JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar (Formerly Iberostar Grand Bavaro) - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

15659 reviews

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  VERY Disappointing Experience. This Used to be My Favorite Resort. Not Anymore

  We just completed our 4th stay at JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar. (Formally Iberostar Grand Bavaro) This was a disappointing experience. The disappointment began at check in. My wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and we had family and friends join us on vacation. We were technically a group since most of us arrived on the same flight, but we all had individual bookings. When we arrived at the resort, we were not allowed to check in at the front desk but were told to go out and have a seat on the sofa while they attempted to check in the entire group. There were a total of 20 people and 10 rooms. However, our group size was 24, four people flew in from different states and took different flights. I explained to the front desk it was not necessary because the rooms were individually booked, we did not arrive as a part of a group package or anything. I asked to just let us check in like any other guest. They insisted and had us wait on the sofas for almost two hours. While we sat outside on the sofas, we watched guests after guests walk up to the front desk and check in. Unacceptable!!! We did not want special treatment or to be alienated, treat us the same as any other guest. We were booked under individual reservations. We inquired about lunch and the front desk representatives insisted they were almost finished with the check in, then we could go to the buffet for lunch. After they attempted to check in the entire group, it was after 4 pm and the lunch buffet was closed. We arrived at 2:00 PM, we waited for over two hours and missed lunch. We were in the dead period when only the poolside snack grill was open. Not the end of the world, so I thought. On past visits, I the grill had a great selection of food. We last visited this resort in 2016 and the grill had a bounty of seafood, including lobster tails and shrimp and fresh fish. The also had steak and chicken. We all went to the grill and were greeted by hamburgers and hotdogs. Not only was the main buffet closed but the smaller buffet next to the grill was also closed leaving hamburgers and hot dogs as the only option. After traveling all day, this was unacceptable. If this were a Carnival cruise or a RIU resort, I would understand. This was supposed to be a high-end resort. I expected better than hamburgers and hot dogs. Most of us received our rooms after 4PM. Some did not get their room assignments until after 5:30 PM. Some had to get reassigned rooms because the rooms were dirty and not ready. We had to change rooms because the first room they attempted to give us was dirty. We were assigned a room with a lesser view. After going to my room, I received a knock at the door. A guy introduced himself as Cesar and said he was from customer relations and to let him know if I needed anything. He handed me a card that said he’s the butler. I asked if he is the butler. He said yes, I am the butler. He replied in a very condescending manner. His negative attitude caught me by surprise. During previous stays at this resort I only encountered polite and professional employees. Cesar was none of these. Cesar and Alex were supposed to be our butlers. That was the first and last time I saw or heard from Cesar. Cesar/Alex never called. They never came to the room; they never came to the pool or beach to ask if we needed reservations or help with anything. They were ghosts. The rest of my family and friends had great butlers. I personally saw several of the butlers come to the pool to check on the guests daily. Not Cesar and Alex. I never saw Cesar again and I never met Alex. Because if this, I will not return to this resort and I will send an email explaining the disappointment with my stay. Darlyn at the front desk did follow up with me daily asking me if how my vacation is going because he sensed I was not pleased with the check in process. I did not complain or say anything about the awful check in process but Darlyn recognized the look on my face. He said he wanted to make it up to us and we all received a small gift in our rooms and an apology letter. We had an anniversary celebration dinner booked at La Playa restaurant and it was amazing. The staff were polite, engaging and funny. They really made our day special and the food was delicious. The red snapper was unbelievable. We booked this reservation through the event coordinator when we made initially made the reservations last summer. The event went off without a hitch. We also booked a photographer to take pictures and that was also flawless. We arrived on a Saturday. The cigar lounge and lobby bar were out of bourbon on Sunday. Earlier that day, the pool bar, the bar in the buffet and the bar in La Playa had plenty of Bulliet bourbon. Why not the lobby and cigar bar? Maybe this is a unique problem that only pertains to me because I mainly drink bourbon, I do not like mixed drinks. Fair enough. On Monday, they had bourbon. Overall I enjoyed my vacation. I Was surrounded by beautiful gardens, a picturesque pool, great weather and family and friends who traveled far to celebrate with us. The people at this resort are special. Ortiz at the buffet is always fun. He remembered us. Darlyn at the front desk is also great. Michael at the cigar bar kept the drinks flowing. The other members of the waitstaff were all polite, engaging and great. This used to be my absolute favorite resort. This will probably be our last visit to this resort. I feel like this is no longer a true luxury resort and no longer worth the money. This resort is now on par with a Riu. The breakfast buffet ran out of bacon every morning. I could understand if this happened once then you could say this was due to bad timing. This happened EVERY MORNING. We had to wait until they made more bacon or eat crumbs every single morning. I’m planning a 4th visit to The JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar and I’m interested to see if the quality has fallen off like The JOIA Bavaro. This no longer feels like a 5-star resort.

  Jan 24, 2025
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  Engaging staff and relaxing environment

  This resort was wonderful on many levels. The food was great, the weather was wonderful, and finally the staff made everything better. Wendoly, Javier, and Smiles on the event staff kept us engaged and entertained the entire time. They went above and beyond compared to other resorts wave stayed at in the past. Finally, Braulio at the pool was keeping our drinks filled and even went out of his way to help us find seating by the pool when things were busy. Keep an eye out for these folks if you’re headed here soon, they’ll make your experience that much better!

  Jan 24, 2025
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  Fantastic experience

  Amazing place with prime spot on beautiful Bavaro beach. They have so many activities - dancing lessons, Spanish classes, archery, etc. on site and there are tennis and pickleball courts really close. The butler service is so helpful - they will do anything to make your trip unforgettable. Highly recommend Jose and Valentin. My fiancée loved being pampered at the at the pool and the bachata and merengue music and dancing. Good is really good. Cannot go wrong at any of the restaurants.

  Jan 24, 2025
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  Declined quality

  We are currently here. This is our second visit. It has definitely declined since our 2023 visit. Don’t waste time with the concierge at the start of your stay trying to upsell you. Butler very good, staff are great overall. The food good not spectacular. They changed the Mediterranean restaurant to a Dominican and the menu is lacking. The rooms are great, the housekeeping is superb. We feel the entertainment has failed. They seem to be gearing to a young demographic, techno and music that few will dance to. The entertainment staff stand around and definitely do not engage with the clientele. One night we watched two staff dance by themselves all evening. No one else was engaged. We had two nights where the sax player played great older music, and everyone was up dancing, and No entertainment staff present. If the intention is to market a young demographic, You best lower your prices substantially and everyone over 50 stay home. . We are disappointed with the entertainment overall. And question also why they have Zumba classes and late exercise at 4 pm? Schedule your exercise in the earlier day. This is a disappointing stay and hope it improves.

  Jan 23, 2025
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  Nice relaxing week.

  Beautiful hotel. Awesome beach and always lots of chairs on the beach. Pool area gets busy early morning. Food is good but it’s not easy to get in the a la carts as one of the restaurants is always closed depending on the evening. Basically hit and miss or you need to go early or late. Houston, our butler was always there asking if we needed anything and got it right away. Special thanks to Miguel at the buffet in the morning. He never kept us waiting for anything and had a nice smile each day. The water sports centre is far to walk to and not running very efficiently. It’s way too small for all the Iberostar resorts that share it. There’s five in all. A five star resort should have its own. Overall experience was good.

  Jan 23, 2025