Ally's Cabarete Surf Camp — Hotel in La Hispaniola

Ali's came recommended by the local language school - I should have ignored the recommendation. I paid 50% down for 28 nights accommodation arriving Jan 14th, 2023. The room I was given was seriously sub-standard even by DR standards. I immediately asked to be moved. A studio was offered after 3 nights - it was acceptable, not great, so I paid the balance. After 10 days I was told I would have to move back to the original room, but this was unacceptable, so I gave notice I would leave after night #13. I asked for a refund of the 15 unused nights and was refused. I lodged a complaint with PayPal.

the stove-top in my studio went up in flames - flames were coming out of the holes where the knobs were, which were melting and which made turning the burners off impossible. Fortunately I had just taken the propane tank out from under the burner to check how much gas was in the tank. That made it very easy to reach the valve. Had the tank been under the stove I am sure I would have been burnt trying to reach the tank's valve. The stove-top was replaced promptly, though I was cautious after, and kept the tank outside the closet. the General Manager, Jimmy, was curt, unhelpful and occasionally rude. The other staff were quiet but helpful. on two of my 13 mornings there was no water for bathing or flushing. all the buildings are really run-down. A few have even been abandoned. The laundry hut got a new palm-leaf roof while I was there - it took three roofers four days to complete the job. the restaurant is quite popular in the evenings, though the food is expensive and nothing special. the restaurant  is not open for breakfast, and lunch has to be requested in advance. there is no check-in desk except for the kitchen itself. There are no staff available until about 11am. I would occasionally ask for hot water (for my own tea-bag, as tea was not on the menu) - the staff would put a large pot on the stove with a little water in it - I was surprised the restaurant kitchen did not have a stove-top kettle. there is no bar, only tables. I seriously doubt Ali's could come up with any cocktail - it's really limited to wine or beer. there are at least a dozen dogs running loose around the place - a few are resident, but most are strays. The strays bark incessantly during the night. There are three resident cats which are nice and tame. the restaurant bathrooms were difficult to find. So many guests must have complained that by my final night there a sign appeared indicating where they were. the lagoon is attractive: there was one great white egret, a couple of black-crowned night herons and a handful of purple garallules. the pool area is OK, but the patio and lawn furniture were in poor shape. both the rooms I stayed in had room safes attached to the floor, however both had had their original locks broken, replaced by a flimsy hasp and a tiny suitcase-style padlock & key. Thus the two safes that I saw were a bit of a joke. in 13 nights my room was cleaned and linens changed once.

Note that, as per most of the DR, you cannot discard toilet paper in the toilet - it must be placed in the bathroom garbage bin. This is not a complaint about Ali's - it's common everywhere here, but it still comes as a shock to...

AVOID - Alli's Cabarete Beach Hostel Surf Camp and Italian Antonio

GO - to Kite Beach instead for professionalism and better learning conditions.

Antonio, the hostel manager and kite boarding instructor; confirmed on email and earned my business by offering four nights of private accommodations and six hours of lessons for $236usd.

At our first meeting I was asked to sign a waiver that was not written in Spanish nor English.  On Cabarete Beach there is no separation between the hoards of oblivious Beach walkers and the numerous kites being launched in different directions, instructors aren't properly monitoring or controlling the situation for safety; during my first session we crashed the kite into a lady on the beach and the second day entangled a man in the lines, the student is only as good as the instructor. Also on the second day one of the air chambers on the kite popped, in mid air.  The third day when the kite was crashed in the water, it also popped and ripped; after Antonio yelled the same blame at me the second time for "Damaging his two thousand dollar kite," I calmly asked what the plan was and he said my lessons were finished.  I only received three nights of accommodations and four hours of instruction; the scammers demand payments upfront, professionals bill you for actual time and services rendered.

Tony's methods of training are ineffective and not for the faint of heart. I had a career in Coast Guard leadership and am a SCUBA instructor, but with the two to three foot chop and the instructor hanging on my back; I spent a lot of time with the wind swept waves breaking over my helmet, I felt like I was being initiated and waterboarded.  The other couple who's lessons overlapped mine were not pleased with the product received either; he did not feel that he learned anything, and she only flew the kite on the beach...

Quality varies extremely!

I stayed here twice. Once in a 2 room apartment for 6 people, once in what they claim on their website is a “bungalow”. The first stay was nice enough for the price, so I figured why not come back.

The bungalow is actually only a room – attached to other rooms. Not a bungalow. Therefore overpriced! There is basically no insulation so you can hear your neighbour snore as if he were lying in your own room. The room was so dark I had to use a flash light to look through my suit case, there was no wifi in the room either and we did not have a bath room door or curtain. So the bathroom was just open – all the time.

To be fair, Jimmy, who seems to be the care taker is very keen on providing a good experience. He was understanding when we said we would leave 4 days early and tried fix our issues as good as he could. However, he said he would provide us with a kettle and some plates and mugs for our room – which never happened. We also had to run after him multiple times to receive a second key for our room.

That being said, the common areas are nice. The pool is clean. Breakfast for 5 USD is fair.

What also should be mentioned is that there are dogs running around on the property however they please. So if you are allergic or do not want to be bothered by them, you will have a hard time. If you love dogs, it’s perfect. Almost always one to cuddle around.

Nonetheless I regret to say that I won’t be coming back...