We just returned from our vacation this weekend at this resort for the 4th year. Each year, we are so amazed at the improvements and changes. I am really not sure what the issues are regarding the negative reviews, as we have never had anything but positive wonderful experiences at this resort. They are constantly working very hard, especially when setting up the outdoor Sunday beach party, cleaning the beach, setting up outdoor beds.. Last year we had a 3 bedr villa and this year we stayed in the Crown Suites, in both 1 & 2 bedroom suites. Quick airport pick up, smiling helpful check-in staff (even found my friend's cell phone after they placed much effort to locate it), quick and easy dinner reservations (Food a plenty, and even the improved Buffet at Tropical), clean and safe accommodations (Rosa looked after us very well with full stock of water in fridge, towels), comfortable sun beds at the VIP pool and beach area (even on March break there was always a bed available at one of the many choices to soak up the sun or shade), very attentive service at all pool and beach areas and restaurants. We also once again met many interesting people from all over, who were always willing to share a joke or light conversation. At any time that you need something all you have to do is ask, and they did everything to help (we turned off the water heater by error, so couldn't understand why we did have hot water anymore, and our maid quickly showed us how to turn back on). Even though it was March break for many colleges, it was a refreshing change to see so many younger crowds also having fun. A small tip ($5) at the start of the week or every now and then ($1) or little gifts (candies, toys, makeup etc.) are very much appreciated by the staff, however not obviously expected. Many do not tip at all, however it is a very poor growing country, let's face it many Canadian service staff at home expect much more!
We will definitely return, and love the Dominican people/ staff/country. As always, you will get back what you give, so smile, try speaking a bit of Spanish, have patience (RELAX!), and it will be returned full force. Looking forward to seeing what's new next year (never boring!)
Pls. contact me if you have any questions

We transferred to this resort from a truly bad resort. With a last minute reservation and check-in they greeted us like old friends. The language barrier is difficult at times but we went to their country, they didn't come to ours. VIP treatment is prevalent thought the resort. There was a smell of sewerage in one small area where improvements were being made but it was minimal and construction was not an inconvenience at all. The food was not the standard USA buffet but was very good with allot of options. The specialty restaurants required reservations the day prior and did fill up quickly. We had just as good meals at the main buffet with the VIP gourmet restaurant being the only exception.

The grounds were very well groomed and as an early riser I noticed the staff on the beach and grounds grooming daily. There guest services did an outstanding job at booking our excursions and directing us to the different services were available.

We have just arrived back from a 1 week stay in a 1 Bedroom Suite.
Suite:
The room was clean and kept clean throughout our stay.
The bed was a Mattress only on a wooden platform.
Fridge was stocked with Pepsi & 7up and Presidente (National Beer). Kitchen had one sink, two burners, beer type fridge and breakfast bar with three stools.
Eating area was good. Nice four piece set. Living room: TV with two couches, also pillows on wooden platforms. Covered Balcony was nice, 4 lounge chairs and a small table.

Facilities used:
Gym: Not busy, many styles of equipment. Free weights were old and starting to rust, but otherwise worked. One treadmill and three old bikes. No one really used the gym.

Beach: Beach was ok, but not as advertised. Just went down once to see it. Many "salesmen".

Restaurants:
Indocine (Chinese): Best a la carte at the Resort. Spring rolls and the Chinese Rice pasta with Chicken (had it twice).
Bellini (Italian): Great Pizza. Had one every day for lunch (it's located at the Suites).
Lagoon: Sea bass was the only good seafood. Meat is ok, but stick to the chicken at this resort. It was the most consistent.
EL Zorro (Mexican): I think this is the name. Fajitas were really good. Of course had the chicken and enjoyed it.

Casa Blanca (Buffet at Tropical): Lots to choose from. Carmen always gave me a great fruit shake in the am after the Gym. Breakfast was good, always had the Chef make me fresh eggs or omelets

Rain forest Café (Buffet at Garden): Smaller than the Casa Blanca and not as well “stocked”. This is the only buffet you can eat from if you stay in the Garden. You can’t use the Casa Blanca. They do have a good pool bar and it’s full of friendly Brits.


TIPS:
1) If reserving through RCI, the RCI rep will not receive your request for airport pickup until the resort has confirmed the exchange. They will confirm the pickup the Monday after your confirmation is received at the resort. We had no issues with the pickup other than Sky service breaking our Luggage wheels.
2) There is a great VIP/RCI/TAN party on the Sunday night on the beach. The result of this is “salesmen” all over the place. So book offsite trips Monday for sure and maybe Tuesday to avoid the salesmen. They will do anything to get you into the sales office and will not leave you alone.
3) Tipping does not make a difference in most services. So don’t bother because it does not enhance anything. Of course I tipped the 1 or 2 staff that were helpful during our stay. I would compare the staff as being a stereotypical teenager (one who knows everything, has an attitude with no experience and is offended if asked to do something).
4) There is a “red” button with a switch in the bathroom. This is your hot water tank on/off if you’re staying in the suites.

Would I go again- no. Is it terrible- no. It would be a 3 ½ star trying to present as a 5 star. I was looking for an actual 4-5 star.

I have just returned from Lifestyle Resort in Puerto Plata and I am sorry to say that it was the most horrible experience I have ever had in my life. When we arrived at the resort, we were lied to and told that the 4 penthouses and 4 bedroom suites that we had reserved through a VIP member had all sprung a leak in unison and were not available. Huh?? (I know it was a lie as I will explain later) and all put in the Tropical rooms for the night. This is where the horror begins. The Tropical Rooms are basically 2 filthy cots in one tiny room with a tiny bathroom. Along with that, the rooms were filthy, in one of the rooms, there was urine and feces stains on the toilet!!! I have been to various poverty-stricken parts of Africa and stayed in cleaner rooms. The sheets were stained and dirty, the thermostat didn't work; it was like a horrible hostel in Europe. One of my friends said he couldn't handle the filth and left. Yes, left/turned around/caught the next flight out in the morning, because it was so disgusting. We were all so tired from fighting that night that we decided to handle it in the morning when the day manager arrived. We woke up right away in the morning (how can one sleep well in such conditions) and went to the Vacation Club customer service. There we met Jackie who proceeded to continue the lie that all 8 rooms had a leak and thus we could not stay in our reserved rooms. Her solution, let's cram all 8 people in a 3 bedroom villa. I'm sure you're thinking, well a villa's not so bad. WRONG! The villa had bugs everywhere (huge spiders, little roaches in the bathroom, little bugs that I don't know the terms for, etc.), cracks in the ceiling, toilets that didn't flush, one of the bathrooms started leaking, dirty floors, etc. It was later explained to us that the villa we were in was a non-member villa (hence, the disgusting state) and that the nice, clean villas were the members only villas. Again, huh? But wait, I thought, we booked through a VIP member - why don't we have a member villa! I went back to customer service and was basically told by Jackie that if I was dissatisfied, it was something I had to take up with the VIP owner or take a free week in the future as compensation. I'm thinking, are you kidding??? I would never return her again in my life. Then, Jackie was like, "well, what about Sosua; I can see if there is availability at our property in Sosua?" Sosua! I haven't even been anywhere in Puerto Plata b/c I've been fighting to get what I paid for all day. I was thoroughly disgusted. I told her that I wanted what I paid for and that a 3 bedroom villa for 8 people is not an even trade for four 2 bedroom penthouses and four one bedroom suites. She insisted that she was going to call Sosua just in case to see what they had, I'm like whatever at this point. She told me to come back later.
I ran into some other people who were having similar horrible experiences and they were the ones who gave me the idea to go check the rooms that they claimed were "flooded". I knocked on the door to all four 2 bedroom penthouses and guess what...someone answered the door at each one (except for one) and said there was no such leak. At this point, I'm outraged b/c I've been blatantly lied to in my face. A sweet couple from Canada who had a similar experience told me to camp out in the reception area and refuse to leave until I got a resolution to the situation. The issue with that was that we were only there for 4 days and had been fighting for 2 days and had really only one more day to go out and see the city.
I paid for 8 (EIGHT!!!!) separate rooms and got 3 beds instead (in case you're wondering, we fit in there the last night b/c one person slept in a chair and the other on the couch; the rest of us cuddled in the little beds). Maybe if I were back in my college days and had paid $50/night I would figure "hey you get what you pay for"; but considering what we paid the VIP member and the conditions of the property it was completely unacceptable. By the way, the "VIP member" said she would refund part of my money b/c I didn't receive what I paid for and I have yet to see the money and it has been almost a month. After all the stress and arguments I really don't feel like pursuing a legal process with this person (we had a contract, which has clearly been breached) but apparently it's looking like that is where we're headed.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, out of my group, 7 of us are attorneys and 1 an engineer. We went to Puerto Plata to get away from the everyday stress of our lives and jobs but instead got more headaches and stress.
I understand that if you get to stay in the villas you will have a much better experience. However, that is a big "if" and the rest of the property is just filthy, unkempt and in need of a complete renovation. I won't gamble again on such a deal b/c it was a waste of precious and rare vacation time.
Also, think twice before "investing" in these properties (they have something similar to a "timeshare" that they try to shove down your throat). Yes, there are some nice parts to the resort, i.e. the rooms that I paid for but didn't get, however, you can only judge a property by the value of averaging the worst aspects with the best and trust me, the bad definitely outweighs the good.