Barcelo Palace- Worth the extra money?

[Nanette]

I'm getting ready to book a 7-night package at the Barcelo property in Punta Cana.

Is the Palace worth the extra money? Better beach view? Much nicer rooms? Closer to the water?

All of the properties sound wonderful. I was planning on the Beach Resort, but I fear that I'll regret not choosing the Palace once I get there.

Any feedback? Thanks!

 

[Ronald McIntosh]

You will If it doesnt hurt too much go for the extra $$. I have been there 5 times and its the best. Much nicer pools, grounds, service, rooms the whole magilla is more upscale. The BBR is for people who want the Beach experience but are on a tighter budget.

 

[Jack]

Just returned from there three days ago. Stayed at the Beach hotel. It depends on what is important to you. The Beach hotel has better ocean views than the Palace. Almost all rooms at the Beach hotel face the ocean but as far as I could tell only one building at the Palace did. The rooms at the Beach are older but adequate, they could use some renovations. They are a decent size though. We felt the service at the Beach hotel was very good and we were pleased with the selection of restaurants that we had access to. The pool at the Palace is alot nicer but you can use it even if you don't stay there. The pool at the Beach is smaller and older, but not too small. The atmoshere at the resorts differed. At the Beach the atmosphere is more active especially in the evening while the Palace seemed to be more subdued. When we went the Palace included free golf and the Beach hotel did not so if this is important to you check with your tour company carefully. The resort is great and there is lots to do no matter where you stay. Have fun.

 

[Jim Hinsch]

Re: Barcelo Palace- Worth the extra money? *PIC*

I've stayed at the Palace twice and have been all around the complex. I saw very little difference between the Palace and the Beach/Garden/Casino/Golf buildings except the rooms were a little bigger and the pool marginally nicer. Nothing substantial, and I found the rooms at the Palace to be nothing more than small sized standard hotel rooms.

I'd pay the extra, since the differential is very little, but would not get worked up about it if it wasn't available. I specifically remember hearing comments from other guests that they could not see any big difference between the Palace and the other hotels.

The pools are nice at all the hotels, as are the grounds and the dining. See http://dr1.com/hotels/database/SouPunBava1VU1VK9N.htm or click on the link below for a review I wrote back in May of 1996.

 

[Jim Hinsch]

After checking the difference in rack rates (about US$25 per person per day), I don't think it is worth the extra money.

I don't think the place is worth it at all during high season, at least at rack rates.

Palace:
US$170 per person per night - Semana Santa week Apr 8 - Apr 14
US$104 per person per night Apr 15 - Jun 30

Beach:
US$137 per person per night - Semana Santa week Apr 8 - Apr 14
US$78 per person per night - Apr 15 - Jun 30

 

[Marvin]

When I was there a couple of years ago, we stayed at the Beach. Probably the best view rooms I ever had and they were run-of-the-house. I do remember being able to use the Palaces restaurant and pool area, and of course the beach. It seems I remember overhearing people at the Palace complaining that us Beach people could come over to their facilities without paying the extra amount they paid.

 

[Jim Hinsch]

During my last stay, anybody staying at any Bavaro Beach Hotel was free to use the facilities of any of the other hotels, including eating at all the restaurants, drinking at their bars, and using their pool. The exception was the Palace. The Palace was off limits to anybody not staying at the Palace, giving it some kind of "prestige" supposedly, knowing that all the guests there paid a bit more. Maybe the rules have changed since I was there in 96.

 

[Jack]

No, they have not changed. We just got back from the Beach hotel and we could not use the restaurants or bars at the Palace but we could use the sporting facilities and their pool. It would have cost us $400.00 (Canadian) more per person for a two week stay at the Palace. I did not regret not paying the extra to be there.