My husband and I just spent a week at the Barcelo Capella Beach Resort in Santo Domingo. As with any vacation, there were good things and bad, but we were happy to experience more good than bad. The property was beautiful! The rooms were a ittle run down, but still offered a nice place to relax and sleep after a long day at the pool & beach. The service was fantastic, especially at the pool bar and Las Olas grill. The staff at these locations went out of their way to make our vacation a great experience. The food wasn't too bad, but I would recommend taking some medications with you for any digestive problems that may arise. The beach was beautiful. Definitely wear water shoes into the sea, as there is a lot of seaweed and sharp coral. The vendors on the beach will bug you to death, but we got some great deals on cigars from them so it was worth the heckling! To anyone traveling with children...there is no modesty on the beach! Lots of topless and bottomless sunbathers (yes, I said bottomless...we saw many full moons that week!) I would also recommend learning a little spanish before traveling here. As English-only speaking travelers, we found ourselves struggling to communicate with some of the staff. But we knew the essentials: beer, rum, food and bathroom. Overall we had a great time and would probably return to this resort for a future vacation. If you are planning a trip to this resort or to Santo Domingo, I would love to answer any questions you have! :)

We stayed over the Thanksgiving holiday and had a wonderful time, there's something for everyone. The beach is gorgeous, discoteque is happening until the wee hours, and nice selection of food at each buffet. Resort is HUGE and enough to keep you occupied without having to leave. Many day trips are available, definitely take the bus or pay for a ride as the main route is a highway and locals drive by their own rules!! My husband is from San Pedro and had a little bit of a time adjusting LOL. And not to mention some side streets are dirt roads and have huge pot holes!!
Vendors can be a bit persistent so bring sunglasses or big hat to cover your face if you don't want to be disturbed. Vendors are polite though, you will not get attacked as you would in BOCA CHICA. Nice mix of family resort and Party People! And who doesn't enjoy some rum concoctions beach or poolside??
If at all possible try to avoid Saturday check in- IT IS A MAD HOUSE!! Arrive early or check-in another day to avoid waiting the weekend rush. Otherwise good luck & enjoy the stay!

Beautiful place! Very relaxing. I was so glad i got advice from these boards before we went. Like knowing the locals come on the weekend. They mostly stay at the pool by beach, so it is very full and the buffet is very crowded. Thats just Sat & Sun. Not very many people speak English but you can get by. It really is neat to see all the different people and the culture. I will be glad to answer any questions anyone has.

Me and my husband stayed at Barcelo from May 25th till June 2nd. We went there with another couple. We really liked the resort.
The swimming pool by the Bohio restaurant is great!! The other swimming pool (close to the beach) is usually crowded.
The beach is beautiful, but if you planning to go there bring SWIMMING SHOES with you, cause there are some rocks in the water. Also be prepared that there are MANY VENDORS walking on the beach trying to sell you staff. Some of the staff (like paintings) are really beautiful (we bought one), but it's getting really anoying when they try to sell you something all the time, and you just want to relax. Just prepare to say no many times....
THE BEST TIME TO STAY IS DURING THE WEEK; on weekend it's getting really crowded cause a lot of locals are coming to stay at the resort. Then on Monday is almost empty again.
I really liked the food. You can go to the buffet style restaurant for all your meals. Or you can choose to go to ether Bohio or Las Olas grill for dinner. It's nice and free (in all inclusive plan), you just need to make a reservation ahead in guest service.
MAKE SURE YOU GO TO SAONA ISLAND AND/OR CATALINA ISLAND. Its georgous there. On the trip to Saona Island prepare to drink a lot of rum!!!! In Catalina Island they serve it too, but not as much. Be also prepared that from Barcelo you have to take a bus to get to a boat; and when driving the bus you will see a lot of poverty...the houses look reall poor and there's trash all over the place...suprisingly, people over there are so happy even though they're poor..
On any condition, DO NOT GO TO NEPTUNO DIVING CENTER!!!!! The boss is very rude!!!! We wanted to go diving, but one of the friends had an accident, so we canelled diving 24hours before. We didn't pay anything ahead, but the boss made us pay cancellation fee about which there was no talking before (or on any paper we signed) The paper said cancel 24 h before..didn't work. We couldn't leave the hotel until we paid The Neptuno boss....so just be aware of that!! if sth happens to you and you can't go diving, they weill still make you pay.
THE WEATHER WAS GREAT- sunny with no rain. I was suprised because according to the weather channel it was supossed to be raining every day. But it wasn't !!!
Overall great trip!! We purchased the whole package (flight and all inclusive) from the go go vacations and we had a great deall!!!