Recommend April 2018 - 61

Globetrotting
onsitereview

Accommodations at
Sunscape Puerto Plata.

Apple Vacations
Expands in Puerto Plata
Exploring Puerto Plata with tour guide
"Dan" Marino, I fell in love again with the
gingerbread Victorians, the cable car up Mt.
Isabela, the chocolate, and the kiteboarding
scene in nearby Cabarete, just as I had the
first time I visited the Dominican Republic's
north coast. However, today there are more
hotels, restored buildings, and visitors. Apple
Vacations now partners with 13 hotels in
this area, including these four all-inclusives.
Rates quoted are for a couple staying one
week, excluding air.

Emotions by Hodelpa
Three successive resorts occupied this prime
strip of Playa Dorada beachfront before
Emotions opened in December after a $40
million renovation. "The main pool was too
small, and a building blocked the view of the
sea," explained general manager Victor Peña
as we stood beside a rooftop infinity pool.
"We enlarged the big pool and tore down
that building," he said. "We built a theater,
a spa, new kids' and teens' clubs, and new
restaurants," said Peña. "I tell guests who've
been here when this was another resort,
'Please, if something reminds you of it, tell
me, so I can tear it down.'"
My jr. suite in the adults-only section of
the resort had a balcony, a bathroom with
two sinks and three showerheads, and a
vaguely sexy painting between the bedroom
and the bath. Emotions has 24 swim-up
suites, too, as well as an adults-only pool,
a wine-and-cheese bar where the costliest
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still wine was just $68, and a daily cocktails
gathering at the main pool. Playa Dorada
boasts a Robert Trent Jones, Sr., golf course,
too. Rooms start at $1,204; $1,400 for my
jr. suite.

Iberostar Costa Dorada
This family resort is similar in size to
Emotions-498 doubles and 18 jr. suites in
nine 3-story buildings. In addition to a buffet,
Iberostar Costa Dorada has three a la carte
restaurants (they require reservations, and
guests may eat at each of them once a week).
The kids' camp serves children 4-12, but
younger children may attend with a parent,
and before each evening's 9:30 p.m. show in
the theater, there's a family show.
Of the four categories of rooms, the most
requested are the 42 Standard Ocean View
rooms and the 20 or so connecting rooms.
Some guests spring for the $30 pp per night
Star Prestige Package, which includes access
to a premium lounge and section of the
beach. From $1,134; $1,260 for the Standard
Ocean View.

VH Gran Ventana
Like many family resorts, VH Gran Ventana,
in Playa Dorada, is virtually an adults resort
when school is in session. Thus, you see few,
if any, kids at an afternoon balloon party at
the pool.
Parent company VH Hotels & Resorts
also owns Casa Colonial Beach & Spa and
the new VH Atmosphere, an adults-only allinclusive that (knock wood) will also become
an Apple Vacations offering. Much of VH
Gran Ventana's staff has worked there for years,
so despite serving 506 rooms, the employees

Ed Wetschler

radiate an authentic, small-hotel warmth. The
buffet and three a la carte restaurants serve
local produce.
VH Gran Ventana has three pools (one for
children), and complimentary bicycles and
watersports. Rooms, which feature a soothing
mix of white and sea green, start at $812, or
$1,164 with Vintage Club perks (e.g. private
beach). As at Iberostar, the (12) connecting
rooms go quickly.

Sunscape Puerto Plata
Dominican Republic
"Our intention is to make you not want to
leave us," general manager Ricardo Esteban
told me, and this 585-room family resort in
Playa Dorada succeeds. A repeat visitor from
Germany told me, "I feel like I'm home!"
Kids get their own red-carpet check-in,
kid-friendly menus, nightclub shows, an
Explorers Club for children as young as 3, and
a teens club. Adults enjoy day and evening
entertainment, an array of restaurants (no
reservations required), tennis, watersports,
fitness classes, a gym and a spa.
As at other family resorts, the connecting
rooms go quickly. Currently there is often no
charge for two children 12 and under sharing
the parents' room. Rooms start at $1,904, and
an upgrade to the Sun Club (another $448
per couple) includes use of the Sun Club
whirlpools, adults-only pool, and beach area,
plus room service until 11 a.m. and other
perks. In short, this Sunscape feels like a more
expensive resort. ■

Contact Information
Apple Vacations: applevacations.com
april 2018 61
http://www.RECMD.IT/APPLEVACATIONS http://www.applevacations.com
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