The Hotel Colibri very much reflects its environment. It is friendly, it is casual and it is also just a bit rough around the edges. Now don't get me wrong, this is not a terrible place. But reading the rave reviews here after a recent stay in the Hotel compels me to offer my own opinion.

For travelers either accustomed to or needing a high level of quality in their accomodations, the Hotel will disappoint. Given, it is a bargain and especially so for rental parties of more than two people.

But a "paradise"? No, I don't think so, and we have traveled not only through out the DR, but all through the Caribbean and much of Europe, Central America and South America.

We agree: The staff is friendly and helpful, the accomodations are cute and colorful and the beach could be absolutely wonderful.

The beach, however, like the hotel, needs a bit of spiffing up to get to "perfection". Because Las Terranas, like the rest of the Samana Peninsula, gets a good deal of rain, it is a rather damp location. Unfortunately, the Colibri with only ceiling fans to cool things down, has rooms that feel and smell a little too earthy for our taste. The bed linens never get a chance to completely dry out and as a consequence the crispness we would want to experience in getting into bed is just not there. We were left feeling like we needed a hot shower before, during and after each night's sleep.

Similarly, the couch in the kitchen area (there is no separate living room space) looked quite tired and had that same damp and not refreshingly clean feel to it.

The restaurant, managed by an amiable Italian gentleman, was certainly a convenience for guests, but it did not offer the level of service to justify what are relatively high prices for the Dominican Republic. My one dining request was essentially rejected and I was told the item I desired was not available, but the next morning at breakfast we observed a young man eating what I had asked for the night before. Perhaps it was because I made my request in English and Spanish and he made his in Italian? I sure hope not!

Las Terranas as a vacation destination has a good deal to commend it. But to attract the tourist looking for both a beautiful beach site and a very clean and comfortable accomodation, there needs to be an alternative offered. The Hotel Colibri falls short of the quality we would prefer on vacation, and the beach with so many fallen palms and heavily trafficked road (motor scooters and atv's GALORE) really compromise the environment and sense of peaceful retreat we would prefer.

We would stay at the Colibri again if we were in the area but hope that the new hotel projects currently being constructed will offer crisper lodging and beaches that are not only remote, but pristine as well.

We spent one night at Colibri then checked out because even though it is a nice friendly place, the road in front is extremely noisy with motorcycle traffic. I loved the pool though. We were sorry to check out but we wanted peace and quiet and it was not to be found on this busy road (contrary to some writings, Colibri is not at the end of the road). We went to Punta Bonita instead, and found it much quieter and exactly what we wanted. The purpose of going to the beach on vacation was to find a quiet place different from noisy urban Miami.

One tiny complaint about the room: the air conditioner filter looked like it hadn't been changed in months, so we cleaned it ourselves. I think we had the only AC room in the place, so I guess no one was familar with AC there.

I liked the room with its fully equipped kitchen- it was very nice, and I wouldn't mind trying this place again some time.

I was there last week and only have wonderful thing to say about Hotel Colibri. It's a beautiful spot in Las Terrenas. The beach is great and clean. While there a large manta ray beached itself and we saw lots of fish, sea rays and baby octopus. You can snorkle right from the beach.The hotel is comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful. The food is good too. Lots of fresh seafood. The apartments have kitchens which worked great since I have small children. For those travelling in the summer months, the rooms have fans, no AC, but there's a good breeze during the day and night. Keep in mind that Las Terrenas is a bit out of the way and not a resort-type destination. That's why we chose to go and loved it!

During our vacations in November 2004 we passed in our rental car Las Terrenas and stayed in the hotel two nights.
GROUNDS: Beautiful. The buildings are arranged u-shaped around a big place with the swimming pool and tropical gardens. The restaurant is on edge to the street, uncomfortably near. Unfortunately you have to cross the "dirt track main avenue" to the beach, where everybody seems to find it hip to cruise rattling with moped, ATV and other noisy and stinky motorized vehicles. You also have to use this potholed track to reach the hotel. Disappointing. The beach for itself has fine yellow sand - not my impression a caribbean dream - and when we were there, the see was too rough for a swim. The beach chairs are close to the dirt track and the car park. Not perfect at all.
ROOMS: We stayed in an appartment for two persons with a big kitchen/living room, sleeping room and a huge loggia upstairs. The rooms are airy with wooden Venetian blinds without glass and therfore not soundprooved (I guess that this could be a problem in high occupancy times). Every spot has a ceiling fan, but no air condition. All is spotless clean and perfectly maintained - as if all is brand new. Fantastic.
The kitchen is good equipped. You should think about preparing your own meals. The bathroom has a shower (no tub) behind a wall without a curtain, sink, bidet and toilet. Not huge but really sufficient. All sprayers on faucet and shower head are functioning correct (not evident in the DR...) And clean!
STAFF: Very friendly, very helpful. No doubts. Every day appears a cleaning woman for also letting disappear the dirty dishes from the day before.
MEALS: We haven't used the restaurant, so no comments for the cuisine. We prepared our own meals and bought all items in the local supermarket: Affordable prices for national products (shrimps around 10,00 USD per kg, rumpsteak 5,00 USD per kg). Imported goods are rather expensive. Also check out the fruit shops and bakery on the paved main street.
THE VILLAGE: Maybe a community of stranded beings? Just the the highway, that passes the location, is paved. All other "streets" not. Potholes, noise and niff. Crowds of mopeds, trucks, taxis etc. are mostly blocking the streets. A honkytonk without any aspects of a "true paradise". Prices for meals, internet, souvenirs above average. Maybe there is touristic nightlife. We preferred to spend the evenings on our loggia on "Paradise Island" with a nice self prepared "Cuba Libre" with fresh lemons and Brugal Extra Viejo (or Barceló Añejo). If you prefer tranquility you must go somewhere else, like the remote Las Galeras (just 1 hr. ago) with even more beautiful beaches. In Las Terrenas, a group of Europeans seem to live their dream of a Carribean Life in a very specific way, supported by Dominicans. I do not want to criticize that, just express that our imaginations are completely different.
RESUME: For us Playa Colibri is a highly recommendable place with very nice staff and beautifully kept grounds and rooms. If you have the talent to fade out Las Terrenas: go there. We weren't that impressed to imagine to stay in the village longer than a few days.