This post is sponsored by Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort.
Anyone else feel like time speeds up when you are on vacation? My tropical getaway to Puerto Plata came and went way too fast! I suppose the upside to that is I can start planning when to go back.
Let me tell you about my experience visiting Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort from start to finish.
I flew from New York City (JFK) to Santiago (STI) direct on JetBlue. There are two airports near Puerto Plata - Cibao International Airport (STI) and Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP). POP is closer to Puerto Plata, but the flights into that airport are significantly more expensive than flights into STI. Whichever airport you choose, Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort provides FREE VIP transfer from the airport to the resort.
Once I exited the terminal, I was greeted by my driver holding a sign with my name on it. He picked myself and my guest up in a beautiful GNC Suburban and whisked us away to the resort. The drive was about an hour long but it was awesome to see how beautiful the countryside of the Dominican Republic was on our way.
Upon arriving to the resort, we were greeted with welcome drinks and check-in was a breeze! Our room was ready and we were escorted to our room.
We were lucky enough to have an ocean view room with a swim-up pool. It was stunning! From our back patio, we were able to see it all - the mountains, the ocean, and breathtaking sunsets. There is also a trail that leads up a hill to the most gorgeous lookout spot.
Our few days at Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort were filled with relaxation, lots of swimming, laying out, and food of course.
The property has three a-la-carte restaurants - Zao (Teppanyaki & Sushi restaurant), La Grappa (Italian restaurant), and Embers (steakhouse). There is also Larimar, which is the buffet open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are also tons of options for snacks or a quick bite - a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, sports bar (they have the best chicken fingers), a snack bar by the pool, and a pizza parlor. Your options for meals and snacks are endless!
Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort also has lots of options for fitness. The gym is awesome - it’s much bigger than most gyms I have come across in hotels/resorts and has equipment to meet all of your fitness needs. You can run on a treadmill while looking out at the ocean or you can hit the squat rack to get that booty ready for the beach! They also offer beach yoga and pilates some days - be sure to ask at the front desk to see what kind of group workouts they have planned during your stay.
Our mornings started out with an early morning workout followed by breakfast and fresh green juice at Larimar. The rest of our days were spent by the pool, at the pool bar (one of my favorite parts) or on the beach. There is a swim-up pool bar so you don’t even have to get out of the pool for a drink! I’m a big Pina colada girl so it was beyond awesome to get them while still in the pool.
If you like to relax on vacation, great! This is the spot for you. If you are an activities person, great! This is also the spot for you.
Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort also offers FREE kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling on the beach. We look the kayaks out one afternoon and had so much fun kayaking over the waves and getting a tan on the water. There are also so many colorful reef fish swimming around in the Caribbean that are so fun to look at. Be sure to grab a snorkel and explore!
The most exciting activity we did during our trip was an excursion organized by the staff at Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort. There is a staff of vacation planners that can help you pick and book excursions off the property so you can explore more of the beautiful island.
We went to the Damajagua Waterfalls for a hike and a REALLY good time. It was just myself, my date, and our tour guide. We took about a 20-30 minute hike up the mountain and arrived at the top of a beautiful waterfall. The fresh water springs were breathtaking. The water was crystal clear and the jumps we did were about 15ft high. I was first to jump in - I love an adrenaline rush!
We spent that morning jumping into waterfalls and sliding down others. It was such an amazing experience and although I don’t have photos (couldn’t bring my phone for obvious reasons), I have memories to last a lifetime. I highly recommend this excursion if you are visiting Puerto Plata! It was only 20 minutes away from the resort.
One of my other favorite experiences from my stay at Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort was the romantic dinner they prepared for myself and my date. It truly was the most romantic dinner setting I have ever seen! It was just the two of us on the beach at sundown. We were presented with one dish at a time and went through 5 courses - fruit sushi to start, then on to soup, then a sampling of seafood, then our entrees were steak and lobster, and we finished off with dessert. It was the most romantic dinner in the most beautiful place. A night I will remember forever! If you are headed to Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort with your honey, be sure to set this up. It would be the best surprise for your date!
When I think back at my trip, what I remember the most was the staff. The service was unmatched! We were always so well taken care of and everyone was so warm and friendly. They made me feel at home.
All in all, my trip to Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort was perfect. It was such a relaxing trip that I will always remember. Puerto Plata now holds a special place in my heart and I absolutely can’t wait to go back one day. If you are in need of a tropical vacation, this place is for you!