Dominican Republic

What a wonderful vacation! My husband and I visited Excellence El Carmen February 12th to 19th. We are a couple in our late 30's and early 40's with 2 children that we left at home, we live in Manitoba, Canada. This was our first trip to the Dominican Republic. We've been to Mexico and Cuba multiple times on all-inclusive vacations, with and without the kids. The Punta Cana Airport: I was warned that the immigration line-up could be terrible, but I didn't realize HOW bad it would be. We waited in line with HUNDREDS of other people for 1.5 hours. It really was a super huge disappointment. We didn't make it to our resort until almost 6:00. Which meant we really didn't have much sun left for the day. I would 100% prebook VIP at the airport next time if I could. The transfer to the hotel was fairly quick, only about 40 mins with 1 drop off on the way. Once we arrived at the resort we were very warmly welcomed "HOME" by Edwin. Cool cloth to freshen up, glass of champagne, and a lovely walk through the lobby to the concierge who checked us in quickly and offered treats from the excellence club lounge from their chocolate party. We were then taken to our room which was fabulous! The room: Excellence Club Swimout suite. 5051 (5A). We were the first room on the corner. We were welcomed with fresh flowers, petit fours, and a bottle of sparking wine. We were also left with a full minibar and 4 bottles of premium liquor. The walk-in closet was so awesome for all of our stuff. I really appreciated having space to lay out our clothes without having to keep them in the suitcase. We were given bath robes and slippers to use during our stay. The bathroom was my only complaint about the room. It just wasn't private enough. The bathroom needs a separation. The toilet had a separate door, but it still didn't feel very private. I was always worried, cleaning staff, or anyone else would walk in while I was in the shower or something. You could actually see through the patio doors into the mirror where you could fully see a person in the shower. So I was always careful to make sure the curtains were totally closed. But it also meant that anytime anyone got up early in the morning or in the middle of the night to use the washroom, you woke up your partner. The bed was fine, totally comfortable, clean. The cleaning staff always made it up nice during the day, and we had turn down service in the evening. We were often in our room during turn down so didn't always get it. The swim up patio was hands down the best thing I've ever experienced at a resort! I LOVED having a little pool and a patio to hang out at. We could hear the ocean from our patio. It was lovely. I did find the main pool to be somewhat loud in the afternoons if I wanted to relax and read my book. But often we were at the main pool during the afternoons to enjoy the activities. The swim up pool was colder than the main pool but I enjoyed it, it was refreshing. I enjoyed being able to float and relax. Our room was on the A side and found it didn't get sun until around 12:00 and was gone by 5:30 - 6:00. It seemed as though the B side had sun the whole day. Main pool: lots of fun activities at the main pool where the swim-up bar is. We really enjoyed pool bingo and meeting new people. The drinks at this bar seemed to be VERY strong (or i just had too many ;). I believe the bartender here was Julio Caesar who was always helpful. The main pool closes at 6. So it felt a little early as we were really enjoying hanging out with people we met. This pool was quite warm! Restaurants: We went to Magna our first night as we were pretty tired from travelling all day and just wanted to eat and go to bed. The service was amazing, the food was delicious, portions were perfect (not too big). We booked the cooking show at Spice, you are supposed to call between 5 and 6 and then they give you a time slot. Ours wasn't until 9:00 but we were fine with that. We had a snack at the sportsbar and hung out with Felix for a bit. The cooking show was ok, Marcellano was our cook. He was friendly and the food was delicious. I think we had a quiet group, so it wasn't spectacular. The Lobster House for breakfast was delicious. It was so wonderful not to have to eat Buffet food all week. I loved that you could order what you wanted. We ordered room service for lunch one day because we just wanted to relax by our pool. Room service is awesome! We also ordered for dinner because after hanging out at the main pool we were exhausted. It was quick and delicious. We went to the grill one night. Super good! The bread with dips they give you when you arrive is delicious. We did have to wait about 30 mins when we went, I think we just went at the busiest time. We had the most amazing Valentine's Day dinner. It was outside the middle of the resort. They worked all day setting it up. They had an amazing saxophone player, a dominican band, and dancers. It was beautiful. The dinner was soooooooo delicious, the best I had all week. We enjoyed Chez Isabelle on our last night. We went with two other couples and it was SO lovely. Carlos was our server, and he always made sure our wine glasses were full ;). We decided to try the lunch buffet for a quick lunch, honestly, best buffet I've seen! There was so many options and the food was delicious. We tried Oregano for lunch as well, so nice to be in the open air by the ocean. The beach: so perfect. Soft clean sand. No rocks. The excellence club area on the beach was great. David would remember us by name and bring us to a lounge chair or bali bed and set up our towels for us. We felt so very well taken care of. Carmen would remember what we were drinking and bring them to us without us even asking. Excursions: We weren't going to bother this time around but a couple we met invited us on a boat trip. It was called happy Fish. They picked us up at 1:00 and brought us to a beach closer to downtown punta cana. It was a small-ish boat with only 11 passengers so it was nice! The tour guides were Daniel, Franky, and Rafael. They were so much fun and took great care of us! We went to a snorkelling area, and then a natural swimming pool area. They brought out a floating bar and served us drinks in the water! There was even a slide on the boat which was fun! We returned to the hotel around 6:00. It was a perfect day! Spa: this spa was so luxurious! The hydrotherapy was so awesome. It was such a refreshing circuit. We had a couples massage after and it was so lovely and relaxing. I also added the lifting facial mask. Absolutely no complaints. They do have daily specials so we did that. Entertainment: So fun! The Dominican band was great, they played at the plaza a few nights, then the shows at the theatre were fun to watch. Great dancing. Very entertaining! Staff: BEST STAFF I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED! I don't know if this is because we've never been to DR or because of the resort. Either way, I loved the staff here and had many great conversations with them. Alvin at the Martini Bar was one of my favourites, along with Joan who made sure making drinks looked fun! Yireny would come to our pool and ask if we wanted drinks and was always smiling! Jensel was a server at Magna, he was so friendly, polite, and took great care of us. Black Coffee and Spaghetti sure made sure that the guests were all having fun! The ladies at the coffee shop... Leocaria, Joandry, and a few others I can't remember! They made some pretty amazing coffee, love that this was available. Yanet was the concierge at building 5. She was always making sure we were happy. When we were sadly having to leave, Hector made sure our stuff was safe and that we didn't have to lift a thing. Happy Jaun made us want to stay forever! Very long review: I know there is so much more that I could add! It was overall the best vacation I've ever been on. Not having to fight for towels, chairs, or reservations at a la carte restaurants. Having a swim out room is the best. Staff was incredible.

Beautiful and very clean. Lots activities for kids and adult. Food great, variety options.

The property was very nice and well decorated. We had issues communicating with the majority of the staff, our limited Spanish and their lack of English. Rudy at the swim-up bar was fantastic. The spa services were excellent, professional and good value. The food was a big disappointment and service was hit or miss, and mostly miss. The beach chairs were hard to get, even at 6:30 am, who was holding the chairs? Staff?

The first week we were there was fantastic. The service was excellent, the staff helpful. Within 24 hours, once the hotel stated to fill up to always full capacity the hotel changed completely. There was always something missing on the buffet tables, the staff was rushed. Beach towels not replaced on hang to dry on our room's chairs, etc. Very disappointed.

Good experience overall Love the circular layout of the lobby and all the little tables to relax at. All colours were creamy and mellow making everything look classy Spectacular and clean beach but small and crowded Food good except for Japanese and Italian The buffet food was much better

Its nice, but wouldn't go back

Highly recommended. Our stay was from March 8-15. Clean, friendly, something to eat for everyone. Lots of activities and a beautiful beach with a reef. Great for walking. Someone mentioned the reef was dead but this is not the case. It's not full of colour but lots of life. Fish, sea cucumber, hermit crabs, anemone... caution swimming if the waves churn up the sand. It will be hard to see the coral and they are large. We stayed in a family suite, block 27, and it was perfect. Our requests were addressed immediately. Extra blankets, patio light... daily toiletries stocked up. The resort is not large so it's an easy walk anywhere. There are carts that drive around to take you to diff locations. We ate 2x at the Italian (we liked it that much) and once at the Mediterranean. We are not meat eaters so opted out of the Brazilian, and could not get into the French. We also appreciated the extra diligence towards hygiene during our stay (Covid-19) with antibac offered entering the restaurants, washrooms always being clean and stocked. We would absolutely return to this resort without hesitation. You will not be disappointed. The Dominican culture and people are amazing. Enjoy!!!

Let's start by saying I would not recommend this resort but that is also due to a very unfortunate experience I had with drug dealers on the resort. Let me explain by giving pros and cons. Pros: • The resort as a whole is gorgeous. Can't say enough about the décor • Rooms are big, shower is AMAZING and well decorated • The food was fantastic. The Valley and the YOLO were our favorites • The workers, for the most part, were friendly • Beach is beautiful and water is stunning. (Winds were 40-65 km gusts but that is out of our control) • Waterpark is wonderful but very far from beach. Cons: • Check-in was confusing. Nothing clearly stated the different levels of check-in. I asked and was checked in at the Unique lobby(Unique/Adult/Reg) • Unique has it's own lobby area to check in, there is an adults only club but no one knew what it was for when we asked the staff but there was a sign stating adult check in to the left when we got off the transfer bus. • Massive lounge chair issue on the beach and around the pools. Most loungers were taken by 8am. Ppl were removing guests personal belongings and throwing them every and anywhere they felt when the original occupants were in the water swimming or gone for a drink at the beach bar. There were altercations on the beach a few times regarding chairs. There are people who stay in the Lopesan villas who have access to the beach and the resort chairs and have a roped off area to the left of the resort by the market. It was just …….. bad. Unique has it's own section but is barely used taking chair access away from everyone else but you can't take loungers from their section. Unique side was mostly ALWAYS empty yet they wouldn't serve anyone other than Unique members. • The rooms were not stocked consistently. One day the maid took our towels/face cloths and didn't give us any in return so we had to hand in our beach towels daily to be used as shower towels to get cleaned up, no coffee restock, there was blood on our sheets and pillow case, the toilet wasn't cleaned. I approached the maid a few different times for items missing but she had no idea what I was trying to say. I had to start leaving notes in the room written in Spanish translation on what I requested in the room to be refilled. I wasn't asking anything extra, just the essentials. • The resort is lacking garbage cans which created litter all over the resort. This is not a resort worker issue it is the guests not respecting the property at all. • Some areas are vey unsafe, adults only pool in particular. There are spaces between tiles with a 2 foot drop in between them. One lady fell through and broke her leg and a different man slipped and his leg went through the space to receive a HUGE gash bleeding everywhere. The staff didn't clean the blood up. The people staying at the resort had to get cups, fill with water to clean the blood by splashing water on it into the water feature. • The bathrooms around the resort were very untidy and many not working. There was used toilet paper on the floor in the rest room stalls, no soap/toilet paper or hand towel to dry. • The rooms were very wet. I understand the Caribbean and humidity but they could definitely use some dehumidifiers around the resort. It was very very smelly in areas, especially the lobby bar, to the point where we sometimes gagged and had to leave the area. • If guests are looking for pool or beach service there is none to be had so I recommend taking a BIG bubba to not get up every 5 minutes. • El a carte times were terrible and the restaurants are very small, not enough space for the amount of people staying at the resort. • Not much for activities around the resort (no tennis/basketball/etc.) • Nothing for entertainment Now the worst part of it all. ***4 days of hell*** COCAINE DRUG DEALERS. (this is long) The second night we were at the resort I was approached by a man in the adults only pool area asking if I smoke weed and would I like any, I said no. He then asked if I would like to do a line (cocaine) with him. I became very uncomfortable said no I don't do that and tried to turn away and ignore him. He then proceeded to ask if my friends did. I said no sorry, not our thing. He eventually went to his friend who was at the bar. My friend went to the bar for a drink and was approached by the guys friend asking if she wanted anything. We were very uncomfortable and left. The next day, in the adults section again, the same men came into the area. You could tell something wasn't right as the bartenders were acting very strange, intimidated. 2 of the women bartenders went behind the bar with one of the guys selling drug and eventually came back and placed something behind the bar. I'm not sure what it was. The next day, there was a commotion, altercation with these same men at the beach bar. This is when I realized one of the men was not wearing a bracelet and the other had on a regular bracelet (white not red), not the adults only. This confused me as how did he get into the adults section if there was no bracelet and the other bracelet was incorrect when security was clearly checking bands when we tried to enter the area. We started paying attention and noticed throughout the resort these men were speaking to many of the security guards and staff and when they approached a bar, the bartenders immediately would tend to them first. That same night, I was walking back to my room when one of the guys was following me in the hall on the 2nd floor. I was watching a hockey game on my ipad as I was walking to my room but could feel someone approaching and talking to me so I paused my ipad, turned around and told the guy I was not interested in what he had. I noticed there was a older couple ahead and told the guy I needed to catch up to the people ahead of us. They must have noticed I was in distress so they stopped to wait for me. They asked if I was in trouble, I said yes, the lady put her arm out so I was ahead of them creating space between me and the guy. (all of this would be on tape because of surveillance) We continued toward the elevator with the man still following us. Meanwhile he was saying racial slurs and being extremely rude. He was clearly under the influence of something, he was holding a beer in his hand. We reach the elevator and he gets in with the 3 of us. In the elevator he was getting up in the mans face making threats. We reached the 3rd floor where the guy got out continuing to yell at us calling us racists and such. The door finally closes and we proceed to my floor (4th) as they didn't want to leave me alone. The man said we was going to call security but I gave them information about the drugs offers and the fact we saw them speaking with security so I was scared to call them just in case they were in cahoots, gave my room number and they come to get me. (yes, I was terrified) We seen them the next day but avoided at every cost. I was so scared and have never had that feeling in my life. The second last night we were in the Valley restaurant and while getting drinks made we noticed the bartender passing something to a gentleman. Within minutes of that exchange, that same bartender asked if we wanted cocaine. I'm not sure what kind of operation this is or if this is normal for this country but I am very hesitant to return.

We resided at the Barcelo Bavaro Beach (Adult only resort) March 8-15th. Our room block #2, 2nd floor was nice, clean & we had an Ocean view. When you walk in, you have a first section and a 3 sliding mirror doors closet with digital safe & shelves. Facing the closet, you have two sinks and then a smaller closed bathroom, tub/shower room. Between the closet/sink/washroom area and the bedroom you have a door. You then access the large bedroom area. The AC which was quiet worked fine for the duration of our stay. We had a king size bed which we found very comfortable. There is a ceiling fan above the bed which we enjoyed. The patio door curtains are very opaque. Our balcony was small, private with 2 chairs small table. Our maid service was excellent, bathroom towels/items... were always replenished when needed. Edward always had our fridge (beers, soft drinks & 1.5 L. water bottles) replenished on a daily basis. The food was excellent at all the locations we ate: Buffet (variety of meats, fish, pastas, cold cuts, breads, cheeses, fresh fruits/vegetables, jams, ice cream, yogurts, ice cream, deserts, condiments, syrups, etc...). We went to the Steak/Internationals, Mediterranean A la Carte restaurants and All were delicious and had a good variety to offer. Reservations for these are made at the Guest service office. The service at all the bars was excellent. The pool was kept clean and the water was clear throughout the whole day. All the long chairs (beach & pool area) are comfortable and appear new. All public washrooms were kept clean. There are no palapas on the beach, if you want shade, look for a palm tree. We enjoyed that there was no long chair reserving. We always had a choice for long chairs at the beach. The location of the Bavaro Beach is ideal for beach walkers. You can walk either way (North/South) for long distances. The Beach is amazing, white sand and a blueish/green ocean water. Wi-Fi was free at the casino (Palace section). There is a small train/shuttle that goes from the adult only (Beach section) to the Palace section (family resort) approx. every 10 minutes, we never waited. We enjoyed this shuttle to go to A La carte restaurants located at the Palace section. The guests are mostly from Canada, USA and Europe. The hotel (Beach section (adult only)) is quiet, no loud music/noise after the daily evening show. We really appreciated the friendly service we received from Miguel at the buffet, Evelyn at the Guest service office and many others. The hard working hotel personnel are ALL wonderful, friendly & give you an excellent service with a smile. They asked for suggestions: we would enjoy an umbrella in the room and also if there could be a piano bar/jazz music, etc… that would be appreciated. My spouse and I will definitely return to the Barcelo Bavaro Beach resort as we had a relaxing vacation at this Adult only resort.

Many good points would recommend this resort for families more than for couples. Restaurants and pools are very family oriented. Clean and maintained. The entertainment staff keep everyone busy and the servers are on top of beverages. There is even food (snacks) served in the afternoon by the chefs - pizza, pastries, and fruit. Nice touch! Room service was OK. Cleaned the room and made bed. Didn't always replace all the towels and facecloths. The was also no complimentary snacks in the rooms (nuts, plain chips) etc. These are just minor details.