Reviewers Rating: 
Excellent
I stayed five nights from 15 to 20 December 1999 in Decameron Club & Casino. At that time, Allegro resorts had left the direction of the hotel, and the Spanish company Barcelo had taken it, but most of the changes where taking place, so i would like to say that my review of Decameron is based in Allegro direction, which I think is very different from Barcelo (and i think i prefer Allegro One). Well, Decameron is a 3* hotel in Juan Dolio area, about 20 minutes from Las Americas airport and 45 minutes from Santo Domingo. I phoned them from Bavaro (where i was staying at Melia Bavaro) to make a reservation, and they offered me a room for a single person all inclusive for 800 pesos (about 51 USD) which i found really good... I travelled from Bavaro in a Public bus, which was a really good and cheap experience. First I took a bus from Plaza Bavaro to Higuey (20 pesos). Then in Higuey (just in front of the Basilic) i took a express to Santo Domingo, it costed 60 pesos, and the driver told me he would stop just in the door of Decameron (the only stop he made before was in San Pedro de Macorix). The price of a taxi would have been 1400 pesos, the difference is very big... And the public bus is good, they put a film and it's AC.
I arrived in Decameron at 15.00. The check in was quick, they gave me a map with all the facilities of the resort, and three tickets, each one for each of the special restaurants. I had a room in the third floor. It was very big for me. It had a saloon in the entrance, with a sofa, a bedroom with one big bed, bathroom and a big balcony with furniture. The room had TV (most Spanish channels), AC and Telephone. Of course, it was not very luxurious, but it was very clean. No problem. The room had a safety box, which is not included, but i paid for it. Ok. The resort is not very big, which is really helpful when you want to meet new people and not being alone.
The swimming pool is in the middle of the resort, it's big enough for doing all type of sports.. (typical sports, you know, voley, wateraerobics...)... In the area of the swimming pool there are the animation staff place (where you can have towels for the swimming pool or the beach), the photo shop (Christian, the guy who is there, is really a nice guy, say hello for me!) and the tour operators stand. There is a bar near the swimming pool, which is open all day. Very hard drinks, with lot of rum... and lots of Presidente Beer. OK. The beach is outside this area, but about 1 minute walking, you only have to cross the street to arrive to the private beach of the resort. There you can find the bbq area, where you can have pizzas, hamburguers, natural juice fruits... The beach is very nice (if you know the north of the country, i think that Juan Dolio have better beaches). The only problem are the vendors, there are lots of them, so you have to say, NO GRACIAS, lots of times,... There are lots of water activities all inclusive: snorkeling, kayak, windsurfing, and much more.. I only tried the kayacks..... Very good.
What it really has surprised me was the food. I was convinced that a 3 Star had to be worst than a 5 Star.. but i found that the difference in this case are in other type of things.. Perhaps in Decameron everything is more simple, but it's good.. For example, food here is the best i ever had in Dominican Republic (and i have stayed in 4 resorts..).. Plenty of choices at breakfast, including omelettes at your own like, NATURAL juices, lots of cakes... and also fruits, jam and so on. At Lunch and Dinner you have other options, but food at the buffet was also excelent. At Saturday night there was Dominican night, with all tipycall dominican dishes... Really good. The buffet was opened for a late snack, hamburguers, hot dogs and so on... I don't know at what time did they close.. but later that 12.00 There are three more restaurant, Italian, Mexican and Brazilian. I only proved the mexican, not bad, but not really mexican food (or at least, spanish mexican food...lol)
The animation staff of the hotel is marvellous... They really tried to involve all the guest in their partys... Aerobics, petanca, voley..You know, that type of things but in a good atmosphere, they really made you at home. You can also go for free horseriding, and diving in the pool... Not bad. Everynight there was a special show, the same as in the other resorts i stayed , but i have to say that the dancers are much better at this resort than in Gran Ventana (4 Star in Playa Dorada)... Some nights they organise parties at the disco at the beach... My favourite was TEQUILA PARTY, really funny....
The truth is that in Decameron i have met so many people from all over the world, that i was very surprised.. I have now friends from Canada, from USA, from Germany... People was so relaxed, that comunication was very easy. One of the most important thing of this resort was the STAFF... I knew one of the managers, and i have to say that every one, from the manager to the waiters, where so nice, helpful and smily that you feel in DR..... and not in a resort.... I don't know what is the policy of Barcelo, but although i'm Spanish, i have to say that i have felt better in hotels of other companys.... So if you go now to Decameron, please send a review telling us how the resort is now. It would be a pity that it loose the marvellous atmosphere.....
About Juan Dolio area i only have to say that i have liked it. It's not full of tourist (which is not good for my friends who work there), but it makes it much easy... There are bars and restaurants, most of them in the area of Vioas del mar, near Occidental and Melia Hotel. I highly recommend you having a beer at BAR CHOCOLATE , just by the door of Decameron.. Really good ambient, with people of all over the world. And at night, try the disco of the hotel (drinks included, my friend) and then EL BATEY where locals go. Also the hotel has a Casino, but i din't gamble...... Juan Dolio is near from everywhere...you can move in the area in moto which is called MOTO CONCHO, only 10 pesos each way.... San Pedro de Macorix and Santo Domingo are not far... and there are public buses to go... And also its near Boca Chica , where dominicans go at weekend... So it's a really dominican place (of course, always being a touristic place). I will return to Juan Dolio... to see all my friends.. people at the Decameron was the best i found in DR: kisses to Christian, Max, Antonio, Juan, Wilkins.... and Luis (the waiter).
Don't doubt to write me if you want any information.
Maca
Books & Guides
Reviews
