Catalonia Gran Dominicus review

Independent review of the Catalonia Gran Dominicus resort

This is an independent review of the Catalonia Gran Dominicus resort in Bayahibe, South-East Dominican Republic, following a 3 week stay in April/May 2009.

Cost/arrival/car rental [inc video]
The beach
Restaurants and bars
Sports
Entertainment
Excursions
Accommodation and Facilities
Interview with Tito
Interview with Janeris

Catalonia Gran Dominicus

The fridge got replenished most days with water and a couple of beers and soft drinks.

If you like Diet Coke, they did not put that in the fridge!

There was a reasonable sized shower area [no bath] and a separate toilet.

Laundry

Bear in mind that if you need to iron your clothes take a travel iron. They do not provide an ironing board. Instead you have to pay for
laundry services.

Towels do get replaced on a daily basis as do shampoo`s etc.

There was also no kettle in the room so if you like a cup of tea/coffee first thing, you`ll have to wait until El Taino is open at 7am.[cont right]

For more info about the Dominican Republic try a search [top left] or use the links below!

Catalonia Gran Dominicus review

The rooms were kept fairly clean by the cleaning staff and if you want to keep them interested, leaving 1US around occasionally
helps `oil the wheels`.

Our room was equipped with a good standard safe and whilst I have never had anything stolen in the Dominican republic,
it is advisable to use it.

Hair dryer

Whilst I didn`t use it and Ashers doesn`t need it [!!!], I did spot a hairdryer in the bathroom. [cont left]

In summary

In summary, the room suited our purposes which was have a relatively inexpensive stay at a resort which had an excellent beach and was well placed to travel to other locations.

We figured that we wouldn`t spend too much in the room and so it proved!

The one downside was that on a couple of occasions we got the smell of smoking in through the air-conditioning.

I have seen better at 4-5 star hotels in the Caribbean but they were significantly more expensive.

WE both felt that it offered good value for money.

Catalonia Gran Dominicus review

Catalonia Gran Dominicus review

Accommodation

Accommodation at Catalonia Gran Dominicus is divided into a number blocks low-rise blocks.

We were allocated a room on the first floor in the Catalina block. Catalina is very well located in that it is fairly close to the shops and merenguero bar, and not very far from the El Taino restaurant.

I don`t think we could have been better located for this resort.

Other blocks offering equally good access to the facilities were Romana, Saona, Samana and El Seibo.

It is however, not a particularly big resort, not when compared with somewhere like the Melia Caribe in Bavaro where you need to get the train from reception to the beach.

The room was, well, up to a 3 star standard. It had a couple of double beds [just as well when sharing with your oldest friend from school!] and quite reasonable storage. [cont left]

TV
The room came complete with a satellite TV and a fridge. There were many channels [by English standards], perhaps about 90.

Above: My video review of the Catalonia Gran Dominicus

Other facilities

Internet

The internet room had 4 computers and cost 3US for 15 minutes or 5US for 30 minutes.

If you want to pay in Peso`s it was about 200 peso`s for 30 minutes.

Obviously we had to pay the price but when I was in Santa Domingo it cost 25 Peso`s for one hour!!!!

Phone calls

There was a phone in the room and the cost to Canada and the USA was 26 Peso`s per minute. To Europe it was 64 Peso`s per minute.

Catalonia Gran Dominicus review

Money change

There was a money change near to reception.

Beach towels

Available each day. Just take your card down to the hut on the beach and give them your towel or your beach towel card.

Doctor

Available between about 9am-6pm.
Payment between 90-120US + medicines are extra.

Spa

You can get messages etc at the Alegria Spa at around 40US.

Manicure/pedicure are around 20-25US.

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Catalonia Gran Dominicus review

Independent review of the Catalonia Gran Dominicus resort

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In summary

Accommodation

Other facilities