The hotel was beautiful. There are 3 pools and so many bars. We stayed right outside the main pool area with the pool bar. The room was great except for issues with ants in the toilet and sink area. We complained about it several times, however nothing was done about it. Another issue was that the cleaning maids came to pick up every single towel in the hotel room at 8am. No towels were given back to us until 5pm. The presented a problem if we woke up late or needed to go to the bathroom. The toilet and shower areas are a little see through..however it wasn't a big deal. There are no channels in English, so if you are looking to watch some tv since there is nothing else to do in the evening, then good luck with that.

The food was the biggest issue. We went to the Mexican restaurant the first night, and the food smelled spoiled. It must have been sitting out for hours. I ordered a drink and that was warm. Never went there again! We did go to the oriental place, and loved their food..and continued to go there every single night of our trip since the other food in the hotel was horrible. At the buffets, there was flies in the dressings, and at one point we saw a bird just sitting there and snacking on the food, and no one did anything about it. The water was good, since no one got sick from it. We ended up having the same meal every day: bread for breakfast (with water), pizza and fries (with soda), and oriental food (with other drinks).

The service of the hotel was overall pretty good. People barely spoke English but we were able to get around pretty easily.

The beaches were gorgeous, but get ready for ScubaCaribe to hassle you for money. They come up to you at every possible moment for you to sign up with them to do activities. If you are interested in that, that's great, but we were there just to lay on the beach and relax and when people are constantly hassling you, it's annoying. We did venture out to the other beaches during the day, and guys hassled us there, as well. We were 3 young women, but still be careful when venturing off your resort. Never do it at night, and stay in groups.

There is a market and also internet cafe where you can go on the internet for a reasonable price and also make calls to America if needed.

The hotel also had buses that allowed you to go to the casino and shopping center. We didn't want to venture on that since we weren't interested in either, but both a good option if getting bored on the resort.

Some things to always bring: lots of sunscreen, bug spray (my friend got 35 bug bites within the first couple days we were there), something to do in the evening to keep yourself entertained. They do provide bottled water in the refrigerators in the room. There is a downside about that because electricity only works when your room key is inserted in a slot when you are in your room. You only get one room key so when you leave the room with that key, everything turns off - all lights, air conditioning, and refrigerator. We did get a safe key for a reasonable price, as well.

Overall, I wouldn't come back to this hotel, because of the food. The only things to do at this resort was eat/drink and lay on the beach...and if you are left with only one option, you are gonna end up baking in the sun starving to death. I would def try another resort after talking to other people at the airport and hearing about their food options.

My friend and I stayed at this resort from 5/3/08 to 5/8/08, I would return to Punta Cana but try a different resort. Apparently it was a long weekend in the countries so it was mobbed around this time, check your calendars or do some research before you book!

We were pleased with our stay but it does get a little boring at night because there really is no entertainment- it's more of a relaxing get some drinks and walk around type of resort! Our check in was a disaster, the front desk was very unorganized and rude. There is no "check in" line or anything so it's basically bombard the front desk until someone sees you. Our room wasn't ready for about an hour b/c housekeeping was a little slow. I would recommend checking in on a Thursday or Friday b/c the weekend was mobbed..... Check out wasn't a problem. Get an extra key to your room, they only give you one at check in! We didn't use the safe in the room we were both a little uneasy with leaving money while we were out.

The resort and the grounds were gorgeous, very clean! Our room was average nothing special which was fine for us girls! The only problem was the shower ceiling was leaking when someone upstairs was taking a shower... The tv only gets 2 american channels if you want to nap or just hang out in your room, bring an ipod or a portable DVD with some movies if you get tired of being outside! The beach was amazing the water is crystal blue and the sand was so fine and white- loved that part! Bring SPF 50 or higher b/c you will burn it's a strong kind of sun out that way!!! The workers offer Aerobics and yoga which was very entertaining! All of the workers were nice on the resort always saying hi!

The restaurants were very hard to find, we ended up finding them b/c we walked around one day. There is Japanese, Carribean and Mexican located in the Cafe Domenico they are small restaurants so make reservations quick it gets filled up fast! The buffet was alright you get sick of the same foods everyday but it was fine for us! Pikalo Pizzeria was the best they served pizza and burgers up until 10p if you were hungry or in the mood to snack! The waiters try their hardest to entertain you which was pretty funny but they were really nice! We had great massages, those women worked hard to please us which was very nice! I totally recommend taking a morning or afternoon to go- that was well worth it!

There is no shopping unless you take a bus off the resort, we didn't do that seeing that this was our first time in that country. The local stores on the resort were fine for us! The resort offers different things to do at night by taking a bus off the resort for Casino, swimming with the dolphins, excursions and snorkeling however we just went there to relax....

It was a good, relaxing time we definitely needed a break from everyday life but I would try a different resort next time. Oh and bring bug spray and spray those legs I got chewed alive at night! Pack very light your in your bathing suit all day and at night it's a little muggy so sundresses and tanks are the way to go!!! Hope this helped a little....

Three of us stayed at IFA Villas Bavaro May 8-15, 2008. We were in our early twenties and booked the trip through a travel agent several months in advance. The resort overall was very well-maintained, most buildings looked new, pools were nice, and a few construction projects were ongoing.

Our room was located near the main lobby and main pool area, so the pool and buffet was a short walk from the room. I would suggest asking to stay in this area of the resort, as the villas area is pretty far from the actual beach and the shuttle service to the beach would have to be used. I think if our room had been located elsewhere, we may have left with an unfavorable impression of the resort. The beach was a short walk through the resort, along tiled pathways. The beach was awesome, however, my only complaint would be that the resort is located in a central area that involves a number of water sport activities... so alot of boats are hovering a few yards away from the beach and a small "roped" off buoyed area is designated as the swimming area for guests.

The room was very well kept and clean. However, there is little privacy with the bathroom and shower. The toilet is located behind a thin, almost see-through glass door as soon as you enter the room. The shower has one wall that is made of square bubble glass blocks that are somewhat see-through, if only silhouette. This isn't a huge deal, just a heads up. The only drawback with the room is that the air conditioning is operated by using the room keycard. Only one key is provided per room. When you remove the key and leave the room, the electricity and air conditioning to the room stops. It took several hours for our room to recool after it had been closed most of the day.

The biggest complaint of our stay would be the food at the buffet. The food is hardly seasoned, very bland, and has little taste one might expect of certain dishes. We found eating at the pizza bar (which also serves chicken tenders and fries) to be our safeguard. The reservation-based restaurants are nice and serve better food..however..the mexican themed restaurant is basically a glorified buffet.

There is a market located near the beach where prices are very negotiable. If they ask 35 dollars for something, chances are..if you stick around long enough and give a counter offer you can leave with the goods for five or ten dollars. However, I would recommend only buying cigars or jewelery, and buy the small souvenirs and paintings at the airport because the prices are the same or less at the airport on your way out.

We would go back to this resort for the price we paid. Security was great at the resort. If a basic dominican vacation is what you are looking for, and have a strong stomach that can handle the food... this resort may be for you.

**One disclaimer: Americans should know ahead of time that there is an obvious anti-american slant among hotel employees and vendors at the market. Be prepared at the nightly shows for chinese people to be made fun of, and jabs made at americans...of course only in spanish. When we asked a vendor about not liking americans, the issue seemed to be the war in Iraq.

I just got back from my honeymoon, and we loved this resort! It was worth every penny! The pools are huge, and not over crowded, the loud music was great, but they also had a smaller pool that was quiet and very shaded if you just want to chill. I did water aerobics with "Alex" everyday at noon. The room was absolutely beautiful! We also paid for a couples full body massage on the beach only 80 dollars for both that lasted a hour! The beach looks just like the pictures, white sand beaches and blue green transparent water. It was gorgeous! We hung out alot at the Gri-Gri (which is the swimup bar) Miguel the bartender was spectacular! Great personality! Everyone working for this resort were some of the nicest people i have ever met. Our travel agent told us not to tip, that it was included in our price. But you fall in love with these employees, so we tipped everyone, and I think it made such a difference. not alot, just a dollar here or a dollar there. The shops on the resort are great, we came back with lots of souvinirs. Do not pay full price for anything, they are willing to come off the price some.

I do not speak any spanish, and had it not been for my husband, I would have not understood anyone. This is the only downfall, is that everyone there speaks spanish. So atleast know some if you are going. They try to communicate in english, but it is very difficult. So just refresh yourself on your spanish before going.

Also, I have a verizon phone, and it didnt work there at all. The operators kept asking for our credit card number when we would try to make collect call. I had been told not to trust anyone outside of the resort, so we never gave it to them. So make sure and take a calling card. Or there is a internet room on the resort that is 3 dollars for 30 minutes (which is ample amount of time to send a email).

Our only complaint (which was not the resorts fault in anyway) was that our travel agent hooked us up with coco tours to transport us from the airport to resort, and resort to airport. They were AWFUL! Not reliable at all. At first, we couldnt find them when we got off the plane, it took like 45 minutes of dragging our bags around before locating them. Then our representative at the resort didnt show up to meet with us to schedule our ride home. We called, and called, and she wouldnt return our phone calls. Then finally on the last day she answered and scheduled our ride for 1pm. a hour after checkout.....so we sat outside and waited, and then when they finally pulled up at 1:45 said there was only room for 2 people, so there was a argument between everyone waiting on their ride.

When I go back, the only thing different is I will tell my travel agent not to book me with coco tours. I will go with someone like expedia instead. It was for sure the nicest trip and nicest price trip I have ever been on. Most beautiful resort i have ever seen.

Oh and I took bug spray and never had to use it! I kept hearing, the mosquitos were so bad. I never saw the first one. Hope this helps!