I've read some mix reviews of the hotel and simply shook off the bad reviews as people expecting great quality and forgeting they are going to (dare I say) a 3rd world country, but the negitive remarks about the hotel stand true.

Fristly I'd like to say, my boyfriend (25) and I (23) traveled with sunwing this time. I have to start off by saying sunwing was the best flight I've been on and will never take Skyservice again. The prices were the same and they not only give you a meal on the flight but a movie, champain, wine, free ear phones and a blanket and pillow if you need it.

Our hotel room was located in the older part of the resort which was fine with both of us. The rooms are very basic (motel style) but we found them very out dated and rundown. Our toilet leaked everytime you'd flush and the hot water for showers was not hot at all. Our first night we woke up to two busses that parked themselves right outside our room at 8am. I woke up thinking there was some kind of construction going on because our room was vibrating! The busses sat ourside motor running for over an hour.

That afternoon we went to reception and asked to be moved. We told them about the leaking toilet and the busses. The toilet we were told would be fixed that day but for our room change we were told to come back tomorrow, and tomorrow ended up turning into another day and another. So we arrived Thursday and ended up getting our room moved on Sunday, with the toilet still leaking; we were moved close to the beach on the newer side of the resort. The room was a bit bigger but not much different from our previous room. We were greeted with an air conditioner that didnt work then when they did get it up and running (waited 3 hours) it leaked from the bathroom ceiling onto the floor so much we had to use towels to soak up the water and leave our sandles on (personal swimming pool) and of course the toilet, which you had to hold the handle down to flush and then make sure it was streight again or it would keep running.

Besides the room, the resort grounds were very well kept, service was nice but right off the men are much nicer then the women. We found many of the men would go out of their way to do something for us even if it was just coming up to us with special drinks they made when we never asked for anything. There are enough restaurants to eat at a different place every night. I'm not sure if its listed on the website but the sea food restaurant is an extra $40, which to us wasn't worth it considering all the other restaurants. Mexican I found was the best and my boyfriend agreed. We found all the restaurants to be great, minus the brazilian which really was not anything special just pieces of meet brought to you that was not seasoned or anything (dont waste your dinner on this one). The pools were very clean and never crowded. The drinks were great and they could whip you up just about anything. There is a cafe by the main lobby that I suggest everyone try. I read in someones review that they loved the place and it ended up becoming a nightly stop for us.

There are two gift shops on the resort but be ready to spend some cash! If you can buy it in the gift shop I suggest you get it there because the airport is much more expensive. I bought a small bag of coffee at the hotel for $1.50 and at the air port the same size bag and same coffee was $7.50! The other thing I didnt enjoy was the locals that always tried to sell you something. I know I know it happens everywhere (besides Cuba) but the locals are able to walk across the beach and most will come up to you and try to sell you something.

The beach, it was beautiful! It was never over crowded and there were always plenty of empty chairs to lay on. I have to add that the topless women were about 1 in every 3 (if you have little ones coming with you). The water is sectioned off because there are many boats and other water toys that drive by very close to the swimmers, which I actually thought was pretty stupid and not sure why they wouldnt make the boats pass by further away from the beach. Because of this there waere usually pieces of seaweed and other things floating around. They also have a guy walking around carrying a small monkey or bird that you can take pictures with but you'll have to pay for them as they wouldnt let me take any with my own camera. Smallest pic which is I think was a size bigger than a regular sized photo was $11.

We took a trip on ATV's about 4 hours long between two people it came to $110. It was great and we got completely covered in mud! About half way through your ride they take you to a beach that is not owned by anyone (beautiful view) where you get a bottle of water and can jump in and clean yourself off. I suggest sandles or runners your planning not to use again. Of course there are locals there to sell something and everything. You ride a bit more and come to a cave with spring water which you can jump in again (great place). Then finally they take you back. I recomend this one, it was a lot of fun (back was killing me for 3 days afterwards)! The ATVs have 5 gears so you'll have to learn these first if you dont know standard.

I'll have to say we did have a good time but wont be going back to this resort simply because the only thing that I could really say I enjoyed was the food. The resort is rated a 4* and we went in expecting a 4* (still keeping in mind it is Dominican and not Canada). I'd have to say myself and boyfriend wouldnt give it no more than a 3*. We booked last minute at about $890 tax included and I really dont think it was worth paying that much for a 3*. If you have questions about the hotel or want to see pictures go ahead and email me [--].

Came back April 26/08. Beach was "AAA", activities and entertainment was great, but all excersions were extra, please book only with reputable on-site bondable tours. Vendor's were very aggressive with unreasonable prices to start, must bargain! Come prepared with anti-diarrhea med.(imodium), even the most cautious could get sick. Room service was terrible, for all-inclusive, we still had to ask for towels, coffee, sugar, stirsticks, water, pop,garbage bags,ashtrays, and any phone calls were never answered. Our safety deposit box key, worked in other rooms in other buildings!! Room service left our front and patio doors unlocked every day, be prepared to speak spanish or french. Guest services were non existant, but $$ and patience paid off. Hot shower's only happened one day as the cold wouldn't work. Use the coffee machine with only water to shave. Gift shop prices were unreasonable for everyday stuff, ex. $5.00 Euro. for travel size tooth-paste. Bring your own band-aides, peroxide, skin-care, tan lotion (30-50 SPF) eye-care, ex. or pay!! Sexual advances from tourist's and one male staff member.

Me and my boyfriend (Mid-20's) stayed at the Barcelo Dominican Beach from the dates of April 19th - 24th. We loved it!! We are from the USA, and we went with an open mind knowing we were going to a 3rd world country. I have been reading the reviews like a maniac keeping up to date on what people were writing. I have to say this... You get what you pay for and then some!

FOOD: The best that it could be for eating food that is not from your country. Barcelo tries so hard at accomodating everyone visiting their resort. There are so many Europeans, Canadians, etc. Not a lot of people spoke English, but I kind of liked that. I thought it was cool, to see how others communicate. That being said, we are all accustomed to different types of food. I am a true Italian and I have to say the pizza was really good... We did go to the Japanese and that was awesome! That was my favorite, great dessert as well! The buffet's breakfast was soo yummy!!! So many different options, and for those that don't like to try anything new, there was always, fruit and yogurt available. My boyfriend did get very sick on the 2nd to last day. I was worried about him, but at the gift shop you can pretty much get anything you need. We got immodium and pepto bismal.

PEOPLE: Very nice! Everyone: travelers, entertainers, workers.. Great! Very accomodating! I was impressed at all of the different languages they spoke!

POOLS AND BEACH: This place is the best! Always chairs available on the beach, little huts for those that like the shade. 3 different pools, in which we went to all of them! Our biggest decision was should we go to the pool and if so which one? The beach had so many activities going on at all time. The boys that entertain the beach are hysterical. I pretty much laughed all day at them. The water aerobics was cool too. Soccer balls, volley balls, ping pong, pool tables. There was just so much to do!

Drinks: Very good, if you tip them they will make you a frozen margarita, if not you get a mix. They were yummy as well... Oh and there beer (Cerveza) was sooo good, and I dont even like beer!

ROOM: I loved our room. Loved it! High ceilings and nice balcony. We did not pay money to upgrade we were happy as is.

I was very happy and I am sad that I am writing this review because I am home! Overall I am very impressed with Punta Cana and the Barcelo Dominican. I truly believe that they try very hard and they want everyone to always be entertained!!!!!!

Please contact me if you have any questions.. Otherwise... ENJOY!!!!

We went with First Choice and the company was marvelous as well as the Rep at the hotel (Jacki). They can't do enough to help you and try as much as they can to ensure your stay is enjoyable. We went to Kenya with first Choice and appreciated their customer service so much that we went with them again this year. Didn't even bother going with anybody else. We had dietary needs that were linked to medical conditions and they were really good.

Hotel is under new management and the Barcelo group have spent money already making improvements. Unfortunately, the hotel has three blocks that are very old and run down - Barcelo have plans to refurbish these but if you get one at present - yuck! We were moved three times during our two weeks stay and this was the worst part of the holiday. Blocques 2,3 and 4 are horrible. They are damp, mouldy, old, small. Our room had cockroaches and the water was dripping down the walls.

The hotel do help by sending in the fumigators and cleaning but it is made worse by the fact that some of these rooms do not have extractor fans in the bathrooms. Damp central!

The air con smells and if you are asmathic you will suffer. They came and sprayed something in the air con vent and it seemed to help.

If you can afford it - book a Caribbean spa suite room as these are of the size that you would expect in a regular room elsewhere in the caribbean. Unfortunately these are not assigned at the regular price (which is already not cheap).

Beach is beautiful, sea is clear and warm. Beach bar and beach cafe with snacks. Pizza all day long. Really good buffets. We are strict vegetarians and were never hungry - quite the opposite. We have all put weight on in two weeks! Chefs and waiting staff are really helpful and work hard.

People were tipping all the time. We didn't do this and tipped at the end of the holiday. We took a suitcase of old clothes and toys and gave them to the staff - they were very grateful. Hotel has good systems in place and you just sign a form to say that you gave them stuff.

Do not expect things to be done immediately - it just won't happen. Not because they are lazy but just because that is how it is. The hotel has lots of staff and has a nice safe resort feeling. We are all relaxed and have had a good holiday. We met lots of nice people from all over the world and learnt some Spanish too!

Lots of Canadians, French, Belgians come as well as Brits. Everyone enjoyed the entertainment programme. Kids club is good and in the shade. Lady who runs it is very good and the kids love her.

Lots of people that we spoke to had been moved two or three times - the same as us. Unfortunately, many said they would not return - BArcelo need to bear in mind that lots of people agreed with the comment that the rooms are small for the price that you pay. Also the fact that Blocques 2,3,4 are horrible. Bearing in mind that for the same price, families would get two interconnecting rooms in other places e.g. Southern Palms, Kenya - you don't get much space for the money you pay.

We would go back because the resort is lovely apart from the rooms in the above mentioned blocks. First Choice rep was amazing but she is moving on to Greece for the summer. Food was great as was the landscaping and beach.