Written By: Geoff Millar, Owner – Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel Inc.
As we continue our never-ending tour of Iberostar Resorts, we now move to the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican there are 7 resorts. We will look at the first 3 resorts this month and the remaining 4 of them next month. Most are located in the Punta Cana area with 2 of them located in Puerta Plata and Bayahibe. For those that missed our past reports, Iberostar is on a mission to reduce the use of plastics, encourage sustainable fishing, and promote healthy coasts. They are also committed to promoting sustainable tourism and making their resorts green resorts. They have 3 levels of resorts, Iberostar, the 3-3.5-star resorts, Iberostar Selection, their 4-star resorts, and their grand level Iberostar’s 5-star adult only resorts. This month we are going to cover the first 3 resorts located in Punta Cana. It is 3 resorts with one resort as a resort within a resort at the Iberostar Selection Bavaro.
The first one we will look at is the Iberostar Selection Bavaro. This is one of Iberostar’s 4-star family Resorts. Within this resort is also the Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Bavaro. The Coral Level is a smaller 5-star boutique family resort within a resort. The Iberostar Selection is a very large resort with something for everyone. It is described as a small Caribbean town in a beautiful garden setting. On the beach is the resorts coral nursery where new coral is grown, and studies are being conducted studying how global warming is affecting the coral. Iberostar has done away with single use plastic items.
Accommodations at the resort consist of Jr. Suites and Suites. Jr. Suites come in a variety of flavors. Reg Jr. Suites, Pool View Jr. Suites, Spa Jr. Suites, Superior Jr. Suites, Ocean View Jr. Suites and Jr Suites with a King bed and 2 Double beds (Family Jr. Suites). All Suites except the Family Jr. Suite come with a King bed or 2 Double beds. From experience the regular Suites that are in the back part of the resort by the golf course are a long walk or a shuttle ride from the beach. As stated, this is a large spread out resort that requires a lot of walking or taking a shuttle.
Dining offers a wide variety of choices with 6 A La Carte Restaurants and a Buffet. The A La Carte choices are made up of Mediterranean, Japanese, Creole, French, Italian, and Rotisserie. As far as bars there are 3 main bars, the Beach Bar, the Lobby Bar, and a swim-up Bar. There is also a Café offering different coffees, teas, and light snacks. The resort also provides 24 hr. room service.
Activities here are wide and varied starting with golf. The resort has its own golf course, a P.B Dye designed course. There are also many land and water activities. On land there is a full fitness center, Tennis, Beach Volleyball, dance lessons, Spanish lessons, nightly entertainment, the resorts own escape room, and a fantastic full-service spa. There is also a top-notch kid’s club providing supervised activities for kids 4-7, 8-12, and a teen group for kids 13- 17. Activities consist of indoor and outdoor activities. There is even a mini-golf course and a small child water park. In the water there are several activities including sunning by the pool or on the beach, snorkeling, kayaks, windsurfing, and scuba diving at an additional cost.
This resort is great for active families, family groups, destination weddings or even couples that want an affordable vacation in one of the best beach areas in the Caribbean. Remember that it is a very large spread out resort which will require quite a bit of walking. They do have shuttle carts available.
The next resort we will look at is the resort within a resort. It is the Coral Level at the Iberostar Selection Bavaro. This is a separate 5-star level resort within a resort. It is a small boutique resort for those that are looking for a more upscale experience but want the activities and amenities of the larger resort available to them. Guests at this resort have the use of the rest of the Iberostar Selection Bavaro plus the facility and amenities unique to the Coral Level.
Accommodations at this resort include Jr. Suites and Suite. In the Jr. Suite level, there are Standard Garden View, Pool View Jr. Suite, and Ocean Front Jr. Suite. In the Suite level there is a Two Bedroom Family Suite and an 883 Sq Ft Presidential Suite. All accommodations come with concierge services, 24 hr. room service, and upgraded room amenities, free WIFI, and a welcome gift.
Guests in the Coral Level have two private restaurants, a buffet, and an International A La Carte as well as access to all the restaurants included at the Iberostar Selection Bavaro. There is one private lobby bar.
Activities abound at the resort. As well as all the activities included at the Iberostar Selection Bavaro the Coral Level has two private pools and its own private beach and beach club. Don’t forget the Kid’s club for kids 4-8,8-12, and 13-17.
This resort is great for clients who want an upscale smaller boutique resort with a great beach and a wide variety of activities, dining options in a luxurious environment.
The last Iberostar resort we will look at this month is the Iberostar Grand Bavaro. This is Iberostar’s 5-star adult only resort in the Dominican Republic. It sits on one of the finest beaches in the Dominican Republic and has both Butler and Concierge service. It has a golf course next to the resort. The architecture and furnishing reflect an up-scale 5-star resort.
Accommodations at the resort range from Jr. Suites to Suites. Although the call their rooms suites there are really Jr. Suites. All rooms contain either king beds or 2 double beds. The main difference is the view from the balcony. The views are garden view, lake view, pool view, ocean view, or ocean front. All rooms come with butler service, Free WIFI, whirlpool bath and a separate shower, 24 hr room service, and upgraded amenities. At this resort you can also go online and reserve your exact room.
Dining also reflects the 5-star rating offering 6 dining options including 5 A La Caret restaurants and 2 International Buffets. The A La Carte choices consist of, Gourmet, Italian, Japanese, Surf & Turf, and Mediterranean. As far as drinks clients won’t go thirsty with 5 bar choices, the Lobby Bar, a cigar bar, a music bar which sits on a Galleon ship replica, a theater bar, and a pool bar. Guests also have 24 hr room service.
Activities abound both on land and in the water. There is the Pete Dye golf course as part of the Iberostar Resort complex, a beautiful beachfront spa, 2 fitness centers, a fantastic pool, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, a dive center for scuba diving and snorkeling. Or, just relax by the pool or on the beach.
This resort is best for Destination Weddings, Honeymoons, couples that want to relax and some light activity. Those that want an up-scale adult only property at a good price.
This concludes our tour of the first 3 Iberostar resorts in the Dominican Republic. We will conclude looking at Iberostar in the Dominican next month. Until them safe travels and good selling.