Lifestyle Tropical

Disappointed I should book the hotel next door, the Cofresi. Much better as I went ... buffet restaurants and much higher, better maintained pool areas. More class!

Staff very courteous and helpful, except for restaurants (they all seemed tanned because many Dominicans long weekend). Interesting shows in the evening. Excellent service to the beach.

Repetitive buffet menus (it was like in Cuba); poorly maintained pools.

I liked this place. Large complex full of different things to see. Personally, I have not done activities / excursions outside, but there were several options if you are interested.

The pools are nice and clean, there are several. The complex is great. The food is good, I liked it.

If you type a lot beach, you will not like ... maybe not I have not hated, but it is not the most beautiful beach I've visited!

TRAVEL REVIEW: PUERTO PLATA (Dominican Republic) HOTEL: GRAND AMBAR (Palm Cofresi) By Lifestyle FROM 10 TO 25 January 2012 15 days $ 1,333 / double occupancy / start-HOTEL Quebec • Physical appearance, infrastructure, amenities, etc.. (8.75 / 10): Mega complex of two hotels (Cofresi and Tropical palms) as well as hundreds of condo units VIP, located 30 minutes from the airport and a short drive from downtown. Site particularly difficult to move taking into account its size and many stairs. (80 walks from the beach to the lobby.) Only VIP members have access to cars. Some shuttles are available to us from the lobbies of both hotels. Beautiful floral arrangements, palm trees and vegetation very well maintained. Around 1,500 rooms / units (including condos VIP). Small standard rooms do not reflect the 4 ½ ****, but many have been renovated (as we were in block 201). Possibility of having a junior suite rooms (block 40) with an additional $ 100 per person per week. Mini fridge stocked upon arrival only, water and beer soda. Hot water in large quantities. Seven (7) beautiful swimming pools (including one for children and one adult). Large quantity of chairs goshawks pools. Multitude of places to sit and chat. Several shops. It includes a diverse clientele (families, elderly, young couples, etc) Many Quebecers, English Canadians and Americans. A very noisy helicopter for VIP passes over us all day at low altitude. • THE BEACH Sandy, length, width, water, etc. (5.75/10): Small sandy beach brown. Two levels separated by a stone wall: A section near the sea, very close and the other raised, very wide. Few palms, but several trees with large leaves forming a lot of shade around. Very well maintained (no seaweed on the beach). Large quantity of chairs (gray, blue and yellow). The gray are the most comfortable new yolks older and less comfortable. More sun shelters very comfortable (with mattresses and cushions), but difficult to obtain (must be booked at 7:00 AM). Dark turquoise water of warm to hot. Small to medium waves some days. Some sections at the bottom of the water are covered with seaweed and stones. Very few sellers (except 2-3). Little harassing. Left: 5 minutes of deserted beach, ending with the site "Ocean Wold." Right: 5 minutes of beach ending in coral reefs. • RESTAURANTS-Introduction and quality of food, variety (6.5/10): Two large buffets serving the same food. Quite varied, sometimes hot, sometimes cold. Standard format. Execrable wine (really tasting juice because "Welch", as the red than white), served with dinner and supper. Sometimes themes to dinner (Dominicans, Americans, etc) No shrimp or sea fruit desserts very little variety and not very good. Few varieties of fresh fruit (bananas are very hard to find). A buffet (Pearl) is spacious and less crowded than the other (Casablanca). Two snack bars (one is the seafood restaurant and the other becomes the dominicain, for dinner). Few varieties (burgers meatballs floating in salty water, hot dogs, pasta, meat sauce, sometimes fried.) Eight (8) a la carte restaurants. (About 10 others for VIPs) arriving we had only one reservation in our envelope. For others, it meant going to the office of customer service around 8:30 to give our name for it is placed on a waiting list. Nothing of course. If we were lucky, we had late in the day a confirmation to our room, but we did not decide mealtime. So we had to quickly adjust accordingly. (Especially if it was 5:00 p.m. ET that our reservation was at 18:30). In these restaurants: Nice atmosphere, candlelight, music, decor and uniforms servers linked to the type of restaurants, but no musician who was walking from table to table. Beautiful presentation on the plate. Quality food, but there were consistently the same spice, which in the long bothered us greatly. (Spice same was also reflected in the buffets.) No dress code required on site. • Presentation-BARS, opening hours, range (8.25/10): Approximately twelve (12) bars, placed at our disposal (approximately twelve (12) for other VIPs). They offer a variety of cocktails, well presented (sometimes with fruit), or in a window glass or plastic. Machine "slush" available to make frozen drinks. The hours are very suitable and meet the needs of all. • STAFF, SERVICE-Kindness, courtesy, speed, efficiency, etc. (8.25/10): As far as the various restaurants to bars, towels, ect, the staff was friendly and jovial. Usually quick and effective, with or without tips. The room service is good, but is not better with or without treats. NB: There are plenty of sellers of "time sharing" posted at the entrance of restaurants like vultures. We think they are employees of the hotel and they are here to help, but they will try to kidnap you for a half day by promising you a gift (you will not even have) to sell you under high pressure travel time shared with "Lifestyle". Please note this is a trap. Do not even greet them. They are dressed in white and black, you can not miss them. • SHOWS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE NIGHT-quality content and scenery, variety, professionalism (7.5/10): Concert hall of moderate size, covered, without walls. Lack of space (arrive 30 minutes before the show to have a chair). No decor (except for two masks on a blackboard). Various performances, beautiful costumes, professional dancers, games with the public, but no water show. Must See the spectacle of Michael Jackson. Nice big disco available from 23:00. • ANIMATION DAY-Presence of facilitators, interest in motivating people to participate, variety of activities. (7.25/10): Several activities (volleyball, introductory scuba lessons in swimming, water polo, Spanish lessons, salsa lessons, tennis, billiards, darts, group games, various competitions, ect) Youth friendly who come to us seeking to participate. Very little free water sports (diving mask and palm and kayaking). Water activities for sale ($ 13): Banana-boat and kind of floating chair pulled by a boat. • ACTIVITIES / EXPEDITIONS-availability and accessibility, variety, quality equipment. (8.75/10): Several expeditions offered by Nolitours, but rather expensive (there are none for sale on the beach): Catamaran Snorkeling: Beautiful boat, open bar, festive atmosphere, music, animation. Disappointing first dive: Water blurred, few fish, some varieties. Fortunately we were lucky to be escorted by a school of dolphins. It was beautiful. We were unable to do the second dive due to strong winds. Good buffet (tacos, salads, cheeses, etc). Paradise Island: Visit to a very small island a few hundred meters long, lost in the center of coral reef filled with beautiful fish. Accessible 'jet boat', after 2:15 of non-air conditioned bus. Good meal in a restaurant-buffet on the way back (beverage not included). Stop at a small cigar factory and memories. The jeep safari to explore the countryside Republic and for the more adventurous: Escalating 8 falls for people in shape. "Activity" free interesting: Opportunity to visit the city of Puerto Plata nearby (short drive). Easier if you speak Spanish because people speak neither English nor French. To reach the city center, the ideal is to go into 'Gua-gua' (mini-bus of the people) This conveyance is very typical and extremely affordable (.45 percent). Taxis are rather expensive. To visit: The Fort 'San Filipe' ($ 3.00) with an audio guide in French. Big flea market. Cable on the Mount ($ 10.00 round trip). This complete course is also offered on an excursion ($), but if you're least bit resourceful, you even go there at your own pace. You meet on your way a 'guide improvised' (Dominicans or Haitians) that you can reward a few dollars. Several other expeditions offered. The casino is open from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00. It is 10 minutes walk (2 minutes by free shuttle bus to and then claim the free taxi to return). Nolitours provided $ 10.00 to purchase each day to spend at the casino. They can collect and redeem $ 30.00 per visit. We must get them every day in customer service from the hotel. Full of win-win small amounts (between $ 15.00 and $ 50.00 about! It's great fun. We were won in all $ 75.00 and $ 55.00 without putting a cent. They pay in pesos or U.S. dollars. Nolitours provided tickets 15 minutes of free internet every day. must pick them every day in customer service from the hotel. There are three computers and the wait is not very long. • SOUVENIRS / CRAFTS - variety, quality, price, ease of exchange (7.5/10): A few (4-5) small shops on the beach. Memories varied (including cigars, alcohol, t-shirts, jewelry, ect). Souvenirs and rather inexpensive easy to negotiate and set the 'barter'. At 15 minutes away by car (downtown), large indoor craft market, including fruit, vegetables and meat. Just 30 minutes from the hotel (in Sosua ) huge craft market of about 1.5 km along the beach. • LOCAL POPULATION-General attitude and with tourists. (8/10): People open, kind, friendly, cheerful and warm. Several improvised guides when you walk in the city center and can become insistent, or even harassing. APPRECIATION AVERAGE TRAVEL: 7.75 / 10 • REPRESENTATIVE AT DESTINATION:-Skills, availability, presence, courtesy, efficiency (6.75/10) Woman in 50aine. moderately complete session information. (did not speak to the hotel, restaurants, ect) Respect his schedule attendance at the hotel. • TEMPERATURE: (8.25/10) Hot and dry, slightly windy, sometimes Cloudy. three (3) rainy days. warm evenings. REMARKS AND CONCLUSION • The hotel was extremely large. Very difficult to navigate on foot quickly from one point to another. A great deal of stairs. However, we find the advantage Being located 25 minutes from the airport. • We were in the heart of a big city dominicaine, which allowed us to rediscover the urban area and the local population. • Unlike Cuba, the Dominican Republic is a country where we do not always feel safe, especially in the streets at night. • The beach from our hotel was one of the least beautiful of the region. Unlike Playa Dorada, another beach located 20 minutes by car, our hotel. • We do not recommend any destination that does not offer good value "price / quality." Unless you are a VIP LINK TO PHOTOS www.picturetrail.com/pplata2012 Stayed January 2012 Traveled with friends

see above

see above

July 25-August 1 FINALLY A PLACE WHERE IT IS WARM AND BEAUTIFUL we found the site super nice, very clean, rooms very clean with nice big gallery and nearly all, the buffet was very varied and very good. but the Republicans do not run after the tips like in Cuba. We had a right to visit Ocean World is a free and super beautiful sight to see and we returned on foot from the beach 10 minutes. I would go back anytime.

buffet dinner whatever we're still waiting after drinks tea, coffee, wine lacks some staff these places. shows a little cheesy on some nights.

Site amménagé well with several swimming pools well maintained. Rooms modern and clean enough, although it is quite cramped. The buffet is generally very acceptable with a good variety. The four a la carte restaurants were all pleasant surprises. At the beach or the pools, we find enough chairs for everyone. Are all it was a great week. Value very acceptable.

Unfortunately the brown sand and brown water of the sea are in no way comparable to the white beaches of Cuba. In terms of getting a smile from a staff member ca forget, unless it is the sun in my eyes! VIP sellers are achallant but still tolerable. They did not spoil our certainnement week.

The hotel is really a three and a half stars and no more ... The cleanliness of the site in general is excellent. The food is good but it lacks variety, lack of fruit and dessert ... The pool is nice and there are several deep and interesting for everyone. The Italian restaurant is excellent for a map and trip to Ocean World is expensive but superb, the price is worth it to go there, the temperature was hot and humid during our stay, a rainy day on 7. Not really see any bugs ants set apart but outside, the rooms are very basic but clean.

Staff .... it seems to be bothered every time we ask them anything, a reception service was very ordinary and buffet often we had to go to get the wine or coffee for ourselves employees do not care about us. For service to bars and it is well rotted. No smile from the staff and service is execrable. There is really no beach vendors, they are permanent shops but every other day they make a market the hotel to sell their jewelry, they are a little nagging, once in the week c 'is just okay! Another annoying for us, stray dogs, there are several on the beach at the resort and he walks well on the grounds of the hotel which does not seem to do much to drive them. The bath rooms are very small and super wet, the water flows everywhere.

in general: good food, a la carte restaurants: well, well maintained site but the beach is very small, forget * Section 3, is abandoned at their buffet and maintenance is poor, all clients to whom I spoken will not return to this hotel. our first room lacked for curtains, bedside table, lamp shades, water flowed from the ceiling. staff work rooms at least, forget the mountains of towels on the bed!

NO show at night! apart from a fashion show for children 6 years and we are trying to organize karaoke in ways very very amateur, or inviting guests to the antics of the most lamentable to win a bottle of rum. the VIP section is entitled to a special buffet and fireworks, sections of the first class range of a first absolute priority for cooks etc ... that makes regular customer as a lower class. do not get a room whose door falls in a corridor inside, the sound of doors that closes or people coming out is amplified way very very strong!

Very clean, very good buffet, beautiful beach and clean with no algae. Very nice gym, the staff is friendly, polite but nothing more. Not too far from the airport and the village of Sosua.

We can book the a la carte restaurant that one day at a time. Very unpleasant during excursion is not at the hotel you can not make reservations. And often people refuse this fesait after an hour waiting for lack of space. We eat a la carte at a bellini lasagna that had an inch of cheese a little meat and no dough!! Activities for c is very good but lack of equipment. There are two ping pong tables but that had only one ball ... basketball was such that people would look for it and then do not bring the whole day there was a beautiful basket that a balloon waiting ;-( ((And unfortunately there is a glaring lack of palapas ...

Great trip. Everything was perfect. You can choose between two buffet on the hotel complex. The food is excellent and very diverse. Different themes in almost every day and also Gala dinners delicious. You also have access to five a la carte restaurants. The site is spotless, there are gardeners everywhere and everything is cleaned continuously. Even the toilets are clean on the beach. All rooms are of superior quality. White ceramics onto the balcony. At the Sunday there is a banquet and welcome party with fireworks. The beach is not very long but if you walk east, there is a trail that takes you to another beach. It can jump from beach to beach until about 2.5 Cost Ambar km walk ... Hours of fun. Reservations for restaurants: From 7:45 am for the following evening it can be done by telephone from the bedroom to Service Mgr. Souvenir vendors on the beach: no, peace. There are shops and vendors are quiet. THERE is a beautiful three-story casino and a park Ocean World dolphins to 10 minute walk. Free shuttle service also available. Access to Ocean World is paid by the hotel and there are shows throughout the day with dolphins, sea lions, parrots ... They demand extra for swim with dolphins, sharks or take a picture with a sea lion 600 lbs. On site there is a beach, bring your towel from the hotel. Restaurants and bar not included in your package ($ credit card and ATM). Bon voyage. I have posted pictures on this site ... Lifestyle Tropical.

Do not book to restore the Blue Lagoone if there is rain, because it is exposed to the elements. It is located directly on the beach, the sea breeze pushes the rain on your plate and your lobster begins to swim ... But this is just a detail.