Great Vacation at Bavaro Suites!

[pat-tea]

   
My husband and I returned from a week at Ibero* Bavaro Suites on 8/21.  We had a great time and are definitely going back...but this time we might even bring the kids too.

We went thru AA Vacations and everything went smoothly at the air port.  If transportation to your hotel is included in your package, be sure to hold onto your luggage once you go past the last "check point" in the air port.  Men are quick to grab your luggage as soon as you clear  customs.  The booths for the van to the hotels is just around the corner.  Air conditioned van ride to the resort was cool and pleasant. 

Check in was very smooth.  We got a great room one row back from the pool  (Rm 2435).  Room was roomy enough, safe was free and the a/c worked great. Each room as a small patio to sit and relax. No complaints of coming back to a room that wasn't nice and cool.  Room was made up every day. 

Beach was beautiful, always ample huts and lounge chairs.  I didn't hang out at the pool, but everything I walked thru there were empty chairs there too, so I assume there was enough chairs there.  We brought a blow up raft to float on at the beach.  I recommend  bringing one from the dollar store and just leaving it when you fly home.  The resort seemed "not full" and there was never a line for anything.  There was definitely a lot of topless sunbathing going on.  If this offends you or your children then hanging at the pool is best.  Although it is stated you are not allowed to go topless at the pool, I did see 2 women who went topless anyway..so just be prepared.  After the first day you don't even notice it.

The food was good.  We ate at the Steak House one night and the appetizer bar was great. The steak was great but is definitely charcoal broiled.  We decided to eat at the Rock Cafe one night and BIG MISTAKE.  The food was not good at all.  I had the fajitas and they were not good.  My husband ordered the calamari and he said it was a "rubber band" that was breaded.  We actually left our meal, left a tip for the wait staff (who were very gracious) and went to the buffet.

Other than those two restaurants we only ate at the buffet.  This was mainly due to us not wanting to commit to a time.  We were taking it easy on this trip.  We did hear that the Japanese and Mexican restaurants were good from other guests.    (You can look at the menus from each restaurant at the guest services desk when you make your reservations.  Be sure to make them when you check in.  Times fill up fast.  But you can always check back with Guest Services after 3:00 pm to see what cancellations or times that are still available.)

We didn't go on any excursions..again we were just taking it easy.  We went to the resorts show and it was good most nights.  The Broadway night was terrific.  Mr. Iberostar was a little "cheesy".  Overall worth  hanging out at the theater bar with friends and watching though.  The disco was good.  The beginning of the night is mostly "rock" type music, then a small dance contest and then mostly Spanish music.  We went two different nights and had fun.

Overall this was a beautiful resort.  I have been to Punta Cana before and found this resort to be better than average.  I would also suggest the extra money to stay at the Bavaro Suites than the other two so that you can have the best of all three worlds.

Bring at least $100 in singles.  The people that work there don't expect the tips but they do appreciate it and it will get you quicker service.  They always have a Ola and a smile for you!

When you go back to the airport, check with your tour company and find out what time.  Depending on how many pick ups they might bring you 3+ hrs before your flight.  We made quite a few stops on the way to the air port and I think I would have preferred the extra time at the resort and take a cab to the air port. 
Finally, try the margarita at the pool bar.  They make them soooo good.  I had one at the theater bar and it was different...not bad but not as good.  I actually walked down to the pool bar at night to get one from there during the show.

Any questions, just ask.  If you are going to Bavaro Suites...enjoy!  We did!
 

[Jim]

Thanks for the review.  I've been thinking about booking the Bavaro for a week or so in May.  I was at the Lindo this past May and am going back in Dec., but thought I might try something different after that.
How late is the pool bar open?  At the Tucan and Lindo they close fairly early.
Jim

[MikeOKC]

Great report.  Have you been to any of the IB*'s in the Riviera Maya?  If so how do they compare with the Bavaro?

MikeOKC

[Jeannie]

Hi,I  would also like a comparision between the two.I have gone to the Lindo the past two summers and was thinking about maybe trying the Bavaro....Any comments.....Jeannie

[pat-tea]

Jim,  The pool bar is open till about 10:00 p.m.  (the Steakhouse restaurant uses that bar for the guests eating there).   But, as we got to know the bartenders there pretty well, if they were cleaning up and we asked for a drink, they would usually oblige.    But after 10:30 or so, they did shut down for good.  We tried to stop there for a drink on our way to hang out at the beach after the show and it was always closed.    But definitely try their margarita's there.  The best!

[pat-tea]

MikeOKC and Jeannie,  I have not been to Mexico and this is the only Ibero* I have gone too.    There was someone at the buffet that I met that said they liked Mexico better than the Ibero* Suites.  She said the beach was better and the service was friendlier.  But...I also met someone on the beach who had been to the Mexico Ibero* and they said the beach was definitely better in Punta Cana.  As for service, I don't see how service could be any better or friendlier.  The staff always had a smile and went out of their way to help.    I can't help with a comparison but can only tell you that as far as the resort goes my husband and I enjoyed it very much.  We met some great people and had a great time.   Sorry I couldn't be of more help.  Maybe someone else who has been to both can help.    Good Luck!

[Jeannie]

pat-tea, thanks so much for your reply! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay and am glad to hear the service is great in both resorts....Jeannie

[Lisaonthebeach]

My husband, daughter and I were at the Lindo last year and the Bavaro this past summer. We enjoyed both resorts very much, but for different reasons.

The Bavaro beach is better. It is much calmer.
The Bavaro/Punta Cana complex is smaller than the Lindo/Beach/Del Mar complex, so it depends on what you like. It really didn't matter to us that it is smaller.

The rooms at the Bavaro are larger with the sitting area, but we were never in the room long enough to sit in the sitting area. The Lindo rooms, though smaller, seemed to have more dresser space.

We liked the Lindo pool bar much more than the Bavaro. Lindo's was bigger, more bartenders and more seats. 

Pool at Lindo was bigger (not necessarily better), but Lindo did have wait staff at the pool. Bavaro did not.

Lindo theater is bigger, prettier. Seemed like a lot more seating. The Bavaro theater is similar to the Delmar/Beach theater.

Bavaro (actully Punta Cana) has a casino, while Lindo does not.

I liked that the pool was closer to the beach at the Bavaro than at the Lindo. Also the small buffet restaurant was very close to both the pool and the beach. I really liked that too.

Staff at both are wonderful, friendly people.

The difference to me is that the Lindo just seems newer (and bigger). Don't go to the Bavaro expecting the Lindo.

Again, we loved them both very much.