Pls. Help me to decide: CATALONIA or MELIA BAVARO???

[Brookes]

I am planning to go to Punta Cana 14-21 May. I am not quite sure about which hotel is better Catalonia Bavaro or Melia Bavaro. The best rates that I have found for those hotels are as follows. If I stay in the first I could get a rate of 112 USD (all inclusive). If I go to Melia the price could be 233 USD (all inclusive) or 130 (bk+1 meal).

I have great references of Melia Bavaro, but no references of Catalonia, even in the catalog they give an attractive description. Does any body knows both hotels and can help me out with this decision?

 

[Ellen]

I went to Catalonia and it was wonderful. Being new, everything is in five star condition. The rooms are lovely, the bathrooms fabulous (including the huge round tub). All had king sized beds, outdoor balcony with hammock and in-room fridges stocked with beverages (all inclusive here). The staff is extremely well trained and very friendly. All the components of a first rate vacation. Although I haven't been to Melia I would most definitely return to Catalonia!

 

[Brookes]

Thank you for your help. We will go to Catalonia. I had good references of Melia. But yours make it at least a worthest choice considering price and services offered. Do you have any special recommendation as: excursions, restaurants, etc... I shall appreciate it.

 

[Ellen]

Glad I was able to help. I am sure you won't be disappointed! My only suggestion is to make your reservations for dinner in the restaurant of your choice earlier in the A.M.each day to insure a table. There is a French, a Japanese, a Brazilian, an Italian and two buffet restaurants - sample them all and enjoy!

 

[Brookes]

What about the opening and closing hours for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in the buffet and restaurants? Do they have a strict timetable? Can you have some breakfast if you are late? How are the surroindings? Is it too far from a public market or similar? Is there any other resort near? Is there any casino? (I heard it is a very isolated area, too much?) What about the activities, is there any disco or similar? and the drinks, are all national drinks? Do they give you free tobacco while staying there(someone said they do)? Do they have room service included? The Bar in the Room is it refilled daily? Do you have to be early in the beach or the pool to take a place (too crowded?)?

I promise to send you a post card if possible (send me your E-Mail address, mine is afernandez@hotmail.com). Again, thank you very much for all your help. Regards.

 

[Ellen]

OK...in asnwer to most of your questions:

Restauarants, of course, have a schedule to follow. I don't know what times they open or close but they open early and stay open quite late - no one goes hungry here!

You can taxi into Bavaro and there lots of stores and a very nice shopping pllaza. There are many resorts in this area - one thing Bavaro and Punta Cana have no shortage of.

There is a small casino (although I never went there) and a disco which is a lot of fun. There are all sorts of drinks - everything you could possibly want and then some. The bars are exceptional and extremely well stocked. Everything from tropical juices to frozen drinks. The bar in your room is stocked daily.

I don't believe they supply you with tobacco products but there are shops there to buy your own.

There is always room at the beach, and lounge chairs, but to get chairs with the thatched roofed tables, so you can have some shade, are at a premium. You have to get your beach towels (provided by the hotel) put out early. Stop there before you go to breakfast to claim your own - same goes for the pool.

Have fun!