From Teresa Plowright,
Your Guide to Family Vacations.
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For several years, the "Coral by Hilton" brand referred to four family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic. However in November 2006, the two companies involved -- Coral Hotels & Resorts, and Hilton Hotels-- dissolved "Coral by Hilton", and the four all-inclusives reverted back to the Coral Hotels & Resorts brand. Amenities, activities and kids' club remained. Families will find watersports, kids' program, drinks, meals, snacks, and all the usual conveniences and pleasures of an AI getaway. (Spa, scuba, and golf entail an extra charge.)

Resort tourism has been growing rapidly in the Dominican Republic, and the country is known for well-priced all-inclusives. Sample: rates as low as $124/night for two; meanwhile, kids stay free if they're 5 years old or younger, and the charge for ages 6 to 12 is only $36/day. (Check web site for latest rates.)

Kidz Paradise Clubs
Supervised daily activities include arts and crafts, music, dance, games. “Groovy Kids” are ages four to seven, and “Cool Kids” are ages eight to 12. Resorts also have a kids-only swimming pool and mini golf.

The Coral Resorts
Three properties are on the on the south (Caribbean) coast of the island; the other is near the busy tourist center of Puerto Plata on the north coast.

Here's a sample look at the Coral Canoa Resort:

• location is at La Romana, on the south coast, i.e. the Caribbean Sea
• 24 hour a day all-inclusive
• spa
• four restaurants, five bars including swim-up
• white-sand beach
• archery, mini golf, tennis courts, badminton, basketball, volleyball, soccer, beach parties, dance classes, Spanish lessons, tennis
• kayaks, Sunfish, windsurfing; scuba packages available (extra charge)

Other Coral Resorts:

• Coral Costa Caribe -San Pedro de Macoris, south coast, near La Romana
• Coral Hamaca - Boca Chica Bay, ­south coast
• Coral Marien - north coast, Playa Dorado Beach near Puerto Plata (click for photos)

  Find out more about:

See details and updates at the Coral Hotels & Resorts site, or call 866-863-9281

check visitors' comments at TripAdvisor.com (-enter the name of a specific resort in the searchbox)

This brief profile is meant to introduce this resort to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check resort sites for updates.