Reviewers Rating: 
Excellent
We went to Barcelo Bavaro Beach hotel from 10/13 to 10/20/2000. It was a very relaxing time. We e-mailed the hotel before hand and requested a room in the 4000 building. We got room 4103. This room is the closest to the beach. I would not suggest being in the 1000 or 2000 buildings, they are far away from the front desk and restaurants. In those buildings you are closest to the Palace hotel which you cannot use. We mostly ate at the Grill Coral. The menu is always the same, but they have so many different things to choose from that you could eat something different each time. I had the shrimp in garlic butter for an appetizer ever time I went. When the breakfast hours are over they have muffins and donuts at one of the bars. The Grill Coral is also opened until midnight. What is very nice is that no reservations are needed for any restaurant, this way you don't have to hurry to get ready for your reservations. My husband liked the Mexican restaurant. I'm not too crazy about Mexican food, but the buffet inside there was good. One time we went in and we just had the buffet and ordered one meal. Yes, there can be a language barrier, but remember, it is their country, not yours and it is not an English speaking country.
The drinks were very strong, I had to tell them to put a little rum in the drink and I would ask for the whole bottle of Diet Coke to weaken it. They also give you a whole bottle of water when you ask for water. This is nice. The bartenders are very attentive. They will have a drink ready for you when you are just about done with the one you're drinking.
There were biting insects in the area, so bring bug spray. It was probably the time of the year we went, because we were in LaRomana in January, 2000, and there were no biting insects. In November you do not need any jacket, it is warm. In LaRomana in January, it got colder at night and a sweater was needed.
I found the prices on the t-shirts at the flea market (next to the Palace Hotel), quite high, even when bartering. The pharmacy has LaRapidita to help hangovers. Buy some the first day to have on hand in case you over indulge some day. It is 20 pesos for two tablets, cheaper if you buy more.
The train is very slow, you can walk faster. Don't try to jump off it, I did and fell, but I had a good laugh about it. I hadn't even been drinking! It may go slow, but even so, it's hard to get off when it's moving.
Neither me or my husband got sick. I brushed my teeth with regular water. No problem.
They give you an in room safe for free, this is a nice touch.
We liked this hotel so much that we are going back on 11/3/2000. We were booked for Natura Park, but after going here, we changed our reservations because we thought we might be disappointed at that hotel.
If you like the water, bring a raft/float, the hotel does not offer any.
We've been going to Aruba for the past 5 years, but I think we may change our favorite destination to the Dominican Republic.
This was one great vacation. Thanks for your great web site, it is so helpful.
Our trip 11/3-11/10/2000. Everything was great as the first time, but... The weekend of 11/4, there was a plane that was full with college students from Mexico. They had a three day weekend. With the whole plane staying between the hotels, it was very crowded. It was hard to get a drink and we waited about 45 minutes to get into the Grill Coral, then waited an hour for our food while others who came in after us were already eating and gone. To top it off, it was the wrong order! Needless to say, I left. Luckily this only was for Saturday and Sunday. Gabrielle is still my favorite bartender/cook, at the outside bar/grill. The rest of the week was wonderful. We e-mailed the hotel again before going, requesting a room in the 4000 block, got room 4102.
What a difference a month makes between our two visits. It was windier than in October, but it was good so you did not feel as hot. I wore a sweater one night. There were no biting insects this time, there were in October.
I have been told that the Grill Coral is now a steak house.
(Review originally submitted on March 31, 2001)
Linda
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