El Cabarete Spa Resort All-Inclusive

This was a hotel located deep in the outskirts of Puerto Plata. There was one convenient store next to the place with only select items. They had a swim-up bar that was not available or functional. The restaurant/bar was nice when service was available……good luck at the service desk because if they not expecting arrivals, they will not be around to help. The shuttle service is on point…..the most important thing available for me to go Dina town and see scenery, activity, different things and people. Overall it was a nice trip but I to experience the other side of the island!

Stayed this resort with low expectations, and while it did surprise me in some ways, there were enough issues to make me question if I’d return. Let’s start with the positives: the area *looks* a little sketchy at first glance, but it’s actually quite nice once you settle in. The vibe is laid-back, and the staff (for the most part) are friendly and accommodating. Now, onto the not-so-great stuff. The furniture in the rooms is *very* dated—like, Ikea 2001. The bedding was a nightmare. The pillows were dirty and rough, and the sheets felt like they hadn’t been updated since the resort was new. I ended up using a shirt as a pillowcase because I just couldn’t deal. Note that cell coverage is limited and the rooms do not have phones in case of an emergency. Parking was another headache. The lot is way too small with no assigned spots, so people don't block you in; additionally, the staff does not track who is in the park, so it can be impossible to find the driver. They also lock the gate; if no one is there to open it in the morning, you are out of luck. If you’re driving here, be prepared for a parking battle royale. The restaurant situation was... questionable. They advertised red snapper on the menu, but when I ordered it, it was clearly tilapia. I asked the cook and a couple of staff members, and they admitted that the owner knows about the bait-and-switch and doesn’t care. Not cool. If you’re going to charge premium prices, at least serve what you promise. Oh, and speaking of the restaurant—it’s cash-only unless you want to pay a *much* higher price to use a credit card. It felt like a sneaky way to squeeze more money out of guests. The owner, who apparently lives in Florida (not local at all), was another issue. I had questions and called the USA number, and when he answers, he acts like you are bothering and is rash, forceful, and clearly more interested in upselling me than taking care of the customer. One more thing—don’t come here expecting a beachfront paradise. The beach is a bit of a hike, so it’s not exactly convenient if you’re dreaming of stepping right onto the sand from your room. All in all, this place has potential, but it needs some serious updates and better management. If you can overlook the flaws, it’s not a bad stay—just don’t expect luxury, and be prepared for some shady practices.

We could not even stay!! The pool was green and we were told that it was just chemicals (no it was slimy) The rooms were old, the property was dirty and the front desk was un friendly. We travel a lot and rarely do I give this type of review but really feel I have to because we had to scramble for another place to stay as I could not imagine staying here.