We stayed 5 nights at El Portillo and 2 at Cayo Levantado as El Portillo was overbooked so I give you both. If you get the chance to stay at Cayo Levantado do it.

Check-In
El Portillo…Most people had their rooms ready immediately however we had an hour or so to wait. We walked around had a quick bite, some wine then were taken to our room, not a problem. The front counter staff was friendly and helpful. Some of the staff could speak Italian, English... If you did asked for something and they didn’t understand immediately someone who could speak English was there to answer our question.

Cayo Levantado…Domingo was quick to help us check in and told us if we had any problems at all to call him directly. During the first day he check in on us to see how we liked our room when we told him we were there to celebrate our anniversary he sent up a bottle of wine.

Staff
Smiles were plentiful and for the most part their English was better than my Spanish.

Rooms
Our room at El Portillo was sufficient, we had the basic Sunquest suite which we only used to sleep and shower in. It was on the third floor with the wooden cathedral ceiling which made the room seem larger. It was kept clean and the bar fridge was restocked daily. There was one day where the maid came in late in the afternoon, she apologized did a rough clean that day and did not touch her tip. The next day it was immaculate again. We were very satisfied with our room. People we met at El Portillo who had the Transat package were happy to get what they had paid for.

Our room at Cayo Levantado was stunning with its four poster bed and wicker living room furniture in an oversized room in a main floor villa. The bathroom was almost as large as the bedroom with a Jacuzzi tub looking through the bedroom and out over the terrace into the ocean. The terrace was partially covered which gave shelter to a table and two chairs, another outdoor sofa and chair. The bar fridge was stocked. The maids came in twice a day, once in the morning to pick up our towels, make our bed… In the evening while we were out for dinner two maids would arrive pick up our towels, turn down our bed and leave some chocolates and a rose on the bed.

Food
At El Portillo the food was plentiful at the buffet, we never went away hungry. We were quickly seated and served our drinks while we got our food. We only managed to eat at two of the al a cartes as we transferred to the Cayo Levantado five days into our vacation. (We transferred, not because we didn’t like El Portillo but to see another resort.)

The Oriental: I had the curried shrimps, and my husband the chicken. The large shrimps were light on the curry but well prepared I enjoyed them very much. The chicken was not to my husbands taste not to say that you wouldn’t enjoy them. DON”T order the gelle café sake or whatever it was ooooooooo so NASTY lol our table had a good laugh at it and sent it back. JMHO it was like an experiment gone wrong. The Gourmet: I had the sea bass which was to die for IMO, and my husband the filet mignon, very tasty. Better than some restaurants at home was how he put it.

Both, the red and the white house wines were very sweet. If you wanted a dry wine you had to order it from the Not-Included menu which you had to ask for. Make sure if you are drinking any kind of rum drink that you ask for the Brugal it is a much nicer rum flavor than the Normandy. The flavor is noticeable even in your banana mommas or coco locos.

The Beach Bar was a great place to be…not too many people there and the pollo (chicken) rotisserie was a quick meal accompanied by a Caesar salad. The chicken was always juicy and very well done, one of my husband favorite meals/snacks.

At Cayo Levantado we only managed to eat at the buffets, the one in the main building as well as the beach buffet. Both were very good, again excellent service. Along with the normal buffet selections for lunch they included shrimp, lobster, chicken, pastas…. Drinks here were delivered to you on the beach, by the pool..... The wines were much nicer here as well their liquors and beers are the premium brands.

Beach
El Portillo’s beach was awesome, great for walking. Very tropical, miles of sandy beaches and palm trees, beautiful blue water and a sky that stretches forever. Nice firm sand and clear waters for the snorkelers. The stars in the evening against the black sky were entrancing.

Cayo Levantado had soft coral sand and the water was warmer. Here there is both a private beach for the resort and a public beach.

Conclusion
Worth the money? Absolutely would go back to either resort in a heart beat! We enjoyed both properties, my husband more the El Portillo me the Cayo Levantado.

If you are looking for a complete and organized resort neither of these resorts are there yet. (As of Jan. 27th anyway) If you ever have a complaint at either resort a call or walk to the front desk and it is quickly rectified. They ask you for your suggestions and comments be honest and give it to them. They are moving quickly to get everything smoothed out IMHO I feel they will truly be at their best in the fall/winter of 2007.