I felt compelled to write this review after reading one of the previous posts. I travel to Juan Dolio on a regular basis, simply because I am a recreational traveller and have fallen in love with the south coast of this caribbean country.
Boy, after reading the last post, no wonder we are sometimes called "ugly Americans". Again and again, I read reviews by novice travellers who expect an American-type resort with American customs and standards...and then are so dissapointed when they don't find it. Sometimes, people are so interested in complaining about things, that they fail to see the natural beauty right in front of their eyes.
If you are a complainer, a whiner or somebody who lets every little detail bother them, don't come to Playa Esmeralda. If you are laid back, relaxed, love exploring the nearby towns and enjoy fitting into the local culture, then you will LOVE Esmeralda. I have been to Juan Dolio eight times and have stayed at Playa Esmeralda every single time---in fact, i won't stay anywhere else.
ROOMS: My room is always nice and comfy. As an experienced traveller, it suites my needs just fine. The only minor problem I have ever experienced was a broken air conditioner, and as soon as I notified the front desk, I was promptly whisked to another room with a working unit. The T.V. gets about 10 channels or so, all in spanish. It is a rather quiet clientelle, and there is no trouble with loud noises or anything of that nature at bedtime. Yes, most rooms feature two beds pushed together to make one big bed, but it really isn't a big deal. The beds themselves are soft and comfortable, however one of the beds always seems to be a bit firmer than the other. Always had hot water running in the shower and, of course, the maids freshen up the room daily.
FOOD: 3 meals a day, and they are plentiful and delicious. If you are somebody who needs snacks in between meals, (most Americans), then you may have to make a run to one of the local stores in the small fishing village. The hotel is impecably run by Italians, so it is only fitting that pasta is a central element of the meals. Every night features an outstanding pasta bar, with the type of pasta rotating every night (eg. spaghetti, linguine, penne etc.) That is in addition to the daily hot food buffet they serve which usually features pork, chicken or beef, potatoes, vegatable, soup, salad and deserts. I am an American with Italian heritage, so I typically stick to and enjoy the excellent pasta bar. The first time I went to the DR, I was deathly afraid of becoming sick from the food, but I have the utmost trust in the food prep and quality at Esmeralda. Out of the voluminous meals I have eaten there, I have NEVER been sick.
EXTRAS: Make sure you get out to the road, catch a bus and journey to one of the local towns. It is an unforgettable experience. The locals are the friendliest people i have ever met. Don't let anybody tell you that it is not safe, because that is so untrue. You are missing out if you don't journey out into the town. It is no more dangerous than the suburbs in the U.S.
Esmeralda is a friendly, fun and laid back place to visit that will put you at ease for sure! You will love it! And for the price, how can you go wrong? Hope this review helps you decide.
- Playa Esmeralda Beach Hotel
