Caribbean Christmas

soolin

My family and i have had a horrible year and as we have just inherited a small amount of money decided to go on a flash holiday to cover Christmas and the new Year 2005 as something to look forward to.

People have recommended the Dominican Republic and it does seem to be better priced than other places in the Caribbean but I've found some really dreadful reviews online about the accomodation in even 5* hotels out there.

Can anyone offer any advice about the Dominican Republic, or other places in the Caribbean or suggest somewhere else where I can have guaranteed Winter Sun in December.

Thanks

Soo

peejay67

The Dominican Republic, whilst improving, is still a very poor island with poor infrastructure. If you are looking for true caribbean why not visit St. Lucia or Antigua. Lush green islands, good infrastructure and very friendly people.
It may cost a bit more but it is certainly worth it.

At Christmas there are many destinations that will offer guranteed sunshine, but if you dont want to spend a fortune then the Red SEa is a good option, and I can certainly recommend the 5 star Hyatt Regency at Taba Heights for absolute luxury with great facilities.

Let me know if I can help you

Peejay

Party_Animal

A lot depends on what you want to do whilst you're there. I would never go back to the Dominican, but I'm one for getting out and about, both night and day. On the other hand, my mate goes every year, hardly leaves the resort and loves it. I've done quite a few of the Windies and my favourite is Barbados.

saveapenny

Grenada would be my choice and at the moment because they are so keen to get the tourists back after the hurrican prices are about the best you are going to get.
Yes there are still a few houses with out the roof on and a few trees that are still stripped of any life but slowly the island is getting back to normal and the people are the friendliest.

littlereddevil

We always go to the far east either thailand or malaysia
can't be beaten for weather and prices

Trollydolly_2

I used to work as a travel agent and lots of people came back from Dom Rep with different ideas about liking it and not liking it.

I always found the ones that came back not liking it were the people that had gone out there either not doing any research on the place or expecting it to be more than it is.

The ones who liked it knew before they went that it is the cheapest carribean resort for a reason!

Ive been once and would definatly go back again, i thought it was lovely. The main resorts are great, if you like sunbathing and watersports its all good. I found the food to be fantastic with different themed foods each day gave lots of variety. Although i have heard people complaining coz it wasnt what they liked. (chips and burgers!)

You have to go with the knowledge that it is a VERY poor country, lots of the population live in huts,shacks etc. And there isnt alot to do at night time because you do need to stay in resort at night. But the hotel bars usually stay open till everyone has gone to bed !

I went with my mum and we did lots of excursions which i would highly recommend doing, we went swimming with Dolphins, went on Monster Trucks, went to visit a typical dominican village (very interesting, take sweets for the children there if you can), went to the capital, full of history. There is loads to do IF YOU MAKE THE EFFORT.

If you want something a little more "upgraded" try St Lucia or Antigua they are also lovely.

Personally i would prefer the dom rep just for the price, it offered me more than i expected and i loved it!

After saying all that im going to swallow my words because i went to the Maldives just before christmas this year (luckily missed the Tsunami) and that was by far THE most amazing place i have ever been to. Luxury isnt a good enough word! The people are just lovely, kind and friendly. There are many islands that didnt get affected by the Tsunami and i would expect it is cheaper to go there now. They need the tourists money to keep them going so i would urge anyone who is doubting going to DO IT!

Good Luck and im sure wherever you go u will have a wonderful time!

TD xx

Moses

There are not many areas that I have travelled to in the world, but I highly recomend Barbados, and my favourite hotel which is family run is the Sea Brease Hotel in Maxwell. The hotel offers all inclusive or room only and variations. We prefare to book room & breakfast, then if we decide to eat cheaply we go to Oistins. There you can eat fabulous freshly grilled fish and other dishes at less than £5 per head. extremely healthy and yummy. Car Hire is also cheap as well as the petrol. it is not always easy to get hold of cheap flights around our winter months so the package holiday market can be the best option. Shop around for best prices and don't be afraid to haggle. If you need any pics I can forward them on to you.

soolin

I've booked something but i have had to compromise.

At first I couldn't get anything less than £10,000 (all my three children count as adults) which was way over budget.

In fact it was the flights that were the problem, no operator was still showing suitable flights, for jamaica we could only fly out on Christmas morning and even then they struggled to find a flight back again.

I ended up in the Dominican Republic, fully inclusive for two weeks. It has still cost an arm and a leg but I did just about manage within budget.

All I have to do now is get vaccinated and work out visas and things.

Thanks for all the responses though, it made me more determined than ever to stay looking at the Caribbean rather than look closer to home. This is a once only holiday for us, I want it to be something to remembe.

Soo

Quackers

Soolin,

Trolly dolley has put it perfectly. Research your resort and dont expect 'perfection' from a developing country and you will be fine.

We went to the Dominican Republic last November and had the most fantastic time ever.

Hope you have a fantastic time
xx

spursman

Hi Soolin
although not rich by any stretch if the imagination we have managed to go on a long haul holiday every year since '84. we have been to Dominican Republic 5 times & honestly it depends what you are looking for.
if you want a relaxing 2 week holiday just lazing by the pool or on the beach DR is the place to go. there isnt a lot to see outside the hotel complex so there is no need to go on excursions unless swimming with dolphins/island cruise etc if you do book an excursion go at the weekends as the DR government has a deal with the AI hotels which lets the local people in at a reduced rate, while i have no complaints about local people in the hotel complex, most people use it as an excuse to replenish their home larders so at mealtimes the food disappears very fast( i have seen people actually sit at the buffet tables instead of the restaurant tables & chairs)
every island is different Jamaica's nitelife is spectacular, the crime rate is greatly exaggerated(you wouldnt go to moss side/hackney at night so why go to seedy areas of Kingston/Mobay at nite) in fact the only crimes i have personally witnessed have been tourist's on a holiday insurance fiddle (eg i was mugged & my rolex taken etc) blue mountain tour is a must
St Lucia is a beautiful island a trip up the Pitons & a rainforest trip is a must, friday nite jump up is great go by yourselves not on an organised trip
Margerita is much the same as DR but with more germans a trip to Venezuela to see the Angel Falls is a must
Barbados is a bit too commercial for my liking but if you go everyone is friendly & bridgetown shopping is a must friday night at oistins is a must(go by yourself not on an organised trip
Antigua probably my favourite Caribbean island it is beautiful, slow & the beaches are out of this world our hotel room in 2003 our balcony/verandah (it was a 1 storey hotel) overlooked the pool our backdoor opened onto the beach, every day we went on a beach walk & often ours were the only footstepsinthesand(same as yesterdays 2000guineas winner) on our penultimate nite we went back to our room & the security guard asked us to go in thru our balcony as a greenback turtle was burying eggs outside our back door, we watched & filmed this & it was wonderful we went swimming with dolphins, rays & sharks(only nurse sharks about 4' long) went on a pirate ship cruise & went to shirley height(a sunday party dont go on organised trip make your own way)
this year we are off to Tobago & looking forward to another adventure.
we have been to Florida numerous times, Thailand twice, Africa twice(Gambia & Tunisia not really long haul, we do plan to go to Kenya soon though) in all honesty the only bad holidays we have had have been european ones & usually its fellow holiday makers that spoil the holiday not the local people
we have a 9yo daughter who has holidayed in 17 different countries(counting Corfu/Rhodes/Zante as different countries) she went to Rhodes aged 3months & DR aged 11months so we do go on child friendly holidays including going to the local parties see Stlucia/Barbados & Antigua
i do hope you enjoy your holiday remember it cost you a lot so make the most of it if you have any complaints let your rep know at the earliest oppurtunity register your complaint & then enjoy the rest of your holiday as much as you can
We had problems in St Lucia in 2001 because England beat Germany5-1 english supporters were fighting Scots/Welsh/Irish holidaymakers so we made our selves scarce on that day but enjoyed the rest of the holiday
i'm sorry for waffling on what i really mean is i think you have made a wise choice hope tyou enjoy it to the max if you want to ask any questions just ask & i'll answer best i can
i would put my e-mail address but i dont know if its allowed
all the best
Larry
btw i am english not american or caribbean

trademark

ive got two children and we have just come back from a p&o cruise around the caribbean ...its brilliant

favorite island ....Antigua .. without a doubt ....... ive heard that sandles (not sure of the spelling) is real 5 star .... not sure about the other hotels though .

watch out you go in the right season though sept - april/may .. otherwise you might see some hurricanes and the like