Situated on a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach, the Premium Level section of the Barcelo Bavaro Palace is a four-and-a-half-pearl all-inclusive resort-within-a-resort that accounts for 144 of the Barcelo's 1,402 rooms. Guests here have access to all of facilities at the Bavaro Palace, which include multiple pools, a high-end gym, a kids' waterpark, and free non-motorized water-sports equipment, along with 11 restaurants, 14 bars, a nightclub, and a casino (plus free access to La Comedie restaurant -- non-Premium guests have to pay extra). Perks at the Premium Level include a lounge with hors d'oeuvres and a dedicated reception area. Rooms are spacious and all have ocean-facing balconies/terraces with hot tubs. Travelers seeking something a bit less expensive might want to opt for the Bavaro Palace wing of the resort instead.
Situated on a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach, the Premium Level section of the Barcelo Bavaro Palace is a four-and-a-half-pearl all-inclusive resort-within-a-resort that accounts for 144 of the Barcelo's 1,402 rooms. Guests here have access to all of facilities at the Bavaro Palace, which include multiple pools, a high-end gym, a kids' waterpark, and free non-motorized water-sports equipment, along with 11 restaurants, 14 bars, a nightclub, and a casino (plus free access to La Comedie restaurant -- non-Premium guests have to pay extra). Perks at the Premium Level include a lounge with hors d'oeuvres and a dedicated reception area. Rooms are spacious and all have ocean-facing balconies/terraces with hot tubs. Travelers seeking something a bit less expensive might want to opt for the Bavaro Palace wing of the resort instead.
Now Larimar is a three-pearl, family-friendly all-inclusive resort along Punta Cana’s gorgeous Bavaro Beach. Its 540 cinnamon-scented, air-conditioned rooms have fold-out love seats, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies. The resort’s beach is wide and breathtaking, and though it's lined with lounge chairs, there aren't enough umbrellas to meet demand. Freshwater pools -- including options for relaxation and children -- are ringed by tired seating, contributing to a slightly down-market feel in parts of the resort. This is exacerbated by aggressive sales pitches. Features include seven mediocre restaurants, multiple bars (one with bowling lanes), a Pevonia spa, gym, and separate clubs for children and teenagers. Travelers seeking even better extras might consider Club Med Punta Cana instead, which adds a Cirque du Soleil trapeze school and has far better dining options.
Now Larimar is a three-pearl, family-friendly all-inclusive resort along Punta Cana’s gorgeous Bavaro Beach. Its 540 cinnamon-scented, air-conditioned rooms have fold-out love seats, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies. The resort’s beach is wide and breathtaking, and though it's lined with lounge chairs, there aren't enough umbrellas to meet demand. Freshwater pools -- including options for relaxation and children -- are ringed by tired seating, contributing to a slightly down-market feel in parts of the resort. This is exacerbated by aggressive sales pitches. Features include seven mediocre restaurants, multiple bars (one with bowling lanes), a Pevonia spa, gym, and separate clubs for children and teenagers. Travelers seeking even better extras might consider Club Med Punta Cana instead, which adds a Cirque du Soleil trapeze school and has far better dining options.
The three-pearl Karibo Punta Cana is a pleasant condo-style option that's right on the grounds of the White Sands Golf Club in the Punta Cana area. There are 66 rooms here, including a mix of traditional hotel rooms and apartments with full kitchens. The look is tropical-modern, with decor that can include marble floors and dark wood furniture, and amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. While there have been complaints regarding upkeep and maintenance, this mid-range hotel has won over many vacationers with its sparkling 24-hour pool, modern style, and rates that easily beat the competition in Punta Cana. Those seeking a little more action should consider Art Villa Dominicana, which is closer to downtown and nightlife but lacks a pool.
The three-pearl Karibo Punta Cana is a pleasant condo-style option that's right on the grounds of the White Sands Golf Club in the Punta Cana area. There are 66 rooms here, including a mix of traditional hotel rooms and apartments with full kitchens. The look is tropical-modern, with decor that can include marble floors and dark wood furniture, and amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. While there have been complaints regarding upkeep and maintenance, this mid-range hotel has won over many vacationers with its sparkling 24-hour pool, modern style, and rates that easily beat the competition in Punta Cana. Those seeking a little more action should consider Art Villa Dominicana, which is closer to downtown and nightlife but lacks a pool.
More like a beachside condo than a hotel, the Stanza offers full kitchens in its 103 clean, modern, 1- to 3-bedroom suites -- they're some of the D.R.'s largest and snazziest for the price. It's a small property, with no gym or spa, but some excellent restaurants can be found both on-site and off. But the beach comes with some annoying vendors. HOTEL CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. tag:revisit 3/1/2013
More like a beachside condo than a hotel, the Stanza offers full kitchens in its 103 clean, modern, 1- to 3-bedroom suites -- they're some of the D.R.'s largest and snazziest for the price. It's a small property, with no gym or spa, but some excellent restaurants can be found both on-site and off. But the beach comes with some annoying vendors. HOTEL CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS. tag:revisit 3/1/2013
One of five Princess properties in the area, the upscale 270-room Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa is an adults-only all-inclusive geared toward couples and groups of friends. The property is set on a beautiful white-sand beach dotted with loungers and daybeds, and features a pleasant spa with couples’ massages and a sauna that guests can use free of charge. Rooms are well-equipped with free minibars, separate living areas, balconies (some of which offer ocean views), and jetted tubs, but decor is a tad generic. The nicest units are the Honeymoon Suites, which come with more stylish decor and great perks, such as free bottles of rum, free massages, and gourmet dinners. There’s plenty to keep guests entertained during the day -- from competitions to water aerobics and dance classes -- but nights are quieter than at neighboring sister properties, to which Princess guests get full access. Food is good and varied. Couples seeking something more upscale may prefer the quieter Le Sivory Punta Cana By PortBlue Boutique.
One of five Princess properties in the area, the upscale 270-room Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa is an adults-only all-inclusive geared toward couples and groups of friends. The property is set on a beautiful white-sand beach dotted with loungers and daybeds, and features a pleasant spa with couples’ massages and a sauna that guests can use free of charge. Rooms are well-equipped with free minibars, separate living areas, balconies (some of which offer ocean views), and jetted tubs, but decor is a tad generic. The nicest units are the Honeymoon Suites, which come with more stylish decor and great perks, such as free bottles of rum, free massages, and gourmet dinners. There’s plenty to keep guests entertained during the day -- from competitions to water aerobics and dance classes -- but nights are quieter than at neighboring sister properties, to which Princess guests get full access. Food is good and varied. Couples seeking something more upscale may prefer the quieter Le Sivory Punta Cana By PortBlue Boutique.
This 652-room, upper-middle-range all-inclusive offers solid value in tourist-heavy Bavaro. Clean, modern rooms, a huge, lively lake-style pool (popular with partiers), quieter pool by the villas, and a bar surrounded by several hot tubs are all points in the hotel's favor. A prime section of beach is a 10-minute walk (or short shuttle ride) away. But maintenance issues, an incredibly busy, crowded atmosphere, and thumping music at night from the theater and disco will be downsides for some. It's worth comparing rates with the Iberostar Bavaro Suites and Majestic Colonial, both better options in this category.
This 652-room, upper-middle-range all-inclusive offers solid value in tourist-heavy Bavaro. Clean, modern rooms, a huge, lively lake-style pool (popular with partiers), quieter pool by the villas, and a bar surrounded by several hot tubs are all points in the hotel's favor. A prime section of beach is a 10-minute walk (or short shuttle ride) away. But maintenance issues, an incredibly busy, crowded atmosphere, and thumping music at night from the theater and disco will be downsides for some. It's worth comparing rates with the Iberostar Bavaro Suites and Majestic Colonial, both better options in this category.
This 310-room colorful but basic resort is the lowest-priced of the four Princess-brand properties in Punta Cana. This family-friendly offering (with two pools and separate kids’ clubs for different age brackets) is situated next door to the more party-friendly Caribe Club. Both of these properties share certain amenities such as the lobby, nightly entertainment, tennis courts, and unreliable Wi-Fi; it can take a 10-minute walk or tram ride through the mangrove trees to get from one area to the next. Tropical’s rooms tend to be pretty outdated (the larger “Familiar” option is a better bet), but for those looking for a great beach location for a low price, this is the place. Guests have access to three restaurants and seven bars (there is a fee to use the restaurants at Caribe Club) and a nice spa.
This 310-room colorful but basic resort is the lowest-priced of the four Princess-brand properties in Punta Cana. This family-friendly offering (with two pools and separate kids’ clubs for different age brackets) is situated next door to the more party-friendly Caribe Club. Both of these properties share certain amenities such as the lobby, nightly entertainment, tennis courts, and unreliable Wi-Fi; it can take a 10-minute walk or tram ride through the mangrove trees to get from one area to the next. Tropical’s rooms tend to be pretty outdated (the larger “Familiar” option is a better bet), but for those looking for a great beach location for a low price, this is the place. Guests have access to three restaurants and seven bars (there is a fee to use the restaurants at Caribe Club) and a nice spa.