We recently spent two glorious weeks at Eden Bay Resort, including Christmas 2004 and New Years 2005, and the entire experience was truly wonderful and memorable. This is an absolutely amazing property that should become a very popular clothing-optional resort once word gets around, and after a bit longer period of continuous successful operations. The natural setting of this resort property is stunningly spectacular and the extensive landscaping that has been thoughtfully integrated within the terrain provides endless photo opportunities, and a constant visual feast for the eyes.
Eden Bay Resort has only recently (apparently within the past two years) begun its “second life” as a clothing-optional destination and consequently many of the original units are not presently needed or being used, but as occupancy grows more and more units are being completely refurbished for guest use. The attendance is still not large (about 50 people at the peak during our stay) and if there were more guests the meal service could become somewhat slow without additional waiters; however if one enjoys socializing with other guests that would not really be a problem, and in any event Patricia (the manager) would, in all likelihood, quickly make any needed adjustments.
We stayed in a beach villa which is a very spacious one-bedroom (detached) unit near ocean level. There are also apartments at a higher (cliff) level closer to the main office and main dining room. There are three pools and two hot tubs located around the property which provides convenience regardless of where one is located. Although there is ample shoreline at Eden Bay there is only a small ocean access area but there is ample sandy beach.
It should be said that Eden Bay is not a place for those who need to be constantly "on the go" but if one is looking for natural beauty, tropical serenity, fantastic food, clean and comfortable accommodation, terrific staff, and a manageress who attends to any problems immediately, then this is the place to go. And the price is "bargain basement" when compared to similar resorts. My only hope is that the same low rates continue for some time as we fully intend to return. We met people who have returned on a regular basis every few months, so we can't be alone in our positive assessment of this resort.
Eden Bay is quite isolated from any other facilities or activities, so if one likes to get away from the resort and into action elsewhere this may not be the best choice, although Patricia (the manager) will make arrangements for transportation to anywhere desired. The resort consists of many acres of property, so if exercise is an objective there is no shortage of opportunities, including long walks, the tennis courts, volleyball, shuffleboard, etc. – all of which is clothing-optional.
Literally everything is included in the "all-inclusive" price at Eden Bay, and that includes the 90-minute transit from, and back to the airport (cold drinks provided,) 4:00 PM snacks (always an anticipated surprise,) and the evening "treats" that mysteriously appeared in the refrigerator each evening. The meals offered great variety every day, and if it was too difficult to choose between the various entrees it was no problem to ask for "half & half." which we did frequently – and that went for the desserts too! The dinner soups were always a culinary creation that should not be missed.
We may have just been extremely fortunate, but the people we met during out holiday, from many parts of the world, added a tremendous amount of merriment and joy that we have generally not experienced during previous vacations – As wonderful as these people were, I’m sure the atmosphere and setting of Eden Bay Resort contributed greatly to this outcome, which was one of the best holidays we have ever experienced.
All meals are "sit-down" and lunch is served at the ocean level restaurant which is also the main pool bar area. Lunch always had one "special" and a number of menu choices, some of which many people would regularly repeat. Lunch included soup if one wished, which was ALWAYS "Vegetable" to which there may or may not have been some sort of meat added on any given day - It became a great joke as to what the daily soup would be! Dinner entrees, which most times were served at the main dining room on the cliff and near the swim-up bar, were varied and delightful and there was usually a choice of 2-3 different entrees per dinner, and the presentation was equal to your fine restaurants back home. A few dinners were served at the ocean-side restaurant, one such being Christmas night when a whole pig was roasted over an open pit on the beach. Breakfasts were also sit-down and in the main dining room, and always a great variaty of choices similar to home.
Bar service could be a bit slow at times, and language became a bit of a problem when trying to get something a bit different (I wanted non-alcoholic and options such as lemonade were not available, so settled on a mix of orange juice & tonic or soda, which once that was established with a given server, was no problem.) Generally I believe the liquors were just standard fare, and nothing special, alothough one lady commented that there was no Canadian Club (her favorite) and the next night Patricia (the manager) produced a bottle of CC - She had arranged for someone to buy it during the day!!
Room service was not a regular thing, although I did see some meals being delivered, and again ,Patricia would do almost anything to satisfy the guests, if she was asked. New towels were left in ones room when rooms were made up each day, so there was never a shortage, and additional towels would always be available, I'm sure. I never ventured into the ocean, but I don't think the snorkling was terribly great in the area, from comments picked up from one of the younger couples, although I think there were some places close by that one could go to for that.
The ages were all over the map, with the preponderance being in the 50-80s range, but also a nice representation of 30-40s and the youngest would have been a young Russian boy of about 12 who seemed to have a great time. As to how to get there, one just flys to Puerto Plata and you will be met at the airport by a driver with an Eden Bay sign, who will offer you cold drinks for the 90-minute ride to the resort. Getting a flight to Puerto Plata is much easier from Canada that trying to get to St. Martin, in our experience.
Regarding lunch, it is actually served at the Oasis Bar, which is outdoors (with thatched roof) and right next to the two lower level pools. There is a long list of menu items such as burgers, salads, etc., but you order individually and then wait for the kitchen to prepare the order (can take some time!) but I see no reason that one could not order and then have the item served at one of the pool chairs - Staff are exceedingly accommodating in looking after the guests.
I am not a strong swimmer so generally do not take any chances when it is not simply sand and water. Apparently there are some sharp rocks (coral) out there so I stayed on land. Others went in regularly, however. Snorlle gear is provided, but I don't know about the quality, etc.
Regarding pictures - I've looked at the photos on the Eden Bay website and I can vouch that they are representative of the resort - EXCEPT for the well shaped models who adorne some of them, not that there weren't some - just not as many all in one spot!! If the pictures look too beautiful to be true, well, they ARE true because the place really is that beautiful.
I don't mind the questions, and am happy to do anything I can to encourage folks to try out Eden Bay - I want it to be in full, robust operation the next time we want to go there, and I believe it will be.
This is just a great place to relax and be pampered, and as more and more people hear about Eden Bay I think it will become one of the premier c/o resorts anywhere. I do have pictures, but don't know how to show them here. However, there are many great pictures at the website (a few of mine will eventually be there, I understand) and you can get a good idea of the resort by spending a bit of time clicking through what is posted (just realize that not everyone lookes like some of the georgous people appearing in some of the earlier "promotional" pics!!)
http://www.edenbay.com/photo_gallery.php Only TV at present is one in the main adminstration bulding, in the "games room." Don't know if that will change or not. There is also free internet access near the same area
