He wants golf. She wants a spa. He wants bars and buffets. She wants romantic restaurants. He wants sports. She wants shopping. He wants gambling. She wants dancing. He wants to stay within a budget. She wants comfort and style. Both want to take the kids, but also want an adult getaway. Impossible to accommodate the he/she/family in one vacation?
Not if the couple/family heads to the new Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe resort (which is part of the mega-Barcelo resort complex) on Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
View from a suite.
Among other delights, this four-star, all-inclusive resort offers guests: 1.2 miles of extra-wide, white-sand beach (called one of the 10 best beaches in the world by National Geographic);
Bavaro Beach
6 swimming pools including several for adults only;
One of the resort's adults only pool.
a kid’s water park;
Children love the kids-only water park.
a luxurious spa;
A resting room in the resort's spa.
a P. B. Dye designed 18-hole golf course;
Golf Course
10 restaurants;
Puppets decorate the resort's French restaurant, La Comedie.
a 24-hour casino; an open-air theatre; a shopping center; a kid’s activity center; 7 tennis courts; a fitness center and 1366 rooms (12-different room categories); PLUS sun, sand, sea and comparatively affordable prices.
With Spanish owners, and staff drawn from the Dominican Republic (over 600 staff live on property), Spanish remains the major language, but key staff speaks a bit of English, German, French and a smattering of Russian to keep up with the guests who are primarily from Europe and Canada.
Tips to enhance a stay:
The resort's Rincon Dominicano Restaurant serves local dishes.
For romance, book a suite with a hot tub on the terrace and a good ocean view.
For family fun, opt for one of the family rooms or suites around the kids’ water park.
For best service, choose “Club Premium” upgrades (provides more personalized attention and other perks).
For best food, try the local specialties at the Rincon Dominicano Restaurant.
For take-home souvenirs, buy rum, coffee and cigars.
For best bite, don’t miss the bacon wrapped plantains served at some of the breakfast buffets (recipe below).
BACON WRAPPED PLANTAINS
Selections from the breakfast buffet: fresh fruit, Spanish omelet, brown bread and bacon wrapped plantains with grilled pepper garnish.
(Serve as a breakfast dish or an appetizer.)
Very ripe plantains
Thickly sliced strips of bacon.
Peel plantains and cut into pieces. (The resort cuts the plantains into strips about 2-inches long and 1-inch thick. You could also cut them into rounds.)
Wrap each piece of plantain in bacon and secure the bacon with a toothpick.
Either pan fry, broil or bake (in preheated 350°F) the plantains until the bacon is well browned and crispy. When cooking, turn the plantains as necessary to brown all sides of the bacon.
Remove toothpicks before serving.
Serve warm or at room temperature.