Hola Everyone. You may recognize us from another board. We were invited to post a review of the Iberostar Bavaro. We have been to the IB* 4 times , with another trip planed for March 3-10(YAHOO..
.Can't wait), and then again in August.
This review is from our trip of last May'04. We can't say enough about the resort we have fallen in love with. As we have stated before , if anyone has any questions PLEASE feel free to email ,or leave us a message.
Adios y.....las cervezas para todos nuestros amigos por favor
Joe
& Karen
Here is the review, read and enjoy. Contact info is at the end of the review.
First and Foremost:
We want to start this off by saying that since our first review was posted on our trip to the Iberostar last March 2003, and being followed by our second review August 2003, we have been contacted by over 350 people from ALL over the world. Our photos that are posted have been viewed over 300,000 times, and we have been recognized when on vacation. We are also planning an adult vacation next February or March with our friends; hopefully 16-20 of us will be there at the fantastic Iberostar resort!
We were approached by people from the UK, Belgium, Moroco, Canada, and the U.S. stating that they saw our photos, read ours and others reviews on the web and said, ”Oh you are Joe & Karen.
We also want to send thanks to management at the Iberostar, Lander (Bavaro Asst Director), Ignacio (Bavaro Director Mgr.), Aziz (resort entertainment dir.), and Andre (who’s heading back to Brazil soon) , and last but not least to Mr. Juan L.(General Mgr Iberostar Resort).Muchas Gracias everything was muy buano as always.
Secondly before we get started on the goods. We need to send out a hello to a few new friends who helped make this last trip a blast. OK…OK. Hi to Judy and (Chicago)Bob,you started us off every morning on the right step and kept us all laughing.. To Pam and (Boston) Paul, it was great meeting both of you. To Dennis and Julie from Connecticut ( the couple who ran up to us in the pool and said,(You’re Joe & Karen from Debbies site), it was a pleasure to hang with you and a special thanks for the neck pain relief (haha). And finally to some very special people who really made this an unforgettable holiday. Nicola,Wayne and Lucia, and Nigel and Nicola from South Wales. You really made our trip, we will never forget “yous guys”. Christina has and new bestest friend in Lucia, and it was priceless watching the way 2 kids from an Atlantic Ocean apart can bring countries together and make everyone smile and laugh.. “Thanks Guys”, and we miss you.
Now for the holiday review:
This was our third trip to the Iberostar Resort since last August. The first time we stayed at the IB* Dominicana, and last August and this past trip we stayed at the IB* Bavaro. This trip we brought our 2 daughters, Christina who is 7 years old and Jennifer, 19 years old. Christina has informed us that we need to be back here every year! I guess we can handle that! This by FAR was the best trip we have ever had. The resort just keeps getting better and better. From the rooms and Asian restaurant addition to the IB* Punta Cana, to the upgrades at the IB* Dominicana, the resort doesn’t stand still. They keep working to improve things. Plans are in the works for a new hotel next to the Bavaro. The land has been cleared and I believe ground will be broke late summer, can’t wait!
Planning:
In the past we have always used a local travel agent. This time though after doing some research for prices on-line we decided to book with an on-line source. The tour company was SunWing and flew on JetsGo. and we booked through itravel2000 out of Toronto. We called our T/A back with the price we had and she couldn’t come within $ 450(USD). First looked to fly out of Buffalo, then Rochester, and finally Toronto. We felt bad not being able to give her the business but …money is money.
Every went really smooth with the booking of the trip. The T/A that we spoke and booked with was fantastic. She found us a room for the night before the trip that included parking for the week and a shuttle to the airport. Cost was $65(CND) for the package. The only glitch we had was that 2 weeks before the trip she called to inform us that the flight times had changed. Originally we were to leave at 6:30 AM getting to P.C 4 hours later, and the return flight was scheduled for a 12:40PM. The flights were changed to a 4:00PM departure, and the return flight didn’t leave until 9:00PM. We were a bit upset at first, but there really wasn’t anything we could do about it. The way we figured, at least we had the WHOLE last day to enjoy the resort.
Travel there:
We have never flown out of Toronto before and really didn’t know what to expect. We were very pleased with the whole experience. We arrived at the airport about 3 hrs. before our flight, went to the SunWing desk picked up our tickets and package on went to the JetsGo area. We couldn’t believe how many people were already waiting online.
Well here was surprise number 1. They had 10 agents working the counter and after we paid for the overweight luggage (I told Karen not to overpack but she’s the BOSS), we were on our way to go through security.
Surprise number 2. The line was not all that bad but again there were 8 security stations. The way we figured it took about 45-50 minutes from the time we entered the terminal until we were in the concourse. I know for a fact that either Rochester or Buffalo they would have been WAY understaffed and would have taken 1 ½ hours (easy) to do what took 45 minutes at Pearson International. So from us here in Rochester, a BIG THANK YOU Canada for a smooth start to our holiday!! We love you!! OH we also have to mention that everyone from the JetsGo agents to the security….Everyone was friendly, had smile on their face and were extremely pleasant (unlike the TSA agents here in the States)
We had e-mailed the Bavaro a few times before we left requesting a beach front room, we heard back and were told that they would do he best they could. Now we have received tons of e-mails asking how to get a beach room. We have always responded by saying just e-mail and request one. We also say that probably everyone who contacts them want the same type of room and there are only so many to go around.
We didn’t get to the resort until 9:00 PM. We took a taxi from the airport ($24USD), wanting to get there a bit faster and not have to make stops at other resorts on the way. It was well worth it. At the desk we were given our package and saw where our room was and it wasn’t on the beach. We had mentioned that we had contacted several people and had spoken with a few and were told that we would be beach side. The girl at the desk then went and got the desk manager. His name is Johnny and after letting him know that this was our 3rd trip to the resort since last March he told us that there was nothing available until Monday. We then saw the Bavaro manager (Lander), went up to speak with him and he remembered us from last August. He assured us that on Monday we would be moved to a beach front room. BINGO. Monday came along and we were assigned to room 1306. It was one building over from where we stayed last August and was again about 50 feet from beach (unbelievable) and about 60 feet from the Bavaro Beach Bar (YAHOOOOO). So here we have to send a special thanks to Johnny and to Lander for really taking care of us. Which is why we returned to the Iberostar in the first place. The management is first class, and when they say they will do something….They do.
We’ll try and add the new things into play here as we don’t want to be redundant in our reviews so here are some wonderful additions to look for when visiting the Iberostar Complex. You will notice that we include the Dominicana and Punta Cana a lot as we really prefer the pools there during the day as opposed to the Bavaro pool. Main reason is its not as crowded and it’s nice for my little one to swim there. I feel very comfortable with her there and love the set up of the place.
Punta Cana / Dominicana Resort area:
Pool areas
Between the Punta Cana pool and Dominican pool there is a new juice bar. Only fresh fruit and vegetable drinks. Very Good!
Towel hut: Besides towels you can find a variety of books, games, and pool toys that previous guests have left and the resort has supplied. Before spending the $$ on rafts check and see if they have any, all they ask for is your signature and room number. They have checkers, chess, cards, etc.. We just discovered this on this trip! A great discovery!
La Cana Steak house: pretty much is the same as a year ago, but no more bottled beer during the day over there at the bar. We do understand why, but we liked the Soberana’s! They have included a soft serve ice-cream machine and that was very nice with cones out there most of the day. They have also built 4 huge palopa’s on the beach in front of the restaurant with 4 picnic tables under each of them. They did afternoon activities there such as dancing and volleyball. We did miss the live music there though, that would still be a very welcome addition!
The La Marimba restaurant: it has changed and its very, Very nice now – for lunch! They actually raised the roof of it and opened an area to include a new larger grill area and buffet with grilled chicken, Hotdogs, Hamburgers as well as other meats and still has a nice selection of different foods where they used to be. It is MUCH cooler in there now and we really enjoyed it. The ice cream stand is a nice service bar area, which includes soft and hard ice cream and seemed to be a popular spot. They had a few stools there as well.
Outside there is a beautiful permanent grill that is used for both the Paella and the beach bar-b-Que. Both very nice and now in the Paella they have lobster tails! The seating is now outdoor furniture all under palopas and there is a lot more of it. There are also palopas on the beach as well as a big beach bar palopa.
Dominicana Lobby:
The area itself has not changed but the service has. I would rate this higher from the last time. They are adding the nice touches that the Bavaro has had, such as a drink of the day area, which showcases a certain cocktail. The buffets are beautiful and the workers are just lovely. We really love the bar area there and the bartenders. They did remember us again and that just meant so much to us. (and if you ask for a Cerveza Fria and they get it from the back room, you are in luck! That was the coldest beer there!- hope I didn’t away our secret! Sorry Jorge) Casino is just ok, nothing special but it worked.
Punta Cana Lobby:
Really didn’t notice a difference other than the drink of the day. We were only there one night for a little while so I didn’t notice too much.
Since last August the new Punta Cana Family Suites are finished. People were extremely happy
with them. The new Asian restaurant was very well received as well and is located in the Punta Cana resort area.
Bavaro
Lobby:
Once again we must say that we really love this place and the lobby is very nice. It’s not as large as the Dominicana, pretty close though, but the patio area is much bigger and more open and seems to be much cooler! We preferred the lobby here at night but we love the Dominicana so we went to both seeing that most of our friends were there. The daily drinks and area are just so beautiful and the drink specials are done every night. (we don’t think they do it every night at the other lobbies)
There is Internet available in the upper lobby area for $3.00 U.S.D. for 1 hour’s time. Good way to keep older daughter away from phone.
Food at Bavaro
The buffet, Los Haitises is just wonderful. The food was absolutely FANTASTIC! The selection of foods was even better than before. There is a children’s area for kid friendly foods, a pasta station every night, and my FAVORITE was the Mexican area with a beautiful selection of salsa’s, rice dishes, guacamole, peppers, tortilla’s, a variety of fillings and meats and they will prepare hot if you like. Oh my Gosh it was so good. (OK, and I know you are thinking stomach trouble here, but I can honestly say that we had absolutely no trouble- At all!) Breakfast was just as wonderful as dinner and even the pickiest of eaters will find many things they like. My best regards to the staff for such a great arrangement and such great service!
We almost preferred the buffets with the kids as the restaurants just had the basics for them- pasta, grilled chicken, hots and hamburgers and french fries.
Restaurants we went to this time:
La Dorada: located in the Bavaro lobby. We liked it. Appetizer bar was great, deserts the best available as far as we’ve seen, and dishes were fine. The only thing was if you bring your kids and they don’t like seafood and they order pasta it will taste fishy. I remember this last time too. Just a little note, again have them buffet it. We really liked it, kids- no.
Mexican: Maria Bonita:
Located in the middle of Dominicana and Punta Cana buffets. This happens to be our favorite. The Corona’s were cold and they even had limes this time! We could have stayed here for 5 or 6 more Corona’s! The appetizer bar is the best, we both filled up on that! Next time we come we will surely eat here twice.
We skipped the steakhouse, laughing too much by pool and kids were having fun! (both big and small kids!)
We like the restaurants, but we must admit we don’t like to have to make plans for dinner. We love our late afternoons at the pool with cocktails and friends and having to rush for a 630 reservation just can be a pain at times. Its vacation, we just go with the flow and eat whenever. You will not go hungry! And if all else fails, there is always roomservice! (available at Bavaro only- which is another reason we prefer it there!) Its fast, its decent, and they have chicken fingers, pizza’s, wraps, salads, hamburgers, hots, etc. but its not Burger King- you don’t get it your way, its all prepared.
Bavaro Pool Buffet: Los Bohios
Again just a wonderful spread. We did not have breakfast here this time as we had to go “feed the Flamingos” every morning with Christina at the main buffet, but they do have a nice buffet. The lunch is just fantastic. Salad bar, 2 grill areas, Paella area every day, pasta area and cold dessert area. Great spot for lunch!
Beach Bar B Que is done at the beach bar with live music and dancing. We think its held on Mondays because we didn’t have any clue what day it was until we needed to. Not a bad thing! They also do a huge Paella on the beach- totally forgot the day, but its nice. The music is the best when they do this.
Siboney Beach bar is SUPER, do you get the idea we like this place? Never very crowded, nice for late afternoon cocktails, do you get the idea we like those too? They also have popcorn, hotdogs and fries. Or “Chips” as they say in the UK
Bavaro Pool:
New things happening down there. They are building another bathroom; a much needed easier access bathroom that’s looks similar to the bathroom by the other pools. They are building a juice bar there as well.
As for the pool itself, well, its too crowded and bar gets really crowded with kids as well. We just prefer the other pools, more space and not a bad walk. Beach, pools, beautiful scenery, palm trees, yes- not a bad walk at all!
Rooms:
No difference, no problems. Nice to have that drinking fountain in your bathroom across from the toilet.
(LOL- ok, we made a few people crack up with that one!)
In All:
As you can tell we are big Iberostar fans. We figure why go elsewhere when we know what we are getting and we Love it and there are no surprises. Plus being return guests and treated the way we were- why go anywhere else in PC? We will definitely try another Iberostar another time. They are just wonderful.
We will definitely spend the extra money for the Bavaro as the extra’s it does supply are very well worth it.
Feel free to contact us with any questions. We will gladly respond and we hope you enjoy you trip to paradise!
Joeferr@rochester.rr.comAlso here is a link to our latest pictures.
http://community.webshots.com/user/joeferrariBest Wishes and Palm Tree dreams!
Joe & Karen
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