Time to depart cold, grey Illinois for warm, sunny Dominican Republic. I booked this trip on a whim after seeing a deal for a 3 night stay in a junior suite with free upgrade to a rooftop terrace. Kind of hard to turn that down when the price includes everything! And it was perfect timing to get a break from the rough start to 2022.
My departure time was 10 am from OHare and I arrived early, as usual, to avoid rushing through security and to the gate, which always ends up being the furthest away from security. I parked in the relatively new Facility. This new parking garage houses the rental cars as well as two levels of economy parking. It is also connected to the airport by the people mover, which just reopened after a huge revamp. Almost everything is automated here. After parking, you go to the elevator bank where you choose your floor from a touchscreen OUTSIDE the elevator. It then tells you which elevator to use and, once inside, there are no buttons to push. Kind of neat! I got down to the main level just as a shuttle bus to the terminals was
arriving. You can use the people mover but these shuttles were lined up and it was quick to get on and get moving. It costs $22 a day to park in the MMF, which is cheaper than the main parking garage, but there are other outer lots that are $15. I prefer the security of a garage and the extra cost was worth it to me.
Security wasnt terrible. The longest wait was at the ID check where the lady in front of me could not find her ID and stood there for about 5 minutes searching her bag. Hello, have it ready before you get in the line. Its an airport, you need your ID. After that it was a short wait in the actual security line and then a walk through the colorful connector between concourse B and C. Then I stood in a long line for Starbucks but I had plenty of time to waste before I needed to be at the gate.
Flight left on time and was very smooth all the way to Punta Cana. I love small tropical airports! You get to walk outside to get from the plane to baggage and
most of the airport is open air. Stepping out into the warm humid air was quite a change from chilly Chicago! Immigration was quick, bags had to be at customs and then I was out to find my shuttle service. I had booked a shared ride but I was the only person using that so it was just me and the driver. My hotel was about a half hour from the airport. I got to see the crazy driving as well as some of the countryside. Lots of cows.
Finally arrived and checked in. Apparently my room was not available so I was given a regular room for the night and was told to call the next day after 4 PM to be moved. I walked to my building and waited for my suitcase to arrive. I guess part of all inclusive includes not being able to take your own bag! The room was pretty perfect. A nice bathroom with a separate tub and shower, a sitting area and a balcony with a hanging chair. I could have spent the entire time in the chair!
Mexican restaurant where I had some delicious guacamole and fish tacos. I will say the service after getting the food was lacking. No one came by to refill my water or lemonade or ask if I wanted dessert. But thats ok as I stopped in the coffee shop on the way back to the room and got a tea and some pastries.
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