Five reasons GrooveFest was a Caribbean paradise

When we left London, the city was grey and cold. And when we were back in the UK on Sunday night (watching Missy Elliot et al at Bestival), it was raining dogs, cats and kittens. But in between, in the words of The Beach Boys, it was sun, sun, sun. Eighty-five degrees every day in fact. Welcome to The Dominican Republic; welcome to Groovefest.

With the emphasis on house music heroes past and present, this all-inclusive beach-side resort featured sets from the likes of Green Velvet, Kolsch, Dennis Ferrer, MK and Andre Hommen, not to mention 90s heroes like Kenny Dope and - going back even further - DJ Pierre, who surprised everyone with a fun-packed set that started with 'Controversy' by Prince and took in classics like 'Disco's Revenge' before bringing things to a close with Stevie Wonder's 'All I Do'. Props to Dennis Ferrer for digging out 'Haven't You Heard' by Patrice Rushen and to Andre Hommen for warming things up nicely on the beach for the Objektivity party on the Tuesday.

But as much as the day parties banged - with the mainly British crowd getting their groove on all day long - for many, the fun was to be had after dark. At the first party we visited in a villa, irrepressible party-starter Skream was dropping bombs like the recent refix of 'Uh Oh' by Lumidee while scores of DJs queued up to take his place...not that he was moving. Of the newbies at the afters, Newcastle's own Cera Alba impressed the most.

With 2016's event already announced, we can only imagine that word will spread on this particular event. Aside from the overall quality of music and fun-loving crowd, the fact that you only really need to spend money on tips once there really is fantastic for anyone who cant afford to spend thousands at Burning Man - or indeed, Ibiza peak-season.

Overall, it's fair to say both the DJs and the endless Presidente beer delivered: it's impossible not to have a good time here, especially with a soundtrack like this. After I left on the Thursday, the party continued with Kenny Dope, Patrick Topping and countless others. Our only suggestion for 2016 would be to widen the musical remit: how good would it be to hear DJ Marky or DJ EZ by the sea for example? But if you're looking for somewhere fresh and clean to get your Groove on, this Fest is for you.