Sunquest Compensation/ Cabarete Bay Hotel - Page 3

appleman · #31 01-31-2004, 11:33 PM

I just got back from Cabarete yesterday and had spent some time at the Cabarete Bay (Azullo Club). The restaurants and bars are all open and activities around the open pool were in full swing. The beach is accessable and the buildings looked fine (although the old Estrella del Mar is closed off. I didn't stay at the hotel but was able to eat and drink there and I did not think the ongoing construction would have been a problem. You should have no problem.

guy_davis · #32 02-02-2004, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the report. I'm still confused by the Estrella del Mar versus Cabarete Bay Hotel naming issue. Your post indicates they're separate resorts (or at least parts) and that the Estrella del Mar is closed.

I currently have a reservation at the Estrella del Mar for early March, but previous forum posters have indicated they're both names for the same resort. For this reason I wasn't too worried about our reservation as you (and others) have reported that the Cabarete Bay Hotel is in decent shape.

If they're actually separate properties however, did you meet anyone there who had arrived with a reservation for the Estrella del Mar?

Thanks for the info!

appleman · #33 02-02-2004, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by guy_davis
Thanks for the report. I'm still confused by the Estrella del Mar versus Cabarete Bay Hotel naming issue. Your post indicates they're separate resorts (or at least parts) and that the Estrella del Mar is closed.

If they're actually separate properties however, did you meet anyone there who had arrived with a reservation for the Estrella del Mar?

Thanks for the info!

This is what I saw. The building complex on the east side of the new construction is closed. I believe that is the old Estrella del Mar. The buildings to the west are open. I am not sure if these had a different name or not. These are rooms, restaurant, bar, etc. The reception area is fully functional as is the smaller pool and jaccuzis which are between the east and west buildings. The new pool construction is behind the dining area is is walled off with a tin fence. The staff wear shirts with the name "Azullo Club" on them and that is what they said the resort is now called.

I did not ask anyone if they had actually reserved the Estrella del mar. Some of the signs out front and by the road still say Estrella del Mar, so they are obviously not completely done with the physical changeover. If you have any other specific questions let me know and I will try to answer them.

Bob H.

canadafan · #34 02-02-2004, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the reply. Everything looks fine for our trip next week. Take care...

palmtree · #35 02-02-2004, 11:35 PM

Hi Everyone,

We just returned from The DR today. The weather was absolutely beautiful as was the scenery. We enjoyed the Cabarete Bay Hotel. The food was great and the staff was extremely friendly There was much more construction than Sunquest actually told us before we left from Toronto a week ago. The pool is under major construction but they're working really hard to get it completed. One end is actually finished and they were filling it today. The rest is still a big mess and will probably be at least a few more weeks til it's completed. There is a building that is behind the smaller pool that is also under construction and you can see it from the deck chairs around the pool. The sound of jack hammering was a little annoying so we spent most of the time at the beach. There is also another building (salmon coloured near the large pool that is under construction. While we were there they ripped up the counters at check in and replaced them with beautiful new ones. They also built new railings that lead up to the circular bar near the buffet. They accomplished a lot of small jobs during the week that they were there. It will be a beautiful resort when it's completed. I am not sure how long this is going to day.

We went to the Sosua Bay Hotel but didn't stay long. It is situated on a hill and doesn't have a beach. There is a public beach that you can walk along but you have to pay for a beach chair rental. We decided that it really wasn't a kid friendly place so we grabbed a shuttle back to Cabarete. We love a beach and the one in Cabarete is fantastic. We've never had so much fun as we had on those boogie boards. As far as the buffet at Sosua goes, feel free to eat all you want. You are allowed to lunch at Sosua complimentary but I'm not sure about the dinner. The snorkling is fantastic. Supposedly the fish eat right out of your hand.

Our biggest beef is that before we left , Sunquest offered us 3 options 1. cancel with full refund 2. upgrade to another hotel with a surcharge 3. take the hotel as it is complete with ongoing construction and you will be given a week free at the resort complete with food, beverages, tips and taxes. So the majority of us took this offer only to find out that the hotel changed it's mind and offered us a 50% discount on a future stay at the Cabarete Bay Hotel. This doesn't include airfare. The cost of this stay is more that I paid for the entire holiday so 50% is not a deal. Needless to say I will be contacting my agent during the next couple of days to discuss this turn of events. The on-site Sunquest Rep was very apologetic and was going to speak to Sunquest's head honchos when they arrive this week. So we probably will not be returning to the Cabarete Bay Hotel for a free week's stay. The 50% offer deal is not what we agreed to. I am hoping that Sunquest will step up to the plate and offer us some sort of compensation. Perhaps it will be in the form of a "good will voucher" that can be used for future travel with Sunquest.

mjkalau · #36 02-03-2004, 04:40 PM

Hi Palmtree
Glad you all got back safely. Hubby and I landed in a huge back up on the 401 going home due to an accident.
Best part was seeing our grandaughter when we got home and finding she learned how to sit up by herself while we were gone and drink from her "sippy cup" She was 7 months old the day we came home. Our little bit of Sunshine.

I have phoned the customer service person "Bianca" with Sell-Off Vacations/Dream Vacations and was told she wasn't in. ??????????? I left a message. Told her some of what happened and asked that she call me to discuss this before I call Sunquest. I feel she should know how to handle things professionally, instead of just letting me go ahead and throw a fit.
I just might have to do it anyway.

One thing is sure. If Sunquest does not fix this up to our satisfaction we will not be using them ever again and I will warn people about their shoddy business practise. Remember a couple of other "posters" who had. had similar trouble with Sunquest properties, their reps and compensation and nothing ever happened. Live and Learn I guess. But it should not be allowed to happen and I feel strongly that we should try as hard as we can to pursue this.
Some of us, now that we are home safe and sound will let it all fade away. Say Lavee (our however it's spelled) The problem is that some other poor suckers will get the same treatment we did and maybe worse and that is just not ok.

Take care. Hope it all works out. Thank God the weather was great though.
MJ

DRbound · #37 02-03-2004, 08:23 PM

MJ,

I have been waiting for your return from DR to report on the Cabarete Bay Hotel. You have been so vocal before your visit, but now that you are back....quiet!

Please share with us everything you think would be of interest to those about to go. How were the rooms? The Food? The Drinks? The Help? The accomodations despite the construction? The Overall Value? How were the other guests, were they okay with the resort? You know, all of the things you wanted to know but no one was able to help satisfactorly.

Thanks,

DRbound (in a week)

Kassandra · #38 02-04-2004, 03:06 PM

Palmtree...

I have been diligently attempting to get hold of "Theo" at Dream Vacations, making numerous calls to get in touch with him at 416-259-1118 without any success..following is the last email message I received..

Feb.4/04

"I have left this for him, (Theo) he will call you. We don't have regular hours, he may be off, he may be in later or early. If it is about the complaint below you should expect to wait at least six weeks for a response from the tour operator, this is the busiest time of year and customer service issues are delayed. This doesn't mean they are ignored but with increased passengers come increased complaints that need to be processed."

Mario

Sounds like the run around to me...sigh..
Will check in later...at least the weather is much warmer then when we left..

coldcanadianX10 · #39 02-04-2004, 03:43 PM

Hi to all,

Just got back myself yesterday after a great week in Cabarate Bay. I will go into further details later about the resort, but wanted to let you know that I also was given the 50% lame discount offer. I hope that we can all stand together on this situation and make Sunquest stand up to the offer. I will let you know what I find out from travel agent and also from Sunqest.

At least the weather was good the week we were there.

mjkalau · #40 02-04-2004, 03:57 PM

Dear DRBound
I had every intention of a full "report" re the resort, but have been "under the weather" no pun intended since just before we left.

I will endevour to give you as "clear"a picture as possible. You will also read what I want to share with my fellow travelers who were there at the same time and had "compensation" problems.

I will get the compensation part out of the way first as it is the shortest.

I called my tour rep yesterday and was told she was out. Called back today and told she was at lunch. Left messages both times, last one was quite strong, but I have not heard from her yet.

Decided to go ahead and call Sunquest Customer Servcie and could not get Jason, (whom I spoke to first about all the problems) as he was on the phone. However I lucked out (I hope) in getting Chenelle, who spoke to MY tour operator Bianca at Sell Off Vacations on Jan. 23 re questions I had about the compensation offer.

Chenelle asked me what the problem was as she did not know what exactlly had happened to US personally, but did know that there was a problem about the compensation with the Hotel.

I explained what happened and how we got a week of runarounds, not to mention of more things not being finished then we were told.

She asked if we were one of the ones that took the 50% the hotel finally offered. I told her No we did not, in fact they didn't even offer it to us, which my husband at the time of check out did not really notice untill I mentioned it. We were not going to take it anyway.

Chenelle said that we did the right thing as the people who took the 50% may have the biggest problem as in accepting it they made a separate aggreement with the hotel, contrary to the one Sunquest had offered. I hope she is wrong, as I know a lot of you did except the 50%. I would try to argue with Sunquest that you felt pressured to and were told by the hotel that you would probably get the other 50% from Sunquest.

Chenelle says that they are FULLY AWARE of what the hotel did and are in TOTAL DISAGREEMENT with them and are at present trying to work this out with them as to them honouring the original deal of 100% our if it has to be a 50/50 split with Sunquest.
Chenelle said that IT WILL BE WORKED out,even if Sunquest has swallow the compensation as they DID gaurantee the free week and it is on everyone's file who took "what" option.

She asked that I e-mail Sunquest Customer Service detailing what happened for their records, as right now they have no way of knowing who took the 50% or what.

www.customerservice@sunquest.ca
I suggest you all do it A.S.A.P

To DRBound, this took longer then I thought, so I will post it and do a seperate review for you.
MJ

mjkalau · #41 02-04-2004, 04:22 PM

Dear DRBound

Was typing lots of info for you and touched the wrong key and lost it all. Too tired to redo it right now, but will try to get it done for you later tonight, or tomorrow morning.
Sorry
MJ

Caral · #42 02-04-2004, 05:36 PM

The public beach at Sosua Bay Resort offers the safest family swimming on the North Coast...with one problem...sea urchins. Just grab a beach chair at Sosua Bay and march the little darlins, with beach shoes, to the water and you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. You do not have to rent a chair. The chairs at Sosua Bay are available to all guests. There is also a wonderful pool and a children's area with supervision.

mjkalau · #43 02-04-2004, 08:44 PM

OK DRBOUND
HERE GOES THE REVIEW

1. GROUNDS: HARD TO TELL AS THERE IS SO MUCH CONSTRUCTION AND RESODDING AND GARDENING GOING ON. IT'S A BIT OF A MESS, BUT WILL LOOK NICE I THINK WHEN IT IS FINISHED. EACH DAY WE WERE THERE WE SAW AN IMPROVEMENT
THE BIGGEST SHOCK WAS WALKING OUT OF THE RECEPTION AREA AND LOOKING STRAIGHT AT A HUGE CONSTRUCTION AREA, WHICH WAS THE NEW POOL. THERE IS ALSO CONSTRUCTION AND REBUILDING GOING ON ALL AROUND THE COMPLEX, WHICH ISN'T REALLY THAT BIG. THE BUILDING BESIDE THE BUFFET RESTARAUNT IS BEING REBUILT AND MADE BIGGER AND WILL BE A SPORTS COMPLEX WITH BAR ETC. NO IDEA WHEN THAT WILL BE DONE
LIKEWISE THE SHOPS, INTERNET AND OTHER BARS.

2.POOLS: THE NEW POOL IS SPLIT INTO TWO SECTIONS WITH A RESTARAUNT BEING BUILT IN THE MIDDLE AND A SWIM UP BAR. THE DAY WE LEFT THEY WERE FILLING ONE HALF OF THE POOL THAT THEY HAD FINISHED. COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. THEY SAY IT WILL ALL BE FINISHED THIS MONTH. BUT I WOULDN'T HOLD MY BREATH. THEIR IS A SMALLER POOL WITH 2 LARGE HOT TUBS BY THE NEW ROOMS. VERY NICE. ONE SIDE IN SHADE ALL DAY FOR THOSE OF US WHO DO NOT LIKE TO SUN BATHE AND IT'S HOTTER BY THE POOL AS WELL.

3. BARS: WAS SUPPOSSED TO BE 4, BUT THERE REALLY WAS ONLY THE ONE NEAR THE BEACH, WHICH ISN'T FAR FROM ANYTHING REALLY. THE LOBBY BAR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE OPERATING AS A FULL BAR. NOT SURE WHY, COULDN'T GET AN ANSWER.
ONE NEW BAR WILL BE IN THE NEW POOL AND ONE IN THE SPORTS COMPLEX. I WAS DISSAPOINTED IN THE MIXED DRINKS (YOU KNOW THE FANCY ONES. THEY ONLY HAD PINA COLADAS AND BAHAMA MAMAS, BUT WILL MIX UP OTHER THINGS, BUT NOT AS EXOTIC AS OTHER RESORTS THAT HAVE A WHOLE LIST OF "SLUSHY" TYPE DRINKS.

4. FOOD" BUFFET WAS NOT EXCELLENT, BUT MORE THEN ADEQUATE. YOU WILL FIND SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AND THEIR DESSERTS ARE GREAT (TOO BAD FOR ME) THEY ALSO HAVE A MADE TO ORDER OMLET BAR, WHICH BECOMES A MADE TO ORDER PASTA BAR AT LUNCH AND DINNER. REALLY GOOD.
TWO A LA CARTES OPERATING. THE ITALIAN ONE NEXT DOOR TO THE BEACH BAR. EXCELLENT FOOD. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
GRILL BAR ON SLIGHTY LOWER SEATING LEVEL OF THE BEACH BAR.
SERVES STEAK, CHICKEN, SHRIMP SKEWARS AND WAS SUPPOSSED TO HAVE LOBSTER ,BUT DID NOT HAVE IT EVERY NIGHT. WE NEVER GOT ANY.
THEY ALSO SERVE SNACKS, COOKIES, COFFE, TEA ETC. EVERYDAY AT THE BEACH BAR AT 5. YOU CAN ALSO GET SNACK ON THE LOWER SECTION OF THE ITALIAN RESTARAUNT ANY TIME AND I THINK ALSO AT THE BUFFET AT 11 P.M.

5. ROOMS. TWO SECTIONS. THE OLD (ESTELLA DEL MAR SECTION) WHICH APPARANTLY HAS BEEN REDONE AND WE HEARD WAS FINE
JUST PAINT OUTSIDE FUNNY BRIGHT COLORS, THEY ARE THE ONES ON YOUR RIGHT AS YOU COME OUT OF RECEPTION. BUILDINGS 1 TO 5 I THINK. WE STAYED IN BUILDING 7. ONE OF THE NEW ONES BY THE NEW POOL ON THE LEFT. THEIR IS ONE BUILDING THAT SITS RIGHT BEHIND THE NEW POOL WHICH I THINK IS BUILDING 6. ALL FRONT FACING ROOM WOULD BE GREAT. OUR ROOM WAS VERY NICE, INCLUDING BATHROOM. ALL ROOMS ARE SUPPOSSED TO HAVE HAIR DRYERS AND A STOCKED MINI BAR (BEER, POP, WATER) WE HAD BOTH AND NO PROBLEMS, BUT SOME PEOPLE DID NOT HAVE HAIR DRYERS OR REGULARILY STOCKED BARS. IF YOU DON'T AND COMPLAIN AND STILL DON'T GET ANY. LEAVE A TIP OF ONE US DOLLAR OR 50 PESOS AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET.
ROOMS FACE POOL, OCEAN OR GARDEN. NONE OF THE GARDEN VIEWS ARE VERY NICE RIGHT NOW DUE TO CONSTRUCTION.

6. BEACH: GREAT. NOT THE FLATEST PART ON THE WHOLE BEACH, IT SEEMS TO BE IN LIKE TIERS, BUT IT WASN'T A PROBLEM. LOTS OF BEACH CHAIRS, BUT IF YOU WANT SHADE GET OUT EARLY AND PUT YOUR TOWELS ON A COUPLE OF CHAIRS WHERE YOU WANT TO SIT. EVERYONE HONOURS THIS VERY WELL. THE WATER IS NOT THE CALMEST AS THIS BEACH IS FAMOUS FOR WIND AND KITE SURFING. IT LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD BE A THRILL. WE FELT WE WERE TO OLD TO TRY IT. IT WAS NICE HOWEVER TO WHATCH IT ALL. AS IT IS SO COLOURFUL AND GRACEFULL. IF YOU LIKE TO BOOGY BOARD THE WAVES ARE GREAT FOR THAT TOO. WE'RE IN OUR 50'S AND WE HAD NO PROBLEMS DO IT OR GETTING THE HANG OF IT. IT WAS AWESOME.
BEACH IS ALSO VERY VERY LONG AND YOU CAN HAVE A GREAT WALK FOR EXERCISE OR JUST TO STROLL ANY TIME. TO YOUR RIGHT AS YOU GO DOWN THE BEACH ARE THE BACKS OF ALL THE CITY BARS. THEY OPEN ONTO THE SAND AND YOU CAN WALK RIGHT UP AND HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT OR DRINK, BUT OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT. IT IS ALSO NICE TO SIT THERE OUTSIDE AT NIGHT LOOKING AT THE STARS.
BIGGEST DISSAPOINTMENT WITH THE BEACH WAS THAT THE SNORKELLING WHICH THEY ADVERTISE IS ALMOST NIL THERE. IF YOU WANT TO DO ANY SNORKELING BOOK IN SOSUA, WHERE IT IS REALLY GOOD, OR GO ON A TOUR OF PARADISE ISLAND. IT'S NOT CHEAP. ABOUT $75 OR $80 US, BUT THE SNORKELING IS OUT OF THIS WORLD. WATER IS WARM, CRYSTAL CLEAR AND NOT DEEP FOR MOST OF IT. LOTS OF CORAL AND DIFFERENT SHAPES OF OCEAN FORMATIONS AND GORGEOUS COLORED FISH THAT WILL EAT RIGHT OUT OF YOU HANDS. BANANAS ARE RECOMMENDED FOOD. IF YOU GO SNORKELING, BUY YOURSELF A CHEAP UNDERWATER CAMER AT HOME (NOT THERE) AND YOUR WILL BE GLAD YOU DID.

7. STAFF: EVERYONE BUT MANAGEMENT IS FRIENDLY AND
EFFICIENT. IT'S NOT THAT MANAGEMENT IS MEAN. IT'S MORE LIKE THEY DON'T REALLY CARE, WHEREAS THE REST OF THE STAFF WORK THEIR BUTS OFF. TIP IF YOU CAN FOR CERTAIN THINGS.

8. ENTERTAINMENT: QUITE GOOD, BUT NOT BROADWAY. LOCAL TALENT, SOME AUDIENCE MEMBERS FOR DANCING AND SOME REALLY GOOD PROFESSIONAL PERFORMERS. ENTERTAINMENT IS EVERY NIGHT AT 10, BUT THERE IS A WARM UP WITH THE STAFF AND THE KIDS FIRST.

9.VENDERS: LOTS OF BEACH VENDERS. THEY WILL REALLY BUG YOU AT FIRST. THEY SEEM TO KNOW IF YOU ARE NEW. IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED JUST SAY NO AND WAVE YOUR ARMS BACK AND FORTH. OR SAY NOT AND DON'T LOOK AT THEM. IF YOU WANT TO SEE THEIR STUFF (MOSTLY JEWELRY) THEY WILL PRESSURE YOU AND CLAIM THEY HAVE A SPECIAL PRICE JUST FOR YOU. BAH!
IF YOU DO WANT TO BARGAIN. ASK THEIR PRICE AND THEY WILL TELL YOU SO MUCH US OR PESOS. IT WILL BE OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH. OFFER THEM 1/4 OF THEIR ASKING PRICE. THEY USUALLY WILL ACT SHOCKED. IF YOU STAY FIRM AND THEY THINK IT IS FAIR THEY WILL ACCEPT IT. IF NOT YOU CAN GO UP A BIT. WHEN YOU STAY FIRM AND THEY KEEP AT YOU YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO GET A DEAL.
LARIMAR AND AMBER ARE THEIR TWO SEMI PRESCIOUS STONES. I FIND THE AMBER IS NOT OF GOOD QUALITY, UNLESS YOU GO INTO A GOOD JEWELRS. BUT THE LARIMAR IS USUALLY NOT BAD. CHECK THE WEIGHT OF THE SILVER IN YOUR HANDS THAT SURROUND THE STONES IF IT IS TOO LIGHT IT IS POOR QUALITY, OR IF IT LOOKS TINNY THEN IT IS NOT TOO GOOD EITHER.
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A REALLY NICE LARGE PENDANT WITH CHAIN FOR ABOUT $40 US OF LESS. A BIG RING FOR $20. EARINGS FROM $5 UP. THERE IS ALSO A LIQUIDATION STORE ON THE MAIN STREET OF CABARETE, DOWN THE STREET AND ACROSS FROM THE HOTEL. THEY HAVE SOME GREAT BUYS. IN ONE SECTION THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LARIMAR, BUT IT IS PRETTY F DROP EARINGS WITH 2 STONES FOR $6 US.

9. MONEY. YOU CAN BUY IN PESOS, US OR CANADIAN. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE SOME US, WHATCH THE EXCHANGE RATE. WHEN WE GOT THEIR IT WAS 50PESOS TO $1US. IT WENT DONE TO 43 THEN BACK UP TO 49 WHEN WE LEFT. WHICH IS REALLY GOOD.
CANADIAN WAS 30 OR 32 PESOS WHEN WE LEFT, WHICH IS NOT BAD EITHER IF YOU DIDN'T BUY US WHEN THE CANADIAN DOLLER WAS UP. DON'T GET YOUR MONEY CHANGED AT THE RESORT. IT'S THE WORST PRICE.

10. CABARETE ITSELF
VERY QUAINT, ATMOSPHERIC LITTLE TOWN. WE LIKED IT. LOTS OF SHOPS, BARS, RESTARAUNTS. AND JUST NICE TO WALK AROUND IN. WE FOUND A BAR CALLED JOSE O'SHEA'S IRISH BAR. WHAT A HOOT. YOU CAN GET MIKE'S HARD LEMONADE, OR SMIRNOFF ICE ETC. THERE AND THE STAFF ARE CANADIAN.

HOPE ALL THIS INFO HAS GIVEN YOU A BIT OF A PICTURE OF WHAT YOU WILL SEE.

FOR ALL THE HASSLE AND MESS WE HAD A GOOD TIME. I GUESS WHAT MADE THE HOLIDAY WAS THAT THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT EVERY SINGLE DAY. NOT ONE DROP OR RAIN. I SAID TO MY HUBBY YOU CAN STAY AT THE BEST PLACE BUT IF THERE IS A LOT OF RAIN SO WHAT. ON THE OTHER HAND YOU CAN STAY SOMEWHERE NOT SO FANCY OR "FINISHED" AND IF THE SUN IS SHINING SO WILL YOU.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TRIP
LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT ANY OTHER INFO.
GOTTA GO,ARMS FALLING OFF.
MJ

weze · #44 02-06-2004, 11:23 AM

Thanks to all of you who wrote reviews.

I will be travelling with a young child in March.

I could go to Cabarete Bay but I was wondering how it is for Children:

Is there a children Pool/section of Pool ?

Is there a Kids Playground ?

Are the waves too strong for kids ?

Are there a lot of nude/topless sunbathers ?

What is the proportion of visitors from Canada/Europe/US ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Buffalo · #45 02-06-2004, 04:35 PM

Has anyone come back from the Cabarete Bay Hotel recently and can you tell us if the construction work is completed or is it still ongoing? We have been told by Sunquest today that the work at the hotel is complete and no one should be concerned about going there. Sunquest is saying there is a difference between the Estrella del Mar and the Cabarete Bay but from what I read in some of these postings they seem to be almost the same resort. Am I correct?
Thank you.