Catalonia Royal Bavaro - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

9955 reviews

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  Disappointing swim up room

  We are return guests, arrived yesterday for our third time. We have stayed in a garden-facing swim up suite the first two visits and requested the same this time. We love the small, quiet atmosphere of the resort and were looking forward to a week of r & r. Our concierge, Alexander, has been very attentive and provides amazing service. We were given a swim up room but on the back side of the building, facing an ugly construction wall. While we understand that room requests are not always available, my husband approached guest services last night to request a garden facing suite. He was told that it would be no problem and we would be moved the following afternoon (today). I repacked our luggage last night to prepare for the move. Just now, we received a message saying today is not possible as the guests in the room we were to receive have “extended” their stay. I find this difficult to believe. I believe that they knew nothing was available and were just trying to appease us. Today, we were promised (again) that we will be moved tomorrow. As repeat guests, I would have hoped that our request was respected. There is nothing really wrong with our room except that it is completely shaded until late afternoon and the view is awful. These suites should be offered at a reduced rate. Book a swim suite with caution. I hope to be able to update this review and write that the resort has sorted this out.

  Nov 12, 2025
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  Fabulous Resort and Beach

  Beautiful property but on the large size. Room was kept meticuliusly clean and the turndown service was a nice touch. Fridge in rooms and lots of towels, faceclothes and bath mats. The staff are some of the most friendly and helpful people we've ever experienced. Special shout out to the front desk staff Jordani and Ana. They arranged for a late check out for us. They are a great asset to this resort. Bartenders were so nice and the wait staff in all the restaurants were exceptional!

  Nov 12, 2025
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  Definitely can find something better in Bavaro

  Currently on our third day at Royal Bavaro and the feelings and impressions are so mixed. The rooms are very clean and spacious but on the same time with very old furniture and ceilings full of humidity. The pool next to the beach is nice & quiet but you have to wake up very very early to get a good spot. The pool next to the reception gets very loud after lunch (on the same time it’s next to 2 restaurants and the spa). The food so far is, respectfully, mediocre. Small portions and not very tasty. Someone would expect better flavors from a hotel in the Caribbean. Beach is not something worth mentioning, even when it’s a bit windy is like swimming in mud. There is only one spot where the sand is white (talking about inside the sea). For last i left the service. It’s divided in two categories. The very few that are very polite and helpful, and the most of that are non-existent or rude. Many try to come with a smile but as soon as they understand that you do not speak Spanish they turn to something different. P.S: do not book an outdoor activity directly from the hotel as they offer twice the price you can find on reliable internet sites and companies

  Nov 10, 2025
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  Is this the worst resort hotel in the Dominican Republic?

  It was terrible. Service disgraceful or non-existent. The food generally awful. On three occasions, we were pressured into writing five star TripAdvisor reviews, but we refused. They even picked up our phones and tried to tap five stars to start us off! An absolute disgrace!

  Nov 10, 2025
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  Birthday Trip

  My husband and I had not been to the DR in a few years and decided on a last minute trip to the Catalonia Bavaro Adult Only. We actually traveled on my birthday so I was a tad disappointed when we checked into our room and there was no special arrangements or decor but thankfully we met Felix and he changed my entire birthday experience! That night was so special as Felix had our table set up beautifully at the Thalassa. He even had the entire staff come sing to me. It’s things like this that make me want to come back to a resort. Thank you Felix!!! (And he showed us the love AGAIN on Halloween!!! 🧡). The rooms are spacious , we were in the privileged section, but could be updated. I did enjoy the pillow menu as I have neck issues and love a harder pillow so kudos for that! After the first day, the Housekeeping staff went above and beyond and provided top service and made us feel special with the turn down service and many little “extras”. One complaint is the adult only section is VERY quiet and many couples we spoke with had a similar complaint. If you are in rooms past section 40, make sure you have a drink with you as you go to the room if you have reservations at Beloved or TaiCat as there are NO bars open after 5 any where near you. Feel that is a HUGE fail as not many with a 7:00 reservation want to leave their rooms to go to the Piano Bar to then come back for their reservations. Maybe they do and we just like to stay in the pool too long and enjoy the warm sun! LOL Also would like to give shout outs to the following staff, as they all made a difference in our 7days/6nights: Daniel in the Piano Bar for his delicious Caipirinas and smile (chocolate martinis are good too!), John, Felix’s helper in Thalassa for making everything perfect, Ashly at the pool bar for just being fabulous! as well as Carlos and Lionel, Angelica and Elizabeth at the Piano Bar for being on it, Ezequiel at Beloved and Hector at the main Family Side Bar, we appreciated your attentiveness! But honestly, there were SO many amazing staff members that we forget, and apologize, I’d just recommend getting to know them and thanking them as they truly do a great job! Overall great vacation but Adult Side could use a bit more activity/music during the day and at least ONE bar open closer to the Ocean rooms after 5:00. Just our two cents!

  Nov 07, 2025