Ok, so here's the deal about the vitalis club, cofresi casitas-whatever you want to call it. I went there this January with a a girlfriend of mine to escape the cold. It was my first time travelling in the caribeen and really didnt know what to expect. The main reason we chose this destination is because it was very affordable, the cheapest place we could find, with a reliable travel agency. We had a great time and this is what i can tell you about the hotel. The rooms were clean and it took us about 5 minutes to walk to the beach. The food is decent and the staff is really nice. The only problem with this place is that there's no night life! The best deal is to take a cab with about 5 or 6 ppl to the closest clubs, with are around the playa dorado area. If this is your first time the the Dominican Republic, you should be aware that everything there is soo overpriced! Usually the travel agency offers various day trips. We completely splearged (is cost us 70$) to go scuba diving to "paradise island", but it was the most amazing thing i've ever done. The coral reefs are like heaven on earth. Apart from that, there are buses that run down the main streets and can take you to downtown puorto plata, the cable car and playa dorado. I think the bus costs something like 20 pesos, but double check. If you don't know some spanish, they might try to charge you extra. YOu have to be fast on your feet!All in all, it was a good trip.

check in was terrible no one on reception got to room an electric would not work got that sorted then went to lock room and handle came off in our hands had to wait half hour for someone to fix it they couldnt so then changed to another room accomadation was like a shed. finally got to dinner at 10 at night after been travelling since 6am that morning. we both went down with bad stomachs which lasted for quite a few days. food was awful not a lot to choose from. we were glad to endure an awful journey home after 14 days. wedid not enjoy our holiday and would not return to this resort again.

My Boyfriend and I stayed 2 weeks and we just got back.

To be honest you get what you paid for. It is a 3 star holiday and this is what you are going to get, nothing more, nothing less.

On arrival you are given your green wristband. This sets the limits to things you can do and cannot do. However fair enough that's what you pay for.

During our 2 week stay we managed to skip the trip to the VIP world. Basically The garden club is part of a much luxurious complex which is called VIP world. There only people with timeshares have access to it and they have golden wristbands. There are several people around the resort trying to get you to visit the VIP world and trying to sell you a timeshare for a membership fee of USD 6,000 and monthly payments of USD 60. On the first day when they tried to drag us we said that we had just arrived and the following day we said we had already been. These people hang around the restaurants and on the beach.

The room was simple and basic but clean. They fumigate the rooms every 2 weeks so bugs were not an issue. Althought we went there prepared after reading the reviews but we brought back all the repellent we took with us! No need for it!
Lack of hot water might be a problem, specially if you have a shower between 6.00 pm and 7.30pm. However you are in a hot and sunny country so a cold shower is not that bad!

The food at the rainforest restaurant is good for the first couple of days. However after a while it can start getting to you. However they do offer you some options, The a la carte restaurants. They have a total of4 restaurants and they are the following:

Bellini - Nice breakfast and lunch snacks. Dinner needs to be pre booked one day in advance. However we managed to get a table a few nights without booking. Just showing up on the night and ask if they have any available tables. Here the green bands have full access. No restrictions!

El Zorro - Mexican - They only serve dinner and for green bands need to be booked in advance. Opposite to Bellini they do not allow you in there without a reservation. Nice food and if you are not a fan of spicy food they have non spicy options available.

Indochina - Chinese/ Oriental - Those with green bands need to pay USD 15 per person. However it is not worth the money. Poor service, cold food. Stay well away!

Blue Lagoon - Sea Food - Another one that will charge USD 15 per person for those with green bands. However it is worth it! Wonderful food and huge portions! They also serve lunch and late night snacks and drinks! Lovely view! Worth a try!

The staff in general was very friendly (with of course the exceptions). The guy that carries the sunbeds on the beach works really hard! The barmen Sylvio at the pool and Pedro by the beach are top notch!

TIP: make sure you wake ip early and 'book' your sunbed by the beach or swimming pool. You grab a towel and throw on the top of the bed so you can make sure you have a sunbed for the day.

Forget about the waterspots centre. They only have snorkels and flippers. We tried to get the double kayak and it was always broken and the windsurfing is only available for experienced windsurfers. We ended up using the resort next door for windsurf lessons! Carlos is a very nice chap!

In general was a very pleasant experience. My boyfriend and I had a wonderful time and it was worth every penny. As I said... you pay more you get more... but we got exactly what we paid for... and I was not expecting any more.

went here in nov 07 if youve got any sense you wont stay here its dirty we had no running water or electric the food is dangerous and it is the holiday from hell. we ended up upgrading costing us a fortune just to have water and electric. and we wernt the only ones we met loads of people that had the same sort of problems.im trying to get my monry back but im not having alot of joy
if youve booked here i advise you try and change it