Puerto Plata

We very much enjoyed the hotel. It is a smaller resort but we knew that going in. Lots to still do. We enjoyed playing pool at night. The nightly entertainment was perfect with lots of seating available and 2 bars available at this time. Service from the swim up bar was very very good. Those staff are excellent and handle the rushes perfectly. The Italian restaurant and octopus were very good. Food was delicious and service was great. The ocean grill was not good. I had a worm in my salad. The steak was not cooked and the grouper my husband ordered was not grouper. 2/3 isn't to bad though. The buffet was delicious for all 3 meals of the day. Only complaint was water and drink service was hit or miss but we understand it's busy and had no issue going to the bar ourselves for drinks.

The hotel, beach, and pools were nice but disappointed with the lack of information provided to people who had never been to iberostar hotel before. Did not get any welcome drink or info as to where to fill up water bottles. Got there around dark and bell hop did take suitcases to room which was nice. I asked at front desk where to find out when and where activities were to take place and they said at towel shack or on screen by restaurant. Went to towel shack and they said I needed to download app. Downloaded app but needed to go to front desk to get access as asked for password which I didn't need. Looked on app on Sat. to book a la carte reservations before we left on Thursday and only had one for the Italian restaurant for Sun at 8:20 pm until we left according to app. The other restaurants said to go talk to concierge. Talked to someone later and they said we should have talked to concierge as we could have got in but then what is purpose of app. We did not end up going to any a la carte which was disappointing but maybe our own fault as we did not go to concierge. Recreation staff did not always announce on speaker when things were going on. Wanted to try aerobics and stretching on beach but I guess there was never enough people so it was cancelled as far as I know. I did do some water aerobics but if there were not 5 to start they cancel. I find that once the program is started more join in. On first night when we just got there, waited in line for a drink for probably 10 minutes by bar where they have nightly entertainment for a pina cola and they did not have any; asked for baileys; none of that either that night. I did go back a couple of night later and they did have baileys tho. It would have been nice to have instructions where water and ice are located for rooms. I did talk to other people at the resort and they said they did have drinks offered to them when they came in and instructions so maybe we were just the unlucky ones! It would be nice if they had more labels indicating what food is being served too. Serving staff were great and staff were friendly. Rooms were clean and comfy.

Hotel was nice a bit old. Need to modernize

Overall we had a great experience at Blue Bays Villas. We like the low key hotel, we came to the area for the beach and snorkeling. Was our first time in a small resort, and adults only. We liked how easy it was to find your way around, and short walk to the beach. You won't get lost out here. One buffet restaurant that changes the dinners each night. Food for Dominican was good, actually was much better than a more expensive resort we stayed a few years back in Dominican. It isn't as good as Mexico, but you will find something you like. Great to taste some of the local dishes as well. We only did the seafood a la cart, as other reviews said it was the better one. Food was very good, we did order a few main courses as the dinners are smaller and they recommend you order a few. Was a little bit confusing, our friends spoke spanish. Beach was great, always can find chairs, shelter, sun and shade. Beautiful sandy beach for swimming. If you walk north you will find great snorkeling. You can find all the tropical fish, eals, huge lion fish, sting rays, octopus, two different kind of barracudas, and many more. Very nice to walk the beach at night, quiet with no body around. Lots of security at different resorts at night so you feel safe. The resort is in a complex with other resorts for safety. Great friendly staff, some of the best staff we have ever had at a resort. There is little for entertainment, small local band at night for dancing. You won't find any of the shows here you would find in the larger resorts. There is a small pool bar, we never went in there. Same people spend all their time in there drinking and never getting out. There are two other smaller pools out there, we stayed at the beach mostly. One excursion we went on was the dune buggies through the mud. Great trip, but they stop twice and try to sell you local items. You don't spend too much time actually driving Great for mid to older couples, groups or singles. Easy to get around, great for accessibility and wheelchairs. We would go back in the future, overall enjoyed our experience. It is clean, our group didn't get sick.one week was great, any longer you would probably get bored. Bridge was out in the town, had to do a detour. Even with the detour is a 20 to 25 min to the airport which is great.

The service at this hotel was very upsetting. When we arrived we waited 1 hour standing in line waiting to check in, only to find out our room was not ready or which room we were staying. Also they could not find our envelope with our information. Then we had to wait another hour in line to get our room. When we went to our room it was not what we reserved or what was on the website. We had reserved 1 king bed but was given 2 double beds. When I went downstairs to Guest Service, I explained the situation, and she advised me that they have to see if there is a room with a King size bed. I explained that what we reserved and what was posted on the website it is not what the room looks like. She apologize and said to come back tomorrow at 3 to change the room. Also, the room had no hot water. Guest Service advised that they will take care of that. The next day we went back at 3 and was advised that they was not room available. That is when my husband got mad and guess what, we were told again to come back tomorrow and we will get a new room. We still had no hot water and was showering with cold water. We were not the only ones complaining about the room or the not hot water. So here we are paying all this money and had no hot water or the room that was advertised. The food was substandard, fried balcony is not a substitute for bacon.

We spent a wonderful week at this hotel. It could not be better located in the middle of a golf course and just a few dozen meters from the ocean. The breakfasts were included in the price and they were amongst the best we ever had in the Caribbean. Great variety of fresh fruit, yogurts, juices, breads, pastries and eggs cooked à la carte. The restaurant in the compound is qualified as one of the best in Playa Dorada. We ate there several times and it never disappointed us. We contacted the hotel before travelling and emails were always promptly answered. Elaine Almonte and Katyusha at the reception were always ready to answer our questions and the breakfast staff was also very attentive to our needs. We had a minor problem and the general manager (Mr. José Maria Spart) took care of it immediately and in a very professional way. We were most impressed and pleased. It is without any hesitation that we recommend this hotel.

It was good but no activities, the restaurants were closed, if I knew in advance I would have gone somewhere else. The team there was good.

Enjoyed a pleasant week but didn't experience anything spectacular. Food was passable but nothing stood out. Beach was average but I prefer pure white sand beaches. Satisfied with the stay considering the price paid.

Be prepared to entertain yourself.