VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

8311 reviews

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  Repeat Customers Abound

  This was our 3rd time back at this resort - and we typically have never gone back to a twice because we love to explore different places. Why go back 3 times? We met many others coming back 5 -10 - 15 times! WOW! Why? This is not a 5 star resort - not a large resort (compared to others) - limited childrens activities - so why come back? Well, we are retired and just want a place of "Rest & Relaxation" as we wait for winter to pass in Canada. There are a lot of Canadians there. (maybe even 70% :) The food is decent - the beach is very nice - the place is older but kept up well - the rooms are ok - the price for 2 weeks inclusive with flight was only $2200. It will be hard to beat this value for money. The only issue we had this time was that the hotel ignored our 4 emails to request a room on 3rd floor in the Catalina building. (This was due to mobility issues of some of our party of 4) We were left standing in the lobby for 1 hour while they did who knows what. The rooms were actually available - and they finally left us have them. No one there (including management) could really tell us why 4 seniors after traveling all day were left with no room for 1 hour) This left a bit of a sour taste in our mouth!

  Jan 27, 2026
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  Clean family friendly resort

  Got back from the Gran Ventana a few days ago. Overall a positive experience. Hotel and rooms were very clean and well maintained. We appreciated the easy layout of the resort. Beach was beautiful for swimming and walking. Food was good and varied. When we were there the hotel was at capacity. Large groups of very loud Quebecers who smoked wherever they wanted. This definitely detracted from our experience. It was difficult to get loungers with shade at the beach and especially by the pools. Second day there, suffered from travellers diarrhea so bring Imodium. We booked last minute so paid 2300 for nine days. I felt this was a bit expensive for a four star so not the best value.

  Jan 25, 2026
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  Family trip

  I stay there w my family service was outstanding, specially Aquilino w his big smile and his bright spirit and effusive energy make our day the best , solange guest services very professional, Jose bartender very attentive, dinson security took good care of of my mother helped w the wheelchair, frankly server at the buffet amazing, I will definitely highly recommend w my friends the GM Mr Oscar Lora thanks again for everything I appreciate you

  Jan 21, 2026
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  Great Resort….But Tipping Culture Os Alive And Well 😒

  This resort is fabulous. The food is great, the rooms are okay, water pressure and hot water temps are the best we have ever had travelling in the Dominican Republic. The staff is tremendous and works very hard. But I do have to make a comment about the restaurant and buffet staff. They will serve you gladly and tend to your needs when required. One problem though is the expectation of tips. Now I understand that the people here are not paid the best, and that every dollar matters, but it can be annoying if all of a sudden you sit down, and that friendly face that asked you if you want something to drink, all of a sudden ignores you, doesn’t engage you in friendly conversation like previously , and why ? Because you decided not to tip every night ! Beware. If you feed the beast once, they will keep coming back to you and make sure you get a good table and your drinks ASAP. But the minute you decide not to tip all the time, they disappear.

  Jan 19, 2026
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  Best Beach, Warm Service, and a Surprisingly “Canadian” Feel — Our Best DR Stay Yet

  This was our fifth trip to the Dominican Republic, and VH Gran Ventana was by far the best resort we’ve stayed at. On a sunny day, the beach here is truly unmatched compared to nearby resorts—long, wide, and incredibly clean. We actually walked the entire coastline, from Marien on the left to the wild beach on the right (something we definitely can’t do in Canada at this time of year!). Beyond the weather, there was something comfortingly familiar about the atmosphere—it almost felt like being in Canada. Both staff and guests were exceptionally friendly, striking up small conversations throughout the day. The service level exceeded our expectations: the moment we sat down, someone would rush over to offer water or coffee. As “zillennials,” we don’t usually expect much hands-on attention since we’re happy to grab things ourselves, but this level of care really stood out. One major highlight is the coral reef right off the beach. Bring coral shoes, a mask, or swimming goggles—there are schools of fish living in the caves, and we were even lucky enough to spot an octopus! Breakfast was a daily treat, with a lovely gentleman playing live music in the dining hall. The space itself is large and airy, with plenty of seating—we never once struggled to find a table. Food quality was consistently good: freshly made smoothies at breakfast, solid grill stations, steamed veggies with creamy sauces, daily seafood mixes, and even mangoes with blue cheese on some days. While you won’t find lobster included (you can order it separately for $52), the variety and quality were more than satisfying. We also loved the coffee stations just outside the dining hall, available all day until dinner ends. You can book three à la carte restaurants during your stay. Our favorite was Octopus, followed by the Italian restaurant. Ocean Grill came last—we wouldn’t really recommend it unless you’re heavily armed with mosquito spray or don’t mind being eaten alive while trying to enjoy a sunset beach view. The music deserves a special mention—the playlist was AMAZING. Disco nights and poolside music took us straight back to the ’80s and early 2000s. It felt perfectly curated for an English-speaking audience, and we knew almost every song. Our room in the Catalina building was excellent: a huge, comfortable bed and even a smart TV, which we really enjoyed. One minor downside was smoking on balconies. Despite clear “no smoking” signs on every door, some guests ignored the rules, and the smoke drifted into neighboring rooms. Service was impressively efficient. One night we asked reception for an extra bottle of water, and by the time we walked back to our room, it was already waiting in our fridge. We also went on the Monkey Land excursion. While the animals were cute, the interaction time felt very limited. We enjoyed Ocean World much more and would recommend that instead if you’re interested in animal parks. It rained almost every day during our stay, so bring an umbrella—or borrow one for free from the lobby. Overall, we had an excellent experience at VH Gran Ventana and didn’t encounter any real red flags—aside from two unavoidable nuisances: mosquitoes and some inconsiderate smokers. We would absolutely return.

  Jan 17, 2026