Navigating the Lifestyle resorts

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

Has anybody stayed at these resorts? Although not the most economical way perhaps DAE has several units at the Lifestyle Crown Residence Suites for 2013, and suspect the will for 2014 as well.

Having looked at the resort website, these are not as nice as the presidential suites, or crown villas. I am wondering if this would be worthwhile for a group of friends?

They also have the Sirenis Tropical Suites Casino & Spa, as well but there is very little information I can find about them and recognize the Lifestyle brand.

[asl18940 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close asl18940]

I was just at LHVC Presidential Suites in Puerta Plata and traded a Grand Luxxe unit through SFX for this. The AI fee was $3200 or so for the week. I could not recommend more strongly against going. For an owner at this resort it is probably a very good time. But as a trader with VIP benefits, you will be continually frustrated by the second tier level of service. The breakfasts are awful (unless you get a chef that cooks for you in your suite). Owners get around in a golf cart. Otherwise you have to take really dirty shuttles and they run every 1/2 hour. Really, truly you can do much, much better than this place even though the Presidential Suite rooms themselves were nice.

[gandalf252002 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gandalf252002]

The AI for the Crown Suites seem to be much lower, so I would be interested in knowing what the food was like. Gather that there would be much difference as the rates quoted were nowhere near as much as you paid. Was the $3200 for one person or for a family?

[asl18940 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close asl18940]

For a family of four, and make sure you carefully check your deal. If you have a full VIP (non owner) package then you'll have access to Jazz, the Brazian Steakhouse, the VIP Gourmet, all of which were good. The italian was ok, but the mexican restaurant was not good. The buffet is good for one night, but you'll get sick of it quickly. Breakfasts are really bad buffet food. Lunches are basic. But if you don't have the full VIP then you will get basic buffet food with some access to other restaurants if there is availability. SOme folks were paying $35-50 a day per person at the other suites, but they also had very mixed reviews. The presidential suites were nice, but the other parts had a lot of complaints.