Resort Details
Customer Ratings & Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
13731 reviews
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Nov 11, 2025WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!!!!
Absolutely the worst vacation experience! This is NOT a 5-star resort; at most, it is a 2-star villa/motel. We prepaid for the transportation, and upon arrival, I was shaken down for $40 more. The rooms are so outdated, the door doesn't close properly, letting in bugs, it's quite unsafe, and the A/C is horrible!! I prepaid for a birthday package, which I never received. Guest services books dinner reservations to find out when you show up, but the restaurant is closed. How is that possible? They book it through the computer! We went to the Italian restaurant, and we were told we must order everything at one time. They actually brought out everything at one time...ugh!!!! There is no staff walking around the pool areas or the beach to ask if you would like a beverage. We went to the steakhouse, only to be informed that there is no filet mignon or prime rib, another disappointment. I paid for 2 rooms and prior notified them my son and his girlfriend had to leave 2 days earlier, basically, too bad you prepaid and you're not getting any money back. The beach experience was terrible! We went 1 day, and that was enough. Peddlers are harassing you to buy stuff. The buffet is somewhat decent, but you have to flag down a staff member for anything extra, or do as I did, just get up and get it myself. No snacks in the room, yet other rooms had snacks and a small bottle of red wine and white wine (not mine). I gave the housekeeper money to please restock the mini fridge (I thought they should do it automatically). I paid for my son and his girlfriend to have a romantic dinner on the beach, also they were to have the bed decorated with a champagne bucket and rose petals. Well, they had dinner on the beach, but apparently, my son left the do not disturb sign on the door, and the staff did not do it. Ok, well it's not brain surgery....he's on the beach! Why not inquire with the butler...they are NOT in the room!!!! They did decorate the room another night, but no bucket of champagne. It was truly the worst vacation ever, and I could not wait to leave! Water sports are free for 1 hour per day, lie! They want $20 or $59 for snorkeling. Just don't waste your time going. How this villa/motel received a high rating is so beyond belief. If you want frustration, aggravation, and disappointment, then this is where you should go!
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Nov 01, 2025Our favorite Caribbean resort
We have been staying in this complex for over 5 years now. It’s a great place to stay any late Oct-early Nov. the staff is friendly and professional, the food is great, the service is excellent. Try all the à la carte restaurants if you can! The golf course is beautiful too. Many thanks to our SP concierge Isamar and our butler Cesar for making our stay outstanding again.
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Oct 27, 2025
The Best 10 Nights
We have just returned from 10 nights at Iberostar Selection Bavaro. We had the BEST time here. Upon arrival, the check in process was a little slow, but that was to be expected with how many people arrived at once. The staff were so friendly and couldn’t do enough for you. Food was AMAZING. Not your standard all inclusive meals. The meals were high quality and always tasted fresh. We did Kabuki one night and Il Forno another, both of which we would highly recommend (booking required but easy to book via the app) We had booked 3 trips, Monkeyland (definitely worth going), Saona Island and Santo Domingo. Both the latter trips were cancelled due to the hurricane, however there were plenty of activities and things to do at the hotel so we were never bored! TIP: Do not listen to the weather forecast, it predicted rain 24/7 for our whole trip, and we only had rain on the last 2 days due to Hurricane Melissa. Entertainment was brilliant, the acts/shows were good on the whole, especially circus! The entertainment staff (Star Friends) were the highlight of the trip for us. They were all so friendly, and really got to know everyone there. Would especially like to thank Niño, who always made an effort with us. He was always happy and laughing and even got us dancing on our last night! Hasta La Vista Niño! We will definitely be returning and we can’t wait. Francia & Brian 🫶🏼
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Oct 26, 2025
Best resort
Went from Oct 17-24. The resort is beautiful the food is good and the hospitality was excellent. Altagracia took very good care of us. We were with a couple that required a wheelchair and when she saw us coming she would take over and wheel him in to the restaurants or buffets. The shows every night were top rated. All workers were highly talented and it showed in their performances. Would highly recommend. The beach was beautiful and well taken care of. The bubble party in the pool was a blast. Iberostar resorts are top notch.
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Oct 21, 2025Frustrating Family Vacation
I just returned and was disappointed with my overall stay. It took forever to get our rooms, when we did, the connecting room was already occupied!! We got a new set of rooms and there was an extra bed in there that we didn’t need and it was in the way. Our adult side of the room smelled like mildew, curtains were dirty, lights were rusty and the plumbing was all messed up. The toilet ended up breaking the second day and the cold water stopped working mid shower, leading to an unexpected HOT shower. I then found bugs in both rooms (giant and small). The beach is best described as dingy....seaweed I understand, but cigarette butts and trash mixed in with seaweed is gross! The ocean floor was dangerous, coral all over…Most of the showers to rinse your feet off didn’t work. Old plates and drink cups littered the pool area. Entertainment was meh. Part of the kids' water park are was broken. After speaking to the manager, we were upgraded to the Coral level where things were a million times better, but once again the toilet broke and had to be fixed. We also had to wait all day for this new room. I spoke to the manager around 10:30 and the room was ready at 5:00. I saw maintenance quite a few times around the property, wondering how many others were having plumbing issues. We also requested towels and flip flops three times before receiving them and when we did, some towels had yellow stains. We were promised two massages when we checked in at Coral. We scheduled and showed up for them and were turned away. We were not able to get them because it was two free hydrotherapy sessions not massages, which was miscommunicated. This was our last full day and we had been looking forward to it since the upgrade. The staff at the spa had no sympathy and sent us away. The positives are that we were upgraded when our issues were shared with the manager, the food was delicious everywhere, especially the hibachi, drinks were good, the coffee shop was cute, and the staff were generally kind. However I would NOT return here, unless it was the coral level, but even then I just don’t know. I know some places have a bad day here or there, but this did not meet my travel standards. The difference between Coral and Selection Suites was HUGE. If I had been offered an upgrade initially I probably would have taken it as I have at other resorts in the past. The beach was smaller, but cleaner and safer without coral littering the sea floor. The pools were cleaner and quieter too, which our children really appreciated. I would NOT send anyone to Selection. My husband called the corporate office because we were so in shock with all the plumbing issues. Both of my children are currently sick, could be a mix of things, but I know the overwhelming mildew for two nights didn't help. We spent way too much of our vacation fixing problems and moving rooms, instead of enjoying the island.
