More about Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace
BEAUTIFUL PLACE, BUT....AMERICANS BEWARE
by A TripAdvisor Member
I wish I had read these reviews before my girlfriend and I went to the Domincus Palace. I will admit the Hotel and the grounds are beautiful. The beach was clean, the water was incredibly warm and blue. There are several pools on site which were also great. All of which was well maintained. But that's where the beauty pretty much ends. The food was abundant but bland, greasy and not always hot. Everynight the buffet menu was pretty much the same. You needed to make reservations 2 days in advance for the restaurants which we didn't find out until it was too late. We did eat at the oriental restaurant "The Bambu", which was not too good. The beef main course was the same beef served at the buffets, same flavor as well. It was a far cry from "Chinatown". As others have stated my girlfriend was sick as dog on our last night. Gas, vomiting and diarrhea. The bars only served local brands, Brugal Rum, and Presidente beer when the Hotel site claims International Brands included. I expected to have my share of coladas and daquaris, but a couple of buds and a jack and coke would have been nice. As an American tourist it wasn't easy. The staff spoke almost no english so asking for things was like pulling teeth and all the Europeans were obnoxious and were treated like royalty. After a day or two of dealing with them I had to show them my New York attitude. That changed their attitude in a big, big hurry. All in all it was an okay trip. We enjoyed each others company and the peace an tranquility of being away from the hustle and bustle of NYC. It was relaxing. My next vacation won't be at the Dominicus Palace, and probably not at another Wyndham Resort either.
Quite an experience
by A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed at the Viva Palace from April 24 - May 1, 2004 with my husband and brother/sister-in law. We had nice rooms with AC right on the water with a breath taking view. They provide an iron and ironing board in the room but no drawers or wash cloths. The room fridge is warm and the lights are dim. Overall the trip was nice but if you want to go somewhere and be waited on hand and foot don't go here. The staff speaks English very little and I believe the ones who can speak it choose not to at timed so they don't have to deal with Americans. The staff is very laid back and on thier own time schedule. Like any place you meet rude and nice people. The Europeans treated us like second class citzens and by the middle of the week we stoped being polite Americans and started being more aggressive right back. We received green wrist bands when we arrived and this identified us as English speaking propery owners. The Americans tended to cling to each other and look for other green armbands. The electricity goes out at least once a day and one time for several hours. This means no power or water. The beaches. pool area, flowers and grounds are truly beautiful. The water is clear, salty and very blue. We enjoyed many snorlking trips. The food is fair at best. The presentation is nice. You won't starve to death, certainly plently to go around just very bland. Lots of bread, pasta and desserts all the stuff you should stay away from. Most beverages are luke warm and we had a hard time getting a full cup of coffee. They would only fill the cup half way even after being asked over and over again to fill it up. We described the meat as mystery meat. It just did not taste quite right. My husband cut his foot and required stitches at the medical clinic on the resort. The staff was very kind and helpful. Even they only spoke very little English. Although they accepted our insurance we had to pay and wait to be reinbursed. For two shots, stitches, and two prescriptions we were charged $246.00. Which I thought was cheap for medical treatment. The shows were lame but I am not a show person. All your meals, cocktails, room, show, etc. For the money it is a great deal. The all inclusive was certainly the way to go.
I would not trade this experience for anything in the world but I do not believe I would go back again. If you are interested in a laid back beachy vacation then you should come here for sure.
Great Beach
by A TripAdvisor Member
My husband and I just returned from our honeymoon at the Palace (April 24-May 8) and had a pretty good time. The service was decent, and we thought the maid did a great job. There were always flower petals on our hand towels shaped like animals. Rooms were adequate, but paper thin walls. One night the vacant room next to us had an alarm clock blaring from 2:30am to 5am. Due to the language barrier we could not get anyone to come shut it off. The next day we had to go to guest services in person to try and explain the problem. The beaches were beautiful and there were always vacant chairs. Not overcrowded anywhere on the resort. After being polite to some pushy Europeans, we finally had enough and became more aggressive also. I was surprised at how rude they were on the paths, coming directly at you and never moving. We went on the short snorkeling trip and had a good time. There was rum on the boat and the guides were great. The food was interesting, I'll say that. We didn't get sick until the end of the trip because we didn't eat what we couldn't identify. Very different cuisine and the pizza got very old after a while. If I had to do it over again, I would have brought snacks. Overall, a very memorable trip. I do not recommend staying as long as we did, a week would have been more than adequate. Next trip I think we'll try a different resort on the island.
Mediocre
by TripAdvisor Member desdamona3
My husband and I just returned (May 22-29) from a disappointing trip. The food was blah, the service was bad and the Europeans were just too rude to even comment on. We traded a time share week for this resort....never again! The best thing about the resort: the beaches, they are beautiful. As far as food goes, stay away from the Italian place unless you like egg noodles and ketchup! Also, beware of the tours, we spoke to a couple who booked a tour into La Romana and they were left there, the driver never returned to pick them up. If you do go, there are shops between Viva Beach and Viva Palace to buy snacks, soda, beer, ect. Also, if you do not tip the maids, they have a tendency to not leave ANY towels or soap. We tipped everyday and the one day I forgot, we were left with one hand towel and no soap...the swans they make are pretty, but tipping just to make sure you have towels is ridiculous!
Pack your breakfast, lunch, & dinner.
by TripAdvisor Member Getmaney
If you take away the food, this resort is excellent! The beach is beautiful, best I have ever seen. The water is crystal blue with plenty of tropical fish swimming nearby. The water temp. is great. not too cold & not too warm, just right. The service is GRADE A. Our check in and check out were qucik and easy. We experienced no problems getting the room we reserved. The staff is very helpful and freindly. They always greet you with a smile and help you in anyway they can. Housekeeping was also perfect. There was always fresh towels and water waiting for us in the room. Iff you needed anything else, all you had to do is ask. They made sure to take care of all your needs. The pools are great and having all day activities were fun to take part in or even just sit back and watch. There are plenty of excursions to pick from which are very affordable. The range 30 - 40 american dollars per 4 hour excursion. I actully took a 2 hour snorkling trip for 10 dollars. There is some grat lacal shopping as well, on the beach and right outside the resort. Go to the supermercado on the street between the Palace & Beach resorts, those were the best prices. As for the food....... I survived on french fries and cheese pizza. The mexican restaurant is pretty good but I would stayaway from everything else. DO NOT eat the hotdogs or hamburgers from the pool bars. They are dangerous. I'm still trying to kick my case of the green apple splatters. Pizza is good as long as you stick to the plain cheese pizza. French fries are french fries everywhere you go. It suprised me that a resort of such caliber could not supply their guests with decent dinning. But I repeat, besides the food, this resort is GREAT for the entire family. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
It's all good - so ignore any negative reviews
by A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Palace from July 31 through August 7, 2004. We were 2 families of 6 total persons, in 2 adjoining rooms.
BOTTOM LINE = we had a wonderful vacation experience and would return to this resort!
If you have questions, I will be more than happy to answer them via email.
Wonderful place, wonderful food, wonderful staff
by A TripAdvisor Member
My wife and I and another couple friends of ours Just came back from this wonderful resort, (August 3 thru August 10/2004), stayed for one week, cannot understand how so many people have written so many bad reviews, complaining about food, europeans, staff not speaking English, towels etc etc. Well in a nutshell here is the whole nine yards. 1) Staff; I have never been in a hotel, or resort (EXCEPT MAYBE IN SWITZERLAND) with such diversity of foreign language speaking staff, all spoke English, French and Italian, and of course Spanish, (front desk, bar, entertainment, waiters) of course if you ask a gardener a question in English chances are he is not going to understand you. 2) Rooms: all were clean, towels changed everyday no tipping required to do this, any extra items were cheerfully given. Food; 3) Restaurants; Hotel has one main dining restaurant (La Yuca) opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner no reservations needed, food is always diverse to accomodate the various nationalities but all is fresh and well prepared, the problem starts with the glotonous overeating americans we are, since this place is all you can eat buffet I would see people with plates weighing over 40 pounds with all kinds of food, sauces etc etc, of course you will get sick!!! even if you do this at home. The other restaurants are all very good you do need reservations which must be done 2 days in advance. The so called chinese restaurant Bambu is not chinese at all but Japanese, the Chef for the entire resort Luciano is a dominican who has worked in Italy and mexico and prepares wonderful dishes, he oversees all the restaurants in the resort. Did you know that some of the great Italian restaurants in New York have Dominican chefs? surprised? next time you go to La Grota in Douglaston NY, Parkside in Corona or Piccola Venezzia in Astoria ask who the chef is. 5) Europeans; Europeans love the caribbean and do go to these resorts mainly Italians and French, were they obnoxious? Not at all it all depends on the attitude we all have, I got along just fine without any problem whatsoever, what we must understand is that there is another world out there not just americans, and each country each continent has its own culture, when we leave the States and go to a foreign country we cannot expect the world to conform to our american culture, on the contrary if we are in Rome we do as the Romans do. 6) Beach, tours; Beaches are beautiful, water is crisp blue sand crisp clear and clean, tours, are all quite affordable, visited some of the surrounding islands which are beautiful and very peaceful. All in all a wonderful vacation which I would recommend to anyone.
Great time!!!----but words of advice....
by A TripAdvisor Member
ok...the staff is top notch!!! If you even attempt to speak THERE language (allbeit, you are in there country) they are very grateful for the attempt! Yes, English was definitely in the bottom 10% of the tourists--but everyday "specialized employee" (bartender, service reps, and activity specialists) all spoke 5 languages. I was pretty impressed!
There are a slew of "all-inclusive activities to participate in"......ton of fun! Shows at night-----much hospitality........
BUT beware......still trying to figure it out, 2 days after my return. I'm 26 years old, athletic, healthy male. Did not abuse alcohol nor " pig out" on a free buffet....my second night I needed to be excused from on of the 4 "very nice" restaurants in which you do need to make reservations at least 2 days prior.....spent days violently vomitting.
Be wary of either (1) ice in drinks......
(2) Nestea they serve at bar (may be made from non-bottled water)
(3) hot dogs at bar.....
...something got me good..........BUT I'd still go back! PS.....take advantage of the free scuba lesson in pool! Ask for Gustavo---he is top notch---we made a very good friend!
For an enlightening and humbling experience---go horse back riding on the 3 hour tour.......you'll see the neighborhoods and living conditions....then it will lead to a cave 40 feet down into the most beautiful swimming hole you have ever seen!
...learn to negotiate--they want our money......if they say $50-------you'll pay $20, guaranteed. Just walk away and they come get you. Very nice people.
Do Not Go Here
by A TripAdvisor Member
My husband and I went there on our honeymoon for 2 weeks and we spent the first 4 days trying to get back to the states. We hated it. The food was terrible, no one spoke or understood English, and they kept reminding us that we "were in a third world country". You can not eat in the restaurants unless you make reservations at 6:30 in the morning 3 days before you want to eat. The buffet gets old quick. There are bugs on the food and nothing is refridgerated. I would never go back....
Photos
Me at theViva Dominicus Palace!
Forum Posts
traveling in september
by cullyn2
were staying at the viva wyndham dominicus palace in september for our honeymoon. does anyone have any feedback on the weather at that time, what to expect. A friend of mine who goes to DR all the time said that when it rains, it only rains for a short time and then the sun comes right back out. Also if anyone is familiar with where were staying, i'd appreciate any feedback. Thank you
RE: traveling in september
by gfinesilver
Try emailing them:
https://wyndham.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wyndham.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=inU2h3Bh&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0zNyZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfcGFnZT0x
Someone from the resort will respond to your inquiry (I know because it used to be my job, not at the Dominicus but on the north of the island)
September can be a bit rainy but, as your friend said, it comes and goes relatively quickly during that time of the year.
I hear the Palace is quite nice. and you'll have access to Dominicus Beach.
If you see a dancer there from Mexico called Angela, please say hello from Gabriel
RE: traveling in september
by ZCameraBug
Check out Debbies Dominican Page for reviews of the hotels (and the Bulletin Board on that site). http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com/
also check out travel advisor website
http://www.tripadvisor.com/
I'm sure you will get your answers.
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