Riu Bambu or Iberostar Bavara?
 

Please, if anyone can tell me about either of these two properties in Punta Cana (for the early part of April), I would appreciate your input. I've read reviews on both under Debbie's Dominican and both look great.<BR>Any input from you would be helpful. THank you.

I don't know about the RIU Bambu but I can tell you that the Iberostar Bavaro is simply gorgeous..I was there for a 4 day trip last month and I would return in a heartbeat..the rooms are extremely nice, the beach is quite good, the theme restaurants are to die for (especially the mexican and japanese) and the people are unusually nice and always ready to help you with a smile on their face (from other people's experiences, Dominicans are not very fond of tourists)<BR>The gardens are superbly well kept and the main pool is just great. I could go on but If you already visited Debbies web page (which is just great..!!) you can read the long reviews and practically get the idea of where you're going before you get there..it happened to me !! When I got there I felt that I had already been there.<BR>Happy holidays, PC <BR>

Paula - Your address does not work.<BR><BR>We are going next month. Which suite did you have, and where would you say would be the quietest?

We are planning a July Honeymoon and I just talked to our travel agent about the great deals for a 7/10 night stay at the Iberostar property. We stayed at one of the Iberostars in Mexico in September and loved it.

Laurie,<BR>I visited Punta Cana in January and loved it. The Iberostar Bavaro is a beautiful property as is the Riu. I stayed at the Bavaro Palace and inspected lots of resorts as part of my job as a travel agent. It's hard to say which I prefer. The beaches have very soft caramel-colored sand and are lined with rows of palm trees as far as the eye can see. The people are friendly and very service oriented. English is not widely spoken amongst the waiters but the check-in employees are fluent in English. There are very few Americans that go there compared to the Europeans. It is very tranquil and is probably what most Caribbean nations were 40 years ago before commercialism and progress took place. Our agency has a group going in January. Feel free to contact me if you want more info.

Hi Dave, about you question regarding in which room I stayed..I simply forgot the room number..but..I can tell you that it is located right next to the Iberostar Dominicana and right besides the small street that takes you to the beach and to the spa..since you probably don't have a map of the resort with you yet, let me just say that it is on the left hand side of the resort if you're standing in the lobby and looking towards the beach..I think that any room on the left side of the resort is peaceful. I can tell you I didn't even hear a mosquito fly. The only place where it could get a little noisy would be on the right hand side of the resort just next to the lobby where the stage is. In fact, at night you can walk around the resort and you'll feel that it is really quiet but with a number of people walking around. <BR>I would recommend you ask for a room in the top floor..you will have to walk up the stairs every time but at least you can leave a bit of your curtains open and not have people snooping from outside. Hope this helps.

You could not go wrong with either of these properties. I personally prefer Iberostar, but book both chains with wonderful feedback.<BR>

Paula - Thanks. I have a map, and will try to get a room in that area. Do you have any hints about how to get a room in that area or on the second floor? Email, fax, money at the desk? We are going there on Jan. 5.

Hi Dave, I actually told the agent at the tour operator where I bought the package that I preferred a 2nd floor room..and I even told her that I was celebrating my first anniversary and when I got to the room they had placed a nice bottle of dominican rum, a plate of freshly cut fruits and some sweets..very nice !! If you have a map, then I can be more specific: my room was right next to the circular fountain which is located right in front of the side entrance of the Iberostar Dominicana. One thing..be prepared to walk !! It's not really close to the beach or to the restaurant..but I really didn't care..It's not like you're on a schedule !! Have fun..and post your comments when you come back!!