Travel plan idea blog

Amen! I have found this to be the case with many other countries as well. I am trying to book something in Puerto Rico now and it's challenging to get a response. Let me know if you figure this one out.

Hope you get an answer soon. I think it all depends on how much business they have, or how much they want your business. For example, I e-mailed the Acapulco Princess a couple of weeks ago out of curiosity about rates, etc., and received an immediate reply...30 minutes!

Hi there...I am now here at Sunscape the Beach and my main purpose (as it was before at another resort in PUJ), is to answer your questions!

So here goes....the reason pools close at 6 or in our case 7...is to allow the maintenece staff to treat the pool water. This process requires a period of time to pass to properly do its job.

It is also required by most major tour providers that we close the pool at least one hour prior to sunset, due to insurance reasons.

So, there you have it...why pools are not 24 hour facilities!

Cheers
from the Beach!

Sunscape Mike

I have stayed at the Iberostar in Playa del Carmen twice, and they are the best resorts I have ever been to. I highly recommend going to the one in Punta Cana. I'm thinking of going myself next summer and would love to hear your review.

I stayed at Grand Palladium Punta Cana last year (2006). They do not keep their pools open later either. I have stayed at The Grand Palladium in Riviera Maya, Mexico. They on the other hand have an adult pool that stays open till around midnight but not 24 hours. Good luck.

Sunscape Mike, I have worked in the travel and hospitality industry for years and those are the standard answers given as an excuse for anything. Blame it on the insurance companies, easy scapegoat. I don't work a 9 to 5 life and i hate having to travel to one. After a long day on the road a swim is a rewarding and relaxing experience, often not availible. But usually if the pool is out of sight, with a little charm you can get staff to look the other way.

this won't help with planning for Punta Cana, but in San Juan (Puerto Rico), the pools stay open till 9pm at the Caribe Hilton resort.

Try renting a private home for the week. Many nice ones on the beach available with their own pools. Eat out. Explore the island. Do what you want. No resort rules. Cleaning/cooking services available. Resorts like to shock pools at night to make sure they are clean and clear for next day. May have better luck with E-mail if sent in Spanish.

I don't mind experiementing with my Spanish so I think I will try a Spanish email. Not sure anyone will understand it, but I am curious to see if I get better luck.

As for the pools, it's weird that not one resort keeps them open later. If one did that would undoubtedly be a nice selling point. I know it would sell me.

The renting a house thing is a good idea - I'll look into that and try to report back what I find.

And thanks Sunscape Mike - it's very cool that you take some time to comment here on my blog. I wish we had more official sources... Maybe you can find what happened to my email? I definitely sent one to info@sunscapethebeach.com.do

Here's another idea, which has worked for me in the past. When you write/e-mail the resort, hotel, or whatever, say that you have visited there before several times and are eager to return...verifying the amenities, etc...a little white lie perhaps, but never hurts..

My husband and I travel frequently out of country. We have found that all ALL-INCLUSIVE resorts close their pool usually at 6 or 7 pm due to the liability involved with tourists getting way too hammered at the swim-up bar and possibly drowning after sundown. This a great example of the few idiots whose behavior ends up punishing the rest of us responsible folk. Also, the hotel needs that much time to clean up the pool and filter the water from everybody peeing and spilling drinks in it all day. By the way, we go to Sunscape the Beach in Punta Cana at least once or twice per year and think it is the very best resort compared to the other 6 we have visited on the eastern coast of the DR.

This comment is for Darius that is trying to find a place to stay in Puerto Rico. My husband and I just returned from there in February. If you are planning on flying into San Jaun then this is for you. WE stayed at a B & B in Faharrdo which is not far from San Jaun at all. We and our friends rented a car and drove ourselves and even through evening weekday rush hour. Took us about 40 minutes I think but is well worth it. Its very close to the rain forest and Bio Luminous Bay. Not on the beach but just across the road. Both a must to not be missed! It's called Passion Fruit Bed and Breakfast, you can google it and you'll find a web sight. Call the number (not the 800 #, she was having problems with it)and ask for Gladdas, she is the owner and does most all of the running of it. The place is very affordable for Puerto Rico, we paid around $120 night. ( ask for a room with her newer softer beds ) If you have been looking, I'm sure you found how pricey it can be. The bay where you do the night kayaking through the Bio Luminous is right there and she will set you up for it or anything else you would like to do. Anyway,Its a very clean, nice, pretty place. The grounds are very nice with fruit trees and flowers galore. A very nice patio around the whole house with a nice pool that you eat your fresh cooked and fresh fruit breakfast ( included ) every morning. She was very very nice and we felt at home and safe there. Its also gated at night for safety as well. Good Luck.......you'll enjoy yourself!

ameridans tend to have a reputation for being sue happy

Sherry,

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check it out!