Coconut Palms Testimonials

February 2003

My husband and I, together with our 18 year old daughter and 17 year old son, stayed at Coconut Palms for one week in December. It was everything we had hoped it would be, and more. Because I have multiple sclerosis, heat can be a problem for me so I had been really concerned when I read that the resort was not air conditioned. However, I phoned Judi Cromwell, the general manager, some months before our trip and she assured me that because of the resort's hilltop location, the breezes kept things nice and cool. She also said that it was their aim to ensure guests were comfortable, and they would do anything they could to keep me cool, including extra fans, etc.

The staff were wonderful, everyone was friendly, helpful, going out of their way to be of assistance. Judi was as good as her word, ensuring that we had a unit that got the best of the breezes. I didn't even notice there was no air conditioning. The views from our unit were gorgeous.

The beach was a short tuk tuk ride down the hill, where the resort's beach bar serves drinks and food. There were no vendors on this beach, apart from a couple of delightful girls who braided my daughter's hair, and took great pride in their work; also one person selling lovely necklaces she had made herself - we bought lots of those to take back home as gifts and they were very popular. The beach itself is small, good for sunbathing, but you have to be careful you don't slip on some of the flat rocks in the water. But it's nice and secluded, unlike some of the huge beaches with hundreds of people on them. It depends on what you want.

The restaurant was lovely, situated right by the pool, good standard, very nice food, and every night there was some kind of local entertainment. The restaurant staff were just delightful and some helped us try to speak the Castellano language. Jose looked after the entertainment side of things, another really pleasant person. Wilson looked after things at the pool and was always ready to help with a smile.

If you are expecting staff who will constantly entertain and rush you from one activity to another, then this isn't the place. You would do better in one of the really large hotels. But if you want a slightly slower pace to enjoy your vacation, this resort is great. And discotheques, restaurants, other beaches, shops, are a short distance away by taxi. There are always taxis at the hotel, the rates are set so you always know what it will cost you, and they are cheap.

We rented a car because we wanted some independence and because of my MS, we thought it would make things easier for me. Also my son did some scuba diving and we had to get him back and forth. We had booked a car ahead of time with a large well-known company, through the internet. They promised to meet our flight which came in at 10.30 pm. No-one turned up and even though they knew where we were going to be staying, they didn't bother getting in touch. The resort helped us arrange a car rental from Adventure in Cabarete; the rates were far cheaper than the ones we had been prepared to pay with the other company, the car was just fine and the people terrific to deal with. They were also kind enough to let us use their internet at no cost.

My son went diving went a great outfit called Aqua Centre which operates next to Casa Marina hotel on Sosua Beach. San-Pio Rodriguez was the dive master on all his dives, a really nice person who was incredibly safety conscious.

We were so impressed with the Dominican Republic that a couple of weeks after we got back to Ottawa (and subzero temperatures) we booked ourselves a last-minute holiday back to the island to a hotel in Cabarete. Of course, we went back to visit our new friends at Coconut Palms a couple of times and had dinner with them one evening.

If there was anything we didn't like about our holiday it was the fact that we only went for one week. The first thing I did when we got home was to request a timeshare exchange for two weeks at Coconut Palms this winter.

We have been going to the Dominican Republic for 5 years now and have always stayed at the Coconut Palms Resort. We have always had a wonderful time and the service has always been excellent. The bar at the pool provides good service (especially during Happy Hour ) as well as the small bar at the beach. 

Rather than renting a vehicle we found that hiring a taxi (Van) was a better way to get around. If a couple splits the fee the cost is just about the same but you find yourself more relaxed. Playa Grande is a must and not to far from the resort. There are several small booths along the beach were meals can be purchased.. Try booth # ! . The fish was excellent (as well as the chicken) and the service excellent. You place your order and go for a swim. They will look for you when the meal is ready.

We are going back again this year as there is still so much to see

I visited the Coconut Palms Resort in October 2001. I found the resort to be clean and adequate, not Buckingham Palace, but definitely acceptable. The rooms were large and clean, No Air Conditioning which I thought would be a problem, but I was surprised to find that the Carribbean breeze and the ceiling fans were more than enough for a good nights sleep. The beach was only okay at the resort, the water was too rough for me so I just enjoyed the sun and pleasant breeze.  The beaches in Sosua and Cabarete are definitely the way to go. I got the meal plan and enjoyed the meals. The highlight of my vacation were the people we met at the resort. We met and befriended a couple of employees at the resort Yahiera (spelled wrong), Angel, and their friend Henry. We (myself and a married couple) hung out with them every night. Henry drove his car and all we had to do was fill it up with gas which was an adventure in itself being that his gas gauge was broken and we ran out of gas twice which we thought was hysterical. But we had a great time ( the six of us squished up in his compact car) We went to the discos at the larger hotels and they took us to the local spots. We even went to Henry's mothers restaurant and had an awesome home cooked authentic Dominican dinner. (I wish I knew the name and location) I wouldn't suggest getting this comfortable with all of the locals, but this was a good group and we keep in touch still. Also, the massages at the hotel, don't miss it, $80 for 5 massages, unheard of in the states, that's less than $20 each. I'm going back this September, 2002. I'm trying a different resort, but I'll be stopping in to say hello to my friends.

Why is it that a man wakes up in the morning

in a bed he timeshares with his wife,

rides to work in a timeshared carpool,

works in a timeshared office building,

goes home and watches a television

that he timeshares with his family,

and takes them all on vacation at timeshared hotels.

then he refuses to purchase a timeshare unit,

says a timeshare unit cost too much,

and continues to vacation at a timeshared hotel room

at three times the price?

If you believe in spending your money wisely,

invest in a timeshare unit today.