My wife and I were looking for a last minute, close to NYC long weekend place. Totally stumbled on Casa Colonial screwing around on the Internet and read a bunch of the reviews on this website. I feel compelled to add my 2 cents because I think some of the criticisms are unfair and out of context. The place was beautiful and the food was, for the most part really good to excellent. Our room was absolutely excellent with a bathtub out on one of the three balconies (a little too much like a Cialis commercial but very relaxing in the evening before dinner). I agree that the dining room is a little formal from a menu POV and it would have been nice to get some food in a more relaxed environment by our fourth and final night, but hey, the place sells itself as five star boutique and space is limited so make of it what you want. The staff was made up of very nice people albeit a little subdued but we'd personally rather have them skew that way than be in your face all the time. Overall, service was very, very good but not dead on in a way that, in our opinion, gave the place a quirkiness, charm and laid backness that eased us rather than made us feel uptight. Yes, it is true that there were resorts next door that played music at night. You can't hear it in your room (we were in the third floor penthouse suite that was probably most exposed to this) or the dining room. If we had a drink on our deck after dinner, it was kind of hoaky and fun to bop along to the guy on the mic instructing the limbo contest next door - almost made you want to walk over there and join in. The pond did have a little bit of a sulfur smell in the evening but it was absolutely no big deal and not intrusive. Pool and beach were great (beach got windy in the afternoon). Poolside lunch and drinks were outstanding and the staff really, really nice - Trini was our favorite. Overall, I would say that this place rocked for a few days of R&R and it is unbelievably quick trip from Newark in NYC. Don't listen to the reviews where the people take themselves way too seriously and think that spending a few hundred a night for a room entitles you to berate and belittle people because they're not making your time "special enough." The staff was great, the place was beautiful and it was an excellent four days. I gotta figure that if all of the haters had all of the experience they claim to, they'd recognize Casa Colonial for what it is - a solid, boutiquey place in the DR that's easy and quirky. If that's not what your in for, take you massive amount of wealth and experience and buy a Villa in St. Barth's and hire your own staff.

My one comment to Casa Colonial is that you should try and maybe create a little interaction between guests. Maybe offer a free round of mojitos in the bar between 7 or 8 each evening or something like that. Nothing obligatory but something low key to say hi to each other might appeal to some of your guests.

Casa Colonial was perfect for just what my husband and I needed ... Which was a quiet luxurious small hotel right on the beach with a friendly, helpful staff. In particular Johanna Lopez and Freddy DeLarosa were extrodinarily helpful and made the trip even more special.

Lisa

We spent five nights at the hotel. It was an elegant, yet simple and sophisticated hotel. The beach is right at the hotel which is wonderful. You can get a massage right on the beach. The spa and gym were great and exceeeded our expectations. The food and service were also very good. We would recommend the hotel highly. Many of the hotels in DR, you have to do all inclusive. This hotel you do not have to do it. It was great.

Beautiful resort...very friendly staff...excellent food and amenities.

Definitely the best of the best in the Dominican Republic.