Still 'Dreaming' in the Dominican Republic!
After a lovely meal at ‘Mercure’, the French restaurant at Now Larimar, we decided to explore this larger resort in search of some nightlife. There were plenty of places to choose from and we moved between a couple of the bars until we found ourselves in the club. Now Larimar has a fresh, funky style and appeals to younger clientele. You can still have a top quality all inclusive here with plenty of activities on offer to work up your appetite – and keep going into the small hours. If you like the activities but want to retire early – opt for the garden rooms which are brand new and set slightly apart from the main hotel. They have their own pool and provide a haven of peace for those that aren’t beach lovers. You can use all of the facilities in the main hotel and there are golf carts providing a shuttle service if you really can’t make the 5 minute walk between the two.
After realising that we had to have had breakfast and be checked out by 0730 we decided to leave the club whilst it was still in full swing. Boat trips can be both exhilarating and scenic but we weren’t sure which we would encounter on our trip the next day to Saona!
After what seemed like a ‘nap’ we were all present and correct by 0730 and our local host was pleasantly surprised. She had half expected us to be late and as some had chosen to skip breakfast, she offered to drop into Burger King en route to help out. The menu here wasn’t quite the same as you would expect in the UK – and certainly not with the speed of service – but it was very well prepared and served with a smile – just what was needed!
The trip to Saona Island is one of the most popular excursions on the Coconut Coast. You can go one way speedboat and back on a catamaran or vice versa and it can be combined with shopping or a local tour. Saona is a national park and covers approx. 42 square miles so overcrowding is rarely an issue. The colours are amazing and it’s a chilled out day with just the crystal clear sea, a beach barbeque and merengue lessons on the softest of sand if you fancy a go. If the mention of music sends you running, there are massage beds at the other end of the beach where you can have a full body massage for a fraction of the cost in the UK. With just the sounds of the breeze through the palms and the water lapping the shore, what could be more relaxing!
The boats leave in dribs and drabs from mid afternoon and most stop on the way back for a last refreshing dip in the sea at a shallow spot. This area is known for starfish and if you can’t find one... one of the deckhands will for sure.
When we arrived back at the beach we walked directly into Dreams Romana to check in. I can’t believe that this property has 750 rooms. It has seven a la carte restaurants and as many bars but it has three pools (including the preferred club) and none seemed hugely busy although the hotel was almost full. The beach is long and wide with no other properties sharing it. At one end of the beach you will find Bayahibe village and at the other there’s a small bay with a pier. Wednesday night is the beach barbeque night so we saw the screens going up and the stage being set for more dancing in the sand. A fitting end for our last night! After seeing Dreams Punta Cana we knew to expect the excellent Exploreres Club and the sumptuous spa but I particularly like the Preferred Club terrace and beach, the Veranda bar and the Jungle restaurant here.
We called in to see Dreams Palm Beach on the way to the airport, it's smaller, has similar facilities, but I have to say that my heart lies with La Romana. The Dominican Republic is now served by scheduled airlines and offers ‘Unlimited Luxury’ hotels as well as a huge choice for history, nature and adventure – I think they will gain many new clients in the years to come as their infrastructure grows and it becomes easier for guests to venture out and see what it has to offer.