Gran Ventana Beach Resort

This is the largest of three nearly adjacent hotels that are each administered by the VH chain. Of the three, this has the most whimsical and least formal decor, with large numbers of people moving in and out. This is an indulgently fun-loving place that doesn't take itself too seriously. In this rather unsophisticated atmosphere, dress is very informal. It occupies 100 landscaped hectares (247 acres) of ocean-fronting land that's divided into three distinctly defined "pods" or clusters, the quietest and calmest of which is the Beata Wing, which is just a bit removed (but easily accessible, on foot, to the more animated Catalina and Saona clusters). You'll find a higher percentage of children here than at many other of Playa Dorada's resorts, thanks to a Kid's Klub -- a glorified day-care center with its own mini-disco for adolescents and lots of good-natured attendants. The resort is composed of a series of three-story buildings, softened with landscaping, that are each trimmed with latticework and vaguely Victorian-inspired fretwork; each unit has mahogany furniture, ceiling fans, a balcony or patio, and, in many cases, views of the sea. Bedrooms are compact but efficiently designed. The gardens and lawns surrounding the site are dotted with gazebos, flowering shrubs, and tropical plants and palms.

The all-inclusive plan limits a guest to 1 hour per day for each of the following: snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, horseback riding, kayaks, and scuba diving. It limits dining at the exclusive Octopus (an octagonal-shaped "gourmet" dining room with the most elaborate cuisine) to in-house residents who reserve in advance. Some kind of live entertainment is presented here almost every night, and recorded music keeps the good times rolling within more than one of the bars.

Facilities:
3 restaurants; 7 bars; babysitting; children's center; concierge; health club w/sauna; room service; watersports equipment/rentals

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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