Help with Hotel!

[meganmm212]

My friend and I are looking to spend a week in the Dominican at the end of June/beginning of July. We want an all-inclusive resort so we dont have to worry about anything but are a little worried that we won't choose a good one. We are looking at the Bavaro Palace. Anyone know anything about that or any other resorts you could recommend?

Thanks!

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by meganmm212

My friend and I are looking to spend a week in the Dominican at the end of June/beginning of July. We want an all-inclusive resort so we dont have to worry about anything but are a little worried that we won't choose a good one. We are looking at the Bavaro Palace. Anyone know anything about that or any other resorts you could recommend?

Thanks!

Surely, some members who are in the know will answer your question, but you might like to know that you cannot spend a week in the Dominican, unless you are somehow going into his body.
A Dominican is a person, just like a Canadian or an American.
One often shortens the Dominican Republic, to "the DR".

[LindseyKaufman]

Originally Posted by Rocky

One often shortens the Dominican Republic, to "the DR".

Nicely put, Rocky!

Lindsey

[rubio_higuey]

I don't like Barcelo Palace. Wuuuh I don't like any Barcelo at all. Among the worst services in hotel industry in the DR. Impersonal. Not good food. Bad drinks. No good alcohol. Entertainment sucks. And not just Barcelo Palace, all Barcelos (and I have visited all 3 complexes in Punta Cana - Bavaro Beach, Premium Punta Cana and Dominican Beach).

For the same money, go to Riu Bambu instead or Ocean Blue or Bavaro Princess, or invest some more and go to Riu Palace Punta Cana! (you cannot go wrong on the latter one)!

P.S. I work in the tourism industry in the Bavaro/Punta Cana area.

[icefisher01]

I just got back yesterday from Iberostar Punta Cana. Very nice 5 star all inclusive. I can answer any questions you have on that resort and the one next door which is Iberostar Domincana.

Where are you traveling from?

As for the Dominican Republic itself? Lets just say I will never visit there again.

[Chirimoya]

Originally Posted by icefisher01

As for the Dominican Republic itself? Lets just say I will never visit there again.

Why is that? Maybe start a new thread though.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Why is that? Maybe start a new thread though.

Must have been the jellyballs.

[robbie]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Why is that? Maybe start a new thread though.

I'd like to hear why icefisher01 wouldn't go back also

We squished some of those jelly balls!!Maybe I'll develop some mad disease now!

[sangria]

maybe the lack or icefishing available?....just a thought

[icefisher01]

nothing to do with the balls ..

You asked, so heres my reason(s):

The good:
*) basically no insects! even at night I didn't see any insects attracted to lights. This was amazing compared to back home.

*)mamajaunna

*) Local people outside the resorts seemed very nice and friendly.

*) Macow beach (sp) I would say this is my second favorite beach i have visited. second only to the bahamas.

*) The Ibersostar's are very beautiful

*) The Rancho LLand excursion was fun and the locals where great! The children we met where wonderful. I just wish we would of brought more items with us to give to the children.



The bad:
*)The wind! windy every day and night! never stops!! Hard to book a charter when its blowing so hard (unless you like chumming over the side of the boat)
Kinda hard to book a charter days ahead only to be taken out in 4-5 foot seas.

*) Punta Cana beach was a disapointment. sand wasn't as white as I read, water wasn't as clear as I read either.

*) The reef makes for difficult snorkling. meaning you need to charter a boat to go out OR you can limit yourself to just a couple little spots from shore.

*) ALL the trash along the sides of the public roads! trash, trash and more trash...amazing! why would people dump trash on the side of the road where they live? Actually, how did the trash get along the roads in the middle of nowhere anyway?


Now, I realize some may rip me for such trivial things, but I have to base my opinion on by past visits to the Bahamas. DR is a vacation in the caribbean and so was the Bahamas. In my opinion, there is NO comparasion to the islands of the Bahamas! the white sands, the crystal clear waters, the clam waters, the great fishing, the fantastic snorkling!
For the same money, I would choose the Bahamas hands down...period!
After all, why do people go to the caribbean if not for the above mentioned things?

If I was to return it would be to visit the schools and people not the resorts and cetainly not Punta Cana area