Iberostar Grand Bavaro, Punta Cana - Trip Report

My wife and I spent 24 days in the caribbean back in August to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We broke that down into 3 different places so I will do each one separately. Been busy since we got back so I have not had time to get these in.

The first let of our trip was 8 days in the Dominican Republic. We stayed at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro. This resort is probably our favorite resort that we have stayed at. We have been traveling around the Caribbean for about 15 years now and have been at this resort 8 times. I guess we have a soft spot for it since we have spent some very special times there.

The Grand Bavaro is the upper end resort in a 3 resort chain. You have the Dominicano, The Bavaro and The Grand Bavaro all next to each other. The Grand is the Adult only 5* resort, the Bavaro is very nice but allows kids. We have also stayed there before the Grand opened. Its very nice but has tons of kids.

I would say the Grand Bavaro is a typical all inclusive resort with upgrades everywhere. Rooms are very nice, food is great with a big mix, they have a champions golf course and the service is the best you will find anywhere.

Food - Big mix of food here. There are 6 total restaurants. They have a Hibachi, Surf and turf, Italian, Mediteranian, French and buffet. Since you are staying at the highest cost resort in the chain, you also get free access to the other resorts restaurants. One of the other resorts has a great Mexican place. All the restaurants are great. We do not really enjoy the French but thats more of a personal choice. Surf and Turf is our favorite.

The middle of the resort has a huge water feature that covers most of the grounds. There is a huge sail boat that is the trademark of the Grand. It is for decoration until after 10:00m then is transformed into a sports bar till when ever.

Rooms are nice with very comfortable beds, free wifi, calls to the US and a big bathroom. One of the best things about this place is the shower. I know right. Huge stand up shower with giant rain heads. If the US has a standard of 2.5GPH flow, this place has 50GPH. LOL. Its amazing how much water comes out of that shower. Love it. All rooms have a balcony, free mini bar and snacks are put in the room everyday. Each room also comes with a butler.

We have stayed in 4 or 5 different suites but in the end, they are all the same. Just location. All have the same amenities.

Breakfast is at the buffet an has plenty of options. Huge fresh fruit bars, smoothie bar and 5 separate grills running for omelets, meat, Crepes, and pastries. Lunch is at a different restaurant near the beach/pool area and usually has a good variety. Plenty of seafood daily here. My wife had lobster almost everyday for lunch.

The best thing about this resort is the service. I have never stayed at a place where the people worked so hard to take care of the guests. I understand they work extra hard for us since we are repeat customers but you see it with everyone. Also, the grounds here are impeccable. They work all day everyday on the landscaping, beach and rooms. Very impressive.

Not a ton of pictures this year but here are a few of the grounds. We left there mid August heading to Mexico and they were scheduled to close the resort down on September 1 until October 1 to refurbish all the rooms, complete dig up the huge pool area and build a bigger/better pool area and improve the buffett area. Cant wait to see the pictures to see how the new areas look.

The beach area is very tropical. Spread out pretty well and lots of palm trees. Not just a open beach area. Seaweed was a issue when we first got there. We have had it a few times but we always go in August and that is when they tend to get it. The entire island has a issues that time of year. Water was very clear and they keep the beaches up very well. During August the resort is only about 60% full so its not crowded at all. I think they have a total of 250 rooms there.

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