First trip to DR

boneil · #1 08-18-2004, 12:56 PM

I'm going to be down for a week in mid Sept.. Got a great price at the Decameron in Juan Dolio and heard alot of very negative reports on this resort. I'm not a picky traveler and just wanted a good value and some R&R in a location I have not visited. Anyone familiar with this resort? If so, Am I in for a nightmare? Thanks Bob

Musicqueen · #2 08-18-2004, 02:41 PM

TRUST ME...IF YOU NEED TO...ASK SOMEONE TO BORROW MONEY, BUT GO TO ANOTHER HOTEL!!!

THIS WAS THE WORST HOTEL I EVER ENCOUNTERED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC...AND I HAVE BEEN THERE 9 TIMES ALREADY!!!

DO NOT STAY THERE...I REPEAT...DO NOT STAY THERE...IT'S HORRIBLE...OLD, MUSTY, THE FOOD IS AWFUL, NO ENTERTAINMENT...

But if you decide to go anyway, do so at your own risk!!!

ricktoronto · #3 08-18-2004, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneil

I'm going to be down for a week in mid Sept.. Got a great price at the Decameron in Juan Dolio and heard alot of very negative reports on this resort. I'm not a picky traveler and just wanted a good value and some R&R in a location I have not visited. Anyone familiar with this resort? If so, Am I in for a nightmare? Thanks Bob

Ask, read advice, then book (check Debbie's Dominican Travel web site for what is sure to be a lot more reviews of the place, it is all reviews, all DR, all the time, and almost all AI's).

All you will get now is disappointment setup in advance and it may not be so bad so don't let the backwards investigation ruin things. A week in the DR is better than a week at work.

If it sucks, go to another resort or go to Boca Chica, stay in a tourist class hotel and go back in time for the flight.

boneil · #4 08-18-2004, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicqueen

TRUST ME...IF YOU NEED TO...ASK SOMEONE TO BORROW MONEY, BUT GO TO ANOTHER HOTEL!!!

THIS WAS THE WORST HOTEL I EVER ENCOUNTERED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC...AND I HAVE BEEN THERE 9 TIMES ALREADY!!!

DO NOT STAY THERE...I REPEAT...DO NOT STAY THERE...IT'S HORRIBLE...OLD, MUSTY, THE FOOD IS AWFUL, NO ENTERTAINMENT...

But if you decide to go anyway, do so at your own risk!!!

Well, I guess I'm in for an adventure then... More interested in seeing sights, usuall spend little time actually in the resort but at least I'm more educated and certainly will not expect much.. However I must say you sound a bit tentative in your thoughts on this place....

Musicqueen · #5 08-18-2004, 03:31 PM

I have been to the Dominican Republic a few times, and I have great things to say about all the resorts and hotels I have stayed at...but this was I think the 3rd time I went, and even though I got a good last minute deal from my travel agent, that's exactly what I got...just a good 'last minute' deal...

I don't think I would ever go back to Juan Dolio or Boca Chica...I really didn't like the area at all...I still had a great time, made the best of a bad situation, but would never pay good money to go back there...

Now, for the rest of the Dominican Republic, from Punta Cana to Puerto Plata...including Santo Domingo and Santiago...there's not a place I don't like...

Just go, and if you can, take a trip to Saona Island and maybe spend a night clubbing in Santo Domingo, (it's relatively close by)...you'll have a great time...

But you asked...

boneil · #6 08-18-2004, 03:44 PM

Going by myself so have the option to go in any direction, see what sounds interesting and basically just have fun. Any knowledge of local fishing or charters? Do appreciate the input Thanks

TimH · #7 08-18-2004, 10:13 PM

@Boneil
It's a beautiful country. Way too interesting to waste your time in a tourist-resort somewhere. Explore it-that's quite easy. The Southwest for instance offers more wild, rather by tourists not often frequented territory while sandy beaches with no one around can be found on the peninsula Samana in the Northeast. Also of interest may be the mountainregion around Jarabacoa where activities like rafting, hiking, canyoning among others take place.
So much to do-so little time.

Hlywud · #8 08-19-2004, 12:33 AM

Decameron sucks big time, worst resort in the JD and BC area.

dulce · #9 08-19-2004, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hlywud

Decameron sucks big time, worst resort in the JD and BC area.

I have to agree that Decameron is not a good resort. You mentioned that you got a good price and there is a reason for that low price. This resort has changed hands a few times in the last couple of years. I have lost track of which company is running it at this time. Now that you are having a heart attack about choosing it for the price let me put your mind at ease a bit. You probrably will not be spending much time there so except it for what it is and enjoy your time outside of the resort area. Here are some suggestions to help you do that. Eat at some of the area resturants such as Guilla's Cafe, El Mason,and Cafe Real in Jaun Dolio. All three of them are less than 3 minutes from the Decameron and they have reasonable prices. You will get to meet a good mix of people and learn more about what to do around town.You could walk to these places but it is very hot so a motoconcho is a better choice.To buy your tours go to the company next to the Chocolate Bar which is 2 minutes from the Decameron. He has better prices and a good reputation for serivce. At night you can go to the Chocolate Bar or Guilla's Cafe. A trip to Boca Chica, only 15 minutes away, is worth the trip to check out the culture and a different type of beach. Santo Domingo is also a good day trip or night trip if you are looking for night spots. I could go on and on but I think that you get the reason for my posts is to let you know that you can still enjoy you vacation even though the resort you chose for the price is not a good one. Look at it this way, you already have low expectations for the Decameron so it has to be better than what you expect! Let us know on your return what you thought of the area and how your experience was.

boneil · #10 08-19-2004, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dulce

I have to agree that Decameron is not a good resort. You mentioned that you got a good price and there is a reason for that low price. This resort has changed hands a few times in the last couple of years. I have lost track of which company is running it at this time. Now that you are having a heart attack about choosing it for the price let me put your mind at ease a bit. You probrably will not be spending much time there so except it for what it is and enjoy your time outside of the resort area. Here are some suggestions to help you do that. Eat at some of the area resturants such as Guilla's Cafe, El Mason,and Cafe Real in Jaun Dolio. All three of them are less than 3 minutes from the Decameron and they have reasonable prices. You will get to meet a good mix of people and learn more about what to do around town.You could walk to these places but it is very hot so a motoconcho is a better choice.To buy your tours go to the company next to the Chocolate Bar which is 2 minutes from the Decameron. He has better prices and a good reputation for serivce. At night you can go to the Chocolate Bar or Guilla's Cafe. A trip to Boca Chica, only 15 minutes away, is worth the trip to check out the culture and a different type of beach. Santo Domingo is also a good day trip or night trip if you are looking for night spots. I could go on and on but I think that you get the reason for my posts is to let you know that you can still enjoy you vacation even though the resort you chose for the price is not a good one. Look at it this way, you already have low expectations for the Decameron so it has to be better than what you expect! Let us know on your return what you thought of the area and how your experience was.

Your suggestions sound great and I certainly do not have high expectations of the resort. you are right, I typically spend very little time in the "resort" and I want to try and see as much of the area as possible in the week that I have. Will definately post my thoughts when I return. Adios