Barceló Bávaro Beach - Adults Only - All Inclusive

Mabel and her team made sure we had a restaurant reservation each night, which helped with a system where the popular times get booked up and guests sometimes don’t show. The food and wine were better than at any other hotel we’ve visited in the Dominican, and I loved the well-kept golf course. I was also impressed to see the seaweed cleared overnight so the beach was clean each morning. We booked an oceanfront premium-level room for its lovely location and view, but it had a shower over the bath. My partner is disabled, and both the hotel and British Airways knew this before we left. The hotel soon found us a room with a proper shower, though its location was disappointing. More rooms suitable for disabled guests would be appreciated. The resort has everything for a great holiday, and I’d happily recommend it to younger people. The loud music around the pool and at the bar at night made conversation difficult, though, and when we tried the Level Club after dinner, service seemed to stop at 9 even though it stays open until midnight.

We spent six days here as two couples traveling with friends, and had a fantastic time. We stayed on the adults-only side but could also use the family-friendly Palace, so there was plenty to do and lots of places to eat. The grounds are huge, beautiful, and very well maintained. We still didn’t get to explore everything. Food was generally very good, both at the buffets and the à la carte restaurants across the two sides. Our room looked a little dated, but it was clean, comfortable, and kept tidy. Service varied. Some staff were welcoming and attentive, while others seemed disengaged and unmotivated, even allowing for the language barrier. The resort could use better customer service training to make things more consistent. Still, the beach, amenities, and atmosphere made for a great trip, and I’d recommend it.

The pools, including the one at PALACE, are huge and have plenty of seats and shaded spots, indoors and out. The beach is lovely too, lined with palms and lounge chairs. Waiters keep coming by to offer drinks, and the train between the two resorts runs every five minutes, so getting back and forth is quick and easy. Daytime and evening entertainment also keep things cheerful. But the food was a huge letdown throughout our stay. That included the buffets and all four included à la carte restaurants we tried. The starters were laughable, and the soups were too, apart from the onion soup, which wasn’t so bad. At LAS BRISAS, the seafood rice wasn’t cooked, so we only ate its three shrimp and squid rings. The risotto at CHEZ GOURMET tasted strange, though my mom said her boneless ribs were great. At SANTA FE STEAKHOUSE, they brought the main dish with the soup, and we set the main aside so it wouldn’t get cold. CORAL had very plain decor and no character. The food looked and tasted so mediocre that I didn’t take a picture, and I can’t remember what I ordered. We met a woman who used to visit every year, then skipped three years. She said the food was terrible this time, and I can see why. This place could be good value, but the food is so bad. The employees’ attitude and appearance could improve too.

One thing the resort should address promptly is the pool safety. We saw loose and broken tiles around the family and sports pools, and several people, including children, got hurt. Some needed treatment or were taken to the nurse station. Water shoes might help protect your feet. We’d stayed here before, when Hennessy, Grey Goose, and Patron were included in the all-inclusive package. This time those drinks required a premium package, which we hadn’t known in advance. They were only available at the sports bar and were measured very strictly. That was a noticeable change. There was a lot we liked. The grounds are beautiful, clean, and well cared for, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Our room was dated, but spotless, with excellent daily housekeeping. The buffet had a nice variety in a lovely setting, though the food was average. The dinner restaurants were a highlight, especially Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, which was so much fun. We’re especially grateful to Maryleida León from Guest Services and Tomás Jiménez Solano from security. We accidentally left my son’s phone on a table at guest services. We use it for medical purposes, and when my husband went back, they had secured it safely. Their honesty and kindness meant a lot to our family.