This was our first time in Puerto Plata, but 3rd time in DR, since we have traveled to Punta Cana. We were originally booked at the Iberostar Costa Dorada, but changed our minds after reading bad reviews and seeing terrible pictures of the beach and location of the resort. Because of the great reviews, we chose the Gran Ventana.

We have traveled extensively throughout the caribbean and this is the wosrt hotel that we've stayed in. We are not picky travelers, but we expect the basics i.e., a clean bathroom, working TV, up to date furniture, working toilet, etc. We had to get the manager involved just to get these basic needs addressed. It was amazing to us that they had so many cleaning personel, but still had dirty rooms. This is the first time we've ever had to go to the front desk about a room on any vacation.

Beach- Punta Cana was much better. The water wasn't as blue or as warm in Puerto Plata. The wind was not a factor as mentioned in other reviews.

Food- Not enough seafood (lobster, shrimp)

Nightlife- Good- off the resort

Location- That was good since we were surrounded by other hotels and night spots

All in all, we got what we paid for since this was the cheapest all inclusive vacation that we've been on. We are happy that the cab driver we had every night took us to the Maxim Bungalows for a tour and we are staying there in August. Kudos to the cab driver!!

just returned from 2 weeks at the gran ventanna, we were a party of 10 and had requested to have rooms all together we also paid extra to have two children 14 and 16 in a room of their own but they must be in the middle of the adults, well this never happened in fact we werent even near each other, found out this was thomas cooks fault as they never even sent request through, we wont talk about them though big big seperate issues with them, the reception tried to move us around and they upgraded us but we couldnt get it through to them about the teenagers being with us, in the end they put the teenagers in a big suite with one set of parents, but the rest all over the place, then they kept saying we will put you all together in a couple of days, well that never happened we gave up going to them in the end.
Dont stay in the beta block if you want to sleep, they dont tell you about this but the clubs are outside of it and they finish about 4 or 5 am every morning, we complained again and was told again the hotel was full, even went to our rep for help but that didnt help either, one couple was moved a couple of days later by jenny in reception the rest of us had gave up by then , so that means we realy were now all over the hotel.
we found the bell boys realy helpfull and friendly they got us taxis as one of the teenagers fell ill and was in the hospital for a coulple of days, we seemed to have it all happen, anyway the entertainment boys were good but the entertainment finished way to early 10.30 pm or earlier, and some of the shows werent very good that were from outside the hotel, staff were lovely always lauging with you, all realy friendly there isnt enough to do outside the hotel safely, the beach was lovely and clean and the looky men are nice to they dont harrass you, sea lovely all the restaurants were lovely and the food was good, just before we left the hotel opened their other block catalina as they were renovating it, but without that occupied there wasnt any room near the pool to sun bathe and the pool was realy quite dirty as it got fuller so im glad we left then.
overall we paid a lot of money and we were very dissappointed with the hotel and the travel agents, will not be repeating the experience.

I've just returned from a weeks stay at the Gran Ventana Beach Resort where my friend got married. The food, pool & staff were excellent, all areas of the hotel are well maintained & very clean. The room was nice with the mini bar stocked daily, but the bathroom was in need of some updating. We really enjoyed drinking the cocktails around the swim up bar.

This was my third visit to the Dominican Republic, staying in a different area each time, but the evening entertainment here was by far the worst I have seen. There were no high quality shows like I was used to seeing.

Overall the holiday was great & my friend had a beautiful wedding.

We stayed at the Gran Ventana from the 1st to the 15th July. I was a little dubious before we went as I had read some of the reviews on here before we left but for those people who have written bad reviews I really cannot understand it!
The hotel was wonderful - overall it was clean and in general was well kept. The staff could not do enough for you and considering their wages are phenomenally low they still manage to smile and always try to help and make your holiday the best it can be. You will always find them cleaning around the resort all day.
They are very appreciative of any tips you give them because as I said previously their pay is very low and may I add that they do deserve extra because you would not get their level of committment from hotels in the UK!!!
The food was lovely - everyday there was something we liked so meal times was never a problem. As we have a 3 yr old we were very happy to find that there was always something he liked too.
The animation team were great - did a really good job. Our little boy loved the kids disco of a nightime where they did the okey kokey etc.
We had absolutely no probelms with the mosquito's. Only my husband was bitten.
Our room was cleaned everyday and the maids left flowers on the bed. We tipped these 2 ladies as they worked really hard.
Unfortunately I fell ill on holiday and had to be taken to hospital but the staff at the hotel did all they could before I left to try and make me better. They bought me some tummy settlers to the room and even made a drink up for me which the Dominicans drink when they have a tummy upset. When this didnt work they took me straight to the medical centre which is near enough next to the hotel where they put me straight on to a drip and then took me to hospital where I stayed overnight. The staff at the hospital were just as good as the hotel - couldnt do enough for you and the level of care and standard of hygiene was higher than that of our own NHS!
This has not put me off from returning to the Dominican as I believe this is one of the best holidays I have had. The resort, the beach, the weather, the food, the entertainment and especially the staff made this a very enjoyable holiday!