hotel iberostar costa dorada

has anyone stayed at the iberostar costa dorada in puerto plata or has any information on this new hotel?

have not stayed there but have seen the development of it. Looks quite nice. I unofficially opened in July but President Leonel Fernandez will be in POP on Thursday to open it officially. It is a spanished owned hotel and is run a lot like the other iberostars. Do not know how helpful that is, sorry!

Would also appreciate details on hotel iberostar costa dorada, will be staying there Nov. 99 and we are curious about the amenities and activies available and if we've made the right choice. Also, how far is it from the nearest hotel with a casino. Would it be safe to eat salads from the buffet? We've heard some awful stories lately from friends who have travelled to D.R. and returned with parasites that took years to get rid of. We've been told to stay out of the rivers and lakes, however, river rafting sounds like a blast and would hate to miss out. Any response for a nervous traveller would be appreciated. Thanx.

Just to ensure that you have a worry free holiday, with minimal washroom trips (because it can happen), I would recommend that you buy a bottle of pepto bismal, and take a shot of it after you brush your teeth in the morning and then again at night. Many people have travelled to the dr and have been fine but after a deadly trip to Mexico I vowed that I would always take the pink stuff, just to make sure that such things do not spoil my holiday. The salads and lettuce are find, start slow on the pina coladas, and the fruit, meaning do not do it all on the same day. About the parasites, I have been to the dr over 8 times and have never come home with a parasite, and that includes eating out side of the playa dorado complex. About the casinos, in the Playa Dorado complex there are a number of hotels with casinos Paradise, Jack Tar (although that was under construction), and two other hotels in the complex have casinos. The Iberostar is not in the complex but is located just outside. It is on Maripica Playa, and opened in the end of July I believe. Saw it being built and it looked as though it was going to be a very nice, very large hotel. At the Iberostar hotel you may be able to catch a cab for free that will transport you to the casino. Although you will have to pay one home. Check with reception when you get there. Often times the casinos will employee people to go from hotel to hotel to hand out passes and free cab ride coupons. Again ask at the desk. Do not be nervous enjoy yourself, this may be the best holiday that you have ever had, something has been keeping me coming back time and time again.