My husband and I stayed with out two kids age 4 years old and 5 months old. We have never been to this property, nor DR. Check -in was done by Maria ( last name?), who was very pleasant regardless of the fact that it was very hot in the lobby. Management really should provide personal fans for the front desk staff at their stations. Bellman helped us to our room and explained the room amenities. We booked a Junior suite. It was beautiful, bright, spacious. The bathroom set up is a little weird but ended up being convenient. We had a jacuzzi tub in the balcony with view of garden and the ocean. The jacuzzi was so relaxing, and the salts they provide were very nice for the skin after a long day in the sun.
We researched the hotel before arriving (where a lot of people seem to fail) so we knew we needed to set up the week with concierge and book reservations. We booked the Adventure Boogies, restaurants, and babysitting services.
Babysitting/Kid Clubs: out babies are our life! we met the manager at Barcy kids club, JUANA, what a friendly, happy person that made us feel so trusting of her and her staff. She made us feel so comfortable leaving our daughter (4) at the supervised kids club while we went to the adventure boogies. The club has a playground. ball pits, arts and crafts, video games, they give them snacks (or can take them to the restaraunts to have lunch or dinner) they are opened until 12am, they are very strict on who comes in and out of the club, always supervised. Juana helped us set up babysitting for our 5 month old in the room (extra cost). We told her we were going to book for 4 nights our of our 5 night stay and requested the same babysitter, she did not hesitate and recommended DULCE. When meeting Dulce, we fell in love. Just like her name (means "Sweet" in Spanish) she is the kindest, attentive person. During the Adventure Boogies, we left Dulce with our baby and our 4 year old at Barcy Club with Juana. We booked 4 ours of babysitting since that what they told us the boogies would take, well, it took 6 ours! We didnt have cell service to call, and we were nervous that Dulce had to leave or something. We came back to the room in a rush, and not the slightest complaint, or annoyance detected from her, she is the best! She told us that she'd stay with the baby all day if needed. She really cares as if it was her own children. Our daughter had a blast at Barcy and didnt even miss us!
Adventure Boogies: first thing you need to know that they dont tell you when they sell you the package, is that the location is about 30 minutes away from the property. It's a long ride through the city and through crazy local drivers. The so call adventure boogies is just you following a line of about 20 other drivers that rented the boogies. You basically are going at the speed of the driver in front of you. You cannot pass the driver in front of you, you cannot zig zag, and you cannot drive fast. We had the worst luck and were stuck behind the slowest driver in history and literally braked during every pot hole, taking away from the boogie experience. The cave they take you to is very small, but the water was very cool and refreshing. Then they take you to the most beautiful beach but only get to enjoy for 15 minutes :( We payed $100 for both of us (plus babysitting services) and wished we would've just gone to the beach at the resort. It was so unsatisfying. It was 6 hour "adventure" that felt like a waste of time.
Restaurants: All were beautiful, staff go above and beyond. Our favorite was the Kyoto, Japanese restaurant. Hibachi was fun and sooo delicious! Lunch and dinner Buffet (Miramar) is delicious also!
Pirates Water Park: 10/10
Barcy Water Park: 10/10 all day fun for the little ones. at 11 am and 5pm the kids club take a trip and the Barcy staff supervises the kids.
All inclusive bars: No disappointment whatsoever! My hub drinks Chivas Whiskey and he was never turned down. I drank Grand Marnier on the rocks, when not drinking beer. 10/10
Casino: We won about 200$ during the stay between Poker and Blackjack..no complaint there!
Club: Great music, great atmosphere, fast bar staff!
Housekeeping: Every day the room was serviced and re stocked! no complaints.
So, we had babysitting every night from 10pm-1am, some nights from 9pm-12a, and the day we went for the boogies. A big THANK YOU FOR DULCE, for being so lovable, flexible, and caring with our babies.
Dulce, Dayana and Kevin miss you and can't wait to see you again!
Thank you to all the staff, not one person seemed not to enjoy their job. Customer service is an art that everyone seems to master at this resort!
We are putting aside some $ every month just to repeat this experience every year to come.
Gracias Barcelo!