This was our first time in Dominican Republic. Being honest, several friends advised us not to go to Punta Cana, because of their horrible experiences out there. My gut feelings were assertive. Once we got off from the airport, we confirmed what our friends said about the place. All we saw for the next hour dumped garbage all over the places, and dust. What a mess. Our nightmare did not even start, yet! Our stay at the Iberostar Punta Cana hotel was more than a nightmare. Food was tasteless, and waiter and entertainment staff were inattentive and careless. If you do not show them up the tips since the beginning, they just ignore you for the entire week. The rooms are deteriorated, and the restaurants are overbooked. Therefore, they just allow you to reserve one or two times for the week. Staff is very rude and inflexible. One day we dared to go to Higuey, a close small town, and we got so scared, because the habitants use to chase you even you ask them to leave you alone. We did not know what they wanted from us, but it was so scary experience. Bottom line, CANCUN IS THE BEST PLACE TO GO IN THE CARIBEAN. We have been there ten times, and we never got disappointed about anything. Mexicans are wonderful people to share your spare time.

This review will explain in a different way our review of the resort. First, we agree with all of the positive reviews in this site. Yes, the food was great, the grounds and beach was also beautiful and the people were very nice. This will go beyond the typical review and hopefully help a bit in your stay:

Airport tips - Since you can't bring water through security bring empty water bottles and fill them up at the drinking fountains after you go through. This helped on the plane as well as at the airport on the other end.

Arrival - The airport was pretty efficient but expect to pay a $10.00 tourist tax before entering. No one expected this at the airport. Also, have your tourist paperwork completely filled out on the plane, make sure you bring a pen with. The rides to your resort will be waiting for you at the enterance and will help with all the bags.

Resort - Check-in was fast and they bring your bags to your room, PLEASE TIP. They do a lot of work. The glass of refreshments was a nice touch. Clean as I've ever seen, walk around after settling in to get to know where everything is and there is a lot.

Room - Bring a extension cord (small) because the outlets are set in the wall. Air conditioning is strong but good. Ask for water anyting and don't forget DONT DRINK THE WATER from the sink or shower.

Food - Get reservations to the specialty restaurants form the women at the computers right away. They fill up reservations pretty fast. The Gourmet Rest. was great with the largest lobster I've seen. The help there was great, PLEASE TIP, they deserve it. Also the Mexican was very nice with good food.

Tipping - The reason I put this in so much is that they really work hard to make you feel comfortable and happy. Most Europeans dont but they do not do that back home but American's do and the help really deserves it! The people there work 14 hour days 7 days a week with 3 days off and with that they still make you feel special. A dollar or two goes a long way.

Star Friends Staff - Leave your inhabitions at home and have fun! They are a great bunch of people that are there to make your stay memorable and FUN. Have a good time with them and dont be shy! Junior is a blast.

Things to do - There are extra things to pay for but the resort gives you so much to do that if you don't feel like going anywhere you don't have to. Snorkeling is right off the beach down by the RIU resort and the other way down the beach toward the little stall shops. There are plenty of nice fish there. There are non motor boats that you can use free BUT the guy at the window wanted us to pay $35.00 for insurance - DONT. I know people that went and didnt and everything was fine.

Shade - The shade huts at the beach do go early and fast but there are plenty at the poolside that are nice also. The guys always walk around to get you drinks all day.

Shows - Dont miss them. They are fun, get as close as you can, and enjoy them. They are hard working actors and singers as you can get.

BBQ on the beach - This was a nice addtion to lunch. They will BBQ something special every day at lunch, on day it was Piaya which everyone got a lobster and other sea food with rice that was piled on the plate, really good!

I hope this will help make your stay more enjoyable.

We just returned from IB* Punta Cana and can't say enough great things about the resort. the staff was friendly and warm, the rooms were clean and so were the grounds.

After the airport arrival and finding our transfer, we were whisked away to the IB* in an airconditioned bus. The driver drove just like the rest of the Dominicans and we all had a great time laughing during the ride. It was about 35 min. to the resort. We got there around 11:40 AM and found a room to be ready for us. We were taken to the room by the bellboy. At first I was nervous because of the construction going on in the building but it was at the other end of where our room was. And once inside the room, with the AC running you don't hear any outside noises, unless it's directly outside your door.

Our room was clean, cool and comfortable. We had the towel art on the bed and chocolates. We settled in and headed to the ocean. The ocean was just beautiful. The sand was white and powdery and clean.

Each staff person we met and dealt with was friendly and kind. Everywhere you went, there was someone cleaning or serving. The pools were clean and relaxing. We never had trouble finding chairs, even at 2 in the afternoon.

We did catch a virus from home and brought our colds with us so we visited the IB* clinic and were well taken care of. We made use of the internet cafe as well.

The food was great and there was always a variety of choices and places available to eat . We had 3 reservations but only used 2 due to my illness. The lobster dinner was great and very romantic. The Dominican people try very hard to make things perfect. The steakhouse meal was great as well.

I would return to this place as soon as money allows!

We are a 44 year old couple from the UK and went to the DR Iberostar (Punta cana) from 6 - 21 June 2008. We have read all previous messages, mainly from the USA, and were a bit unsure as to whether we believed them or not. This is our experience:

Check In - Very Painless after an 8 hour flight.
Top Tip - I agree with other posts where you give 20 dollars to the check in girl and get an upgrade - we did and got a sea-view (although you cna't really see the sea as there are coconut trees in front!) I had a ready made Spanish script for her but she - and all the other members of staff, spoke perfect English. 10/10

Room - No problems at all. Room was always clean, if a little dated. Annoyed that the staff/bell boy, pointed to where we should go (300m) "to the left" !! After a day travelling - not what we wanted. Our colleagues had the same. Please insist on being taken to your room. 9/10

Grounds - Well documented.... lovely, as were the Rooster, flamingos and peacocks. 10/10.

Beach - here we go ...... Lovely 10/10. Not "out of this world" but excellent. Beaches in Greece, Cyprus and S. France are equally as good.

Palapas/Shade on Beach - 1/10. ALL countries reserve sun beds under the palapas (US, Germans (who invented it and are very good at it), Dutch, French and Brits.) You either conform to getting up at 7am to reserve your bed or sit in the sun all day. We had to follow suit as removing personal belongings from reserved beds does not warrant the impending arguements. You are on holiday after all and do not need the grief - even if you are right. I'm ashamed to say I reserved beds too. I have to say that I "liberated" a few sunbeds as some folk take the micky by reserving beds and arrive at the beach at 11.30. Many genuine other folk are searching for shade well before then and I got sick of it (we were on the beach by 9am). Therefore I moved their towels and hid them at the other end of the beach!!! Really childish but very good for the soul!! Watching these Frenchies argue with people who genuinely did not have any towels on their beds when they sat down (as I moved them - and they couldn't believe their luck!) searching up and down the beach for their towels was SO SO amusing. They then lost their 10$ each deposit for their towel. C'est Le Vie I think they said....
There are signs on the palapas and in the welcome papers saying not to reserve, but the hotel do not take action. I argued and argued with them to remove towels but nothing was done - and is unlikely to either - no matter what.
There are however, hundreds of beds around the pool and on the open beach.

Pool - 10/10.

Food - 6/10. Personal choice here. We do not like buffet food - and we knew the score before we left the UK of what to expect. The food was great and many variations - all others loved it but we prefer a meal not a plate full of little odds and sods to eat. Personal choice as I say. Food pretty much avail. 24/7.

Hygiene - 8/10. We both had tummy bugs for 6 days on arrival. really bad with cramps and after effects. Imodium is a must. That cured it and the remainder of the hol went well. Do not brush your teeth with bathroom water - this may have been the reason. All other water/ice (allegedly) is purified.

Water Sports - 10/10. for $40 you can learn to sail the Hoby Cat (catamaran) sail boats. 6 of them available an hour a day - once you know how to - free for an hour every day. I loved it. As are kayaks and windsurfing.

Drinks - 8/10. Staff are brilliant (a $1 a day to Johnny ensured premium service). Vodka - although opened in front of us, was watered down. Half a glass of vodka with a splash of coke would still be clearish in the UK, not there - which suggests some jiggery pokery going on! You could not even taste it either which will explain no hang overs. Whisky was 100% as was Gin. Cocktails are rubbish.

Overall - great place. If you love buffet - you'll love this place. Cancun was the yardstick and this just failed to match it.