Exploring the Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro

Opened in 2008, this flagship Iberostar property in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Opulent and ostentatious, this all-inclusive five-star, member of the Grand Collection of the Spanish chain looks like a Greco-Roman palace.

The Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro is part of a huge Iberostar complex in Bavaro, which also includes Iberostar Punta Cana, Iberostar Bavaro and Iberostar Dominicana.

Composed of 272 suites, the resort is dedicated exclusively to an adult clientele. The hotel is composed of a unique U-shaped building and in its center, an artificial lagoon contains a magnificent life-size reproduction of a Spanish galleon.

With this layout, the suites overlook either the back gardens or the lagoon, with partial views of the Caribbean Sea.

The only downside for the suites: between the shower and tub, the bathroom is a bit cramped!

The tone of the resort is immediately apparent upon arrival at the lobby, with columns and floor mosaics throughout. The lobby is actually composed of several small lounges, all beautifully decorated with armchairs and sofas that seem straight out of another era. Fans of classic decoration will approve!

During our stay, the clientele was mainly made up of mature couples, who came to relax in an uncompromising environment. While there were younger couples, they were a rare sight during our stay.

Guests can expect attentive and personalized service: for each room, a concierge is ready to meet all the needs of the guests. Does your client want an espresso every morning in their room or a bath at 5 p.m. every night? Consider it done!

As the concierge staff walk the halls of the resort, they chat with customers, ask them their names and remember them for the next time. At the property’s restaurants and bars, the service is prompt, courteous and always with a smile.

As in every Iberostar, the property’s gastronomy offerings will satisfy the most discerning of palates. For lunch, we opted several times for the restaurant close to the beach, an excellent buffet with seafood, meat and fish. Here, quality, more than quantity, is preferred. For dinner, guests are spoiled for choice with five à la carte restaurants. The portions here are very generous.

And with the hotel’s location in Bavaro, on the very long and wide beach of Arena Gorda, guests can take long walks along the Caribbean Sea.

In conclusion, the spa, must be mentioned. Located on the top floor of the main building, some massage rooms have views of the sea. Men and women each have a room with Jacuzzi to bask while watching the magnificent view of the Caribbean.

Note that the Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro is part of the Transat Luxury Collection. For more information, click here.