An Honest Review of the Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana
Featuring the Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This 5-star resort was hands down the most luxurious all-inclusive resort I have ever stayed in. From the moment you enter the gates, the luxurious tropical vibes are all-encompassing. Not only that, but the service is unmatched and they make sure that you have everything you could possibly need (each room comes equipped with its own butler). Finally, the resort is adults only which helps make the entire experience calming and relaxing.
While all opinions are always my own, my content on this blog post may contain affiliate links for hotels I’ve traveled to and recommend. This means I get a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if you book a stay after clicking one of these links. As always, I am so thankful for your support and will continue to share the best properties that I truly love!
Iberostar Location
Located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on one of the prettiest beach fronts in the Caribbean, the Iberostar Grand Bavaro is paradise on earth. This one-of-a-kind all-inclusive resort has three incredible pools, beach-front property, seven restaurants to choose from, and even its own golf course. Not only that but the major plus is that it’s all-inclusive so you don’t have to worry about paying for anything when you’re staying at the resort (aside from staff tips).
Finally, it’s roughly 30 minutes from the airport. We booked transport from Viator and highly recommend booking ahead of time. It can get hectic at that airport so make sure you have someone there waiting for you. Not only were they affordable, but they were timely and helpful as well.
BOOK YOUR AIRPORT TRANSFER HERE
Entry Requirements
Currently, there are no requirements needed to enter the country of the Dominican Republic. And as of summer 2022, you no longer need a negative covid test to return to the united states. For more up-to-date information always check out the CDC website for travel requirements.
Accommodations
The Iberostar offers over 270 suites with 12 ocean-view suites available. You can either have a garden view, lake view, swim-out suite, or ocean view suite. We choose the garden view and were happy with how quiet and well-maintained the rooms were. Along with that, every room comes with butler service and 24-hour room service. We barely used the butler but he did check in on us from time to time to make sure we had everything we needed. Finally, the beds were very comfortable (we slept like babies) and our favorite part of the room was the patio and jacuzzi bathtub!
The Pool, Beach, + Spa
My favorite part of the resort was the incredible pools. They are open from 7 am – 7 pm and during our entire stay, we never had an issue finding a chair or cabana that was open. We especially loved the volleyball pool and had the best time playing a game with other guests. Along with that, you have servers that will bring you whatever you need when lounging and a swim-up bar.
The beach had comfortable lounge chairs with cute palapas overhead used as umbrellas. It never seemed to be busy when we went down there. However, the one downside we had when visiting was the seaweed. Unfortunately, it made the beach not swimmable and we actually spent way more time at the pool because of this (we visited in mid-May 2021). But the beach showed up during sunset and had the most beautiful views!
Finally, the spa has the most relaxing vacation vibes. Located on the beachfront you can choose from a variety of services all listed here (the spa treatments are not included in the stay).
Dining
The best part of all-inclusive hotels in the restaurants and food are all included in your room rate. Because of that, there are so many options to choose from and you can most definitely cater your entire trip around eating! Make sure as soon as you check in to have your butler make reservations for dinner. The restaurants at night won’t seat you without one and the prime time slots can book up pretty fast. Finally, do not drink tap water. Even when brushing your teeth make sure you have plenty of bottled or filtered water on hand (your butler can help you out with that).
Breakfast/Lunch
We loved the oceanfront buffet for breakfast. There was an ample amount of breakfast food including fresh fruit juices, an omelet station, and an array of delicious pastries.
Dinner
For dinner, there are 7 restaurants on the property. The variety of cuisines offered is great and you can choose from Italian, Surf + Turf, Hibachi, and Mediterranean. For more of what the restaurants offer check out this website. MAKE SURE TO MAKE A RESERVATION FOR DINNER.
Entertainment + Activities
During the day there is yoga, dance lessons, bingo, and so many more activities around the resort that is included in your stay (each week they change). Also, every night starting at 9 pm there is a show that takes place on the ship. Shows ranging from a Michael Jackson tribute to the 3 tenors. On Friday nights they have a traditional Dominican Carnivale show that was so much fun.
How to Book + Pricing
When booking your stay I always find the best rates on Booking.com. Whenever traveling out of the country I always stay a minimum of 3 days to really soak up all the relaxation this place has to offer. You can book your stay here!
Finally, the pricing of the Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana room rates tends to range between $375-$525 per night depending on the room you choose and the time you visit the Dominican Republic.
What to Pack for the Dominican Republic
- Bathing suits! If you overpack anything in your suitcase let it be this. Being that Tulum is full of beautiful beaches, activities, and cenotes you’ll always want to have bathing suits handy! I always find great suits atAerie,Cupshe, +Revolve.
- TheseOlukai Sandalsare my go-to and have lasted me years!
- Sunscreen: ThisGOOP SUNSCREEN BRUSHis perfect for traveling because it adds SPF to your face all while not messing up your makeup. It’s my new holy grail product and you need to add this one to your packing list!
- A wide-brim sun hat: I lovethis one from BrixtonI have it in multiple colors.
- Shorts: I love myLevi cut-offsthey’re so classic and never go out of style.
- Basics: I always find the best basics at Free People&Abercrombie. It’s nice to have some neutral tees and tanks handy during your stay.
- Neutral Dresses: These really come in handy when the temperatures are high in the spring/summer. My favorite white dress for photos is linkedhere,here+here.
Thank you for reading my Resort Review of the Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Have I convinced you to book your stay yet? Comment below if you have any questions and don’t forget to check out more of my travel guides.
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