at a regular hotel at the edge of Puerto Plata.

travelenthusiast

We would like to go to the Dominican Republic, but can't find a resort that fits our usual criteria. They have so many All Inclusive resorts there which we really don't like.

We look for affordable small resorts right on the beach with friendly staff. We want a restaurant on property especially for breakfast and drink service on the beach. Enough comfortable loungers on the beach with palapas for everyone is important.

We really enjoy having a bar at the hotel at night where we can listen to music (preferably live some nights), hang out and be comfortable in nice shorts, not long pants.

In the room it's nice to have a full tub w a shower and storage space in the bathroom for toiletries and with enough closet space to be able to bring your own hangers to hang up more clothes. A small cube refrigerator is convenient for leftovers and water. I like a full length mirror somewhere in the room. My husband votes for balconies that face the ocean. I always like it when the rooms have a good hair dryer. When the rooms are decorated in a colorful Caribbean vibe, it always cheerful.

It's also nice when the hotel is near several restaurants. It's great to walk or catch a short cab ride to a variety of restaurants.

We're not too particular, are we?