Barcelo Punta Cana

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Rating:
Rooms:	735
Restaurants:	7
Bars:	6
Pools:	1
Recommended:	Families Casino Spa Budget Honeymoons Singles Destination Weddings

Barcelo Punta Cana from $62 pp/pn - EBB5

Brenda Stuebing, Fort Saskatchewan Alberta Canada
Visted resort between 01/10/2007 and 01/17/2007
We traveled to the Barcelo Punta Cana Jan 10-17 on Air Transat from Edmonton. On the flight there we stopped in Puerto Plata with a 1 hour layover (have to stay on the plane) and then another 50 min. flight to Punta Cana. Once there it is quite harried to find your bus to transfer to the resort. We were exhausted from the long flight and appreciated the comfy bus to travel to the resort. Check in went very fast and effecient. There was a bell boy to help with the luggage and find our room (which took the better part of two days to get down pat as the resort is large). Our room safe lock wouldn't fit and a call to the front desk had someone there the next morning fixing it. We were hungry when we got there (9pm) and were still able to get in a good meal. We were very happy with our room (4302) location. It has the most beautiful view of the ocean and pool area. The rooms are definately dated but very clean. For a couple of days the air conditioning was causing a leak in the bathroom over the sink but the girl who cleaned our room every day was helpful in getting this repaired. My daughter (11 yrs) and I had fun leaving little treasures (pencils, pens, notepads, candy, hair bobbles, $$ ect..) everyday for the lady who cleaned our room. The first morning the representative from Air Transat met with all new customers in the lobby at 10 for an hour of information. I highly recommend going to this as she was a wealth of knowledge for people like us who have never been to the DR before. Upon check in you are given reservations at 3 specialty restaurants at the times they choose for you. We went to the Janpanese, Marlin, and Paris. We enjoyed all of them. The other nights we ate at the Alacazar (buffet) and it was excellent. They had a different theme every night and we always found something that we liked. The breakfast was always delicous. Our favortie was definately the dessert table and selection of fresh fruit. The people that work there were always very helpful and courteous. We always passed along a tip to whoever looked after us. They appreciate it so much.I took Spanish lessons before I went but found that I did not need them as English was widely spoken. The beach of course was absolutely beautiful. The ocean was somewhat rough but my kids seemed to enjoy it more that way for all the fun they had in the waves. My son (13) loved all the different sports and games that were organized by the entertainment guys at the pool and the beach throughout the day. Then in the evening they were back at work at the ampitheater doing some really fun stuff with the crowd and then on to some really great shows (not cheesy at all). Now, I have to tell you that I do not enjoy bartering. I had never done it before and felt that I was taken advantage of from a couple of the guys that sell their stuff at the resort. We went to a market not far from the resort (walked) and it was even worse. Do not take a lot of money with you when you are bartering. That way they can't get what you don't have. We did purchase some coffee, jewelery, clothes and are pleased with our purchases. The one excursion that we went on was to Manati Park. For $75 US you can swim with the dolphins. $30 US if you just want to go into the park/zoo. The ride to the park on the trolley bus was quite the experience (the ride was harrowing) but alot of fun. They drive crazy down there. Seems like one speed (fast) and they don't stop for anyone (they use the horn alot). Quite the experience if you've never done this before. Our daughter loved swimming with the dolphins but our son said it was just ok. The zoo was alright but I felt we wasted our day by not being at the resort. We decided to stay at the resort for the rest of our stay as there was always something to do. We wished we could have stayed for another week as there were some very interesting excursions we would have liked to take. The weather was awesome. 28-31 celcius. Lots of wind but it felt great as it was so hot. It usually rained every morning but not for long. My daughter got her hair braided for $60 us and it took 1 1/2 hours on the beach. We did get hepatitis B shots before we went and we took the malaria pills. We took along a prescription for travellers diahrea but did not need it. We ate and drank anything we wanted and none of us got sick. We did not drink the tap water in the room but we did drink the water in the restaurants. There is also bottled water if you so choose. All in all this was a fantastic vacation and we really did enjoy the Barcelo. It is a bit dated but then the price was right. We would recommend this resort for families, singles, couples etc. I would not recommend it for those (elderly) who can't tolerate alot of walking as the resort is huge. We would definately stay there again.

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Barcelo Punta Cana

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

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