Help deciding between amhsa resorts in puerto plata?

icculus · #1 02-03-2006, 01:45 PM

I am currently planning to go to puerto plata the last week in february. Does anybody recommend one of these resorts over the others. It will be 2 couples in there mid 20's going who only speak english. We were looking at the Casa Marina Reef or Casa Marina Beach. Also the Paradise beach and casino. And lastly the Paraiso Del Sol Resort. They will all cost the same amount so I am just trying to find out which one is the best. Also we will be coming from santiago airport could someone please tell me approximately how much a taxi will be. I could only find posts about this from a couple years ago and I wasn't sure how much prices had changed. Thanks for any input.

HOWMAR · #2 02-03-2006, 02:02 PM

Which is your preference? A hotel located in a complex of approx. 14 hotels with little contact with the locals or a hotel located in a beach town with local color?

icculus · #3 02-03-2006, 02:07 PM

We are probably not going to venture too far from the resort so our main priorities are the ammenities of the hotel. Which resort is more luxorious and which place has the best restaurants for an all inclusive place. We like to drink and relax. We visited the Sun Village resort and spa last october and had a great time. the beach was nothing special so we just stayed by there main pool most of the time

HOWMAR · #4 02-03-2006, 02:26 PM

Probably best bet then is Paradise Beach and Casino. It is located in Playa Dorada complex in Puerto Plata. About a half hour closer to STI airport than those located in Sosua.

Many posters on this board use JJ for transfer to and from STI. He speaks English and is reliable. Depending on the time of day, his rate to Playa Dorada from STI is in the $60 range. He can be contacted at:
palomalinda0890@hotmail.com

icculus · #5 02-03-2006, 02:47 PM

so you would say that is the nicest of the three if you are just staying at the resort.

HOWMAR · #6 02-03-2006, 03:02 PM

Paradise is a better choice than either Casa Marina. I'm not familiar with Paraiso Del Sol. That said, Paradise is not a five star resort, but is very good value. My only caution is to avoid their casino. There have been many complaints of cheating, loaded games, etc. American Casino at Jack Tar is an honest casino a five minute walk within the complex.

icculus · #7 02-03-2006, 03:25 PM

thanks for your advice one last question how would you compare this to sun village resort and spa. we are thinking of spending half the time there but it is twice as expensive so any advice would be great

HOWMAR · #8 02-03-2006, 03:36 PM

Sun village is a step above Paradise. It is a much newer resort. Personally, for the money, I think Paradise is better value. If it were only 20% more I would say Sun Village. *** vs. **** Neither is *****. If I were going to pay Sun Village, I would consider Casa Colonial, a new ***** boutique hotel in Playa Dorada. Even more, but probably worth the difference. I either traveled looking for value or splurged. Sun Village is neither here nor there.

Charlielyn · #9 02-03-2006, 04:43 PM

Sun Village can't be compared to Paradise Beach. Sun Village is new, high end, out does Paradise 10 to 1. Paradise is old and run down. Unless you are staying in a vacation club room, you will not like the room at all. If the room doesn't matter to you then Partadise is a good choice for young people because of the closeness to discos. Casa Marina is a nicer choice of hotel over Paradise but is in Sosua instead of Puerto Plata.