My boyfriend and I travel up to three times a year and we love going to the Dominican Republic, that is Punta Cana. We decided to try Puerto Plata through our vacation club. Even though this hotel seized being part of the club recently. Check in was a disaster, we arrived at 2:00pm with confirmation in hand and the lady that attended us had no clue about our reservation. After seeing her pace back and forth and in and out of the reception area for like 30 minutes she finally told us to come back for the key to the room after 3pm. When we returned we were shocked to see the mass of people that had arrived, either for the day, the weekend or new comers for the week. There was absolutely no order, everyone was frustrated! I had never ever experienced anything like it. Jumping ahead, the food was alright, definitely expected better with a latin background. The staff was unfriendly and unattentive. We've never experienced that either. We were only glad to be out of the resort most of the time on tours because those were worth it. We won't stop going to Puerto Plata but we'll definitely stop going to Barcelo and tell everyone to do the same. Trust me on this one, it's not worth it! You may even contact me to give you the full story because this wasn't all!

i have stayed at a couple resorts in the Dominican Republic but this one by far was the best yet.......everything from the staff who by the way are excellent in entertaining you to the restaraunts were just great .....the beach is litterally like a 2 min walk from the complex.....my experience was just beautifull.....i would go back tomorrow if i could.. .....i hope everyone enjoys their stay there as much as my family did... ..

Just returned from here and worst holiday i have ever had. staff could not undrstand english even at reception. over filled with locals friday till sundays. long queues for food and bars at weekends. clothes and towels stolen from loungers at weekends. entertainment ther same rubbish every night just different dresses on. mice running about your feet in dining room. had to find cleaners every day to stock up fridges in rooms. total waste of money for all inclusive as food not too good and very litttle choice. advertised as family hotel but only a pool to swim and three pool tables for kids. Very disappointed all round would certainly never recommend it to anyone.

I was at the Barcelo the week of the break-ins. When we arrived, we were part of the furniture for close to 3 hours waiting for our room, I didnt really mind this as I was in the dominican, no worries right? Well, like most others we too had payed for the safe key, placed all of our valuables in there and went out to enjoy the tropics. Our room had no water the first night, after calling down to the front desk several times someone finally came. Our fridge was rarely restocked with water (and also didn't work the whole week) Then the news of the break ins spread through the resort, this created panic among many of us, who had lost faith in the safe idea and started carting all of our valuables around with us, this made our stay a bit awkward, now only one of us could go in the pool while the other hung on to all our stuff, only one could do many things. There was no more sense of safety. I found the food to be good, nothing spectacular but decent. We were under the wrong impression with our "grey bracelets" we were premium right? NO. We found out later we had to upgrade to get the premium privelages. Staff was wonderful, annimation crew was very entertaining, towel service was a little off, somedays you got a new towel, other days you got the card (although there were many towels that were clean and folded behind the towel lady... I dont get it) I personally doubt I will be returning, why go to the same place twice anyways? Honestly the Barcelo is a get what you pay for resort. One more thing...Franky in the pool bar! Befriend this guy, he is great!