Barcelo Premium Bavaro Palace Punta Cana

This was our second year at the Palace. But it will be our last. 22 of us returned last night from a golf vacation.

The staff: Absolutely outstanding, never ever been treated as well.

The food: Great

Golf: A wonderful test, and most of our group were low handicapers.

Getting starting times: A disaster! Every foursome generates $100 U.S. Why not have a double crossover, with people teeing off both the front and the back and maximize the available times. We didn't care whether we were off the front or the back, we were their to golf period. Unfortunately when 22 tell another 22 that getting times was a hassle, it multiplies very quickly

We went the beginning of January, 2003, and had an incredible time. The Palace, the beach, the pool, the bar, the entertainment, the people, are just fabulous. We have been to several islands in the Carribean, and have agreed, The Palace was no doubt, by far THE BEST. There is so much to do, since this is an all-inclusive resort, you have SEVERAL restaurants (don't eat the meat/don't drink the water - I promise, you will get sick eventually), several water sports, and several excursions. You could stay 2 straight weeks, and have something different to do every single day. Don't miss the Disco (which doesn't open until 12 midnight) - yoga on the beach, massages on the beach, water aerobics, etc., the list just goes on & on. Brush up on your Spanish...............ENJOY

10 wonderful days in April for our honeymoon where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Amazing choices of restaurants (seafood was great). When you stay at the Palace - you have access to the other Bavaro hotels in the complex. Beautiful clean rooms, amazing beach with lots of palm trees for shade! Friendly staff. This large resort is enchanting. Activities for every one. It’s very private and quiet. We met great couples and families on their vacation. Did not care for the beach flea market (outside the resort) but enjoyed the town of Punta Cana - great outlets - found a great cigar store. Check-in was slow - but you have time to enjoy a drink or the swimming pool.

My husband and I went in May 2002 and had a great time. We are both looking forward to returning. La Brisa was a great place to eat as was the large buffet dining in near the pool (I forget the name). (Don't expect the food to tase like it does here.) We had some difficulties with staff not being as helpful/friendly, but there was always someone else that was very helpful/friendly. The grounds were beautiful and the beach massages were GREAT! I would suggest taking cash and not travelers checks as they can be difficult to cash at times and you must have cash for your tourist card at the airport.

I havent had the chance of writing a review here simply because i didnt know that this site existed.

I went to the resort last Feb 2002 and hope fully I will be returning to the resort this Feb (2003).

Last year it was amazing the food was great the people minus the tour guide were all friendly there was plenty to do recreation wise. The drinks were one of the best parts you have to taste them to believe it.

I had left here thinking that I would have the worst time of my life because a couple of friends of mine had to back out of going with me but it was honestly their loss.

I spent the first night drinking there and for the rest of my stay I was known as the "Tequila Guy" .

Well that name didnt come to me with an easy cost dont get me wrong I went all inclusive but I spent the first full day with the biggest hang-over ever.

That was my fault though other then that I met some amazing people that work there shout outs going to the 2 other "Tequila guyz" anthony and juan dont worry I will be back guys and with a iron stomach this time.

I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a bit of everything its got it all fun excitement beautiful people and a great location to sum it all up its got something for everyone believe me this is the resort to got to!!!!!

We recently came back from Bavaro Beach where we stayed at

the Palace Hotel.

I agree with the reviewer that says that perfection has gone sour.

This is our third time there and we did notice some changes in the behavior of the crowd that is being attracted. I am not sure that I'll come back.

The Palace is definitely over rated! The pool is extremely dirty; same food daily, lack of personnel, check-in: good luck! If you're looking for relaxation, the Palace is not the place to go. Just pay less to get off in the 103rd exit and you'll live the same excitement!

I just got back from my trip to Punta Cana. Honestly, I almost thought I would never make it back home. For starters, the charter flight (Planet Air 302) left Miami after 4:00pm instead of 3:00pm like it was supposed to. When we arrived at the Bavaro Palace Resort, they didn't have a room for us. They had us wait for over two hours to see if they could find us a room. Five families were left without a room for the night. To top it off, the receptionist, Lizandro Rodriguez, was very rude and yelled at some of the passengers. We ended up spending the night at the Bavaro Beach Resort. The following day, at 3:00pm we finally got a room at the Bavaro Palace, in the meantime we had been sitting in the lobby of the Bavaro Palace in a 90 degree weather. The representative from The Vacation Store of Miami, who made our travel arrangements, informed us that we would be refunded for that first night, but I never got anything in writing.

The room was nice, the food wasn't bad although it made me sick. The waiters and waitresses were very kind and willing to accomodate us. Finally, it was time to go home! Check out was at noon. We had lunch and waited around in the lobby (90 degree weather)until a 3:30pm bus would transport us to the airport. The bus was late and we were informed that the flight to Miami, scheduled to depart at 6:30pm was delayed by 90 minutes. The wait was longer than anticipated. The heat at the airport was almost unbearable, no fans or AC. Since they advise you not to drink tap water, you had to buy bottled water at $2.00 each to keep cool. The flight finally left at midnight. We got rained on on our way to the plane, a blessing considering the heat. We arrived in Miami at 2:00am. But it wasn't over yet. As we departed the plane we ended up being trapped in a lobby on concouse F at Miami International Airport. After 30 minutes, someone came with a key but could not open the door that would lead us to Customs. We ended up going back to were we came off the plane and getting on a small elevator in groups of 10 (approx. 175 passengers)to be able to proceed to Customs. According to the Customs agent, the airline was supposed to inform them of our arrival, but they never did. I made it home at 4:00pm, and needless to say, I will never go back there again.

This is an example of perfection gone sour. What a waste. Perfect setting. For island/beach lovers, it is as close to paradise as you can get. Food is from average to good, and plentyful. Service could not be better. Management keeps the place immaculate. The Hotel staff is as helpful as they can be. You are always a step away from the water. Lunch can be had in the sand, in your swim suit. And enough alcohol to destroy your liver. But the crowd that is being attracted by their ad campains is terrible. Nothing like our first trip in 1996. "I love you Hialeah", you have given Bavaro a new feel.

Just returned from a week at The Palace. Just absolutely

fabulous!

The rooms were very nice (don't expect "Disney nice"), the food was abundant and excellent, and the weather was awesome. The entire complex was open for those staying at the Palace. Wonderful restaurants -- our favorites were La Brisa (seafood) and Chez Palace (French). Steak House was the only one that got bad reviews from our group.

Stayed away from tap water (including brushing teeth and contact lenses) and suffered no ill effects. Any problems were self-inflicted, as the Pina Coladas and El Presidente were consumed often.

Would definitely go back again.