Reviewers Rating: 
Excellent
Classy 5***** resort all the way. Spacious and uncrowded.Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus – La Romana (Bayahibe)
May 19 – May 26 From Toronto
Flight:
Air Transit flight was a nightmare from hell – a 6 hr delay caused us to lose ½ a day on our vacation – all they could do is offer us a friggen lousy headset!!
Airport:
Efficient & friendly customs, smooth and new airport. Don’t need a porter. Just grab a free cart and take your bags to your tour bus. They don’t tell you these carts are free!!!!
The Grounds:
This resort is amazing as soon as you set foot in the grounds/lobby. It’s so grand – majestic and like a palace. It was tastefully decorated in all respects. Every time you walk by the pillars and tiled walkways – esp the blue/yellow corridors – you feel like your in heaven or walking on water. The lobby makes you feel like you’re in a palace in Russia or Europe.
The main lounge is amazing and a great concept. People use it for pre dinner cocktails or after dinner cocktails usually. They actually serve you too!! No tips required. There’s also a martini table a few days during the week. Here you can have any drink and even a cappaccino/expresso.
The flamingos and swans in the small pond is a nice added touch as are the wandering peacocks which wake you up in the morning with their load calls.
This is truly a 4.8 to 5***** resort. There of course were some flaws:
Complaints on this trip:
1. the air conditioner in the room conveniently turns into a vent in the middle of the night. The room suddenly becomes stuffy and humid from about 2am to 7am. They claimed there was nothing wrong but I asked around some other guests and they said the same thing. You’d think they wouldn’t be so misey and try to save a few buck on electricity esp for a supposedly 5***** resort. I can understand day time but not night!!!! I did complain and someone did come to look at it but nothing changed. I know for a fact that other hotels do this. I think the key in the slot would do better justice!
2. The mini bar fridge was not cold at all once I checked in. They promptly change the fridge. Another
guest had the same complaint.
3. The safety box wasn’t secured to the wall. The maintenance man quickly repaired this and bolted it to the wall. By the way this was free for the week!!!! I heard depending on your tour operator this could cost you $20US/week or free.
IBEROSTAR HACIENDA (continued):
Rooms - Our room was the closest to the lobby in building 1 but it was not that far to the pool as others claim. A little walking is good after all that food. Our room was 1225 (3rd floor)– facing the pool. Make sure you don’t get ones facing the barb wire fence/swamp/facing the other resorts. The room was large, new and clean. The mini bar was well stocked with coke/sprite/sparkling water/beer and a gallon of bottled water. The tub was huge and nice and the water pressure was soooooo strong.
As mentioned before, there were some small problems about the room that I didn’t like (i.e. the air cond)
Traveling with infant – we travelled with our 10 month baby there and were very worried about bring her on the trip but found out later that this resort would be the perfect place. The resort provided a crib (a little flimsy but ok), sheets and extra towels. You can use the bottle water to mix formula for the baby. There is tons of food for the infant at the buffet – tons of cheezes/fruits/yoghurt/and whole wheat bread. But bring your own cherrios!!! To wash bottles and bowls we conveniently used the big gallons of bottled water that was provided in each room. We requested 2 large containers each day. As a note: always pack a thermometer, Tempra, and electrolytes powder for babies if they develop diarehea. Our little Rachel was the star of the resort. Everyone knew her by name. I think she became multilingual during this trip!!!
Health –
Nobody got sick. First time as I have a weak stomach and almost always have an upset stomach. This must say something of the resort and it’s cleanliness. Note: I used the bottle water to brush my teeth and did drink all the iced drinks and fruit juices made with purified waters. I also ate salads, which normally I would avoid like the plague. So good going Iberostar. This is a first for me.
Pool. The pool was huge. About 4-5 feet deep right around with some gently sloping areas for kids to play. The swim up bar was great and the bartenders were great. What I noticed was that most people went to the beach in the morning then to the pool in the afternoon. So you can plan accordingly you can avoid the crowd or join them. At the time we were there, it seemed like the place was empty both at the beach and the pool. I liked that feeling but this is partly because of how spacious everywhere was. There’s a cold water jacuzzi in the middle of the pool but I opted for the hot tubs in the spa every afternoon. Much more private and it was hot 29 degrees celsius. They have segregated ones for men and women but they will let you use any one if you want co-ed.
There is also 2 smaller pools – one for volleyball/aerobics/basketball and another round one for scuba lessons of just to swim.
Cha cha cha Music– you will know this song by the end of your stay. They play it day in and day out at the beach and by the pool when they have merengue lessons or cha cha lessons. It will either stick in your head and you will like it or it will drive you nuts!
Beach. It was beautiful. The water was turquoise were there was a sandy bottom. It was a nice warm 19 degrees in temperature – the ocean. Nice soft sand and lots of it. Very clean – no debris like other resorts nearby (eg. Coral Canoa)! Very wide and deep the area. I believe this sand was exported into the resort but who cares it was nice. The sand in the ocean was nice and you can walk out pretty far. The ocean was a little wavey compared to normal this season so it was more a type a beach to play with the waves. Snorkeling was non existent. It was too wavey for this plus there was no marine life to see by the cement blocks near the bouys. This was a big disappointment but I sort of knew this before coming – as I’m a big snorkeling fan and brought my own gear. Scuba diving is quite expensive at $55US +10 for the equip. If you really want to dive cheaply go into the dive shop in Bayahibe town and dives cost about $35 US!!!!! Take a mini bus there from the resort for 20 peso.
The lighthouse bar was a good touch to the beach. They only have your basic drinks there.
Oh yeah, most Europeans go topless. A little bonus for all you North American men. But the again, it should be against the law for some women to take off their tops!!! Not a pleasant sight sometimes.
The beach goes on for a long way past neighbouring resorts. To the left is the Venture club then a small break then the Coral Hamaca. To the right is the Dominicus Palace then the Viva Club Dominius. Therefore you can walk either way for quite a ways if you want to glance the other resorts from a distance. There are patrols guards on all resorts checking if you have the proper all inclusive band on your wrist!!!
Don’t’ buy anything from the vendors on the beach. There’s a little stretch of shops off the front of the Viva Dominicus Resort. You can get there from Iberostar by following a small dirt road for 5min past the swamp right behind the beach vendors to the right of Iberostar. The strip of shops go on for a while with souvenier shops and even a classy cigar shop. I would trust the cigars there only. Don’t buy from anyone else as it’s almost certain they will be fake.
Food. This is the most important aspect of the trip. This is what makes the difference between a 5 star and a 4 star resort. Good news here. There are no hidden charges or surcharges at this resort and you may go to the a la carte restaurants as many times as you want.
Main Buffet Area – very extensive buffets and the good thing about it is a lot of the dishes are made to order or cooked in front of you so it’s fresh and hot.
Breakfast. Tons of cheeses, cold cuts – even proccuutto (cartered to Europeans), smoke salmon/or other fish, breads, poached eggs, eggs to order, sausages, bacon, croquettes, waffles, pancakes, yogurt, cereal, lots of fresh fruit juices, freshly baked croissants, donuts etc…..fruits galore – papaya, mangos, pineapple, watermelon, cantalope, honeydew, oranges, guava etc….. They even had champange & orange juice in the Sunday buffet
Lunch. Standard fair with an Italian stand with pizza, pasta. Your regular salads and soups, and hot area with things like Seafood Paellas, burgers, chicken breast, veggies, beef stews/filets, roast chicken, etc….. and lots of desserts and the regular fruits & ice cream. Note the lunch buffet is ½ the size of the dinner.
Dinner . Very extensive. Usually a main such as roast lamb/turkey/chicken/baked snapper/roast beef plus other seafood mains such as seafood kebobs, grilled squid, grilled salmon, grilled dorfin fish, grilled prawns. There’s usually 2-3 types of fish at dinner. There is also the regular Italian stand with pizza, pasta. Then lots of salads and soups. A stand with various mains such as chicken breast, beef filet, lasagna, mousakka, stews, curry chicken, beans, carrots, mashed bananas, veal escolope. The list goes on. There is definitely something you will find or maybe too many choices. That’s why you will gain weight!!!!
Beach Buffet Area
This is only during lunch time. Usually same as the main buffet but often offering more such as a BBQ grill with mini filets/pork chops/lamb chops/seafood kebobs. One time they had a lobster/seafood paellas dish cooked on the beach. Great but I always find the seafood in paellas too dry and overcooked as they boil it to death. I usually don’t like paellas – as it’s hard to perfectly cook all the diff types of seafood. There is always chicken/beef burgers, pizza, fries, veggies, stews, roast chicken, and the salad bar at the buffet. This place is great if you don’t want to trek back to the main buffet. You can also get a cappaccino or expresso at the bar here.
A La Carte Restaurants:
You can reserve for the a la carte restaurants at 9am-12pm or 4-6pm in the front by the lounge. You can do as many reservations as you wish at once.
1. La Geisha (Japanese/Chinese)
this is most people’s favorite place, partly because of the show – teppanyaki style like Benihanna. If anyone knew Japanese food - they would know that teppanyaki is not true Japanese food but Americanized Japanese food. But it’s still ok. I’ve lived in Japan for 5 years so I know what good and real Japanese food is. I would have to say the food is acceptable and I’m being tough. So most people would probably love it. You start off with all the appetizers shared amongst a couple. So you will get 8 pieces of small assorted sushi (salmon/octapus/fake crab/4 rolls/shrimp). Not bad for DR but definitely not Tokyo. Next comes some Chinese spring rolls and a strange shredded tempura veggies (good but Dominicanized). Next is a soup choice of Miso or Fish Stock. Go for the Fish stock as it’s far superior and authentic from the miso. The soup was good. Next is fried rice which is cooked in front of you (don’t get the plain rice). Actually when you look at the overall menu you are being serveed ½ Chinese food and ½ Japanese food – all Americanized/Dominicanized. Oh yeah don’t forget to order Japanese Sake. This is included and nobody tells you this as they just try to keep pushing you with the crappy house wine from the DR. Finally is you choice of shrimp/chicken/beef/octopus if you order the teppanyaki – which is there specialty. I would go for the shrimp & chicken combo. The beef was not too tender and the octopus disintegrated. Stir fried veggies (Chinese style came also with the meal). It think it is whatever they had left over from the buffet’s salad bar. Dessert was a choice of a tempura banana with ice cream or a coffee jelly with ice cream. Both were ok.
So all in all it was entertaining and the food was ok for the food and maybe not for it’s authenticity but they did try. Drink sake as this is what made the meal for me.
Actually we went to this restaurant 2 times once early on and later on our last day. I liked being served as opposed to gulping everything quickly at the buffet. More relaxing and feels more like a holiday.
2. Hacienda (Mexican)
Order real Corona beer. They don’t advertise it so you have to specifically ask for it. The margaritas are not frozen and are only so so. The buffet appetizer bar was all you really needed to eat. Actually better than the entrees maybe. You had everything on the buffet bar – best of all were the coconut shrimps. The guacamoule is good. There’s burritos, chimichugga, tacos, octopus etc.. Desserts were also on the buffet wagon – mouse was ok but the best was the cream cake soaked in alcohol. Amazing. I had 2 pieces Really good and the highlight of the meal. For entrees the specialty was their taco. So I had it. It was good but nothing amazing but then again Mexican isn’t one of my most favorite foods. The snapper was amazing and perfectly cooked, served with rice. The shrimps were not too exciting.
3. Steak House (Location is the beach buffet at night)
Only order the Filet Mignon (Tenderloin). This is the best out of the whole menu. Tender, juicy and good. It came with a baked potato & sour cream and a soggy corn on the cob. The appetizers includes a deep fried blossom onion (good) & chicken wings/fries (all on one plate – one per table). The appetizer salad bar was nothing too exciting but they did have some sort of strange pickled/smoked white fish and some yummy conch. Dessert was either a cheese pie (not too exciting) or a chocolate brownie or apple cake with ice cream (ok). It would have been nice if they had a nice bottle of red to go with the nice steak!!!!
Shows. Sorry we didn't manage to see any as had to put the baby to sleep. They didn’t seem that interesting if you’ve been to other all-inclusive. Your regular – Michael Jackson/Madonna acts or some Las Vegas knock off show. The bar there had international drinks.
Disco Managed to step in there the last night we were there. It’s nicely air -conditioned and doesn’t open till after the show – so about 11- 11:30pm. They cater to both Mainstream familiar songs and also some Latino music for those from Chile/Local etc… The whole week apparently it was pretty empty but that night I went in on Saturday it was packed with a large Latino group who really knew how to dance unlike us North Americans/Europeans.
Day trips. Didn’t take any from the resort but I hear the Crazy wheels were fun, and the Saona Island trip was not worth it and not as people imagined.
Self-tour of La Romana: This is a brainless trip by yourself. Take a local mini bus just outside the main gate. They come every 20mins. We got there at 8:55am and flagged one down quickly. Don’t worry they will look for you. It cost only 20 peso (($1.20 US) for the 20 min ride – direct only stopping off in Bayahibe town. You may have to change minibuses but don’t worry they will instruct you. Pay your 20 pesos when you approach the town. Note a taxis ride to La Romana cost 500 pesos ($40 US) so go for the mini bus!!!
All you need is 2 hrs in town. There’s nothing to see or do. If you just want to experience the real DR go there and get dropped off at the central park in front of the Cathedral. You will be greeted by people claiming to be tourist guides. IGNOR them as they are not and you definitely don’t need them. The only place worth looking at is the local market which is behind the church – selling fruits/veg/meats/spices etc… There is a good dept/supermarket called Orense. It’s a huge new 3-story building and you can buy your rum there for about 87 Peso for 1 litre of the good dark rum. Buy the dark one, it’s much better and will not give you headaches or bad hangovers. This store sells everything including some cheap T shirts – Diesel for 500 pesos and cheap brand name tube socks for about 40 Pesos. These would cost a lot more back home. This place is right by the local market – you can’t miss it. There’s not much else to see in La Romana except noise and pollution. We only spent 2 hrs there and then went back to the resort before lunch. To catch the mini bus back to the resort you must go south of the park near the police station and catch a mini bus on the main road. They start there. Just make sure it goes Bayahibe, then tell them your resort.
Comparisons to Other Surrounding Resorts:
Based on my observations, this was by far the best resort on the Bayahibe strip.
The Casa del Mar – I heard some complaints from people. The sand on the beach gets washed away by the recent strong wave leaving cement blocks. Furthermore the ground although nice, just didn’t seem as nice as the Iberostar
The Coral Canoa – Heard was really bad. Everything cost extra like items on a la carte. They serve only domestic beverages. Pesky time share people constantly harassed you. The beach sucked with lots of weeds and unclean sand. The beach was actually very shallow from the grounds. This place was more crowded and had lots of younger people and kids.
Club Viva Dominicus was livelier but the facilities and the rooms didn’t look too exciting. The beach was good (as was Iberostar). The Palace (new section) looked a little newer but the pool was small.
So basically, the Iberostar looks the best because it is the best. Best pool, best part of the beach, nice fine sand, a lighthouse beachbar, and the grandest of the all the resorts. The crowd may be a little bit older there so if you’re looking for a wild time maybe this is not the place or resort. But this is why I liked this place as it was quite (undiscovered) and had lots of class. It’s those extra little touches which make it better.
Other Resorts Visited in DR – comparison of Coral Hamaca in Boca Chica
In 2000, I visited Coral Hamaca a 4 ***** resort in Boca Chica – near Santo Domingo.
The Iberostar Hacienda is far superior to the Hamaca in terms of food offered and the poshness and with all the little extras in a resort. The Hamaca is a lot busier and lively and it’s proximity to Boca Chica & Santo Domingo doesn’t leave you deserted in the middle of no where. Boca Chica’s beaches and natural oceananic swimming pool is amazing for swimming in the ocean – this a big plus for the Hamaca.
Summary:
I hope this helps. If you have any questions on any of the resorts we've been to we will gladly answer them.
Namabeer@colosseum.com or namabeer@hotmail.com
Dave
If you want to check out my other personal travels (India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, Micronesia, Philippines, Tanzania, Morocco, Kenya, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, All over Europe, the US, Canada, Hawaii, and the Carribean (Cuba, Cancun) – which include my experiences and great travel tips, you can check out my personal web site at:
http://members.fortunecity.com/namabeer/index.html
Note: One warning, the sun is brutal. Don’t be stupid and burn yourself on the first day. I got tanned even without lying out in the sun.
David
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