Barcelo Bavaro Palace

The main restaurants were a letdown, though the 24-hour food spots were surprisingly tasty and became my usual choice for a quick bite. Drinks were excellent, strong, and consistent wherever I went around the property. I also really enjoyed the spa. The service was great, and the prices felt reasonable for a treat. My room was genuinely nice, with housekeeping coming daily to clean and leave fresh towels. Staff across the resort were friendly and attentive, and the grounds were lovely and well kept. I had a good stay overall. Better food in the main dining rooms would have made this an easy five stars.

The room needed more attention, even though the rest of the property was beautiful and well kept. The AC was loud and struggled to cool the room, the bathroom had no exhaust fan and kept smelling of mildew, and the shower leaked. Our hot tub drained straight onto the patio, so we couldn't always use the outdoor space. The Palace in the DR felt like a secure, beautiful bubble, and we felt safe during our stay. The grounds were pristine. Nearby towns could feel a bit unpredictable, and shops around there were quite expensive. The food and bars were excellent, especially with the all-inclusive drinks, and they supplied plenty of free bottled water, which was great in the heat. Getting a Japanese hibachi booking at a busy time was difficult. It would help to book when making the initial reservation, particularly since the resort app wouldn't let us log in. For outings, we booked the cenotes in Punta Cana on our own and loved that trip. We arranged a sailboat rental through the hotel too, which was easy and a fantastic way to spend the day. For a safe, beautiful resort with good food and drinks, this is a strong option. Management should address the room issues and booking system so they match the quality of the rest of the property.

The place is beautiful, and despite being a huge resort it rarely felt crowded, apart from some waits at the bars. Free alcohol seems to slow service a little, though the waits weren't too bad. There are shops to browse and several restaurants that require reservations, including Coral for seafood. It felt a bit like a giant mall where the meals were already paid for. I probably gained about half a pound a day from indulging. Bowling did cost extra, which I think they could reconsider, but it was still worth paying to watch my grandsons and wife try it for the first time.

The Coco Pool Bar is where we spent most of our time, and its staff made us feel like family. Sol, Dahyeilin, Frandi, Rosario, Oliver, Jose, Joseph, and the managers there made us feel safe, comfortable, and looked after. Some other resort staff had a bit of an attitude. Without the Coco Pool Bar team, I don't think I would have enjoyed the stay nearly as much. The entertainment could use more Dominican culture. Since we were in DR, I expected more merengue, bachata, and Hispanic music, but there was a lot of English-language and American music, plus shows based on artists like Madonna. The shows were entertaining, but I would have liked performances showcasing Dominican culture, such as merengue showcases or something honoring Teodoro Reyes or Anthony Santos and explaining the music's history. The club could play newer songs and more Hispanic and Caribbean music too. Hearing the same tracks over and over got old fast. The resort itself was beautiful, and the rooms were comfortable and very nice. Check-in was confusing, with disorganized lines and some later arrivals being helped first because they were in a different line. It wasn't terrible, just frustrating after travelling. Food was decent, as at many all-inclusive resorts, with the steakhouse and seafood restaurant best in my opinion. The sports bar was great too. Restaurant reservations were frustrating because so little was available, and any openings seemed to be at 10 PM. I also think each restaurant should offer a signature drink that fits its theme. I enjoyed my stay overall, and the Coco Pool Bar staff made the trip unforgettable.