I went there the week after this past Thanksgiving.
I stayed at the Iberostar Hacienda near La Romana. The resort was nice. The drinks were okay, but the food was not that great. Maybe I stayed at too many resorts and the food is just becoming to general for me.
The beach was nice. They had a nice coral reef close enough for me to swim to, and was close to surface, so you can disturb it all you want. It was a nice relaxing stay.
I did not go into La Romana much except to go to Scores Gentlemen's club as there was nothing else much to do or see in it. If you go to La Romana area, DR you just stay on the resort. I am told the Punta Cana area has more night life though.
La Romana area caters to Euros more. All the dominicans there speak italian or french. Many Europeans own homes near the resorts. Just dont drink too many Pina coladas or else you will get the other kind of DR.
Also, you cannot use the tap to even brush your teeth. Driving around by yourself is not much fun because the cops will tax you. And the drivers are all crappy.
The Punta Cana area is more for americans and les Habitants.