Allegro Playa Dorada, San Felipe de Puerto Plata

My friend and I decided we wanted a tropical getaway in April 2010 so we gave this all inclusive resort a shot. I didn't go there having very high expectations but I was very pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had. The rooms were very clean and the food was good. The restaurants thaat required reservations had delicious food and the buffet was also good. The staff was very friendly and accomodating. Any tips that we gave to the staff were very much appreciated. The bartenders were friendly, warm, and had a wonderful sense of humor. My friend and I were instantly comfortable there. The shows at night were entertaining and funny and were geared to both children and adults. The beach was very clean and beautiful. We enjoyed our trip in April so much that we returned in July. We were somewhat apprehensive that the trip could not possibly compare to our first because we had had such a great time. Again, we were very pleasantly surprised. The bartenders, entertainment team, and restaurant staff go above and beyond to make sure the guests are comfortable and have aa fun vacation. I have and will continue to recommend this all inclusive resort to my family and friends. We were especially impressed with one of the bartenders, Raphael, who mixed delicious drinks and was very friendly aand accomodating. I highly recommend this resort!

If you like to vacation with limited hours of running water,filthy bathrooms,lousy food, dirty beaches and practically nothing to do, go. You can look at the closed casino, closed spa, closed hairdresser etc. Beware of what may have been available (50 years ago) and what is available for use now. The tipoff you should stay away, when they take water from the fountain to clean the bathrooms. What do you think they are washing your dishes with?

I am dominican and I think the food in this hotel gives dominican food which is usually DELICIOUS, a bad name! One of the nights we stayed there the couple next door had a huge fight, at one point a staff member did go and speak to them but nothing was done, the fight last hours. I then called the front desk/operator for help and nobody came. I will not be going there again.

I stayed at this resort with my family and had to move after 2 nights. The rooms are in desperate need of renovation. It is not really an all inclusive resort. You can't eat in the restaurant on the day you arrive because you need a day's notice. You can only eat in the restaurant 3 times for a 7 night stay. The restaurants fill up quickly, so reservations are not guaranteed. You have to ask for a remote for the TV which has very limited channels. You have to make reservations a day in advance for any water activiites, you have to pay for the pool table, you have to borrow an iron from the front desk and there is an hour limit on it. Water activities are closed on Sunday. There were rules and restrictions on everything. The horseback riding that is included is a half hour sales pitch to go on the $50 3 hour ride. We originally stayed in room 231 which reminded me of a room from spring break in Daytona Beach 30 years ago. The rooms and hallways smelled, the bathtubs were rusty, the phone in the room didn't work, they used keys (you only get 1, have to ask for another) in the doors and the doors felt very unsecure. On the positive side, the employees were very accomodating and friendly with the exception of the guy making the dinner reservations. He was very rude, not only to us, but to others. The pool and beach were very nice, but I would never stay at this resort again unless it was remodeled.

My boyfriend and I absolutely loved this place- had an ocean side room with a balcony and it was always very clean. The food was great desite what some of the others are saying on here. The location is to die for- right on the beach. Yes the vendors do get a bit much but just say No Thanks and they leave you alone. The pool areas are beautiful as well as both of the pool bars. The staff- what can I say...amazing!! They bend over backwards for people...just remember those people make about 150 a month so please tip...It DRIVES me nuts to see people not tipping. Would you do that at home??? We brought 200 in singles just for tipping. I just don't understand how people can go up and order drinks without tipping and no we didn't tip everytime. These people are so grateful for everything they get. All in all this is a awesome place- it is what you make it so people on here are just miserable!

Upon arrival rooms were not available, not clean and therefore your luggage is not secure and you have several hours (when it is an early arrival) to wait. When rooms are assigned, disappointment and frustration is not uncommon. Some rooms that appear to have balconies, actually are an illusion and only your windows open. The hotel seems to want to assign these rooms first. Our suspicions are they are saving the better rooms for their "Vacation Club" in units 5 & 6 and for their local residents for weekends. It took us 3 attempts to get a satisfactory room which was requested on our behalf by our agent due to a walking disability. Meals were satisfactory and service adequate. Maid service was ok for the first few days and then declined to the point where our room was not cleaned until 4pm and fresh towels not delivered until 6pm. Pool maintenance was lacking. During the week we were at the restort, the "quiet" pool was only partially cleaned on 2 occasions and only after a busy weekend, when the water was no longer clear, were chemicals added. Bars would run out of mix (marguerita & others) When requested answer was always "might be here in 5 minutes", never to appear. Our stay was from Apr. 15-22, 2008. This hotel is in need of major repair and should not, in our opinion, advertise a 4 star rating. This was not the first time to this resort. Decline sure is evident over the past few years. Over the years there have been approximately 12 visits to the Dominican Republic and there is much better value for your dollar at other resorts. Would I recommend this resort - definitely NOT Ron & Diana

Just got back from staying here. The view and beautiful ocean is WASTED on this place. The food was just AWFUL, what you'd expect in a cheap all-you-can-eat buffet. The Mexican restaurant was palatable, but the Italian was horrible, and the Grill was just downright insulting. Service in all three restaurants was absolutely substandard. The place is rundown overall - linens, furniture, general upkeep - all have seen better days.....in the 80s! I met a lot of return visitors who thought things were not as good since last year. So I guess it was better last year. The saving grace of this resort are the people who work there - friendly, sweet, hearts in the right place, and wanting to help. But their efforts are unfortunately wasted on what is just plan BAD MANAGEMENT.

We visited the resort Nov. 30 to Dec. 7/07. Were afraid because of reviews, but went with an open mind. The lobby was decorated for X-mas, our first impression, wow! The staff is very nice and helpful but aren't as personnal as Mexico, are always rotating locations for..'better' service? We (husband & I) stayed in unit 6, very clean and spacious! The top floor (three story-no elevators) is cathedral ceilings, with beautiful view of the, 'Quite Pool.' A fun spot, Snack Bar (hamburgers, nachos, veg's, fries,drinks etc.)The Party Pool is at the Ocean/beach, and the theatre, staff has shows every night, and is entertaining after supper. The food was GREAT (gained weight)the dinning-room was our favourite, there was something for everyone, including the kids... If only we had brought them, age 4 and 7. Their were some children, very well behaved. Some shopping but not crazy, made him happy! It's a place you relax, enjoy the sun, and time off work or worries.WE would LOVE to go back, with the kids

We stayed at this resort 2/27-3/3 and LOVED it! All of the negative reviews must come from people who expect the sterile environment in the US or Canada or the UK. Remember, this is a 3rd world country. There is a large variety of food including the buffet which had different dishes every day. We payed extra for the lobster dinner on the beach which was WELL worth it! It was by far the biggest lobster I've ever seen and the service was excellent! The swim up bar is fantastic with great service as well. The room was pretty basic, but our cleaning woman was very nice and did a great job with room service and cleaning everyday. The water pressure was great! We were in building 4 with an ocean view room. The beach was the best! Everyday it was 85-90 degrees F and sunny. We brought our own beach towels and didn't use the towel service at the resort. We never had a problem finding a lounge chair on the beach. We did the horseback riding which was fun. Mostly we just hung out on the beach or by the pool to relax. There is always some entertainment going on. The nightlife is not the best and is usually over by 11pm, but that was fine with me. Overall it was a great vacation and I would definitely go back to this resort.

We were in Building 6. We had a balcony! That was good. The food was only edible. The ceilings leaked. The time share people were everywhere! Simon the bartender was great! Our room cleaner was great. If you go, bring school supplies for the staff's children. If you go out on an excursion, bring school supplies and hand out to the children! The schools are free but if you can't afford the supplies you don't go to school. BRING A MUG FOR DRINKS. You only get about 4ounces at a time. We were there 1-12-08 to 1-26-08. For bargans go out to the beach and head left. There is a Orange Flea market about 2 miles down the beach. Buy things there and talk them down.