bad expirience

diesel Nov 17, 2009

the buffet food was excellent but the service at the seafood restaurant was awful. When the wine was finished we had to ask ... for it. when we order we ask for coffee at the end waited more than 25min before we had to ask again for the coffee. the shower in the bathroom is dirty and filthy. the bed is the worst, after the first day woke up with a back ache the show wasn't that great no intertainment at all.well like they said you get what you pay for. in addition people are not polite at the buffet they rush like there's no more food lett. they don't make lines.

many activites and lots going on

Sammy the traveler Sep 24, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

This is the only all-inclusive I have ever stayed at so it was a new experience for me. The resort is very large; lots of ... classes and activities all day long. The buffet was a bit chaotic but the staff worked very hard and the food was good. This resort seemed like a great place for families with school age kids. An adult only swimming pool would have been nice but the beach was very nice and spacious.

fantastic hotel

e Sep 19, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

party ...

GREAT VACATION

MARIA Sep 5, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

I have been to this hotel a couple of times and it keeps getting better. ...

Great Resort

Gov't Working Seeking Relief Aug 4, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

I was pleased my stay at the resort. Plenty of water sports are available. I enjoyed the banana boat ride. They also had ... parasailing, jet skis, kayaking, tubing and horseback riding on the beach. Nice pool with a swim up bar. During the day, the staff provides excellent entertainment for the kids and adults at the pool. The music from the entertainment is a bit loud - it can be heard from your room. Also, there is a golf course and mini golf course available. Food is okay. I suggest the fish and chicken, which was very good. They have several restaurants (seafood, brazilian, mexican, italian and oriental) that require reservations, which needs to be booked early. They fill up fast. A fee is required for lobster and shrimp at the seafood restaurant. The superior room is okay, but the premium upgraded rooms are definitely the better choice. They come with two balconies, spacious living room with television, dining room with bar stacked with beverages (water, coke, sprite and rum replenished daily), spacious bedroom with television and spacious bathroom with seperate shower and shower/tub combo. Also, the premium upgraded guests get the privilege of using a large jacuzzi, lodge and eating area with waiters that only serve them. There is a health spa that has decent rates, but there is no fitness center. Great location on the Play Dorado Complex - shopping plaza and night clubs within walking distance. I would definitely stay at this resort again.

I hope others don't make this mistake!

Kate Jul 19, 2009

We were a couple on a romantic holiday who wanted to try an all-inclusive for at least one night of our week-long trip. We ... booked a one-night stay at this place after six nights at another hotel next door, which was delightful. The Barcelo Puerto Plata was the worst hotel I've ever stayed at. It began with a mob at check in on Friday. It took TWO HOURS to get our hotel keys. During that time, other guests were pushing and shoving to get the staff's attention, and the staff didn't care about a line, or helping people in order. They simply replied to the people who shoved their way to the front first. The rest of the trip was about that stressful. After being told we had a room with a queen bed, we arrived at our dingy, dirty room (which was in the process of being cleaned by the staff with a strong bleach, the smell of which carried through the night). There were two twin beds instead, both of which had no support and rolled around on the floor. When I called guest services, they said, "Well, I wouldn't try going down to the reservation desk until at least another two hours. It will be crazy down there until then. I could send someone up to push the beds together?" When I said that I had been told I had a queen, she got angry and said, "Don't you realize this is a family hotel? We have families staying here. So most of our rooms are twins. There is nothing we can do." Furious and exhausted, we debated calling Orbitz and trying to change our reservation. However, seeing that it was just a night, and we had such a great time up until the hellish Barcelo, we decided to simply grit our teeth and stay for a night. So we went to the buffet, where there was the worst food I've ever eaten, bugs on the tables. Half the tables hadn't been serviced and still had dirty plates, napkins, and tablecloths. (No wonder there were bugs.) We jumped in the pool afterward, where there were tons of people mobbing the dirty pool bar, and where our towels were stolen. So we went to the beach for the sunset, the only nice part of the evening. Back in the room, we could hear very clearly the other guests in the next room and in the rooms above and below through the air vents. It was so loud, we had to turn the TV way up to avoid it. We had the breakfast the next day, which was not nearly as bad as the dinner, but still subpar. We went through the same check-out hell and then left, happy we spent six days at the other place and vowed to never stay at an all-inclusive ever again. I will definitely be seeking a refund of some sort from the Barcelo company.

"Unbeatable location for the price"

Dee Jul 15, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

The location was great, the service was awesome. I have to really say that the entertainment "Animation Team" was great. ... There were 3 people which stood out the most: [...], [...] & [...]. These 3 guys did a outstanding job and really make the resort fun and the shows awesome. I will def. be back. Muchachos "que lo que"

The good, the bad and the ugly.

Passport Stamper Jul 7, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

THE GOOD: The hotel is right by the beach, which is wonderful. You can eat all you want, and the food is delicious and ... fresh and clean. You can do buffet or even make reservations at one of their restaurants. THE BAD: The staff is sometimes unfriendly and not very helpful. Also, there was an ongoing problem of our room keys not working, so we had to walk all the way back to reception to get new keys twice. THE UGLY: The beaches are filled with people desperate to sell you something: sombreros, cigars, hair braiding, jewelry, excursions, etc. So it's not exactly a beach environment for relaxing.

Hotel Barcelo, Puerto Plata

Ivette Jul 6, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Overall, the staff/food/amenenites at Barcelo were great. Negative: I'm a nonsmoker and the rooms smelled like stale ... cigarettes. The staff at Orbitz were very tardy in submitting my order to the hotel. Although the check-in was at 3pm, the hotel received my order at 6pm.

It started with a Ugly room card...

O177182 Jul 3, 2009

I am thouroughly disgusted with the service both with orbitz and this hotel. from the begining i felt as though I was lead ... into making a choice i did not want to make. The service in the hotel was AWFUL! I recieved either late or no response to issues i had with my room and the ammenities promised in the description here on the site. There were at least 100 people (mostly locals) at the check in desk with no organization from the hotel staff on line control. I was cut in line 6 different times (a lot due i part because I did not speak spanish to get the staffs attention and there was no "line" system to take people on a first come first served basis) Also on 2 occasions i came back to my room to find the housekeeping staff lounging in my room as if it were a break area.

Read Carefully! An honest review USA

m from usa Jul 2, 2009

OK, we booked at the Barcelo based on the many positive reviews, maybe they are paid..not sure but my experience was anything ... but positive. I found the staff indifferent and cold. The vendors were unbearable and the resort was noisy at all hours. I was dumbfounded by the lack of manners by both the staff and the guests, I guess since it was off season they have many locals which apparently is not good as they were flat out RUDE! They would cut in front of you in line at the buffett and the bar or even in the pool. It was awful. The good was the excursions, if you get a chance to water fall slide it is awsome! The horseback riding is cool as was the catamoran. I would definately not return!

Relaxing Vacation...

Juli Jun 25, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Barcelo in Puerto Plata was amazing...friendly staff, great big and small pools, beach, disco, were fantastic. The food was ... great when making reservations at the special restaurants, however the daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets were okay.

great location food great very clean

chuck Jun 8, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

hotel was great clean rooms spacious,hot water was great , air condition was great,staff was very friendly, food was good. ...

Enjoyable Paradise

nenis Jun 3, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Me and my family had a good time at the hotel the only problem was that we stayed there for few days, we needed more time to ... take advantages of all the attractions the hotel had. We took a ride at the banana boat, kayaking and rode the horses, and also racing cars. There were more attractions that unfortunally we could not enjoy this time but we will in our next trip, because we planning to go back there in our next vacations.I hope next time we'll stay longer. I will recomend this place to everyone that want to a wonderful vacatios.

Weekend Getaway

Cat May 26, 2009

Would recommend to a friend!

Overall a good experience. Check in process was horrible. I arrived early and had to stand in a very unorganized line in ... order to simply obtain the keys to my room. Also the AC was not functioning our first evening there and I had to call the front desk over 4 times to get someone there. Besides that Memorial Day Weekend was quiet and restful. Mostly occupied with native Dominicans. Staff was nice, although a little audacious with women which was a bit uncomfortable. Other than tha, had a great time. Went with friends who also enjoyed their stay. Would definitely go again for a quick getaway.

Very Family Friendly

Nerissa Jun 12, 2008

Would recommend to a friend!

The Barcelo (All-Inclusive) accomodations were much to our satisfaction, and we will definitely plan to stay there in the ... future. Rooms were comfortable, kept clean, and the mini refrigerator were daily stocked with soft drinks, water, and beer. Staff members were very friendly, and helpful. There were activities for all ages:children,adults, as well as seniors (including water sports). Foods were well prepared, and much variety to choose from (buffet-style). Speciality Cuisine was also an option to choose from for dinning (Italian, Mexican, Brazilian, Seafood). I highly recommend a vacation stay at Barcelo.

Nice family place

Dunja Apr 16, 2008

Would recommend to a friend!

I was very happy with the food choices, the Restaurants, but it is hard to even get in and make a reservation for them. ... Upon arrival no one tells you where what is and where you can find anything and what is offered.No introduction and no welcome of some sort.We were handed a brochure with information and the rest you have to find out yourself, things like where and when food is offered, recreational activities, shows and entertainment, kidsclub etc. The food was really good and plenty of choices.No complaints there on my part.However the buffet dining hall is dark and not very inviting.Some sections are closed off and one had the feeling the staff did not want to open them up even if seating was scarce. The servers were many but not very attentive.Only a handful were friendly, others more neutral.Every day things were missing like napkins or silverware, drinks either not offered or forgotten.That got on our nerves after a couple of days. Internet was additional and needed to be paid, no wireless access offered.One had the feeling that guests were sucked dry out of their money by vendors and sellers on the beach.It was kind of annoying and one wanted to avoid going to the beach. The beds were not very comfortable, the closetspace small.But the A/C worked very well as well as the showers. It was nice that each room had a little balcony.Although the facilities were very tidy and clean. The location was great though, the tours offered plenty, although don't take the Oceanworld trip.Too long and too expensive.And when you take a Dirt-buggy trip bring sunglasses and a bandana.They don't tell you because you then have to buy one there for $$$$.But what fun!! Was great! All in all it is a good family place.Although teenagers started getting bored, no games, not enough table tennis or other recreational things to do.Disco and entertainment great, bars great. For the traveler without kids or used to a higher standard next door, the Blue Bay , is nicer, smaller and has much better service!

HELL HOLE

Mary Mar 27, 2008

Where do I begin. It took us 5 1/2 hours to check into our room. After another 3 hours of arguing, we finally got a room; ... coincidentally a couple cancelled their trip for the same exact check-in/out dates. Also, I heard from other guests, that a similiar incident happened to them upon check-in. Our room was broken down. The hot water handle in the bath tub would wind up in your hand as you tried to put hot water on. Our bathroom was broken 90% of our trip, the sink over flowed, the air conditioner didn't work, and the room phone did not work for the entire stay. Food was disgusting, staff was ignorant/arrogant, and there was absolutely NOTHING to do!