Printable View
[QUOTE=Amocuba]I met Charo briefly last month. Very nice woman and she doesn't take any shit from the girls. The girls have the privilege of 'hanging out' at BB's and Charo makes sure they remember it. Cheers to Charo, raise your beers gents. Without Charo it would be mayhem at BB's.
Anyone at BB's during the weekend of Jan 17-21, 2008?[/QUOTE]
Amocuba,
I will be at BB's from Jan 15 until super-early on the morning of the 19th. - Tripp
[QUOTE=Birnam]Peanut Butter not allowed in carry on luggage as per a phone call to TSA and the airlines[/QUOTE]
Gotcha. So presumably you are only taking a carry-on, not a check-in.
That said, depending on the urgency, Jenny's PROBABLY has it, and the supermarkets/supermercados in Puerto Plata DEFINITELY have it.
[QUOTE=Yanqui69]Gotcha. So presumably you are only taking a carry-on, not a check-in.
That said, depending on the urgency, Jenny's PROBABLY has it, and the supermarkets/supermercados in Puerto Plata DEFINITELY have it.[/QUOTE]
I usually check my carry-on suitcase on the outward journey, because I carry bottles of shampoo, toothpaste, body lotion for my novia. You are also allowed a second small item that you can carry with you, so I take a small soft-sided cooler/lunchbox in which I put my passport, i-Pod, camera, pens, medications and anything of value that I don't want to put in checked baggage.
On the return journey I can carry on both pieces and save time getting through customs. At Puerto Plata I find the checked baggage comes pretty quickly and I have never lost a bag.
Alternatively, when you arrive ask the taxi that takes you to BB to stop en route at the supermarket at Long Beach. There is an ATM outside if you need money, and you can definitely get peanut butter there.
Thanks to Yanqui and Frannie for sharing their peanut butter counseling! I arrive in one week for my first visit to Blackbeard's. Very much looking forward to it, and I feel I have benefitted greatly by devouring all of the information made available on this great forum. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to my pre-innaugural-visit education. In the past I have made numerous visits to My Wild Vacation and Total Satisfaction in Venezuela (Margarita Island), and had a good time at both. I have high hopes that I will like BB's better.
Do any of the BB veterans on this board have any previous experience at the two above Venezuela resorts? If yes, I would be interested in hearing your comparisons as to similarities, differences, overall opinions of the experience.
Thanks Again
[QUOTE=Birnam]Thanks to Yanqui and Frannie for sharing their peanut butter counseling! I arrive in one week for my first visit to Blackbeard's. Very much looking forward to it, and I feel I have benefitted greatly by devouring all of the information made available on this great forum. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to my pre-innaugural-visit education. In the past I have made numerous visits to My Wild Vacation and Total Satisfaction in Venezuela (Margarita Island), and had a good time at both. I have high hopes that I will like BB's better.
Do any of the BB veterans on this board have any previous experience at the two above Venezuela resorts? If yes, I would be interested in hearing your comparisons as to similarities, differences, overall opinions of the experience.
Thanks Again[/QUOTE]I have been to MWV once and had a great time!! I have been to BB's 4 times and had a great time. BB's has alot more girls to choose from. There both fun places and there totally different. You will have a great time!!
I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and figured I'd celebrate over New Years with a first time visit to DR. After doing my research here I looked at ticket prices and called BB this morning.
While I intended to stay from the 31st to the 6th, when I called I was advised that I would have to pay for the entire stay up front. I am not comfortable with this, as I would rather pay cash day by day or secure with a credit card and pay at checkout. This way I can leave for a day or check out early, where as in this case I am locked in, and that shit just bothers me.
Why do they operate this way? Back in January I was at Giotto's in BKK which simply secured with a CC but Giotto basically said "I trust you" as I stayed in his top of the line suite on good faith. In the end my five day trip turned into two weeks and a somewhat hefty bill, which was good for him since his water pump had just broke!
I know you guys rave about this place... what do you think? Am I being a douche bag about this?
2J
[QUOTE=Ponderosa]Listen to this guy. Let me say that differently, LISTEN TO THIS GUY !
Tripp has been there before. Go into the Reports of Distinction thread here and you will find an exhaustive report on his time at Vikings, a very similar resort to the one you are going to. His advice is coming from experience. He has sampled both venues.
I am not dissing the MR. It is closer to Puerto Plata and the owner does own a strip club in PP. The MR is very new and has not gotten any type of consistant reviews. If there is any consistancy in the reports it actually seems negative. I will tell you I am a big BB's fan in all fairness, but go through the posts here and the posts will speak for themselves. BB's is far more established in this field and provides a laid back, no pressure experience. Girls sit around waiting for you to "ask them out", pricing for chicas is prenegotiated, the hotel is clean and the restaurant on site is quite palletable. I assume your main objective in visiting the DR is not for the cultural experience.
BB's aranges taxi pickup at the airport for about $40 bucks. There is a small taxi company located a couple blocks behind BB's and they can take you over to Cabarete when you need, or where ever you arange the driver from Oxygen to meet you.
The recent banter on MR stems out of jest in that the only way we at ISG will get unbiased reviews for the MR is to have a complimentary stay there. The only positive reviews of the place are from a guy who got comps there and is affiliated with the place. When you read the forums be sure to have your "BS meter" out to filter through what is good advice and who has an agenda (heck, I am sure there are those who filter me out thinking I am a shill for BB's - I really don't care).
Really I envy you here. If money was not the issue I would sample a place like Oxygen, but to hear a guy like Tripp recommend BB's speaks VOLUMES.[/QUOTE]Ok, I want to thank all of your advice and recommendations. here is my intinerary
I am arriving on the 27th to POP and will be at BBs for one night and have a taste of this place for the first time.
On the 28 I will be picked up and driven to Oxygen retreat where I will spend 5 days.
On the 1st I will be back to BBs for my last night and will return to the us on the 2nd.
I am sure, based on evryone's reports, that I will have a blast at BBs, not to mention the time I'll have at Oxygen's.
Will post my report on my return. Happy Holiay's every one!
[QUOTE=Too Jaded]I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and figured I'd celebrate over New Years with a first time visit to DR. After doing my research here I looked at ticket prices and called BB this morning.
While I intended to stay from the 31st to the 6th, when I called I was advised that I would have to pay for the entire stay up front. I am not comfortable with this, as I would rather pay cash day by day or secure with a credit card and pay at checkout. This way I can leave for a day or check out early, where as in this case I am locked in, and that shit just bothers me.
Why do they operate this way? Back in January I was at Giotto's in BKK which simply secured with a CC but Giotto basically said "I trust you" as I stayed in his top of the line suite on good faith. In the end my five day trip turned into two weeks and a somewhat hefty bill, which was good for him since his water pump had just broke!
I know you guys rave about this place... what do you think? Am I being a douche bag about this?
2J[/QUOTE]
Well right now is the high season in the D.R. with the time period from right before christmas over new year till the end of the first week in january being the busiest time of the whole year for hotels.
I guess by paying up front BB just wants to make sure that you show up indeed and not only make a reservation.
Maybe they have had some bad experiences with guests in the past who made reservations for this period of time and did not show up, and BB lost some business.
[QUOTE=Too Jaded]I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and figured I'd celebrate over New Years with a first time visit to DR. After doing my research here I looked at ticket prices and called BB this morning.
While I intended to stay from the 31st to the 6th, when I called I was advised that I would have to pay for the entire stay up front. I am not comfortable with this, as I would rather pay cash day by day or secure with a credit card and pay at checkout. This way I can leave for a day or check out early, where as in this case I am locked in, and that shit just bothers me.
Why do they operate this way? Back in January I was at Giotto's in BKK which simply secured with a CC but Giotto basically said "I trust you" as I stayed in his top of the line suite on good faith. In the end my five day trip turned into two weeks and a somewhat hefty bill, which was good for him since his water pump had just broke!
I know you guys rave about this place... what do you think? Am I being a douche bag about this?
2J[/QUOTE]
When I have stayed there, I reserved and secured the reservation with a card, but did not pay in advance. I paid in cash when I arrived.
I agree with the other post, that this may be due to the season. It would be worth finding out if this is a change in policy.
In the past, they have been pretty liberal about cancellations, but they may have been abused a little as a result.
If anyone finds out if this is a policy change, please post it.
For all,
I posted this elsewhere and it may be of interest here.
If anyone remembers Bill Lane and the "Field of Dreams", this is his new place.
Its not actually called "Field of Dreams" as I recall, but seems like a good place. Renting condos vs a room.
Its in the Puerto Plata area, so it may be of use for quality accomodations.
[url]http://fieldofdreams.20m.com/[/url]
regards,
oh and Merry Christmas!
(Condidering the season, for anyone going down there soon, try bringing some pencils and crayons for the kids).
I tried to get reservations at Oxygen first week of Dec but they were booked solid. Please do report on your trip! I'm looking for options,a little burnt out on BB's right now.
Anybody heard of this place? [url]www.drnights.com[/url]. I think I would pay 400us. for 24hrs if they were very high quality. 3795.00 4 nights Oxygen. 2810.00 5 nights DRNights,but its at an AI with 875 rooms.
[QUOTE=Scuss]Ok, I want to thank all of your advice and recommendations. here is my intinerary
I am arriving on the 27th to POP and will be at BBs for one night and have a taste of this place for the first time.
On the 28 I will be picked up and driven to Oxygen retreat where I will spend 5 days.
On the 1st I will be back to BBs for my last night and will return to the us on the 2nd.
I am sure, based on evryone's reports, that I will have a blast at BBs, not to mention the time I'll have at Oxygen's.
Will post my report on my return. Happy Holiay's every one![/QUOTE]
I have been going to BB's for almost two years and have stayed there 12+ times (lost count) at various times of year. The policy of paying for the nights up front has always been the policy regardless of the season. As to the reason for the policy I can only guess. I do not find anything wrong with paying up front for your room. I pay with Travelers Checks. I would ask what happens if you need to check out a couple of days (depending on your length of stay) early. I charge all of my bar tabs and meals on my to my room and check it every other day. I have never had any problems doing this.
I find the room rates so reasonable that I keep the room even if I will be away for a night or two say to Santiago. This way I only check in once and can leave most of my extra stuff in the room. I tell the cleaning crew that they can skip my room. I also tell the front desk people where I will be and when I expect to return in the event there is a problem.
As I have said before the place meets all of my needs and I like the comfort and security. They run a tight ship. Just my two cents.
[QUOTE=Too Jaded]I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and figured I'd celebrate over New Years with a first time visit to DR. After doing my research here I looked at ticket prices and called BB this morning.
While I intended to stay from the 31st to the 6th, when I called I was advised that I would have to pay for the entire stay up front. I am not comfortable with this, as I would rather pay cash day by day or secure with a credit card and pay at checkout. This way I can leave for a day or check out early, where as in this case I am locked in, and that shit just bothers me.
Why do they operate this way? Back in January I was at Giotto's in BKK which simply secured with a CC but Giotto basically said "I trust you" as I stayed in his top of the line suite on good faith. In the end my five day trip turned into two weeks and a somewhat hefty bill, which was good for him since his water pump had just broke!
I know you guys rave about this place... what do you think? Am I being a douche bag about this?
2J[/QUOTE]
I think they are sick of people making reservations and then not showing, leaving them with an empty room at peak season.
I would not worry about paying upfront as BB is a reputable and well-run hotel. It is not a fly-by-night place teetering on bankrupcy and I am pretty sure your money would be safe.
Of course, if you had to cancel the trip, then who knows? Maybe they would give you credit towards a future stay. I think if you were honest with them and called then and explained why you could not come, then they would be fair with you and work something out.
At the Mercure Hotel in Santo Domingo you have to pay upfront to get the cheap Internet rate. It has always worked for me.
[QUOTE=Too Jaded]I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and figured I'd celebrate over New Years with a first time visit to DR. After doing my research here I looked at ticket prices and called BB this morning.
While I intended to stay from the 31st to the 6th, when I called I was advised that I would have to pay for the entire stay up front. I am not comfortable with this, as I would rather pay cash day by day or secure with a credit card and pay at checkout. This way I can leave for a day or check out early, where as in this case I am locked in, and that shit just bothers me.
Why do they operate this way? Back in January I was at Giotto's in BKK which simply secured with a CC but Giotto basically said "I trust you" as I stayed in his top of the line suite on good faith. In the end my five day trip turned into two weeks and a somewhat hefty bill, which was good for him since his water pump had just broke!
I know you guys rave about this place... what do you think? Am I being a douche bag about this?
2J[/QUOTE]Jaded,
I have been to BB many time and will be their from the 30 till the 3 rd BB policy is Please provide a credit card below.
Your card will not be charged, it is only used to hold your reservation.
You still reserve the option to pay with cash upon check in to avoid any surcharge.
Your reservation cannot be guaranteed without this information this is how I made my reservation always given the opportunity to pay with cash you just make the reservation over the net.
[QUOTE=Traveler04]I have been going to BB's for almost two years and have stayed there 12+ times (lost count) at various times of year. The policy of paying for the nights up front has always been the policy regardless of the season. As to the reason for the policy I can only guess. I do not find anything wrong with paying up front for your room. I pay with Travelers Checks. I would ask what happens if you need to check out a couple of days (depending on your length of stay) early. I charge all of my bar tabs and meals on my to my room and check it every other day. I have never had any problems doing this.
I find the room rates so reasonable that I keep the room even if I will be away for a night or two say to Santiago. This way I only check in once and can leave most of my extra stuff in the room. I tell the cleaning crew that they can skip my room. I also tell the front desk people where I will be and when I expect to return in the event there is a problem.
As I have said before the place meets all of my needs and I like the comfort and security. They run a tight ship. Just my two cents.[/QUOTE]
I must concur with Trav on this. I have stayed there 6 times and the place is very secure albeit drama filled.