This is far from a five-star experience. To begin on a positive note, the hotel grounds are fairly pleasant, with abundant greenery, and the staff is undeniably friendly. However, that is where the satisfaction ends.
The food was, without exaggeration, the worst I have encountered in the Dominican Republic. To be situated on a beach and to serve frozen, outdated seafood is simply unacceptable. The dishes failed to reflect the island's rich culture and cuisine in any meaningful way. We sampled the grilled salmon, chicken Marsala, seafood pasta, and a vegetarian dish that was overwhelmingly seasoned with garam masala to the point of being inedible. The falafel that was supposed to accompany the dish was replaced by mushy, paste-like balls. The seafood pasta was made with noticeably stale seafood and a strange, overly sweet tomato sauce. The chicken Marsala was dry and lacked any discernible flavor. These meals were all served at their restaurant, Lucia, which I would strongly advise against visiting.
One afternoon, we decided to try the nachos, only to be met with a repugnant odor emanating from the dish. It was difficult to tell whether the chicken or cheese had spoiled, but either way, it was inedible. We ended up eating outside the hotel for two nights, unable to tolerate the consistently poor food. Unfortunately, the local dining options nearby were no better.
As for the beach, it was also disappointing. The water was littered with plastic and garbage, and a walk along th