A surly, unhelpful staff can completely undo stunning grounds, immaculate rooms, and breathtaking views. On the other hand, attentive staffers can brighten even the humblest hotel. After visiting more than 100 hotels throughout the D.R., here is our list of hotels that offer the best concierges, room service, freebies, and thoughtful features that will make the thought of even lifting a finger seem absurd.
Every room comes with a preprogrammed cell phone so that guests can call their villa manager at any hour. The hotel has all the luxury basics -- 24-hour room service, nightly turndowns that include drawing a bath and layering it with flower petals, and a knowledgeable concierge -- but the best, most unique service of all is the VIP treatment at Punta Cana International Airport. This means guests not only get a VIP lounge to relax in before take-off, plus transportation to the hotel upon arrival, but they also get priority access during ticketing, a private security checkpoint, and express access through customs. How can they do this? The same group that owns the hotel also owns the airport.
Attentive, top-notch service from a designer boutique hotel, the Casa Colonial offers nightly turndowns, an impeccable waitstaff, yoga and Pilates classes upon request from the spa, and a dedicated concierge. But it's the small touches -- like offering guests their choice of cocktails at check-in, or the delicate chocolate cookies and bottles of spring water that appear during turndowns -- that guests appreciate the most.
From check-in to checkout, service is always prompt and attentive. Staff members make efforts to know every guest by name, waiters all try hard to impress, and special requests are actively encouraged. A unique highlight is the free daily "open eye" service: A continental breakfast is delivered to your door, exactly when you request it. Concierge services are available 24 hours, as is room service and laundry services.
Service is flawless, consistently warm, and routinely prompt. Many staff members have worked at Casa de Campo for more than 20 years -- longer than most Dominican resorts have even existed -- and their experience shows. Most staffers speak perfect English, and assistance is always gracious. Plus, if anything should go awry in any way -- say, if your soup isn't delivered -- management is quick to offer freebies, comps, and profuse apologies.
Despite this new resort's posh gloss, the staff diligently works to make every guest feel like they belong. Most staff members speak fluent English -- unlike many Dominican resorts, communicating in English is never difficult -- and every staff member seems excited to show off their beautiful resort by ferrying guests around on one of their golf carts. The hotel offers 24-hour room service, a knowledgeable concierge, and, on occasion, servers who are willing to serenade couples during dinner.
The staff greets every guest upon arrival with a glass of champagne and a friendly, "Hello! How are you today?" Servers remember cocktail preferences, housekeepers are happy to supply guests with as many pricey Korres toiletries as they need, and throughout the resort, the staff makes every effort to ensure guests are satisfied -- even if it means providing a free, four-hour driving tour of the area. The Agua also offers concierge services, room service, laundry services, free breakfasts, and free transportation from the airport.
The Dreams La Romana all-inclusive resort has a cheerful and enthusiastic staff. A cut above most other mega-resorts, the staff members remember guests' names; servers at the buffet and a la carte restaurants are quick to refill a glass of water or a cup of coffee; and concierge services, room service, and laundry is available.
Catering to a broad, international clientele, the staff at the main desk and in the restaurants are known to speak proficient English, French, German, and, naturally, Spanish. Offering 24-hour room service, twice-daily room cleaning (by request), and special touches like decorating guests' rooms with balloons and a cake for their birthdays, the service at the Gran Bahia is a considerable step up from the traditional all-inclusive mega-resort.