Senator Puerto Plata Resort

This was our fourth visit, and we enjoyed it as usual. Anne Marie at the buffet greeted us every morning for breakfast with a big smile. The snack bar wait was a little long, so we went there when we needed a break from the sun. The chicken and burgers were great. Bartenders were awesome, and the drinks were good too. The beer was tasty except for one keg that tasted skunky. I think it had been left in the sun too long. The entertainment team is awesome. Monkey and Skinny had us laughing all the time with their funny gestures.

The staff were wonderful, and I’d come back, but I’d pay a little more to book an updated room. Our room, 1301 in building 13, was very dated and needed repairs. Paint was peeling in the tub, there was rust, and there was a lot of mould on the walls and ceiling. The tub filled up while we showered and wouldn’t drain. On our last night, we also had no hot water. The A/C didn’t work at all. Someone came to try to fix it after we told the front desk, but it just hissed constantly and still didn’t cool the room. There was no patio screen door or room fan, so it got very humid at night. Heavy rain flooded the room twice, and we had to put towels under the door. There were good things too. The beach was nice and clean, and the pools were clean, though chairs filled up quickly, so get there early. Groundskeepers and housekeeping were always cleaning. All the workers were professional and friendly, and many made really tasty drinks. We only had one wrong order from the snack bar.

We loved spending our honeymoon here and would absolutely return. The people made the trip unforgettable, with their warmth, energy, and Dominican hospitality. Everyone we met was welcoming and friendly, and we felt more like family than guests. Starling, who goes by Star, was a great concierge and always there for questions or anything we needed. At Legends Sports Bar, Domingo and the team were smiling, attentive, and energetic. We loved the drinks, quick snacks, and range of sports to watch there. We spent most of our time on the beach rather than joining the pool games and foam parties. The beach was beautiful, with quieter sandy spots farther down by the Bachata section. Vendors were respectful and friendly, and “no gracias” was enough. A scenic garden path led to a lookout that was lovely for sunrise and sunset pictures. There were nightly shows in the outdoor amphitheater too, and they were lively and engaging. There were lots of food choices. The buffet was open three times daily, with a nice mix of familiar food and things to try. It could get a bit chaotic when busy, mostly because some guests were impatient, but the staff worked hard to keep things running smoothly. We often stopped at Mokka for coffee and sweet treats, then got fresh thin-crust pizza at P’Up Pizza and gelato across the street. ZAO’s Japanese meal was fun and flavorful, and Embers was a good à la carte steakhouse. The cigar and rum shop was a highlight too. Heribert looked after us so well and helped make our last full day special. We booked a private airport transfer, which I highly recommend for a calmer check-in and a better chance of getting a room upgrade. Arrival was quick and stress-free, setting us up for a great week. Our room in Building 2 was comfortable and well-stocked, and it was cleaned thoroughly every day. We had a couple of brief power outages and a small shower leak, but neither affected our comfort. Several cruise ships were docked at Amber Cove during our stay, so on busy port days we explored away from the resort to avoid the crowds. We were invited to a resort membership breakfast and politely declined. We didn’t notice any change in service afterward.

We wouldn’t return or recommend this resort after our stay. The attitude of many staff members was the most upsetting part. From check-in on, people were curt, dismissive, and openly unfriendly. Even basic questions got short, irritated answers, and there seemed to be little effort to welcome guests. It often felt as if we were inconveniencing them by being there. The cleanliness was also a serious concern. Our bathroom and shower floor were extremely dirty, with visible mold along the grout and edges. It looked like the shower hadn’t been properly scrubbed in a long time, and a moldy smell lingered in the room throughout our stay. The pools looked cloudy and poorly maintained too, which added to the impression that the property wasn’t being cared for properly. For what guests pay to vacation here, this was unacceptable. A getaway should be relaxing and enjoyable, and ours was neither. No one should have to pay this much and deal with unfriendly service and unsanitary conditions.