This is our trip report from our trip from August 9 to 16, 2005 to Eden Bay Resort, a nude resort in the Dominican Republic. This report is based on our personal experiences during the week and is separate from the resort review, which is posted in a separate note. Pictures are here.
Eden Bay photos We had booked a trip to Eden Bay when it was open under it’s former name, all the way back in something like 1997, before it closed down for several years. At that time, we booked through Go Classy Tours, through which we have always booked our trips to Jamaica. Way back then, we were able to get our money back and went to Aruba instead. This time, we again booked through Go Classy Tours, which is also Nude Hideaways, a TTOL sponsor, although it was kind of a last minute deal. We had been interested in Eden Bay ever since it reopened, and had been wanting to go for a long time, but just never made time to go. A.J. Hutchinson, owner of Go Classy Tours, contacted us about three weeks before the trip and said that he had a group booking for that week and asked us if we wanted to go. I was surprised on such short notice to be able to do so, but I got a frequent flyer ticket on American for me for those dates. Eric had some things at work that he couldn’t rearrange, so we purchased a ticket for him on American, leaving here the same date as me, but coming home on Sunday the 14th instead of the 16th. Since we would be going with a big group from Go Classy, I wasn’t worried about staying the final two days without him.
We were both booked on the AA flight at around 8 A.M. from Washington National to Miami, then a flight direct from there to Puerto Plata, DR. Unlike US Air, you can’t check in on the kiosk machines for international flights on AA, so we had to stand in line at National. Although I was somewhat apprehensive about how long we stood in line, we were fine. As usual, we didn’t check any bags. The first flight was on time, and in Miami, we met up with most of the members of our group from Go Classy, as most of our group was on the same flight from Miami to Puerto Plata. We enjoyed getting acquainted with the group of folks that we would be hanging around with for a week, and had more time to get acquainted than we possibly would have wished, as our flight leaving Miami was one hour 10 minutes late leaving Miami. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> Ah, the joys of flying these days. At least the delay was not on our first flight, so we didn’t miss our connection.
Once we arrived in POP, we deplaned and paid our $10 per person entry tax and waited a short time for some of our group to claim their luggage. Customs/immigration is basically nothing there in POP, as we walked straight through. Included in your fare at Eden Bay is a free transfer to and from Puerto Plata airport. The driver meets you just outside the baggage claim, with a sign for Eden Bay. Our particular driver spoke very little English. The trip to Eden Bay by road these days is rough in spots and takes about an hour and a half. They are supposedly working on the road and it will be better later, but now it’s kinda spotty. Because of the size of our group, there were two vans full of people who arrived at the resort at the same time. Tom Landers greeted us and he and Patricia showed all the various groups to their rooms, while staff members transporting the bags to the rooms for us.
As far as what we did while we were at Eden Bay, for the most part, the answer is ‘nothing’. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> We generally rose around 8 to 8:30, had breakfast, got some sun, did some reading, had lunch, possibly did something more ambitious from time to time, like playing some pool volleyball, etc., then had dinner, watched the entertainment and went to bed. A really harrowing schedule! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> A couple of afternoons, we played some blackjack or Texas Hold’em Poker, with everyone throwing in a $5 ante and the winner taking all. That was fun. Eric did a resort course scuba instruction and a brief dive, which was fun. I had a massage one day by the ocean, which was nice. I also did some serious shopping at the store at the resort. BTW, the guy there will do some serious bargaining with you if you purchase enough stuff! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> I ended up with a really beautiful larimar necklace, along with some great hanging painted parrots, and some cute pareos.
If you get the impression from our resort review that we loved our trip to Eden Bay, you would be correct, EXCEPT for the lack of a/c!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> I did not sleep very well most nights, as it was HOT! when we were there, as August is probably the hottest month of the year. I never took so many showers in my life!! Fortunately, soon there will be a/c in the rooms. To my mind, that will be all it takes to make Eden Bay a fairly perfect place. Some people will be concerned about ocean access, but personally, I don’t care that much about getting into the ocean, as I would much rather get into the pool.
Truthfully, I have to say that at least some of the enjoyment we had with Eden Bay was the all inclusive nature of the trip. Our normal nude vacations are to St. Martin, and while we love St. Martin, as far as pure relaxation goes, there is something to be said for an all inclusive vacation. All inclusives are GREAT, for not worrying about whether you have another drink, or something else to eat, because it doesn’t cost any more– or any less–regardless.. Our last nude all inclusive trip was to Hedonism III in Jamaica. Frankly, the sexual nature of that whole resort made me uncomfortable there. We had been to HII, Grand Lido Negril and Grand Lido Braco before and I was not nearly so uncomfortable at any of those places as I was at HIII. At Eden Bay, I was perfectly comfortable. For me, it was that the nudity there was comfortable, natural, nothing sexual about it......just people being comfortable with being nude.
I also attribute some of our great time to the fact that we were there with a great group of folks from Go Classy Tours, with whom we had met up in Miami, sharing our plane trip from Miami and the ensuing road trip to Eden Bay. Thus, we had a ‘ready made’ group of friends, with whom we could enjoy meals, time in the pool or the hot tub or the bar, etc., etc. Nude people are, as a whole, much more friendly than the average vacationer, and we did enjoy interaction with other vacationers who had nothing to do with Go Classy, while we were at Eden Bay, particularly a couple from England and a couple from France, but it was very nice to have a ready-made group of friends there.
Eric went home on Sunday, and the couple from England asked me that afternoon if I was OK. I said “Sure, I’m OK, I’m still here!! Eric is the one who went home!” <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> And that is kind of a symbol of nude people–they care about each other, which is very nice... Not that much changed after Eric went home, except that I read a little more. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Monday night was a very nice night, though. We enjoyed drinks and appetizers at the bar up top by the main restaurant. I then had what I considered to be a great idea and I asked Patricia if she could arrange for us to have ONE table for dinner. I’m sure it was a big PITA for the staff, but they did it! And again, Eden Bay came through----they do what they can to make sure everyone has a great time!!! We had almost everyone who was staying at the resort, Go Classy people AND everyone else, sitting at ONE table, which stretched all the way across the dining room. It just made a wonderful ambiance for our last night at the resort, with everyone at one table, as we enjoyed a nice meal, some toasts to AJ and Genny, and to our hosts, Tom and Lynda, and a special birthday cake for Genny! Genny’s remarks in appreciation for the cake brought tears to my eyes and I think most everyone else at the table. What a special memory................
Tuesday came and it was time to go home. Tom had a business meeting close to the airport, so he agreed to provide transportation to the airport for me, since I was on the American Eagle flight to San Juan (as opposed to most everyone else, who were on the AA flight to Miami). Tom also gave a ride to a couple who wanted to shop in town, so we dropped them off about a half hour from the airport. My flight to SJU was about 30 minutes late leaving and I was able to see most of our group going to Miami, as they came through. Surprisingly, once I got on the flight from SJU to Washington Dulles, there was a full HOT meal, and a movie, which I enjoyed. Eric picked me up at the airport, and then it was to work Wednesday, which was a bad thing.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />
Conclusion–Wow, we had a great time!! Thanks to AJ and Gennie for inviting us to participate in a great week!!! Thanks also to Tom and Lynda and all the staff at Eden Bay for being the consummate hosts!!! We will be back!!!!
Carol & Eric
