AI advice please!

[kcrhino]

Hi all! I'm new to this board, but I'm impressed by all I've read so far. If anybody can help me, I'm traveling with a group of twenty, inluding some 12, 13 year olds. We're considering either the Melia Tropical or the Grand Bahia Principe Bavaro for our AI destination.
Altho I see it too often on other boards, I will use the dreaded phrase "which one would you pick?"
It's my first time to the DR and PC in particular so any advice is truly appreciated.
Thanks
Dennis
BTW, we're interested in a nice big pool, some decent food, and nice grounds...Not really looking for off-property travel just yet....

[drloca]

I would probably recommend the BP, although have stayed at neither, but did visit this property and like its location too.
It is a very large sprawling resort and is still very new, which might be a feature that would be desirable (a year old this Dec).
Since you mention good food, there are 7 a la carte restaurants aside from the usual buffet and snack bar type places.
It is on a beautiful stretch of Bavaro beach too.
Hope this helps in some way with your decision, you cant go wrong either way!

[TimInDR]

Originally Posted by drloca

I would probably recommend the BP, although have stayed at neither, but did visit this property and like its location too.
It is a very large sprawling resort and is still very new, which might be a feature that would be desirable (a year old this Dec).
Since you mention good food, there are 7 a la carte restaurants aside from the usual buffet and snack bar type places.
It is on a beautiful stretch of Bavaro beach too.
Hope this helps in some way with your decision, you cant go wrong either way!

FYI:

I visited the BP Bavaro/Punta Cana today. Just to avoid confusion, you should know that both hotels (Bahia Principe Bavaro and Bahia Principe Punta Cana) are on the same property. They list them separately, and they do have separate reception desks, but they are conjoined and are nearly mirror images of each other. (not sure about the rooms, though.)

Beautiful property. The going rate for a walk-up was $170 dollars today. They have 1536 rooms (total for both hotels) and are at 90% capacity as of today. It's a little bit away from the 'downtown' area of Bavaro, so probably a 10 minute ride or so to town, etc.

I know nothing about the Melia.

Good Luck.

Tim

[FireGuy]

Definately would choose BP, having toured it last year. Also just recently learned that the Club Premier section is adult only in case that would appeal to some in your group - and yet still be in the same resort with the rest of the group.

Gregg