El Cabarete Spa & Resort

First of all, when i got there they said they couldn't see my reservation and they put me in a room with less beds than i initially reserved. Secondly, the room didn't have any hot water the whole time i was there. The internet didn't work in the room until the morning i checked out and there were ants all over the place. The dude working the front desk kept giving me a hard time when complained about not having hot water. I asked the other guest next my room and everything was fine for them so i asked to move to a different room. It wasn't until i mentioned calling the owner that they got up to do something. Then the dude told me that water wasn't hot in the other available rooms and there's nothing they can do until maintenance came the next morning. Of course then the next morning came and there was no water at all. Not only am i not coming back, i am requesting a refund. I didn't pay money to take cold showers and not be able to use the internet! On the bright side, the bar and food was great.

This was a hotel located deep in the outskirts of Puerto Plata. There was one convenient store next to the place with only select items. They had a swim-up bar that was not available or functional. The restaurant/bar was nice when service was available……good luck at the service desk because if they not expecting arrivals, they will not be around to help. The shuttle service is on point…..the most important thing available for me to go Dina town and see scenery, activity, different things and people. Overall it was a nice trip but I to experience the other side of the island!

Stayed this resort with low expectations, and while it did surprise me in some ways, there were enough issues to make me question if I’d return. Let’s start with the positives: the area *looks* a little sketchy at first glance, but it’s actually quite nice once you settle in. The vibe is laid-back, and the staff (for the most part) are friendly and accommodating. Now, onto the not-so-great stuff. The furniture in the rooms is *very* dated—like, Ikea 2001. The bedding was a nightmare. The pillows were dirty and rough, and the sheets felt like they hadn’t been updated since the resort was new. I ended up using a shirt as a pillowcase because I just couldn’t deal. Note that cell coverage is limited and the rooms do not have phones in case of an emergency. Parking was another headache. The lot is way too small with no assigned spots, so people don't block you in; additionally, the staff does not track who is in the park, so it can be impossible to find the driver. They also lock the gate; if no one is there to open it in the morning, you are out of luck. If you’re driving here, be prepared for a parking battle royale. The restaurant situation was... questionable. They advertised red snapper on the menu, but when I ordered it, it was clearly tilapia. I asked the cook and a couple of staff members, and they admitted that the owner knows about the bait-and-switch and doesn’t care. Not cool. If you’re going to charge premium prices, at least serve what you promise. Oh, and speaking of the restaurant—it’s cash-only unless you want to pay a *much* higher price to use a credit card. It felt like a sneaky way to squeeze more money out of guests. The owner, who apparently lives in Florida (not local at all), was another issue. I had questions and called the USA number, and when he answers, he acts like you are bothering and is rash, forceful, and clearly more interested in upselling me than taking care of the customer. One more thing—don’t come here expecting a beachfront paradise. The beach is a bit of a hike, so it’s not exactly convenient if you’re dreaming of stepping right onto the sand from your room. All in all, this place has potential, but it needs some serious updates and better management. If you can overlook the flaws, it’s not a bad stay—just don’t expect luxury, and be prepared for some shady practices.