It has been a few months now since our return home from the Dominican. Our stay was for 5 nights, there were 4 of us. Myself ,my hubbie and our 15 and 11 year old daughters. The resort was beautiful. The grounds manicured to the TEE!! The workers took pride in their work...each and every day....from dawn till dusk, they worked.
Our only real gripe was the food. The Buffet was okay, each day was different but seems like nothing to brag about. The different Ala carte restaurants were also okay...one bad thing is that one will close each night, and you will just be left to guess which one. The Mexican grill was good.....but the wait was ridiculous. We were seated immediately, but the wait staff were unorganized. We first were seated in a SMOKING AREA...as soon as we smelt smoke....we asked to move...the head waitress told us there were no more tables....but I could see different. We told her we would just leave, then she proceded to find another table. SO...that put a damper on our eveining. The Italian Restaurant was good...very organized and Pleasant staff...we were seated immediately and everything went smoothly. We did not try the Crepes....but each night there were many people there.
We had an issue with our Towel count. There were four of us and we were left three towels each day....our daughter speaks Spanish very well....so each day we left our maid a note and money or a gift to keep us in stock. Gotta do...whatcha gotta do...to get what you want!! We did the dune buggy excursion which was lots of fun......dusty but worth the fun. A fellow couple told us of a city tour with our driver and guide. We would not do that again. The guide has his own set agenda, and places to take us. We did not like that. Do just be careful who you trust to drive you around. Nothing happened to us...but we felt uncomfortable being harrassed to buy souvenirs and CD's and oh yeah...the Jewerly!!! We learned our lesson...and would do our own shopping next time....alone.
Overall, our trip was nice to just rest and relax. We would not return here. Our vacations in Mexico have been awesome, so next time....we know where to go!!

Having booked our holiday 6 weeks before our departure we spent a great deal of time narrowing down where my friend and I wanted to stay. although we knew there was building work going on in the hotel, we decided to go ahead anyway due to previous reccommendations from travel agents. We were a little dubious when 2 weeks before we received a letter stating that more bulding work had started since we had booked and that we were able to change hotels if we so wished. I am so glad we didn't.

Having arrived at our hotel, we were checked in within about 10 minutes and then our bags were taken to our room. The room was fantastic. We were in block 1 which is right on the beach and we had the most brilliant sea view. The rooms are extremely clean and spacious. The maid service throughout the holiday was superb and she was always extremely friendly. The building work most certainly did not affect our holiday in any way, shape or form. We were hardly aware of it at all.

The first night we went to the buffet restaurant. There was so much to choose from and the quality was great. Having been to a four star hotel in Cuba, this hotel exceeded my expectations. We found it so hard to prize ourselfs away from the buffet restaurants and try the speciality restaurants as the menu and food were so great.

we eventually made it to the Mexican Santa Fe restaurant. Although we had to wait 20 minutes for a table, it was well worth it. there is a bar next door and they just ask to to have a drink until your table is ready. Again, the food was great and the wine was good. The staff in this restaurant could not do enough for you and the wine flowed freely! By our second vist they knew our drink order.

We also ate in the Italian restaurant. The first time we went in there was the Bank Holiday weekend and we did not even manage to get our name down on the waiting list. However we went the next night and again the food was great. I would advise going a little earlier about 7.30pm to this restaurant to avoid disappointment. We did go back again on a couple of occassions and got a table straight away.

Each evening there was a show in the theatre. Do not expect a West End musical but if you take the light hearted approach, they were a lot of fun and the entertainment staff really put their best efforts into everything.

There is a Sports Bar which has a dancefloor. It was extremely busy over the Bank Holiday weekend, this coincided with labour day and a Domincan Holiday so was incredibly busy then but no quite so lively in the week. It's okay for a bit of a dance but if you are a hardcore clubber and expecting loads of people i think you would be disappointed. It's open til 2am and has the added bonus of pool tables and football machines that you can occupy your time with-both free.

Having travelled as two 25year old single girls, this is not the place to go on the pull as it is mainly couples. However, if you want a fantastic hotel, brilliant food and drink, a nice beach, a massive pool area then i would definately reccomend it.

I am planning my next trip back there!

My parents, wife and I just returned from a week (3-10 May) at the Grand Marien Oasis.

In reading all the reviews I was a bit worried that it would be a disappointment due to the various complaints about the food, service and accomodations. However, after our vacation I can say that we were not disappointed at all. We absolutely loved the entire vacation and every facet of this resort. I am not saying that others don't have a right to complain, but, perhaps they experienced something very different then we did during our week.

I will break this review up into sections so I can speak a little bit about each are for thos interested in traveling to this resort in the future.

Accomodations: We were in building number 2 in rooms 2201 and 2202. Our accomodations were very pleasant and it had everything that we needed. We had a common area in the middle and two bedrooms. One had a king bed and the other had two double beds. The king beds mattress was a bit firm for us, but definitely acceptable. Air conditioning worked great and the cleaning was done daily and was very clean. The water pressure was great and there was plenty of hot water all the time.

Check-in: Absolutely no problems. Arrived around 3:30 PM and was in our rooms in less than 15 minutes. Everything was well explained about the mini-bar, towels, security, etc.

Food: We ate at every location except for the Creperie (we don't prefer that sweet food for a meal). We had no complaints at all in any of the meals that we had during the trip. We ate at Mangos for snacks, the El Cayuca Buffet for breakfast and ate at Rogettos, El Cayuca and Santa Fe for the evening meals. The quality and variety of meals was some of the best we have ever experienced.

Staff: All facets very helpful. Entertainment staff works very long and hard hours. The vacation club salesman are agressive but if you are just as aggressive and say you aren't interested, they leave you alone very quickly. You will quickly learn where they target people and can easily avoid them.

Day Trips: We went on the Outback Safari and took the cable car to Mount Isabel. Both were very nice and let you see a lot about how the Domincan people live. Both were very worthwhile.

Other ventures: We bargained with those out near the main rold in front of the hotel for transporation for shopping trips, etc. For $35 or so they will drive you around Puerto Plata shopping, sight seeing or anything else that you want. They patiently wait for you at each place and take you to the next. The best part is that you don't pay until the end so you don't have to worry about them running off and leaving you stranded. The bell boys at the front of the hotel are very helpful in telling you what it should cost. We had the drivers take us to the Brugal Rum factory (cheapest Rum around by a long ways) and to the Puerto Plata Markets and sites. A great value and they would always tell you about the interesting points of thier country.

Pool: What a great pool. Split into 3 areas. Two of the aresa re adjacent to the entertainment staff. If you want a little more quiet, you venture to the section closest to the main lobby. Well kept and always clean.

Beach: Very very clean and security ensures that those not with the resort are kept away. Water was a little rough, but very warm.

Construction: It wasn't a problem at all. Not loud at all. But, we were very far away from it. I could see how some building may have to deal with a bit of inconvenience.

Things to avoid or be watchful about:

1. The porters at the airport are very aggressive but not necessary at all. They will try to grab your bags (inbound and outbound) and carry them a few feet and expect a tip. Just tell them you don't want any help.

2. They tell you to arrive at the airport 'at least 3 hours' prior to departing. Reality is that the check in opens 3 hours prior, not a minut earlier. Getting through immigration and all is very easy.

3. Travel to/from the airport to this hotel should cost NO MORE than $33 U.S. dollars. Arrange price prior to getting in the cab.

4. Take a larger insulated cup for your drinks. The glasses they serve drinks in are very small and they will gladly fill your cup. Their drinks tend to be strong, so, if you don't want that, let them know.

5. We tipped the cleaning ladies a dollar a day and tipped at each meal. We also tipped randomly while enjoying our drinks. They are very appreciative and they work very hard to please you.

6. Avoid the people at the beach that want to walk you to the Orange Market. Just tell them you are going for a walk. The orange market is down the beach to the right about 15 minutes. Go to the second set of flags as that is the best shopping. If you don't find what you want there, head back to towards the hotel to the next set of flags. They are very aggressive to get you to shop. Don't forget to bargain down at least 50%. Shopping downtown is much more pleasurable as they don't pressure you.

7. Don't pay for a guide at Mount Isabel. Get your own ticket and go to the top at your leisure.

I guess that is a very long review. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We loved it!!!!!!

Ok, I was compelled to write this because I read one review of a woman complaining she saw an animal under a chair, and the power went out. I shall start from the top..

My and my partner went to GOM for 1 week. We are British, and usually go for city breaks. So this is not a normal holiday for us. Firstly, Thomas cook airlines are bad. Yes you now get more leg room as of 1st may 2008, but the hairs are a bit narrow. Many couples get sat with an aisle between them. The food on board is ok, but you get practically no free drinks.

POP airport is fine. Seems daft to pay $10 to one guy for a voucher for incoming tax, to hand it to another guy 5 yards away. Baggage collection was fast, and it seems clean.

The entrance to GOM is V open! Hardly any walls! But the staff are friendly and speak many languages, and they greet you with a non-alcoholic cocktail. We were assigned room 1302 with "sea view". Basically we could just see the sea through the palm trees! The room was away from construction and on the top (2nd) floor. The maid made towel animals for us a few nights, the aircon was welcome! And the TV has a good range of channels, even showing European football! Premiership, champions league, serie A, etc. ABC, ESPN, FOX, BBC world, not bad.

Mini bar is controlled by an EXTERNAL company. Hence it is not free. I know it seems daft in an all inclusive, but it’s not a problem. You get 2 bottles of pop, 2 bottles of beer, and a large bottle of water daily for free. If you don’t drink them remember to stick them in a drawer so you get a refill. This is great if you're out on an excursion all day as you don’t miss out on the free drinks!

Food was ok. Breakfast is served in the buffet. Loads of fruit, bread, cooked stuff. Bread pudding was nice, bacon is American style. The chef at the front of the buffet will serve you fresh juices or make smoothies. The chefs at the back will cook you an omelette or pancakes (yum!).

Lunch is at the buffet or mangoes. The buffet is standard really, nothing to complain about. There is ice cream to the right of the coffee machines. Mangoes just do burgers, hot dogs, chips, pizza until 4am.

Dinner is at the buffet is ok again. The chefs at the back will make you omelette, pasta bar where they cook the sauce for you, or carve the fresh meat. The Italian is nice, not as cold as people have suggested! Remember it’s the DR take on an Italian! So the food is ok/good, you get given an entree and wine. The Santa fe maxi can is brilliant! I had fajitas and the filling was amazing! I even asked for more to which I was told "no problem my man, in here, you are the boss". Brilliant!

In regards to animals on site remember you are on an island, and the resort is fairly open. We saw geckos by the pool hiding in the shade. Birds will fly into the buffet during the day. There are 2 peacocks that roam the grounds, and you may see ground rodents. It IS an island! It does not mean the resort is unclean!

The pool is good. Goes to a depth of about 5' 10". It is split into three, 1 for "swimming", 1 for water basketball and kids to swim in, and 1 for water volley ball. The entertainment crew does their best to keep people entertained, and a photographer will take pictures of you holding a parrot or some lizards. Be nice and get the pictures done, you don’t have to buy them. We saw some American youths being very impolite to him, and he's only doing his job. You will get approached by vacation club staff. Just firmly, but politely, say no. The towels are on loungers at 7am easily, so get there no later than 730 if you want shade!

The beach is clean and cleaned daily. Again, if you're not there by 710am all the shade will be gone. Whilst we were jet lagged and getting up at 7 (our body locks telling us it was midday!) I think it is sickening that other people stick towels down and go to bed. The beach does get few people selling on it, but the security guard does his best to make sure they don’t pester. It does get windier as the day goes on.

Construction isn’t a problem. Dominicans are so laid back they did practically no work whilst we were there! The nosiest is near the beach, but honestly the helicopters that fly above are much noisier!

The power WILL go down. It’s a third world country practically! It’s annoying that people were complaining about power loss for 30 mins, when the islanders in the hills only get 2 hours power a day. And GOM does have emergency lighting and generators. Our TV reception went on the last night. And was down in the morning still too. It was a little annoying as it was hammering with rain and the room can get boring then!

All in all, as long as you get the shade early, the experience was pleasant! If I graded the hotel on European standards it would probably be 3 stars. And compared with the best hotel I’ve been to (observatory in Sydney, aus) then it can’t hold a candle to it! But it has charm in its own being, is cleaned constantly, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Learning a bit of Spanish will do wonders, and we didn’t tip any bar staff, but still got HEAVILY alcoholic drinks! Bahama mama is great! rum infused, sweet tasting, easily drunk!

Seriously, if all you want to do is lie in the sun all day, read books, and eat/drink, then you won’t have complaints. Start comparing it on a European scale, and that’s when you'll see cracks! Just enjoy it! We did!

Drop me a PM if you have any questions!