whala!bavaro
Los Corales, El Cortecito, Bavaro, Punta Cana 23301 Dominican Republic
Lowest prices for your stay
$94
Fully refundable before 04/10/23
No prepayment needed
$86
Fully refundable before 04/07/23
$203
$76
Hotels.com$86
travelup.com$97
ZenHotels.com$203
View all 16 deals
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Full view
View all photos (1,246)1,246
Pool & Beach (351)
Room & Suite (149)
About
#32 of 59 hotels in Bavaro
Location
4.1
Cleanliness
3.9
Service
4.0
Value
4.1
Located in front of the beach, whala!bavaro is the ideal place to enjoy the summer heat. Bavaro Beach is part of the Dominican Republic most exclusive coast resorts, thanks to its fine white sand bathed by the beautiful Caribbean Sea with crystal clear and emerald tone waters. Located in front of the beach, whala!bavaro is the ideal place to enjoy the summer heat. The hotel is located in an excellent location that offers a wide variety of sport and leisure activities.
Read more
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Entertainment staff
Airport transportation
Full body massage
Baggage storage
Concierge
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Poolside bar
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Taxi service
Massage
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Outdoor furniture
Shops
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
ATM on site
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Show more
Room features
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Refrigerator
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Safe
Telephone
Wardrobe / closet
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Hair dryer
Show more
Room types
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
English, French, Russian, Spanish and 1 more
Location
98Great for walkers
Grade: 98 out of 100
48Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
7Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
Contact
Los Corales, El Cortecito, Bavaro, Punta Cana 23301 Dominican Republic
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $50/day
812Reviews93Q+A57Room tips
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 306
- 186
- 112
- 85
- 123
Time of year
Traveler type
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
Sort by:
Most Recent
Sunny, sandy right on the beach, the location of this hotel was just what I’d booked. First time in the Dominican Republic for us and after quite a journey, so happy to get organised in our room. Clean, bright and simple, the room and bathroom were fit for purpose. The staff don’t rush, but are friendly and easily found if needed. The food was as we had imagined, traditional buffet fayre, great salads and fruit and drinks were too good. The freshly baked breads at breakfast were delicious. We spent some time on the top platform, it looks right over onto the ocean and you have a handy bar and dip pool when it gets too hot. If you like a beach holiday this is, thinking of it, we would travel back there if able. Just looking to book our September break, it’s on the list.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
The beds are hard as rock. The pillows are so big you can’t use them and yes, they are hard as a rock. Cleaning staff take your towels and do not replace them cleaning staff take your coffee cups, and do not replace them. Front desk will not answer the phone for service. The Buffay is the same thing night after night the drinks or water down. The room they tried to stick us in smelled like sewer. If we did not complain, we would not have gotten an upgrade. Staff does not speak any English so if you are English speaking, only, do not go to this hotel. The only thing good about this hotel is the beach, but I am sure you can find a different hotel a better quality for the same price will never go back.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: Pick a different hotel
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded 1 week ago
Dear Guest, Although we sincerely regret reading that your holiday at our hotel was not to your liking, we are grateful that you have taken the time to send us your review. Cleanliness is one of the most important aspects of our hotel. We always strive to ensure that our guests have a comfortable stay in a spotless room. We apologise that you did not receive this impression. In the unusual circumstances of finding a discrepancy in our services, we would urge a guest to advise our team who will correct it immediately. Also, we are very sorry that the service and attention in general has not been to your liking, considering that our staff is usually highlighted by their predisposition and professionalism. We shall use your constructive critique and ideas to help us reach our goal of providing our guests with a memorable experience. Once again, we offer you a sincere apology for the inconvenience you experienced, we hope you had a safe trip back home. Best regards, Julissa Gonzalez
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If I have to summarize the review in one sentence : stay away from this junkyard! It's by far the worst hotel I have ever been at. And no, we are not very picky about the hotels in general. We are fime with motel stays as well, as long as it's clean and basic amenities are there. But despite that, this was a new low for us. We had to stay here by accident for just one night (thankfully), because of a last minute flight cancellation, and nothing else available. But even those 24 hours were miserable. The resort is extremely clostrophobic. They claim to have 5 pools, but that's basically a joke - they are more like an apartment community pools. And the water - both in the pool and even the taps - smelled like gutter. I couldn't even brush my teeth with it. My son's exact words were - "I would rather get eaten by 7 sharks, than taste this water". The room seemed to be last touched upon sometime in 1960s probably. And the worst of all - the food! Flies everywhere. The fish was so stale that it was smelling rotten. Chicken was all rib pieces with practically no meat. At the breakfast, there were decent selection of breads, but no butter. That was the only thing I was planning to eat after our dinner experience, and with no butter I was basically eating dry bread. The only good part about it was the beach was right next to it. It's reasonably clean (still lots of seaweed, but that's everywhere near Punta Cana). So if you wanted some fresh air, you could just walk 100 feet and get away from this prison! Another thing was drinks were of acceptable quality too. The day we were there everyone except us were locals. I have no issues with that, but it seemed like this was designed for locals in general. (To enable them get access to a good beach and may be get drunk?) And I am not comparing this to the mega resorts in Punta Cana. They cost 2-3 times than this one. But we had stayed at another Whala property in Bayahibe earlier in the trip, for the same price, and that was much much better in terms of views, ambiance, pools, cleanliness, room sizes and overall service. We were literally counting hours and the happiest part of our stay was the checkout! In general, if you want luxury, there are better options around (of course at a premium price). But even if you are on a budget, there are many better options available around. If you want to save $$, go for a non-all-inclusive hotel at even cheaper price and eat out. You will be happier and also save some $$. In short, stay away from this piece of junk!…
Read more
Date of stay: February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded 2 weeks ago
Dear Guest. Greeting from whala, I would like to apologize on behalf of the entire team if we did not impress you during your valuable vacation. We want guests to enjoy their stay at our Whala! Bavaro, so your report of an unpleasant experience is a serious concern to us. We regret to hear from your review that your expectations were not met on this occasion and wish we could have done more to make your vacation more comfortable. Because if there is something that disturbs our guests satisfaction we are able to address right away while on property. I have taken the liberty of sharing all your feedback with the relevant Heads of Department to ensure that your points are addressed, we truly appreciate the time you took to inform us about those several points and I guarantee you we will work on them immediately. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in our property, to improve the impression you have of our Hotel, please feel free to contact us directly in the hotel in order to assist you with the arraignments of your accommodations. Our must sincerely apologies for all the inconveniences mentioned. Sincerely, Julissa Gonzalez
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our first time in DR, came along with brother and sister in law. Our room was fine, A/C ( a bit noisy ) big bed all very clean and comfortable. Food was distinctly hotel style and the service was relaxed, which suited us being on holiday, my big no no is being rushed. The beaches are fantastic and we often walked for hours, slowly on the edge of the water, felt like another world. Took us a few days to relax into beach life, but when we did, we could have stayed longer than two weeks. Would come again 100% but for longer.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear John, Receive warm greetings from Whala!Bávaro all inclusive. Thank you for an amazing 5 star review! We are delighted to know you had such a great time with us and the compliments for our team, they do work very hard every day to make sure our guests feel well attended to at all times and definitely are an asset to our hotel. We will certainly relay your praising comments to all of them and we are sure they will be pleased to know their efforts have been appreciated. We look forward to your visit again and thank you for your high rating and positive comments. Kind Regards, Joahnna Villaman
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dear traveller, Mediocre reception and overall mediocre customer service. Less than mediocre food and soft drinks. Pools looked disgustingly foamy. Mediocre food areas to the nth degree. One night, cold food delivered to most of our group at à-la-carte restaurant (Waiter had food resent to kitchen to have reheated). Disgusting, ocean salty running shower/tap water. 2 miniscule bath soaps, no more toiletries provided (we always pack just in case). The worst Dominican Republic resort experience, EVER. Do yourself a favor, don't even think about reserving this place for...ANYTHING. Sincerely.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear Doris, First of all, we appreciate the time you have spent to share with us your experience and comments which help us improve our services. We are very sorry to hear that despite all our efforts to please and satisfy you since your arrival, we have not succeeded. Actually, all our staff makes a great effort for the author each one of our guests as much as possible, that is why I am very saddened in spite of this we have not achieved it. I am surprised by each of these points that you mention which contradict our concept and the optimal service we offer for which we are well recognized worldwide. However, I guarantee that we will take the necessary measures to improve each of them, since we understand there is always a place to improve. Thank you once again for the opportunity you gave us to attend . Best Regards Johanna Villaman
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pros: Restaurant & housekeeping staff are very good. Friendly and efficient. The hotel is clean. The rooms were kept immaculate by housekeeping and halls were kept very clean. Our beds were very comfortable. The pillows not so much, but not horrible. Cons: The bathroom fixtures are in poor repair and shower is not easy to use. Water was out twice while we were there, though back within a couple of hours. Our friends had no hot water for the 2 weeks. The safe costs extra, the new trend by all hotels these days to nickle and dime their clients. Other: The food was decent, nothing spectacular, but basic Dominican style. While there are 2 restaurants, they do not run concurrently. There is only one a-la-cart, it is decent. The second is not part of the all-inclusive. The beach canteen does not have a good variety at all times open. They need a second server during busy times. We used the beach bar. The bartenders were friendly and efficient and made good drinks. We only used the late snacks once on our late arrival. Checking in was slow. The country's language is Spanish and as a visitor I am not complaining that most staff did not speak English, I cannot speak Spanish except for Por favor and gratius. However, because the resort is "out there" as an all-inclusive for North Americans, there should be a couple of bilingual people available to tend to problems that can arise with the facility. ie: water or a/c issues. Perhaps a thought would be to use a translation service such as Deepl. Most staff have cell phones. On that note; the internet was quite good. The beach is lovely and there is plenty of shade and sun. The loungers are in desperate need of repair. Likely 1/4 have issues. While we were there, a sewer smell permeated the lounge area. Not strong, but unmistakable. Likely not the fault of the hotel, but not nice. The hotel was listed as a 4 star on the Air Canada all-inclusive offerings. I would say 2.5 to 3 star is more accurate. My experience was not horrible to be sure, but I would not recommend this resort.…
Read more
Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: If you haven't already booked, consider a different resort.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded Feb 13, 2023
Dear Guest. Greeting from whala, I would like to apologize on behalf of the entire team if we did not impress you during your valuable vacation. We want guests to enjoy their stay at our Whala! Bavaro, so your report of an unpleasant experience is a serious concern to us. We are committed to offer the best of service with great products and we would like you to know that your experience is definitely not reflective of the high standards we usually strive for and pride ourselves with. We will be looking into the concerns you have expressed immediately. Once again, please accept our apologies for the unsatisfactory experience you had onsite. Also, our staff works with a friendly smile and to the utmost best of their dispositions, within a fun and friendly atmosphere and are always attentive to serving guests throughout the day. We have discussed your comments with all staff members including our management team and would like to take this opportunity to thank-you for highlighting certain points you were unhappy about. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in our property, to improve the impression you have of our Hotel, please feel free to contact us directly in the hotel in order to assist you with the arraignments of your accommodations. Our must sincerely apologies for all the inconveniences mentioned. Sincerely, Julissa Gonzalez
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The air conditioning didn't work in our room and couldn't be fixed so we were upgraded to an Ocean view room which was great! The weather was perfect. Those are the only good things I have to say about this resort. The rooftop bar was not included in this "all inclusive" package. The water in the shower and bathroom sink was salty so had to use bottled water to brush your teeth. They don't automatically replenish the bottled water...you always have to request it. Entertainment was lacking. The food was the same everyday and lukewarm at best. The biggest issue was with security. My brother-in-law was robbed a few steps away from the lobby as he was making his way to our section of the resort. Overall, I would not return to this resort and would not recommend it to anyone!!
Read more
Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded Feb 12, 2023
Dear Guest. Greeting from whala, I would like to apologize on behalf of the entire team if we did not impress you during your valuable vacation. We want guests to enjoy their stay at our Whala! Bavaro, so your report of an unpleasant experience is a serious concern to us. We are committed to offer the best of service with great products and we would like you to know that your experience is definitely not reflective of the high standards we usually strive for and pride ourselves with. We will be looking into the concerns you have expressed in regards to our level of customer service immediately. Once again, please accept our apologies for the unsatisfactory experience you had onsite. Also, our staff works with a friendly smile and to the utmost best of their dispositions, within a fun and friendly atmosphere and are always attentive to serving guests throughout the day. We have discussed your comments with all staff members including our management team and would like to take this opportunity to thank-you for highlighting certain points you were unhappy about. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in our property, to improve the impression you have of our Hotel, please feel free to contact us directly in the hotel in order to assist you with the arraignments of your accommodations. Our must sincerely apologies for all the inconveniences mentioned. Sincerely, Julissa Gonzalez
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was definitely a beach holiday. We stayed late August and of course the weather was wall to wall sunshine hitting over 35 degrees. Rooms were immaculate and very comfortable. Staff very friendly. Meals were different with lots of fresh fish. All in all a perfect place for us. Would definitely recommend this hotel.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded Feb 5, 2023
Dear guest, We are very happy to read that our hotel has lived up to your expectations, and for sharing the experience with us. Your enthusiastic comments are great to receive. Once again, we thank you for this complimentary review of your time in our hospitality, We look forward to serving you again to repeat or even surpass this experience. Best Regards, Julissa Gonzalez
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Initially we were very disappointed with our room. The shower had no hot water and when you ran it it flooded the bathroom floor. And the toilet did not flush properly in spite of it being plunged! But the front desk staff - Waldron and Franklin were most helpful and efficient in moving us into another room the next day. It was an upgraded room in the building right on the beach with the best views ever. We were so grateful, and this move completely changed our whole vacation for the better. The choice of food was good, and sufficient for us. However, we ate mainly salads and vegetables as the meat and fish offerings were not all that appetizing. Although the location is close to restaurants and shops, being an older couple, we decided it was safer to just stay put. There were plenty of security guards surrounding the resort, all of whom were diligent and friendly. The stretch classes and dancercise on the beach were fun. But the incessant loud music not only blasting from the bars and resort but also the restaurant next door for 12 hrs a day did not do much for a peaceful holiday. Also at any time there were 5-8 dogs in packs barking and running around the beach. They appeared to be friendly but barked a lot. The chickens and roosters hopping around the beach only added to what I can only call, this rather rustic resort. The beach is lovely, and we were grateful the invasive piles of seaweed were being constantly cleared away. The staff at this resort work extremely hard and are anxious to please.…
Read more
Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Do not go here expecting to be in the height of luxury. The building needs much work to bring it...
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded Jan 19, 2023
Dear Jenefer Thank you for your kind words and great feedback. It is a pleasure to read about how much you enjoyed your experience. Nothing is greater for us than being able to exceed your expectations and to make you feel just right at home. Thank you for describing the incredible service and charisma of our entire team, especially Waldin and Franklin. On the other hand, we want to thank you for bringing to our attention the area where we were unable to exceed your expectations. We know that there are always areas of opportunity to improve our services, and your comments play a very important role in this continuous process. I guarantee that we will do everything in our power so that from this very moment, changes arise in these points and that our guests can see improvement immediately. It would be very nice to have again the possibility to welcome you back. Sincerely, Johanna Villaman
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
When we arrived the front desk took nearly an hour to find our reservation and after which they were not informative about the property. There was no beverages offered in check in, nothing stocked in the mini bar, The food at the buffet was dry and lukewarm with very few options and did not taste great. Their beverages (sodas) tasted of salt water also the water from the sink. The bed was uncomfortable.. there was no night life and the only restaurant available with the all inclusive was not even open so you had no option but to eat at the buffet or pay extra for the sky bar. They also did not offer any room service and only had limited hours where they would serve food. The beach area was small with outdated furniture. They nickel and dimed you with extra charges for the beds at the pool etc. Parking was extremely limited on a very narrow dirt road.. this is definitely more of a 2 star hotel with the motel feel.. do not recommend.. …
Read more
Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guest service, Atención al huésped/Recepción at whala!bavaro
Responded Jan 19, 2023
Dear Guest, Greetings from Whala Bávaro. Your opinion is very important for us to continue improving our services. Constructive support from our guests is extremely important to us as we try to improve our quality. We offer you our most sincere apologies for the inconvenience during your check-in, but you must also take into account the explanation that was given upon arrival as to why your reservation had problems, many times these problems have nothing to do with the hotel but with the agency with which the stay is requested, for this reason it is always good to validate the data before arrival and make the reservation directly with the hotel to avoid these inconveniences In reference to the drinks upon arrival and room service, I inform you that our hotel offers a 4-star service, but we are always here to serve you in whatever you need, you just have to notify reception and we will assist you.Buffet: We deeply regret that our gastronomic offer did not meet your expectations. Our hotel offers a wide variety both in our buffet and the specialty restaurants, with the aim of meeting the culinary demands of different cultures who visit us. As a company focused on service, we are aware that it is thanks to the valuable comments from our customers that we can continue working for the optimization and improvement of our services. We cannot tell you how sorry we are for any inconvenience you may have experienced during your recent stay with us. Rest assured that your observations have been taken with the highest consideration and shared with the General Management of our Resort to analyze the points you mentioned. Sincerely Johanna Villaman
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PRICE RANGE
$80 - $140 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
alisios bavaro beach hotel, hotel alisios bavaro beach
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Alisios Bavaro Beach Hotel
LOCATION
CaribbeanDominican RepublicLa Altagracia ProvincePunta CanaBavaro
NUMBER OF ROOMS
263
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your ListingWHALA!BAVARO - Updated 2023 Prices & Resort Reviews (Dominican Republic)
Frequently Asked Questions about whala!bavaro
Which popular attractions are close to whala!bavaro?
Nearby attractions include OCEAN ADVENTURES Caribbean Pirates (0.09 miles), Jellyfish Shop (0.03 miles), and Liqui2 Liquid Lounge (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at whala!bavaro?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at whala!bavaro?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a refrigerator, and blackout curtains.
What food & drink options are available at whala!bavaro?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to whala!bavaro?
Conveniently located restaurants include Living Room Vip, Toc Beach Bar & Restaurant, and La Bruja Chupadora.
Are there opportunities to exercise at whala!bavaro?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does whala!bavaro have airport transportation?
Yes, whala!bavaro offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at whala!bavaro?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, and Russian.