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Dominican Republic Hotel, Resort & Villa Reviews
Occidental Gran Flamenco Beach Resort 03/03/2003
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
We just came back from Occidental Gran Flamenco for a 6 day vacation (2/24-3/1). Before we went, we did a lot of reading on line about this resort, which we found extremely helpful and informative. It made us more calm and at ease. So we decided to make a detailed report about this resort, so it can help others.
In Dominica Republic you get the best value for your money!!
Travel: We booked with Liberty Travel and they got us a great deal in the Royal Club (also called Club Angle Miguel) despite a late booking. But there was a mess up of our flight reservation with the airline the night before we left - they could not find our reservation at all. You can imagine what a hassle and stress it was. But Liberty Travel cleared everything up right way, they were wonderful. (My suggestion: Call early to confirm your tickets so that you will have a peace of mind.)
Transportation from and to the airport: It was very easy once we walked out the airport. The Liberty Travel sign was right there with very friendly stuffs who guided us to our air-conditioned bus. We were the first one to be dropped off.
Check in: It was very quick We were very impressed with the Club: a private courtyard with a tiny pool in the center and a bar behind it. We asked to be put in a room that is back to the entertainment stage (which is unbearably loud at night till 11:30), so it was a little better.
The Club Room: It was a one bedroom suite, very big, with a living room that has a dinning area. Between the living room and the bedroom there is a door and it was nice for us. But I did see some rooms that Mexican have a door to separate the rooms. 2 TV and 2 showers in the bathroom. The room could use a little update, but we didn’t mind cause its space. I have to say stay at the club has made our trip super nice.
Food: We were utterly impressed! It is the first time for us for an all inclusive hotel. We were amazed how convenient it is to get a drink and a bite to eat. You can even have your thermo ready to be filled with drinks to be brought to the beach.
Breakfast: in the club there is a breakfast provided and it was quiet. It offered almost everything the main dinning hall offered including if you want to order an omelet, only you don’t have fight with the crowd.
Lunch: You could eat at 4 places, it all depends where you are. The main buffet opens from 1-3pm, and it has more varieties. At the pool side and beach side restaurants, they serve so called “fast food” such as hot dog, hamburgers, spaghetti, pork or beef ribs, French fries, ice creams. The other side is always the bar with anything you want to drink. To me for lunch it is quite okay, if you just need something to eat in convenient when you are just out of the water and the sun.
Dinner: We think the buffet is wonderful. I have read many complains about the same menu every night, but I thought it was varied every night. When we were there, there were Italian, Germen, local (DR), Mexican nights. Except the Mexican, we enjoyed the buffet very much. Our tip: Take small amount of everything and taste them, then you can decide which dish you like better. The Italian Restaurant: Not worth the wait and reservation. You’d be better off at the buffet. The pasta were soggy, just like cafeteria food. The Grill Restaurant: excellent! Especially the seafood platter.
Drinks: the wines were very watered down, almost has no taste. But the Rum drinks are very strong.
Money and Tips: We left $2 for the maid every morning, but still find job were done sloppily. But we did not find anything missing. You don’t have to leave a tip every time you get a drink. The exchange rate fluctuates every day around 24- 22pesos per a dollar. The best rate we got was at the airport- $1 per 24 pesos.
Services at the hotel: They try hard with the activities through out the day with entertainments. We didn’t care too much about being entertained, but were very bothered by loud speaker noises all day, especially at night. It didn’t stop until 11:30pm. Very annoying!! There is a massage hut right at the entrance at the beach. For $25, you get a great one hour massage, I left a $5 tip for them. I highly recommended, very relaxing. The internet service at the club was very convenient. But if you don’t stay at the club, you can use it at the shopping mall (which is only 2 min walking outside of the compound).
The Mall: to our surprise, we realized how conveniently the mall was located, right outside of the dinning area. Everything was much cheaper then if you purchase at the hotel. There is a Western Union in the mall that offers the best exchange rate. Also they have a telephone and fax service. We sent a 3 page fax to the States and it cost us $1. Rates to call the States 18 pesos for 1st minute and 8.5 to follow. There is another telephone service at the other side, 11 pesos per minute.
Excursion: the prices are very difference depends where you book your trip. We did Jeep Safari ($29 per person vs. $75 at the hotel- they are the same trip ) with the Mar Y Sol Tour, which we found in the mall. If you book their trip, you could also use their free internet. All the guides spoke 4-5 languages ( Spanish, English, German, French and Italian), they switch back and force, quite amazing. Main part of the Jeep Safari trip in the morning was an adventure, going up to the water fall in the mountain. No one warned us how strenuous the trip would be. Be prepared if you go, you need to know how to swim, wear only beach shoes or sandals, you will be pulled up the stream, slide down the stream and dive down from a rock, you might also get very cold. So don’t go if you have a health condition. The guide who take you swim up the water fall are not from the Tour, you should give them a good tip, they work hard to pull you up the stream. After that we were taken for a lunch, good thing is that we didn’t get sick.
Beach: the one at the Flamenco was the worst to my opinion. There were boats docked right in front of you and the speed boats were going fast very close to the shore, it looked terribly dangerous to me. The last couple of days, I went to the left side and use the beach on the Gran Ventana property. It was great, the coral was about 10 feet away from the shore and you could see many beautiful colored fish. I loved it; I could stay there for another week because of it!
The Only Complains: The speakers from the entertainment stage were too loud and it didn't shut up until 11:30pm every night. We don't mind other people enjoying them, but we really didn't go there to be entertained. We wished there could be quiet place and quiet moments.
Overall: People in DR are extremely friendly and honest. We love the people here! The Club Angle Miguel had definitely contributed to our fantastic vacation, even though, the rooms might need some update which we didn’t mind at all. The resorts there are very international, you will see all nationalities, that was nice. The best thing was you really don’t have to spend too much money here, but having a blast. I highly recommend this resort. Don’t be too picky, go there and have a great time!!!
Gwen and David
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