RyanAir
Introduction
Room Types
Rooms are divided into one of two categories -- Standard and Sea View. All rooms offer either a single king or two full beds and are similar in size, layout, and amenities. Standard Rooms offer limited views of either the hotel’s well-manicured garden or a nondescript hallway. Sea View Rooms make excellent use of the hotel’s beachfront location with a private water view balcony or patio. Though the property is located along a busy road, rooms are still quiet, especially at night.
Rooms Description
While the rooms are largely clean, the result is a cold, uninviting atmosphere, though each does have ceiling fans, air-conditioning, and a mini-fridge. It’s worth noting that the minibar advertised on the hotel’s website is actually a liquor- and snack-free mini-fridge, though it is stocked daily with bottled water. Wi-Fi isn't available in rooms, though there's a free connection to the Internet available in the lobby.
Food, Drink and Entertainment
The resort is serviced by two restaurants and bars -- a basic, all-inclusive restaurant in the middle of the property and a second beachfront restaurant, The Al Mare. The former is a spacious, clean, and relatively modern space designed in a muted beige-on-brown color palette. Free hot breakfast is served here daily, with special food items (omelets, pancakes, and other hot items) available upon request. Unfortunately, the lunch and dinner menus are uninspiring with low to average food quality. The Al Mare beachfront restaurant offers an a la carte menu (not included in the resort’s all-inclusive package) in open-air and al fresco dining spaces that are both just steps from the water. A bar in each restaurant also offers a full drink menu of beer, wine, and liquor.
Location
Playa Esmeralda Beach Resort is located immediately off Route 3 in the popular Juan Dolio resort district, approximately one hour east of downtown Santo Domingo. While the road is heavily-trafficked, the hotel is set back enough to minimize road noise and provide a serene resort atmosphere. There are numerous restaurants, bars, and other resorts less than a 15-minute walk from the property. However, the connecting roads are better traversed by car than on foot.
