My husband and I booked a four night stay at the Barcelo Dominican Beach during the week of October 22nd. We went with low expectations after reading the reviews. We went with a group of 16 other travelers. We booked the family suite which included the elite club privileges. Our room was in building 92. It had a living room, dinning room, king size bedroom, two bathrooms (one with a jacuzzi), two tvs ( old school ones), mini bar ( one coke, one sprite, one water, two beers, one chip) , a coffee maker, blow dryer, iron, safe, beach towels in room, bath robes and slippers, toiletries, good ac, fruit basket, and a bottle of dominican rum. We were given vip check in as well as vip bracelets which entitled us to top notch drinks and service. Vip's get 24 hour service. The room was clean, but the furniture is outdated. The buffet food is ok. There is something for everyone. I am a vegetarian and always found something to eat. They have theme nights. The staff is attentive. We were put off by the birds that kept eating off the dessert bar. We did not eat dessert because of this. We ate at the hibachi restaurant. It was awesome. We didn't like the Spanish restaurant. The service at El Meson was horrible. No welcome drink. We sat at the table for a good 20 minutes before anyone acknowledged us. After taking our order for all three courses, we were served the entire meal in less than 15 minutes. The food was terribly cold. Skip this one. Not worth your time. The italian restaurant was ok. The service friendly and accommodating. We got a welcome drink, bread basket, and dipping sauce. Appetizers were good, entrees not so much. I ordered the tiramisu for dessert. Not too good, but edible. The best asset to this hotel is the coffee shop. We were there 3 times a day. Awesome coffee choices, hot or cold. Something along the lines of Starbucks. Really. The snack bar opened all night. A great hang out spot after the disco closes. The pizza is good. Others said the chicken was also good. They have burgers and hot dogs. The entertainment staff is great. The shows are varied. The fun continues at the disco every night. We loved tequila night. There is a live band playing everyday before the nightly shows. There is a piano player every night at the lobby bar. The casino holds a nightly raffle for dinners and excursions. One of the people in our party won a gala dinner, and said it was awesome. It included a lobster dinner and champagne. The beach is ok. Some seaweed. The drinks were great. We had top shelf liquor, due to our vip status. We did not try the domestic drinks, so I can't comment on those. The pool was ok. It needs maintenance. The paint is peeling off. The grounds and facilities are well maintained. This hotel is a good option for travelers on a tight budget. We walked along the beach for a couple of miles and noticed that other hotels seemed empty in comparison to the dominican beach. We assumed it had to do with the price. Its a cheap option with ok service. But I would definitely recommend the vip option to get the most for your money.

Let me start with a disclaimer: Our trip here began right as the outer bands of Hurricane Sandy hit the island. Though the storm could have been much worse (as it was in Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba,) good weather could have brought out a little better of the experience we were expecting. Lightning, wind and rain kept us out of the pools and ocean for the duration of the stay.

The room: My girlfriend and her friend arrived a few days before I did and said the room was clean and comfortable (at least it was still comfortable when I arrived, clean...not so much haha) We didn't spend much time in the room so I won't elaborate too much. Beds were pretty comfortable and the room had a fridge with complementary bottled water, bottled sprite and coke. Bathroom was very clean but didn't have any hand soap. We used the soap dispenser in the shower to wash. Shower didn't get as hot as I like but not many places don't.

The staff: Even through the weather the lifeguards continued to man their stations for anyone who may want to venture into the water or jump in the pool. It was a gesture that the weather wasn't going to effect our stay anymore than physically possible. That showed true with the whole staff. All day the staff held an indoor party in the lobby with dance contests, professional dancers and plenty of drinks. The check-in staff made quick friends of each guests on arrival and remembered mine and the girls names easily.

The food: The buffets and snack bars had the typical all-inclusive foods which were about the same quality as anywhere else I have stayed, it was okay but not fantastic. The selection of food at the main buffet was better than other places though, many main course items and lots of sides. Also, the main courses changed nightly which i can't say about everywhere else in the Caribbean.

The entertainment: All day dancing and partying was strongly encouraged, which the girls loved. The stage shows at night were amazing and the casino opened nightly. The sports bar had a pool table, bar and showed live games on ESPN. The night club was great, whether you are single looking to mingle or if you're a couple that wants to dance away some stress.

Getting there: Delta Vacations has a shuttle to the resort from PUJ Airport, it was $35 for both of the girls but waits around for at least 25 people to board according to the driver before leaving (traveling alone, they felt more comfortable waiting around.) A taxi was $40 one-way which I split with two girls when I found they were staying only a few resorts over from ours. The drive from the airport is quite far so don't be worried if it feels like it is taking too long.

Would love to return to the resort for a week of good weather.

my husband and I just came back from DR. I was our first time there. we stayed at the Barcelo Dominican Beach for a week.

We made our reservation thru Apple vacation. We had a great time! we were give a very pretty room in "bloque" 5 very close to the beach.

The night shows were incredible and service was great!

for my husband's bithday, Laura, from the guest service, prepared a great surprise for him in one of the restaurants. My husband was impressed!!! that kind of details are what makes an unforgettable vacations, and make the guests feel special!
thanks to all the staff! you did it great!

I just returned from a week at the resort and am NEVER returning. The first room I was given smelled of smoke, mildew and was a dank cave. The next room I asked for (as they try and get you to upgrade at check-in) was a jr. suite. I stayed in it overnight and woke with sever sinus problems due to the mildew. I again upgraded to an ocean view honeymoon suite. It was not laid out particularly well but I had no choice. The bed was like sleeping on a slab of cement.
The hot water was intermitent and when the power went out (daily) the pressure was non-existant. The room staff was accomodating and filled the mini-fridge as I requested. Good thing as the buffet was horrible. The resturaunts were not much better but once we found the Brazilian rodisio we booked it three nights. The entertainment was average. The booking desks for the varous tour companies are adequate at best.
I will say the drinks were better than most as we had a perk of top shelf Barcelo .
The resort needs better attention to detail and better organization. I have travelled extensively in this country and found Puerta Plata resorts much more attentive .
If you need a bed to crash, don't care about the room or amenities in it this is the place for you. If you want an enjoyable vacation at a sunny resort this is NOT for you. BEWARE!!!!