Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Coral Hamaca, DR

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Caribbean Islands (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/)

- - Coral Hamaca, DR (https://www.fodors.com/community/caribbean-islands/coral-hamaca-dr-37897/)

Coral Hamaca, DR

Hi, going to DR (Coral Hamaca) in April - our research tells us it should be THE PLACE for our money. Does anyone have any info? Thanks

A friend and I are going to the DR (Coral Hamaca also) April 2 - 9. I have not been there before but this website has good reviews of the resort: http://www.computan.on.ca/~pdowney/travel.html

We are scheduled to go in May. How was the trip? Any advise/problems? Would you go back? What about the hotel? How were the people? Any advise would be appreciated.

Just returned on 4/9/99 from my trip. Overall, it was a very nice resort. Most people were very anxious to please you. As I'm sure you've read, although it claims to be "all-inclusive" the tips were definitely appreciated. I'd definitely recommend trying to get reservations at the restaurants. The buffet was average. Be aware that you may run into inconsistencies as to the number of reservations per restaurant per week. Also, we took a catamaran to Saona Island and a Santo Domingo day-trip with Turinter (has desk in hotel lobby). We found both outings to be very worth the money. Especially the Saona Island trip. What a beautiful place!!! Feel free to email me with more questions.

Thank you for your input-we are leaving on Thur. 4/15 and are looking forward to it. Were you happy with your accomodations - anything we should "beware" of - did you feel safe on the island?

Here is a review I wrote for another website. My friend and I spent a week in the Dominican Republic at the Coral Hamaca Resort & Casino in Boca Chica. It was the first time for both of us in the Dominican Republic. Many people asked us before we went, why we had chosen the Dominican Republic. We replied that it seemed as though it was a good deal for your money. This turned out to be the case! The Airport We flew TWA (which we will NEVER do again!). Upon arrival in the airport, be prepared (whether you request it or not) that as soon as your bags come off of the conveyor belts, a Dominican skycap will put them on his dolly and take you outside to meet your hotel transfers. He will expect a tip. My skycap kept saying, "Algo bueno, lady [Something good, lady]." From there, another swarm of people will take your bags to the van or bus, and again, expect a tip. If you do not want them to take your bags, you have to be aggressive in telling them you'd like to carry them yourself. Be prepared for the same thing to happen when you arrive at the airport for your departure. The Hotel Upon arrival at our hotel, I was immediately impressed with how pretty and well maintained it is. Everything from the lobby, casino, pools and landscaping was in mint condition. Other than a few broken trees, barely any evidence of a hurricane. Be sure to specify what, if any, special requests that you have for your room. Because my friend and I were two single women (not a couple) traveling together, we requested two beds on the second or higher floor. When we asked the man that checked us in, he replied that all rooms have two beds. When we went to our room, there was one bed. We went through quite an ordeal to get a room with two beds. In addition, when you check in, I recommend requesting the safe key ($14/week), towel cards, restaurant booklet, remote control for TV, and if needed, credit for long distance phone calls to be charged to the room. We tipped our maid a few pesos every other day. Generally, they were fairly good about providing water and ice and making our beds. We did hear of a case where a guest's 11 year old returned to her room to find the maid sleeping on her bed! Remember you are in a very poor country! If you need to change money, there is a bank branch in the hotel. Be sure to bring a driver's license or a passport for identification purposes. The Buffets There are buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast buffet consisted of eggs (made to order) or omelettes. French toast, pancakes, fruit, cereal, pastry and bread, breakfast meats, juices, etc. The lunch buffets varied according to location, but overall, served pizza, bbq, hamburgers, hot dogs, soups, pasta, deli selections and french fries. The dinner buffets had a different theme nightly (Dominican, BBQ, American, Carribean, Mexican, Chef's Choice). Overall, they were ok. We managed to find something edible on each night. The Restaurants There were four a la carte restaurants: Italian, Mexican, Chinese and Seafood. Each fairly good. The service in each restaurant was exceptional. We generally tipped them something nominal. Be aware that you need to make reservations at least a day in advance and bring your book that is provided during check-in. We found that each hostess had a different set of rules as to the # of reservations per restaurant per person and whether you could make same day reservations. The Bars There were several bars in the resort. The pool in the Gardens area of the resort was a large free-form with a combination swim up and dry bar. In addition, there was a pool bar at the beach, as well as another bar right off of the beach. We enjoyed the Baccarat bar inside the hotel. There you will meet a very nice gentlemen, Jancer. We also spent one evening in the nightclub. They played fairly good music. We went on a week night and it wasn't very crowded. We would tip the bartenders occasionally. In addition, you should make sure the bartender understands that you want a pina colada WITH RUM. Several times we had to ask them to add it after the fact! The Casino The casino was a lot of fun. We played only the slot machines. Neither myself or my friend really won, but we did see plenty of people that did! Day Trips We took two day trips through Turinter (desk in hotel lobby). Our favorite was a day trip on a catamaran to Saona Island. You leave early in the morning and take a fairly long ride to Bayahibe, a small fishing village. The tour guide points out areas of interest along the way. Once we arrived, we took small boats out to the catamaran. Immediately, we were offered rum and cokes. Once underway, the merengue music came on. Unfortunately, our boat's motor didn't work well, so we were combination of towed and sailed the whole way. It didn't bother me because the winds felt great. The island is surrounded by the most beautiful emerald green waters. We danced the merengue and relaxed. Upon arrival, we took small boats into shore. We were served lunch and drinks and had time to swim and explore a bit. Then we took speed boats to a shallow part of the island where we swam for a bit more and then went back to port. Our day trip to Santo Domingo was also very well done. Although, in retrospect, I think that a half day would have been sufficient. We saw the Tres Ojos caves, the aquarium, drove around the city, toured the old city, an amber museum and then went shopping. Safety As two single women travelling alone, we felt completely safe the entire trip. The resort is literally surrounded by guards (some with shotguns). I think the scariest part was in the market in Santo Domingo. The vendors there are very aggressive about selling to you. That is an advantage when it comes to bargaining with them on prices! Miscellaneous When we were selecting our resort, we wanted a place where we could possibly meet some people our age. In that particular area, we were kind of disappointed. If you are single people looking to meet other singles, it may not be the place for you. It is primarily families and couples. We still had a wonderful time and would recommend the resort to others.

KARA, YOU ARE WONDERFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORT ON THE CORAL HAMACA AND THE D.R. - WE ARE LEAVING TOMORROW, AND I AM REALLY COMFORTABLE AND EXCITED NOW THAT I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT. THANK AGAIN

We're thinking of going to the Dominican Republic, I'm interested to here how your trip was RE. Thanks for your report Kara! We went to St. Lucia in March and loved it, but are looking for something less expensive for our next trip.

Does the Coral Hamaca have a website??

Kara, or anyone else that's been to Boca Chica. I am getting married this weekend and we're honeymooning in Boca Chica for one week at the Hamaca Vacation Club Resort. Is this the same as the Coral Hamaca? A few questions ... does the resort have a shuttle or do you take public transporation to/from the airport, and what should we expect to pay for transporation? How is the scuba diving? Any other sites/activities you would recommend while we're there? Any input would be MUCH appreciated. :)

I apologize to those who have asked me questions and I haven't replied. I have been travelling A LOT for business. The Coral Hamaca does have a website. http://www.coralhotels.com.do/english/hamaca.htm

ANNA, WE VACATIONED IN D.R.,CORAL HAMACA RESORT IN APRIL. IT WAS A WONDERFUL VACATION , JUST AS KARA HAD REPORTED. THE ROOM, SERVICE, GROUNDS WERE PERFECT. EVERYTHING WAS GROOMED AND CLEANED CONSTANTLY. WE HAD AN OCEAN VIEW WHICH WAS A WONDERFUL SIGHT. A SLIGHT LANGUAGE BARRIER, BUT THAT WAS EASY ENOUGH TO OVERCOME. WE TOOK A 1/2 DAY TOUR OF SANTO DOMINGO WHICH WAS INTERESTING, OUR GUIDE WAS VERY INFORMATIVE. DON'T EXPECT TO GET CHEAP SOUVENIERS, EVEN THOUGH OUR DOLLAR IS 15/1, THEY HAVE THE PRICES UP ACCORDINGLY, WE HAD FUN IN THE CASINO, ENJOYED THE SUN, PLENTY OF ROOM ON THE BEACH, THE MEALS WERE EXCELLENT, WE TRIED ALL RESTAURANTS, ENJOYED THE ITALIAN THE MOST, BE SURE TO MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR ENTIRE STAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE CERTAINLY HAD A GREAT TRIP FOR THE MONEY, WOULD GO BACK AND EVEN STAY LONGER. THE POOL WAS BEING REDONE AND SHOULD BE READY NOW. BUT THE OCEAN WAS BEAUTIFUL. MANY EUROPEAN GUESTS, FRENCH, ENGLISH, GERMAN, ALL LANGUAGES WERE BEING SPOKEN. WOULD NOT HESITATE TO RECOMMEND THIS TRIP.

We went to the Coral Hamaca in March 99 for 7 days/8 nights. The airplane trip was a little a scary (we almost missed our connector, they lost our luggage) but once we got to the Hamaca, we forgot the problems. I was wonderful! We had a garden side room, which was great, although next time I'll choose ocean side. The buffet food was ok, the restaurants great (expecially the Italian one). The Mexican restaurant had the best staff-they obviously like their jobs, and deserve good tips. I think some post-hurricane renovating had been done recently, so everything was in perfect condition. I'll definitely go back to DR, maybe to a place that costs a little more, just to experience some luxury. But the Coral Hamaca was an excellent value!

Does anyone know how the kids club at Coral Hamaca is? My travel agent is recommeding this place as a cost effective, decent resort. Are there babysitting services at night? What isn't luxurious about the resort??

Also, is it easy to get on one of the two tennis courts??