PERU Travel Story following Inca Trail in the Andes ...more> VACATIONS It's vacation time!
Search your vacation options more>
Destination of the Month
PUNTACANA
Lisa and her family just got back from their family vacation to Punta Cana where they spent 8 days at the all-inclusive resort
Iberostar Dominicana
The 3 Iberostar properties in Punta Cana are located about 20-30min. from the airport, and it would cost you about $35 each way for a taxi.
Between the Iberostar Punta Cana and Iberostar Dominicana there are 5 ala cart restaurants plus 2 buffet restaurants.
For ala cart, you can have 3 guaranteed reservations for a 7-night stay but you must make your reservations as soon as you arrive for best availability…
The 3 restaurants I would recommend are the Mexican (Maria Bonita), International (La Sibila), Oriental (La Pagoda)
The other 2 other the Tropical (La Marimba) which is outdoors, used for lunch buffet during the day on the Dominicana side and the other is the Steak House (La Cana), which is again outdoors, used for lunch buffet during the day on the Punta Cana side, we did not care for either of these 2. Largepool area including a kid’s pool is located between both properties.
And a small casino in the lobby of the Dominicana.
All their rooms are considered standard with balcony and most rooms are garden view, very few with pool or ocean view. You cannot pay for an ocean or pool view, always on request. They also have a few family rooms which consists of 2 room suites (1 room with king and the 2nd room with 2 double beds, 2 balconies, 2 TV’s and 1 bathroom)
Again you cannot pay for this category but you can request it or ask for it at check in.
Iberostar Punta Cana has already started renovating their rooms and will be done by May 2009 and at that time they will start the Dominicana.
The Iberostar Bavaro has just been renovated and it is very nice with all the rooms being jr. suites with slightly larger balconies and garden view, ocean and pool views are on request only.
They also have a large pool area with a swim up bar and 24hr room service, they also have 5 restaurants and 1 buffet restaurant which is outdoors but the food is located indoors by a sliding door. Guests staying at this property also have privileges to use all facilities and restaurants of the other 2 Iberostars.
All 3 properties share the same kids club called “Lucy’s Club”, which has a nice indoor play area for children.
To the right side of the Bavaro resort about a 10min walk you will find vendors selling all sorts of souvenirs also you can braid your hair and get a tattoo for cheaper than doing it at the resorts. Feel free to bargain!
Overall very nice with beautiful beaches, but I must say they need to work on making their drinks better, always watered down and tasted very artificial!
To the left of the Iberostar properties stand all the Riu properties.
Paradisus Palma Real
Lisa also had the privilege to visit the luxury hotel, Paradisus Palma Real all-inclusive Resort while in Punta Cana.
This property is located about 15-20 minute drive from the airport, located between the Melia Caribe Resort and the new Edenh Real Arena Resort (opened January 2008).
All standard rooms at the Paradisus Palma Real are Jr. suites with a 2 person Jacuzzi in all rooms, balcony and garden view, very few pool and ocean views and on request only.
They also have 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom suites in garden or ocean view.
They also have a Family Concierge category and Royal Concierge, which offer extra services like a 24hr nanny, etc. , if you are booked in these 2 categories you are able to use all pool, beach and restaurants at the property, if booked in standard category, you do not have access to the family and royal concierge pool or beach areas and also you do not have access to one of their restaurants which is called the “Beach Club”, but you are still able to go in by ordering from their menu with a fee.
They have color-coded bracelets according to the category you are booked.
All together they have 7 restaurants, 1 of which is adults only and 1 buffet which is located outdoors but the food is located indoors by a sliding door, and offer 24hr room service.
They have a beautiful large pool area with a swim up bar.
They offer kids programs from ages 5-12.
They have babysitting service for all ages for 10.00 per child per hour
