This was the 3rd time that I took a small group (36 persons, 25 rooms) for a week-long conference at the Velero. My group members loved the location (each room/suite faces the ocean), the nice Caribbean decor, the friendliness of the staff, and very nice food (we had all our breakfasts and lunches at the resort). I enjoyed dealing with Mario Magnan, the general manager, who is a real great problem-solver and sets the tone for the entire property. One of my group members said to me that one really discovers the quality of the property when something goes wrong and the management has to react. In our case, whenever there was something wrong (a stuck lock, or a/c stopped working in the room), the maintenance came running to help within minutes. I already made a reservation to return with a group next January - and also for a wedding later this year. One caveat - the conference room is smallish, and can seat only about 27 persons conference-style.

My family and I stayed here over the Christmas break. 16 of us, from ages 83 to 4. We had 4 superior suites (floor plan is on their website.) From Check in to Check out, the service was superb. We had wanted to have a special Christmas dinner, which they provided in their beautiful beach bar/restaurant. The food was so good and priced decently that the hotel provided it 2 more times during our stay. The Chef makes a great chicken dinner in coconut sauce

The rooms all face the ocean. The pool is right outside all the rooms. Going out to the pool, we felt like it was ours. it was close, comfortable and plenty of chairs, lounges for all. the beach of Cabarete is long and beautiful; velero is located on one end. it means a 10 minute walk (walk on the beach, not on the road-the main road is a mess in cabarete) to the center of town.

The rooms were clean, the kitchens were adequate for our needs (and included a powerful blender to make Bahama Mama's) We made breakfast and lunch in our kitchens for our group but you can buy breakfast and lunch right at the resort. Also there is a small restaurant right across from the lobby. A grilled chicken lunch costs $3. Also there is a breakfast lunch place, Claro's, right next to the grocery store, 2 minutes away.

Security is excellent at the hotel. There is a guard on duty on all times, making sure that no peddlers bother you at the pool. There are safes in the room. The place is quite small so you don't have to worry about someone getting into your room while you are at the pool.

The place is 20 minutes away from Puerto Plata airport. ($30-35 cab ride) 100 minute taxi ride from Santiago ($80-90) The hotel will arrange a cab to meet you.

If you have any questions before your arrival, the hotel staff will respond promptly to all emails. WiFi is available at the hotel; The wifi service wasn't good in our rooms but fine if we walked out to the pool

We initially were booked at the Coconut Palms Resort. We won't even get into what a mess that place was. After consulting the locals and the phone book we found the Valero. It literally saved our trip. Rooms were clean and nice as was the staff. Restaurants and clubs were a short walk down the beach. If we ever go back I can't imagine staying anywhere but at the Valero.

Came across it by accident in my favourite town on the best Caribbean island( yes, contraversial, but is!)
The best hotel experience I have had in years, layed back, friendly, professional, stunning views...the lot. Cant recomend highly enough.