Santo Domingo Bay Convention Resort & Casino

I paid 110 USD for a day pass and expected a lot for that price, but the welcome at reception was disappointing. No one clearly explained what was included or where to find the areas, changing rooms, or towels. They seemed focused on getting payment quickly. At the pools there was barely any shade left, and there were no towels. Staff said more would arrive soon, but it took two hours. That’s unacceptable for a 5-star hotel. I eventually found the upstairs buffet on my own. It was fine, with lots of salads and hot dishes, including paella and seafood, though nothing special. Snacks downstairs meant fried chicken and chips and burgers; later they brought pizza, but there wasn’t nearly enough for everyone, and it was popular. Cocktails and beer were available all day and were fine. If you drink and eat a lot, maybe the pass is worth it. I wouldn’t recommend it for myself. At 50-60 USD, the price might make sense.

The rooms and service made this stay miserable. We were given the wrong room, others in our group had similar problems, and our keys kept failing. Bar service was slow, the drinks were average, and water wasn’t easy to get. Housekeeping was worse: no fresh towels for two days despite repeated requests, and I had to wash my 6-month-old in cold water with nothing to dry her with. The room phone didn’t work, the sheets weren’t changed after an accident, and bottled water for formula never arrived. We’d traveled since 4 a.m. and got there at 1 p.m. I asked for early check-in so I could wash bottles and bathe the baby. They said no, with no flexibility or empathy. Lunch was chaotic, with several table moves because they couldn’t seat six at a “family” resort. Service was extremely slow, and the food lacked flavor and quality. The website also doesn’t mention the resort is still under construction, despite its beautiful, recently remodeled appearance. It wasn’t the peaceful oceanfront stay we expected. For the price, the service was a huge letdown. I won’t recommend it or return.

The hotel looked lovely, modern, clean, and well maintained, and the service was alright. But a huge private party took over the resort, while resort guests weren’t allowed to attend. Its music blared for hours, with nowhere on the property to get away from the noise. Party guests were everywhere, too. It took away the calm, enjoyable stay this place could have been.

I had an amazing time at Santo Domingo Bay. Everything was impressively clean, and the modern design looks great. It’s the best resort I’ve stayed at in Dominican Republic. Don’t let people’s complaints about little things put you off when there’s nothing around at all. Thanks for such a good stay.