5 Things about Emotions by Hodelpa Playa Dorada--Dominican Republic
Costa Dorada--courtesy Dominican Tourism
One—Unblemished Beachiness
When Christopher Columbus came ashore 70 nautical miles west of here in December of 1493 with his soldiers, priests, pigs, horses, wheat, sugarcane and rats and microbes, he was on the hunt for gold. He wrote of finding beaches where “sands abound in gold dust” washed down from the mountains. Today the region is wealthy in the riches of golden beaches Columbus overlooked by virtue of the absence, at the time, of all-inclusives. Like the brand-new Emotions by Hodelpa Playa Dorada. Playa Dorada—Golden Beach.
When we visited Emotions Playa Dorada was the newest property in the rapidly-expanding Hodelpa hotel and resort empire, with the ribbon-cutting of its 40-million-dollar total rebuild in December 2017. Emotions is a 475-room luxury all-inclusive on one of the DR’s best beaches.
Sun, sand, surf and killer mountain views. Miles of unspoiled beach whispering, “Let’s take a walk.” Emotions has the largest beachfront on Playa Dorada.
Two—It’s Fun. Because fun people run it
Hodelpa’s president is this guy, Ed, an engaging storyteller and the only CEO I have seen wow a dinner party with a mind-reading trick. He’s an entrepreneur; a Cuban-born American citizen with plans as big as his smile.
Emotions’ general manager is this guy, Victor, who walks the property every morning to make sure nothing is out of place.
Victor introduced me to Mama Juana (more about that later).
A cheery gang of rascals keep the poolside energy high.
The adults-only pool bar is your happy place.
Three--Peerless Pampering
Hot stones. Aromatherapy. Deep muscle massage. Marine algae wrap. Paraffin. Pinda massage (therapeutic massage with medicinal plant pouches—Google it!). Sauna & steam. The fitness center and spa called Evolution offers a roomy rooftop Jacuzzi with a view toward the sea.
Burn some calories on the treadmill with a view toward the Milwaukee Beer House and the fine dining where you’ll put them back later.
Worked up by social media? Punch the heavy bag. You’ll be glad you did.
Four—Beer! Wine!
Okay, granted, that’s technically two things, Mr. Quibble. I invoke writer’s privilege. Most all-inclusives offer premium spirits with which to create an infinite variety of tropical umbrella drinks, and Emotions is no exception. But for guests who are happy to pay a little extra for an ultimate experience, this resort offers an expansive menu of beers and wines from around the world at modest prices.
Welcome to Milwaukee Beer House, showcasing the largest beer menu I have ever encountered inside a resort destination. Presidente, the most popular beer in the Dominican Republic (first brewed in 1935), flows freely and without charge at Milwaukee. There is a nominal charge for the many other beers offered.
Other beers offered from the oldest brewing company in the DR include Presidente Light, Presidente Black, and The One. Some beer lovers give The One extra points just for its hippie trippy marketing, which initially described The One as an underground movement, a living philosophy, the collective power of individuals, a way of life. so there's that, if you consider beer a philosophy.
The primo wine is found at Oak, a wine cellar featuring vintages from around the world. The resort restaurants offer quality house wines inclusive, but the labels stored at Oak can be ordered for purchase at any dining location or from room service.
Tastings happen there, too and a trained wine steward will explain the characteristics of each.
Five—Woodpeckers!
The greenery here is filled with birds. There are 230 bird species spotted in the vicinity of Puerto Plata. When a lot of birds fly south for the winter from North America, they fly here, just like you.
Up on the mountaintop above Puerto Plata is a national park, where the birds have the best views on the Amber Coast. The cable car delivers you to the habitat of Hispaniolan Parrots, Bananaquits, Black-whiskered Vireos, Antillean Nighthawks, and Hispaniolan Lizard-Cuckoos. But you can spot plenty of unfamiliar tropical birds without leaving the resort.
In trees off the beach at the border with the neighboring resort this Yellow-crowned Night-Heron switched to the day shift.
Also preferring the all-inclusive life in resorts along Playa Dorada are coots, gallinules, hummingbirds and the Hispaniolan woodpecker.
Most everywhere else, woodpeckers live largely solitary lives. But Dominican woodpeckers hunt as a noisy gang. You will hear them across the resort squealing, yapping, squeaking and calling, especially as they set out together for breakfast.
The cigua palmera is the Dominican national bird. And I stalked it for days. But it hides in palms and is often a blur racing between trees. So I have only this so-so result. Which gives me an A-1, first-rate reason to return for a better one.
Six—Mama Juana! (Who can limit a visit here to 5 Things?)
Whether you see it offered as Mama Juana, or Mamajuana, or mamajuana, you must by all means toss one back. It is the Dominican National Libation. It starts as twigs!
Invented by the ancient Tainos, it was a medicinal tea brewed from sticks and roots and bark. But when Europeans brought wine and after the sugarcane planted by Columbus produced rum, both became key ingredients in the drink Dominicans claim can cure anything. You are encouraged to return home with a Mama Juana DIY kit. Today some call mamajuana Dominican Viagra, because of its reputation as an aphrodisiac. Locals, with no stab at subtlety, call it El Para Palo (lift the stick).