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4.0
#2 of 2 resorts in Sosua
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Finding an ideal boutique resort in Sosua does not have to be difficult. Welcome to Sosua by The Sea Boutique Beach Resort, a nice option for travellers like you.
Guest rooms offer amenities such as air conditioning, and guests can go online with paid internet access offered by the resort.
Sosua By The Sea features a concierge and room service, to help make your stay more enjoyable. The property also boasts a pool and free breakfast. If you are driving to Sosua Sea, free parking is available.
OceanSide Christian Fellowship (3.9 km), located nearby, makes Sosua by The Sea Boutique Beach Resort a great place to stay for those interested in visiting this popular Sosua landmark.
While you’re here, be sure to check out some of the Spanish restaurants, including The Mofongo King, Paella Brava, and Bistro Tipico Alberto, all of which are a short distance from Sosua Sea.
During your visit, be sure to check out a popular history museum like Museum of Jewish Heritage, which is a short distance from the resort.
Sosua by The Sea Boutique Beach Resort puts the best of Sosua at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
we visited "sosua by the sea" in march 2006. my spouse and i shared a 1 bedroom suite with my 12yr old son. we found the resort to be a quiet and very relaxing place to be with friendly staff. the following are some details i hope will help anyone looking to stay there. the accomodations were very clean on arrival and were kept that way by the staff every day. the room had plenty of space. it included a small kitchenette area that was acually of little use, except for the small fridge which was very handy. the living area had a t.v., (with limited english channels), a table and 4 chairs, two other chairs with a small table, and a nice little single bed instead of a pull-out couch which was perfect for my son. the bedroom had a queen bed and two dressers, with a small patio outside. there was no view from the patio so it was useless. it did not seem like any of the units had very good views from any of the patios. the unit had central air as well. then there was the bathroom with a toilet, tub, and shower which was seperate from a vanity room. this wooked out nicely. one tip though...make sure all the locks on the windows are secure as most of them don`t work well. as is normal in the dominican there was low water pressure but we found it acceptable. there was barely enough hot water but not really a problem. the pool area is very nice with lots of chairs and a real hot tub. yes the deck can be slippery but what pool deck isn`t? there are sunny spots and shaded spots enough for all to choose from. the bar is small but clean. the selection of drinks are limited if you are paying the all inclusive package. you can only have presadente draft beer or a few mixed drinks. it was fine for us. you do get wine as well at dinner time. the food was ok but nothing special. for the price you pay it is well worth it. breakfast from about 7:30-10:00, lunch from 12:00-2:00 or so, coffee and tea with cookies at 3:00, supper from about 6:30-10:00. there were two alacarte dinners in the five days we were there. the rest was buffet style. botteled water is available by the restaurant so bring a good container to carry with you or to keep in the room. there is another restaurant (josephs) which was just too expensive for us but is suposed to be quite good. it is a beautiful setting overlooking the ocean. it was open thurs, fri, sat, and was NOT busy at all. contrary to what we read, the hotel does not have its own beach. there is one on each side. one is the beach in front of the "casa marina beach hotel" (beautiful place if you can afford it) and the other is in front of a deserted hotel that is falling apart and has a lot of garbage on it. we liked the casa marina beach. it is also lit up at night for safety reasons. there is securety on the beach at night as well. very safe. the hotel also has a small workout room and gift shop. some extra tips....don`t exchange money at the hotel. do it at any number of places up the street. don`t pay the asking price for anything!! have some fun and make some bagains. be prepared to be bombarded by people selling everything. it does get annoying. you will get used to it. be careful not to drink too many mixed drinks with coconut juice (pina colada or banana- mamas) or to eat too many different kinds of fruit at one meal as these contibute to bowel problems. over all we found it a very pleasant experience. if you are lookig for a quiet place this is for you. the kids may get bored though. i definetely recommend the all inclusive package. you can`t beat the price. please feel free to contact us at gooper@shaw.ca with any questions at all. we spent five days here and seven days in the playa dorada complex near puerto plata if you have any questions about that area. ps.....for you divers out there....all the dives in the area are right in front of or close to this hotel. we used two shops. one was "northern coast divers" in sosua, the other was "carribean marine divers" out of puerto plata. if you use the second, ask for Raul, he was great!!! contact me for more details on the diving. EMAIL....gooper@shaw.ca
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at this resort during Hero Holiday, and the whole group LOVED it! The beach was awsome, the resort was clean and very pretty, and the workers were SO nice to all of us! I would recomend this resort to anyone who wants to have a good time! The drinks were awsome, the food was great, and there were diffrent things to try everyday. I will definatly go back next time i'm in the dr:)
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Date of stay: July 2005
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Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We just got back home from soaua. We found this hotel to be a very good value. The staff was friendly and spoke decent english. It is a small hotel and doesn't have all the luxury of 4 or 5 star hotels, but it is small, clean, nice beach, and pool. The food was good, and I think it was an all inclusive bargain. Beware that when you leave the hotel grounds, you are in a real dominican town with shabby buildings and poverty all around, but this is the real domonican republic. P.S. the weather was like paradise.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SOSUA BY THE SEAMy wife and I had the opportunity to spend 9 nights at Sosua by the Sea in early March 2004. We were in Sosua the previous March and stayed at Sosua Bay Hotel. VIEW & BEACH: The view was amazing. We had upgraded to a deluxe suite and had the most amazing view from our room. The surf was rough many of the days we were there. The waves clashing against the rocks quickly put us to sleep. The resort is situated on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic. There is a smaller beach to the right facing the ocean (most of the resort guests used this beach) and a larger one to the left which is shared with the neighboring ?large? resort. Beach chairs and umbrellas were for ?rent? from a local gentleman for I think it was $US2 per day. The resort didn?t provide beach chairs on the beach. The beach is about 10 steps down from the pool deck. Some topless bathers on the beach (Canadian and European mainly) (and a few on the pool deck). STAFF: The staff was always friendly and helpful. A dollar or two tip seemed to mean a lot. The President (Joe) was very friendly and wanted to please. The General Manager (Gabriel) was in the process of retiring after about 10 years at the resort. Check-in and check-out were quick. Room safe cost us about 31 pesos a day (about 75 cents). You could convert $US into peso?s at the front desk. The rate fluctuated between 44 to 46 pesos to the dollar while you could get about 3 pesos better ?on the street?. It was a great convenience. BARS: Two bars served basic liquor with the all inclusive fee. The drinks were $US1.50 if you paid for them. They had some top shelf liquor but we didn?t use it. The red and white table wines (from Argentina) were both pretty good. In the future I might avoid the all inclusive and go to the local Super Liquor Store and by top shelf stuff there. Presidente beer (the national beer) was on tap. If you are a diet soda fan, you will need to purchase it either in the on-site gift shop or off site. ACCOMODATION: We had a deluxe suite with a large living room (no sofa, but two chairs (a day bed), a round table with 4 chairs and a bar overlooking a small ?kitchen? (refrigerator, cook top, toaster, blender, plates, silverware and a few pots and pans.) We basically used the refrigerator only. The bedroom was on the small size but adequate with the double bed, a six drawer bureau, a small desk, two night stands and one chair. There was a small deck with two all weather chairs off the bedroom. The bathroom consisted of two areas (toilet and tub shower) and a separate sink area with area for hanging clothes. Every thing was clean but the rooms could use some updating. There were two times when hot water was an issue. A call to the front desk solved the problem in about 15 minutes. There is an elevator that reaches all 4 floors of the resort. We needed to purchase ?drinking water? when we arrived. There was a cooler with 5 gallon bottled water which you could refill your container as you entered the dining room. This is the Caribbean so plan on the electricity going out at least once per day. The resort had a dependable generator which kicked in after 7 seconds of no power. TV stations are varied. CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC plus many Spanish channels. INTERNET: Two machines on site. Price was $US1.00 for 1 hour. I did have trouble accessing AOL Webmail. Most of the time went off site to an internet caf? to check e-mail. GIFTSHOP: Small gift shop on site (9Am to 3PM). Not opened the two Sundays we were there. Sold soda, clothing, trinkets, suntan lotion, etc.WORKOUT ROOM: There is a new small room with Precor 4-sided weight machine and Precor exercise bike. Room was not air conditioned. They were in the process of installing a TV and a fan. FOOD: The biggest disappointment was the food. We didn?t go hungry but it was pretty basic. It got to be very repetitive. Dishes were not labeled so you didn?t know what you were eating. Two of the 9 nights had a bar-b-q. (Chicken, pork, steak, hamburgers, hotdogs, vegetables, potatoes, various salads, etc.) There was live 3 piece musical group entertainment 3 of the 9 nights (Sunday, Friday and Sunday). Because it is a buffet there was sometimes a delay for tables. Dinner plates and silverware sometime were in short supply while it was being washed. Breakfast had a chef cooking eggs or omelets to order. We did go off site for 2 dinners at On The Waterfront (5 to 10 minute walk from the hotel). We had two wonderful dinners including drinks, salad and appetizers for about $50 (including taxes) for two people. The restaurant across the street from the entrance to the resort had pizza for about $US2.50 which people said was wonderful. POOL: There were plenty of chairs by the pool and the pool was very nice. The deck to the pool was very hard on the feet (i.e. the little pebbles in the concrete were breaking apart and got stuck to your feet). There was an area that was shaded, if desired. DAY TRIPS: We were in Sosua to relax. We did take one day trip on a Jeep Safari through Mel Tours (across the street from the resort). $US25 per person included transportation, drinks, lunch, etc. Did climb waterfalls, went to ?back country?, and had a basic tour of the Puerto Plata area. ?Elvis? was our tour guide and he was great. Left at 8:15 and returned around 4:30. We recommend the tour. The rate was reasonable compared to the other offerings we saw around town. Plan on tipping the tour guide and the driver. See ?Mr. T? at Mel Tours. You can tell it is ?Mr. T? by the gold around his neck SOSUA: Sosua is a fun town. Felt very safe during the day time. Kept to major streets and areas we knew at night. Negotiate your purchases of local items as they start out high and you can get them finally for 25% to 50% of the original asking price. Remember this is a poor country and not to be too ?cheap!? FINAL COMMENTS: Would we return to Sosua by the Sea? Yes. However, we would probably decline the all inclusive and try the various restaurants in town for lunch and dinner. If you want dinner at the resort it is $US10 per person. As long as your room has a refrigerator, you can take care of your liquid refreshments. Bring an insulated mug for keeping your drink cool. Breakfast is already included for everyone. Sosua by the Sea is a great place to relax and enjoy a vacation.
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Date of stay: January 2005
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I fell in love with the Dominican Republic, and that is largely thanks to the fabulous Sosua-by-the-Sea.
Rooms: The rooms were large and immaculately clean. We had two twin beds and a couch with a coffee table. The room was decorated with beautiful paintings done by local artists. It had a distinctly Caribbean feel. The television had plenty of stations, if you like to watch tv - we didn't spend much time in the room. The windows were large with no screens - if you aren't afraid of a bug or two, open them wide to let in the roar of the ocean and the fresh air. The air conditiong worked perfectly, and was POWERFUL. We went in February when it wasn't stiflingly hot, so we just left it off most of the time. The maids were great, and deserve tips! There was the odd lapse of hot water, but a coolish shower was refreshing every now and then.
The Staff: The staff was super-friendly and accommodating. The resort is small enough that you can get to know the front desk, security, bar, and waitstaff. Greet them with an Hola! (You must learn at the very least hello, please, and thank you in Spanish - your experience will be that much more satisfying) and you will be well-treated. The service was quick and always with a smile. The front desk gives a great exchange rate for Dominican pesos. The hotel is owned and run by a Canadian gentleman, whose presence was visible and always pleasant. His personal service was impeccable - my sister, my friend and I were impressed with his unmatched hospitality. This is the reward you get for staying at a smallish hotel (thanks Joe!! We made it back to T.O. safely thanks to you!!).
The Grounds: The hotel itself has beautifully maintained gardens and a nice enclosed pool area. The pool is in shade for some of the day, which is nice for the redheads out there. The beach is gorgeous, enclosed on both sides by small cliffs. It is always easy to find a chair. If you are young and party minded, not to worry! Next door's Casa Marina beach is thriving with people and has volleyball nets set up that you are free to use. (We are young and party-minded, but we preferred Sosua-by-the-Sea's quieter beach anyhow.) The ocean is unpredictable - for the first three days, it was fairly rough, but swimming is great once you get past where the waves break. The last four days, it was calm and very swimmable. Look for the flags on the beach to tell you how the water is - green, yellow, and red.
The Food: There is only one restaurant, but the food was excellent - there was a nice selection of salads every day and a good variety of hot food. Lots of chicken, beef, some pasta, potatoes, cooked vegetables, etc. The breakfasts are great. Note that the restaurant is buffet style. The restaurant is open-walled, and has a beautiful view of the cliffs and the oceans. If you miss any meals, or would just prefer a change, Sosua has some great and inexpensive restaurants! Taino Bar across the street has awesome and cheap pizza and sandwiches (ask for Freddy!), and Morua Mai downtown offers fine dining at a reasonable price (say $10 for filet mignon, $15 for lobster).
Sosua the Town: Sosua is great fun, with awesome nightlife and great shopping. You can always barter in the stores for a better price, and you will get a better deal if you can speak a little French or Spanish. Don't be too cheap, though - a little of our $$ goes a long way in the D.R. Up by the Sosua public beach there is a strip of about 200 stores. It is a short walk that will take a long time because everyone wants you to look in their stores - say no, gracias, if you're trying to get somewhere. Taxis are cheap and motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) are cheaper - they're pretty safe too, if you're going somewhere in town as they'll take it nice and slowly for you (despacio in Spanish). The clubs are great (hit the Latina Bar).
One Last Word: The D.R. is a beautiful country with lots to see and do. If you are a reasonably active person, please do the Jeep Safari tour. You will not regret it. There are beaches to see, reefs to snorkel and dive, and cities to tour. I highly recommend doing some tours and getting out there to see a bit of the country. Go right across the street to Mel Tours. He is very accommodating and friendly, and ready to customize a tour for you. The Sunwing reps warned us against taking other tours, and then charged DOUBLE for the same thing. Mel was great, half the price, and told us that we could pay him on the way home from the tour - "If you are not happy, I don't want your money!" Yes, this is a shameless plug for Mel, but we were so happy with his service, he deserves it.
That's all for now! Sosua-by-the-Sea was an incredible place to visit, and I will be going back there. How soon? Well, I guess when my credit card has enough room on it again. ;)
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Date of stay: February 2004
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
While my wife and I were there, some one stole our wedding ring from the room safe....AFTER WE HAD PAID $25 ESTRA TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS FROM HAPPENING! The owner Armando Casciati took no responsibility for this, in fact he hid in his office after we had called the theft to his attention. We can put up with the prostitutes, the noise, the questionable location, but robbery we cannot and will not tolerate. This place is a disaster. We wouldn't let our dog stay there!
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Date of stay: December 2013
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:The "garden view" has no garden, and no view.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Sosua by the Sea this past April on the recommendation of some friends and weren't disappointed.
We normally vacation at the larger, 'chain' resorts, if for no other reason than that we don't like to take chances with our holidays and we pretty much know what to expect from the larger chains. This time we took a chance and it paid off.
The resort was super-clean by any standards and extremely well-maintained. You can tell that this is a property that the owners are proud of and it shows in the touches -- the pool area was apparently redone recently in marble (looks amazing), the windows are mahogany instead of the usual aluminum or pvc cheap stuff so common in the caribbean, the place is covered in flowers and orchids, etc.
The two beaches are great, although I found the public beach somewhat crowded. We hung out mainly by the pool and used the private beach once in a while. Very few people on that beach and it's much larger than I had expected after reading some of the reviews. I would say that it's the same size if not larger than the public beach -- more than big enough.
Service was everything I expected and more. Aside from a small problem with room assignments which was quickly cleared up, everything was smooth. Staff was friendly and seemed to take pride in their work. One guy we talked to had been working there since the opening (15 years or so) and told me that most of the staff has been there forever as well. I guess it pays to treat your staff well, because everyone was great.
The rooms themselves were clean and cozy, although the furniture was a bit old-fashioned. Not to say that it was sub-par, but more a bit outdated compared to what we're used to.
The food for the all-inclusive was varied and tasty. Mainly buffet style which is not really our style, but good nonetheless.
The size of the resort was perfect, as we didn't get lost in the crowds like we have in the super-resorts. We met a lot of interesting people around the bar and made friends with the staff as well.
The best part was the second restaurant "Joseph's Grill and Grape". Absolutely amazing and easily the best restaurant we've been to in years. For $30-$35 US we got our appetizer, main course, dessert and coffee and it would have been a deal at twice the price. Amazing view, right over the water. The hotel owner, Joseph, was waiting tables (!) and the GM was working the grill. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but it's refreshing to see the owners and managers rolling up their sleeves and working directly with the guests instead of hiding up in the office like in most resorts. Both these guys were always visible at the resort and always either directing the work or speaking with guests -- very hands on and very approachable.
In terms of bang for our buck, this hotel ranks way up there. We're planning to go back soon and will definitely recommend it to friends.
John and Nancy, Toronto
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Date of stay: April 2005
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at Sosua By The Sea Resort in Sosua D.R.. This resort is excellent and they are trying to distinguish themselves from the others. A small resort compared to the mega resorts in the region and this where they make their distinction. Situated right beside the water where you can experience all your meals looking over the sea as the waves crash against the rocks, a truly romantic experience. Because this is one of first resorts in the area it has survived on focusing on the guest and their stay. The food served in buffet style was truly delicious. They had plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and a variety of local dishes to tantalize every taste. An intimate bar for guests where people can chat, dance and get to know eachother from different parts of the globe. There are several areas from which to choose from to sunbathe. You can stay at the resort, or there are several beaches west and east of the resort. There is an immediate beach right next to Sosua by the Sea where the waves come and you can boogie board or body surf. Be sure to bring your swim goggles and fins as this will definitely help in the surf. Check out the public beach of Sosua, here the beach is longer and the waves a bit more gentler. However, the chairs on this beach are not free, so be prepared for that or bring a towel. Another point of interest, I highly recommend is to head east (15 minutes) for the day to Calibrete. This place is known for its windsurfing. A steady wind, lots of restaurants, bars and a very long beach make this area not to be missed on your trip. This is where I spent New Year's Eve and did we have a blast. The beach was full of people and at midnight a small firework display.
Joe Neurauter president of the resort was a super host. His attention to detail and his concern for his guests accommodation was apparent everywhere. The staff at the resort was incredibly courteous, efficient and respectful. This is just another sign of Joe's presence and the way this resort tries to distinguish itself from others. Definitely a hands-on-type of managerial style, if Joe thinks he can get something done out of the ordinary for the guest he will try. For example, I tried to change my ticket from Punta Cana departure to Puerta Plata, and Joe phoned on my behalf, however, the airlines would not budge on their policy.
If you are looking for a place that is clean, affordable, beautiful and a fun place to stay, don't miss this place when you are in Sosua.
Phil
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Two families, with kids ranging from 5 to 13, visited Sosua by the Sea in December 2005. Located in the quirky seaside resort of Sosua on the North Coast of DR, SBTS was an excellent choice, allbeit not without some complaints. The hotel was attractive and well maintained, with nice, spacious rooms and an excellent beach (really!). The pool was convenient and the on-site dive shop was excellent for a "resort dive." The resort size is excellent - large enough for variety, but small enough for intimacy.
We got the all-inclusive for the kids (at US$12/day) which was a great idea since they could have all the drinks (and lunch) they wanted while the adults lounged on the beach. The breakfasts (which are included in the room price) were good, lunch tolerable and dinner not too appetizing, although we typically ate in town or went to Cabarete. There is a second "luxury" restaurant (Joseph's) open on the weekends which was very good, with stellar views and excellent service.
The staff was efficient, although not that gracious with the kids who, it seemed, annoyed them at times.
The hotel, town and experience were very good and we would definitely return. We checked out most of the other hotels/resorts in town and SBTS was by far the best. The active synagogue in Sosua was a plus for us and very unusual for a Caribbean country. The DR is the "real thing" and Sosua by the Sea is a resort, despite its unevenness, that felt like part of the scenery. Overall it was excellent value and a great place to relax.
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Date of stay: November 2005
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is the second year in a row that our group stayed at Sosua by the Sea. Last year 12 of us stayed there; this year 24 of us were there.
The hotel is gracious and accommodating. We especially enjoyed the staff in the dining room and bar. The front desk people are friendly, but efficiency isn't their forte. Don't expect them to always have beach towels in stock or know what to do if a room key won't work.
The rooms are nice, but a few in our group noticed little annoyances such as air conditioning problems, and the universal electrical and water outages experienced throughout the DR. The showers could use some maintenance and our toilet never did shut off the entire week.
The beach is a definite plus. We visited beaches in Sosua, Cabarete, and Bergantin - we always felt better returning to the hotel beach. No pestering by vendors (last year we were barraged at the hotel beach by hair braiding ladies and necklace selling men - this year they weren't so persistent), no dirty water, and it is much safer. The pool is fine, just make sure you don't slip on the tile floors around the pool.
The food is good, although some of our youngsters got tired of a week of buffet food. I actually thought last year's food was slightly better with more variety.
Overall, I came to view Sosua by the Sea as home. Yes, they could pump a couple thousand dollars into room maintenance (especially the bathrooms); yes, the elevator was unreliable, but if Sosua by the Sea keeps upgrading and maintaining what they have, I'll be back in a heartbeat.
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Date of stay: July 2005
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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