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Debbie's Dominican Travel Forums :: :: North Coast :: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7

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bluepoint
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Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Thread Started on Feb 26, 2007, 4:21pm »
Hi, there are a group of 6 in their 40's going to the Occidental Grand Puerto Plata. March 27 for a week, from Fredericton with can jet. we would like to know what this resort is all about. Can anyone help us?
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BobFromCanada
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #1 on Feb 26, 2007, 5:13pm »
I believe you are referring to the Occidental Grand Flamenco in which case we have 23 reviews posted in our review section. That should answer 'most' of your questions.
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nschik
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #2 on Feb 26, 2007, 5:24pm »
I too am going to this resort. The reviews definitely aren't great and i would have to venture a guess that this is not a very popular resort amongst "Debbie" travelers. Very little talk of it on this forum. I am going with little to no expectations and will try to keep an open mind and not compare it to previous holidays. I will be back before you leave bluepoint and you can count on me to write a very detailed review, good or bad.
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Newfiegirl
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #3 on Feb 26, 2007, 8:17pm »
Hi there,I too will be at this resort, on the 19 Mar. for 1 week.Very disappointed in the reviews.There seems to be alot of them.This is supposed to be a 4* property .We were told by our TA this was a lovely resort!! Oh well,going with an open mind and hope we don't get SICK!! Hope the food is fit to eat.I just want to relax and not have any worries,ex.the room being clean,no leaky tubs,faucet's or toilets etc........That seems to be the norm on what I have been reading since the end of Jan.we were at the GV 2 years ago and was beautiful.Certainly hoping the same .I guess we'll see!!
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donsue
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #4 on Feb 27, 2007, 2:20pm »
We just got back yesterday and were a bit concerned about the negative reviews. Had a fantastic time. The food was great, as well as the specialty restaurants. The rooms were fine and very clean. We had rain a couple of days and not one leak - stayed in building 10. We would definately go back.
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nschik
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #5 on Feb 27, 2007, 2:34pm »
donsue.....so glad you had a great vacation. It's refreshing to hear something positive for a change. I have a couple of questions for you if i may. Do you know what the difference is between the "premium" service (most importantly rooms and location) compared to the regular rooms? Are the in-room mini fridges stocked (often) with soda, beer and water? TIA.
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donsue
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #6 on Feb 27, 2007, 5:32pm »
The Premium service is offered through Air Transat and (I think) Sky Service. The Premium Club (when we were there) are buildings 10, 11 and one across the walkway (don't know what number the building is) - signs are posted on the building. Premium Club includes: one bottle of rum, house coats and slippers, fruit plate on arrival, guaranteed reservations for the speciality restaurants (if made withing 24 hours upon arrival), turn down service, at this time your garbage is emptied and fresh towels replaced (if needed), fridges stocked daily with water, soda pop, and beer. I believe that there is a 30 minute horse-back riding excursion included, although we didn't require about it. The Air Transat rep is Nicole and she will answer any questions or concerns at the orientation, she is on-site daily and very helpful. She will also exchange any money (American or Canadian) into pesos. Hope this helps.
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #7 on Feb 27, 2007, 7:26pm »
Hi Donsue;
Soooooo glad to hear some good news for a change.I have been very worried about our decision on this resort.Now this is two good reviews in one day!!!!WOW. .Now i'm really getting excited.Would you mind letting me know if you heard of any sickness while you were there?Any other info you can share would be wonderful.
Thanks
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bluepoint
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #8 on Feb 27, 2007, 8:34pm »
Thanks everyone for the great information. Two other questions, is there an "internet cafe" on this resort & do they have facecloths?
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donsue
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #9 on Feb 27, 2007, 9:10pm »
There were four of us who went and we were all fine. I am very particular about how food is served eg. is hot food kept hot and is cold food kept cold; and felt very safe eating there. So hope you have a great holiday.
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Newfiegirl
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #10 on Feb 28, 2007, 7:59am »
Hi,no face cloths, i dont think,we never had them before and this will be 3rd time to PP.I always pack a couple just in case.Dont know about internet cafe.sorry.
Donsue ,thanks for your info.Only 2 weeks and 5 dayd Oh,one more thing,do they serve Presidente there?
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donsue
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #11 on Feb 28, 2007, 4:19pm »
Presidente is stocked in the fridge - usually 2 cans per day and I'm not sure at the bars as I am not a beer drinker, but I think that I read somewhere on this forum that Presidente is served in bottles at certain times in the bar. FYI - all restaurants open at 7:00 p.m. also, if you get a room safe - please ask for instructions on how to use the safe, this might save some time running back and forth between your room and the front lobby; and as I mentioned earlier - any problems, Nicole is on site every day to help with any concerns that you may have.
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #12 on Mar 5, 2007, 6:34pm »
We are staying here at the moment and have no complaints . The room is clean and the food is good. HavenÂ´t heard of anybody being ill . Not sure why there arenÂ´t more from -debbies here . WeÃ±ve also stayed at the Gran Ventana and donÂ´t think thats its andy better than here.

DoÃ±t forget itÂ´s great to donate !
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Newfiegirl
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #13 on Mar 6, 2007, 1:13pm »
Hi jediknight;
Thanks so much for your imput.We also stayed at GV 2 yrs ago.Had a wonderful time.Hope this place is just as good.Thank-you for putting my mind at ease because people that have stayed at GV recomended that we switch.We've already had to change our dates once,didnt think they would be willing to change resorts also!!Only13 days to go
Here we come DR again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #14 on Mar 6, 2007, 4:09pm »
Just read my posting for yesterday and my only excuse is that it wasn't an English keyboard !! The poeple we've spoken to are happy with the hotel .
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cabanagirl
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #15 on Jul 11, 2007, 1:00pm »
Hi donsue,

I am booked there in April /08 with transat, just wondering where the seperate checkin was located and are Transat buildings newer, I have heard that they refurbished the resort a few years back .

cheers,

cabanagirl
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bluepoint
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #16 on Jul 16, 2007, 6:20am »
Hi Cabanagirl'
We were there in March 1 week, went with Transat,no seperate checkin, we were in BLDG 10 top floor,it leaked, our room was very tired[needing some upgrades] our fridge did not work or was filled for 2 days,we had no running hot water when we first got there, no fruit plate or bottle of rum which was promised. The La carts were next to impossible to get reservations for and when we did it was for 9 pm way too late, we thought.The beach was scattered with copious amounts of seaweed. There is an area roped of for Transat vacationers on the beach, but if you walk down to you left past a little bridge the sand is way better. There are MANY venders on the beach which I found was a pain.Shopping was nice at the Playa Dorada Complex, If you are into knock off bags, watch it they are way over priced.. Hope this helps you out. Go with an open mind. Enjoy your vacation
Bluepiont.

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cabanagirl
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #17 on Jul 16, 2007, 8:32am »
Hola, bluepoint
Well no seperate check in, that is one of the perks you are suppose to get booking with Transat, along with daily fridge restocked, fruit plate & rum. This is not good, did you put a complaint in to transat and if so what was their reply.I am going to get a hold of Transat to see what is up with that. Thanks for the info .

cheers
cabanagirl.
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barriebrian
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #18 on Nov 1, 2007, 8:11pm »
we are booked for Nov 16 and will post a review on Debbies as soon as we return...good or bad we always go with an open mind and not sweat the little things that seem to bother alot of people...most important is that the Presidente beer is cold!!!
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #19 on Nov 2, 2007, 12:17am »
I was there last week and had a great time. There was some staff problems due to the ownership change, (Effective Nov. 1/07) but it certainly didn't ruin our trip. I give it a week and that'll be all sorted out tho.

There seems to be a LOT of Dominicans at this resort on the weekends. Makes it busy for meals - try to get your reservations at the a'la cartes during this time for sure. I had the most wonderful times playing catch, etc in the pool with the kids tho. Although we didn't speak the same language, we all had a great time. (I let them win most of the time - I'm sure I made their week, since they were so happy to beat the gringo...lol)

2nd time to this particular resort, and if I found a deal, I wouldn't hesitate to book it again. It's a great place.

The only issue I've had with it (both trips) is the pretty bland buffet. For a fairly big resort, they don't offer a selection anywhere near what I've seen at even much smaller resorts.
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #20 on Nov 2, 2007, 5:53am »

Quote:
I was there last week and had a great time. There was some staff problems due to the ownership change, (Effective Nov. 1/07) but it certainly didn't ruin our trip. .

Who are new owners???
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Re: Occidental Grand Puerto Plata March 27/o7
« Reply #21 on Nov 3, 2007, 12:24am »
Barcello (SP?) if the employees told me correctly. From the ones that felt comfortable with their job security, they seemed to be looking forward to it, and said nice changes were going to happen.
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