Just returned from Punta Cana. I had read the reviews about this report prior to our vacation. I was a bit confused about the Punta Cana side and the Dominican side. I now know it to be two large hotels with a fabulous garden in between with winding walk ways and beautiful flowers. The beach was one of the best I've seen. The pool was beautiful. The rooms were adequate but do need updating. We struggled with our safe and later found out that if just needed new batteries. The adapters for the electric were a pain but worked ok (I kept mine for further trips). I did not enjoy the buffets or the speciality places as much as when we stay at Jamaica. The meat is too tough for me. Breakfast was the highlight of my meals.
I enjoyed the shows, the bars, and I won $125 at the casino on a 5 cent slot. If you are over 30 go to the disco early! The teenagers come and pretty much take over the later hours.
I was very dissappointed by the "Swim with the dolpins" at Manatee Park. It was a very small pool with 3 poor dolphins in it. It was sad.
I had a friend do the quad adventure and had a blast.
We had two rainy days which I know is not usually the case at this time of year.
All in all a good vacation spot.

My husband and I travelled to this resort from March 15-22/2006. After reading some of the comments, I realize that some people will never be happy no matter where they travel. First of all, let me tell you that everything about this resort was fabulous. By tje way, arriving on a Wednesday was kind of nice because my husband and I were the only ones on the bus who were staying at this resort. I know that when you arrive on a Saturday or Sunday this is not the case and you could end up waiting in line. Our trip started out with a little cocktail in the lobby as we arrived (3:00 p.m.) followed by a little sun on the beach.

The food was great! The buffet had a variety to please anyone. From pasta to chicken, porc, beef, salads, lots of fish etc. We made our reservations at the a la carte restaurants on the second night. We were able to get the reservations we wanted at the time we wanted.

The only suggestion I have is to be on the beach by 8:30 or 9:00 at the latest in order to reserve your beach chair (if you want shade). Even though they tell you not to reserve chairs, everyone does and we ended up with no shade on our first day. The beach is incredibly beautiful. We got 5 minutes of rain in 7 days. We didn't have our thermos mug but we will definately bring them next time we travel.

The service was great and the staff is sooo helpful all the time. You can do lots of free activities as well (for those who can't be lying down for 8 hours straight). We played volleyball, did aerobics in the pool and on the beach, played waterpolo and did alot of walking on the beach. Everything is so nicely groomed and clean (I mean they sweep the little sidewalk by the beach all day long).

I don't know what else to say but trust me, you won't regret it if you stay at this resort.

My wife and 12 year old son just returned from the Iberostar Dominicana which shares grounds, bars, and restaurants with Iberostar's Punta Cana and Bavaro. Here are a few thoughts/experiences.

While admitedly the bus trip from the airport had us wide eyed doubting our decision to go the the D.R., that section of "road" is an uncharacteristic view of the rest of the D.R..

It took a while for us to unwind from the whirl of travel and the rush of our lives and settle into vacation mode. The lobby is welcoming tropical beacon. The landscaping in a word...gorgeous. The soft beach sand encourages long walks. All staff was friendly and usually multi-lingual. I loved practicing my Spanish, but English only is just fine.

A rough guess of visitors prime language: 30% English, 20% French, 20% German, 20% Spanish.

You could be as busy as you wanted or as relaxed. We had no problems getting pool side loungers or a beach pallapa. In addition to a large choice of optional non-stop organized activies, there was the; natural beauty, pool, ocean, food, and drinks. Each evening had different shows, bands, contests, and dancing. The talent was truely amazing. We especially liked the "Grammy's" and "Broadway" shows. The 2 night clubs go to 3am.

We brought snorkle gear and snorkled to small reefs right off the beach, though extra cost day trips were far better for that. The waves at Punta Cana were not made for surfing or boogie boarding though other areas of the D.R. are different and known for that. Windsurfing and Hobie Cat sailing was great. Do sign up for tennis court time early each morning or be disappointed!

On Punta Cana Beach the trade winds blow a steady 20 mph but pool side breezes were lighter. There were no mosquitos, or no-see-ums. Make sure to use sun screen or you will be sorry. That sun is hot. The ocean was about 72 degrees the pools about 78.

Yes, the buffet food wasn't great. Not bad, but not great. The diversity of choices more than made up it. The seasoning were Carribean and different which is why I like traveling to foreign countries. The theme restauants were actually quite good by the way. Theme restauants request long pants and collared shirts for men. I saw no suit coats. Elsewhere else was strickly T-shirts, shorts, and swimwear.

We drank only bottled water (the water at the restaurants is out of the tap)and had lots of iced drinks. We did not get ill.

We took two day trips; The Marinaria and Bavaro Runners. Both were fun. The Runners trip showed the real side of the D.R. we had come to see. The road from the airport is not representative of the D.R. at all. If you do Bavaro runners - seriously - be sure to bring enough cash for souveigners; photo ops, coffee, cocoa, real cigars, massages, rum, jewelry, even a DVD about the D.R. with you in it.

Yes, the rooms were simply O.K. but who spends that much time in their room? We visited other nearby resorts which were much more posh. At one I almost wished I had a neck tie - no thanks. Most others we visited made us glad we were where we were. The Dominicana was very comfortable. On an overall scale the resort was like a Raddison.

Remember this is not America; which is why we went. Bring your sense of adventure. Have a Santa Libre or a Miami Vice at the bar. Get out...explore and by all means try to pack light.

my wife and i really enjoyed the grounds and the people at this resort. this is a beautifully manicured resort. the landscaping is perfect. the beach is to die for. the bars and the service was just great. our problem came with eating. the food looks good and tastes good, but the consistancy of the meat is chewy at best. i feel they have a problem with the water. everyone we met or talked to, had the runs at one time or another, or all week. bottled water is in the rooms and you are given a gallon of water to use in your bath room. i think the ice in the cocktails is not up to digestive standards. my wife was sick most of the week, and i lasted 6 days before the dam broke. i took imodium and took the max in 2 hours. no help. i went to their famacia, and bought a bottle of pepto bismal, (8 oz) for $21 dollars. i would have paid $121. at that time. that did the trick. when you go, bring everything you need. hairspray, $17. sun tan lotion $16. the resort has you hostage, as there is no where to go other than the tours. the apple rep said don,t go to town without a group, not safe. don,t use the casino, everyone loses. and they did. the only way i would go back, is to have someone else pay for it. thanks