Fantastic Resort! Any questions?

[SallyMac]

We spent our honeymoon here in Nov 2004 and all the great reviews on Trip Advisor are spot on. It really is heavn on earth. If anyone has any specific questions let me know, I will try my best to answer them for you.  If you are going here soon - I am well jealous! You will have a fantastic trip.   

[erpony]

which building did you stay in and what woukd be the most convenient to the beach, the pool and restaurants?

[SallyMac]

Hi erpony!  I emailed the hotel 6 weeks before travelling, explained we were coming on our honeymoon and was there any chance we could get a sea view. Well, on arrival we were upgraded to a Jnr Suite overlooking the beach at no extra cost! Very lucky. We were in Block 1 which was great for the beach but furthest away from the restaurants and reception. All blocks are convenient for the pool really.  Have a look at the resort map within the photos on this site (under Grounds and Pool). Sally 

[ricgreen]

i have just booked to go to the costa dorada here are some questions i would like to ask anyone who has been there.

what is the dress code at night for the meals and the bars.

which tours do you reccomend. (i have 2 children aged 10 and 14)

which was your fav restaurent

what sort of weather should i exspect in august, eg humid  much rain etc etc

thanks

[SallyMac]

Hi Ric, hope I can answer your questions.  For evening meals, there is the main buffet restaurant and 3 speciality restaurants - the Mexican, Brazilian and the Tropical.  We were there for 2 weeks and only once did we try the Mexican.  The buffet is just fantastic - so much choice and everything is really fresh.  I love wandering around and having a bit of this and a bit of that so the buffet just suits us perfectly.  We did have a nice meal in the Mexican restaurant but it wasnt good enough to try again and didnt tempt us to try the Brazilian or the Tropical.  Also with the Speciality restaurants you are booked to go in at a certain time - either 6.30 or 9pm.  We like to go with the flow on holiday and not be tied to a certain time to eat, so again the buffet was perfect for us.

The dress code is much the same as any other hotel, you dont want to go and eat your evening meal in shorts and T-shirts so smart but casual is the rule really.  Same applies to the lobby bar - its a lovely hotel so get dressed up and appreciate it. 

We were there on our honeymoon so no kids - cant really comment on which tours would be best for them.  Although, a visit to Ocean World they would enjoy - there is loads of info in the hotel about trips that can be booked.   Your kids will enjoy the evening shows and the Star Friends - they put so much work into each evening and will get the kids involved too. 

As we went in November, I dont know what your weather will be like in August - typical Caribbean I would imagine, just watch out for any hurricanes.  Hopefully there will be nothing like last year and the IB Costa Dorada was not damaged in those so lets hope for lots of sunshine! 

I saw your other post regarding rooms.  As mentioned we had a junior suite in block 1 over looking the beach. Fab room as very quiet.  Have a look at the map layout under the photos on this page - this will give you an idea where each block is.  Block 1 is at the beach on the left side.  Block 4 is closest to the evening entertainment - blocks 2 and 3 are in between.  I would suggest you ask for a pool view (think all the beach views belong to the Jnr suites) otherwise you are left with no view at all (the back of blocks 1 to 4 look out onto the hotel next door).   The blocks on the right hand side of the pool follow the same idea.    If you arrive and are not happy with your room for whatever reason then ask reception if you can move - if they have available space then I am sure they will accommodate you. 

Go and enjoy your holiday, you wont be disappointed!  Hope this has been of some help.

Sally

[smirnoff]

hello, we are staying at the resort at the end of september for 2 weeks and i am bound to ask loads of questions before then but the question for starters is:-

what beer is available at the hotel and are many premium brand drinks available, ie smirnoff?! 

[George]

They do have Smirnoff if you ask specifically for it. The local beer is Presidente, similar to Corona and very nice.

[tamara]

You can get international brands (rum and whisky) in the lobby bar.
At the other bars they mostly have national brands.

Tamara

[SallyMac]

Love the name smirnoff!!  Just ask for a smirnoff and lemonade (or whatever) and they will give you this - we tipped the first time when asking and never had to ask again, whenever we went to the bar out came the smirnoff bottle - and they are not shy in pouring the measures!!  They had Jack Danials as well but kept trying to pass you off with the Jim Beam - just be firm in what you want.  There are branded names, just ask for them. 

[smirnoff]

thanks everyone for that, now what else do i need to know.... lol

[SallyMac]

Smirnoff, where are you flying from and with who? 

[smirnoff]

flying from manchester, england and the airline is first choice or did you mean who is coming with me, lol.  just me and my boyfriend, it's my pressie to him for his birthday on 6 oct.  wonder if the resort might provide a cake! 

[SallyMac]

Hi, we flew from Manchester too but with My Travel and Direct Holidays - upgraded to the Premiair Seating - fabulous!! 

Yes I am sure they will do something if you ask at reception.  When we arrived there was a bottle of rum and fruit basket waiting for us with a note of congratulations (honeymoon).   You could try emailing before you go, tell them who you are, when you arrrive etc and explain its his birthday when you are there and would there be a chance of a bottle or cake or something. You'll probably get the same as us - rum and fruit basket - but even so its a nice touch. 

The staff are so friendly, remember to take some $1 and $5 dollar bills to tip.  They dont look for it but god they do remember you if you do tip.  our glasses were never empty - loads of smirnof!! 

[tamara]

Hi Smirnoff,

I know that a guy from Belgium, who was having his birthday at the hotel, received a birthday cake from the hotel. From what I understood from him, it was a surprise from the hotelmanagement.
We flew from Schiphol-Amsterdam and for us there also was a basket of fruit and a bottle of rum waiting in our hotel room. Our travelrep. had e-mailed the hotel in advance that we were coming for a honeymoon.

Tamara

[Val]

Hi

We are going on holiday in 3 weeks time.  Can you tell me what time the buffet restaurant is open from and until in the evening please? 
Also is there a quiet area to sunbathe around the pool, or are the sunbeds all lined up like soldiers.

Regards

Val