We are a couple with a 3-year old and this trip was our first all-inclusive family holiday, although we have travelled a lot as a couple.

We couldn't fault anything about the hotel. It was clean and the staff were very friendly - especially to our daughter. Everyone had a smile and a "hola!" for her and she was made to feel welcome in all parts of the hotel.

The three-in-one concept of the sister hotels was brilliant because we could eat in lots of different restaurants and there were 3 sets of bars, pools and beaches!

The weather was mainly very good and when it wasn't good it was still relaxing to eat and drink and relax while we were looked after so well by the staff.

The evening events were a bit cheesy but that's how it is in a resort hotel, really! Anyway our daughter loved the children's stuff on the stage and was tired enough to relax through the rest.

At 3 years old our daughter was too young to join the kids club and really we wouldn't have felt comfortable handing over a child under about 8 - but maybe that's because our child roams freely and forgets where she is 'meant' to be! With the sea so near of course you want to feel your child is safe and maybe the kids club was not vigilant enough for a child who likes to wander.

To save time when we left we got a taxi to the airport and that was cheap enough and worked well for us - it saved us 3 hours of travel/airport waiting - and as we left for home on Christmas day, that was a very good thing.

We would definitely recommend the hotel to familes, and we could also tell it would be good fun for a couple.

it was good value for money as the three of us went for £2500 for 14 nights, from London with flights, accomodation and transfers, with a welcome break from the commercialism of the run up to Christmas as a huge bonus for us.

after reading some of the reviews we were worried about the sickness that alot of people had discussed , we even rang first choice about it. I can honestly say we saw nothing of this bug and heard no one talking about it. The hotel is lovely you are met on arrival with a cocktail the porter carrys your luggage to your room which is spacious clean and tidy and the maids come in every day and change towels and sheets. We did use the facilties in all 3 hotels and although the bachata and mambo are newer hotels we preferred the merengue. The animation team work very hard as do all the staff from the lads who keep the beach clean, the bar staff, toilet attendants, and the waiters. We were made very welcome and the staff treat you really well. The food in the buffet restaurant is brilliant lots of choice and spotlessly clean. We didnt use the pool much we preferred the beach, and it was difficult to get a lounger by the pool. Food and drink are on offer twenty hours a day, they make some good cocktails and we drank the local rum and coke. We did go on 3 trips , and they are pretty expensive but you can book on the beach at one of the huts for half the price, which we didnt know at the time of booking with the tour operator. If you go to paradise island please watch out for the jellyfish there are hundreds which spoiled the day for me. All i can say to you is if you have booked a holiday at this hotel i am sure you will love every minute of it, we did and we would definetly go back again.

Just returned from two weeks at this hotel, was a bit worried reading some of the earlier reviews but my worry was unjustified.

The hotel staff are wicked! such nice happy, friendly people - dont think I came across one person who was misrable. The food at the buffet was excellent and you have a good choice. The rooms themselves are also of a good standard, always clean and have good t.v. programmes / films available to watch while enjoying the mini bar and a.c. like being in the antartic - if you wanted it.

There were plenty of sunbeds on the beach which were cleaned all the time (dont forget to treat the lads to a beer as they work so hard), but of cause by the pool people tended to do the usual resevations with towels - but to be honest the beach is far nicer and trust me you will appreciate the breeze of the sea.

The evening entertainment is what I have become to expect, although the staff did work very hard and put in 110%. Some of the good shows include The Africian Show, Micheal Jackson and Madonna Shows, and of cause the Karaoke is always entertaining (rest usual boring dance shows and participation shows). The animation staff seem to work long hours and were always bursting with energy which made me more inclinded to take to my sunbed for a siesta- any excuse !

On the down side, the A la Carte restuarants are not up to much, and the alcohol is of a poor quality- which reminds me, a little tip if you are a vodka drinker or gin drinker you can ask for smirnoff or gordons but unless you ask you get the local stuff. If your a wine drinker dont even go there not tasted anything like it.

Overall I would recommend this hotel and the holiday itself was good value for money. Hope this helps.

We went as a party of 6 people.We left the UK on Easter Sunday for a 2 week stay at the Merengue. On arrival at the hotel we were greeted with a fruit cocktail. The reception staff then issued us with our keys and the bellboy took our baggage. On arrival at our room the bellboy was already there with the luggage. The rooms are very clean and comfortable the maids comes in daily and are very friendly.
Food at the hotel is of a very high standard, and there are maids on the entrances to the restaraunts and the toilets with antibacterial gel. The entertainment team are great they work long hours but always have a smile on thier faces there is always something going on throughout the day and great shows in the evening. The entertainments manager CHEEKY MONKEY is a lovely man very friendly and full of fun, along with SCOOBY DO, SUSIE etc. The reception staff are very friendly nothing is too much trouble.
We went on a few trips whilst we were there. Ouback Safari is a great day out, you visit the local school, remember to take some pens pencils paper etc the kids dont have a lot out there and are extermely greatful for any stationary you give them. Paradise Island is beautiful and fantastic if you like snorkeling. One of the places you must go to is Ocean World. a Fantastic day out!! .
You get a better deal if you use Dominican Peso rather than the Dollar.
We had such a fantastic time we have booked to go back in March next year.