We liked it! We stayed for two weeks and it was a very enjoyable vacation. Lots of differing opinions when reading the other reviews. Our advice: manage your expectations, go in with an open mind, be understanding, and BE NICE. Treat the staff with kindness and respect and they’ll go out of their way to ensure you’re happy. By the way, that’s great advice for anywhere in the world. That said, this is a comparatively affordable vacation, at a very large and nice resort, with a huge staff as well as lots of options for pools, bars, food, and even beaches. If you want to be treated like Royalty then pay more…lots more…here or someplace else. Want to have a good time at a safe, friendly, and massive resort on a beautiful Caribbean island with a friendly staff? Book it!

Yes, you will be approached regarding memberships with LHVCs. Yes, you will be approached about booking spa services. Yes, it can be annoying. Give ‘em break, folks, they’re doing their jobs. Don’t want a massage? My advice, book one anyway. They’re great and it gives you access to a very private pool area for your entire stay. Still don’t want to pay $100+ for an excellent 1-hour massage and private pool area? Don’t. Tell the salespeople around the resort (they are everywhere) you aren’t interested and they’ll eventually leave you alone.

The membership pitch is a bit tougher to avoid. We’re okay giving up an hour or two of our vacation to let these hardworking salespeople check a box. You typically get a gift of some sort and an education. In the end, if you don’t like what they’re selling then politely say so and you’ll be done. Note: these salespeople have access to golf carts and they will happily whisk you around the property for a $1 or $2 once you’ve made friends with them. Totally worth it!

RE: TIPPING - According to a JAN 2024 Google search; the most typical salary per year in the DR is around $7,000. Keep that mind, tip generously, and you’ll likely have an incredible stay. YES, I get it, “this is an all-inclusive resort so I shouldn’t have to tip.” That’s true. You do NOT have to tip. If that’s your opinion, my suggestion is to pay more for a stay at a Sandals Resort where employees aren’t allowed to accept tips. When we travel, especially in the Caribbean, we have found that a couple of dollars goes a long way. Don’t want to tip every time you get a drink? Give a bartender or two $10-$20 when you arrive. I assure you, they will remember your name, family member names, and favorite drink orders. At the buffets, take care of the greeter, grill/omelet cook, and servers and you’ll likely have a more note-worthy experience.

RE: RCI – Excellent! Onsite rep/concierge, Julissa Santana, is very friendly, accommodating, and helpful. Yes, with RCI you are vip…but not VIP. There are many levels of membership at LHVC which is confusing. As RCI members, we are the lowest level of VIP. Here a few tips. 1. YES, LHVC will arrange transport from/to POP airport for RCI member exchanges. We missed this and paid for our own transport. 2. RCI members have access to only two of six available beaches: VIP Beach and Cofresi Beach. There are seven beaches onsite but Serenity Beach was closed during our stay. 3. Restaurants and bars; this is very confusing. Ask the concierge to spell it out for you when they supply the resort map. “Available for All Guests,” yup, that’s RCI. Available for “All Members and Special Guests” does not include RCI as we were not “members” of LHVC.