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Added by Jopie, at 02 August 2016
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23 Reviews
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10 April 2018
I am on the resort right now. Save your money and go elsewhere. If you are looking for the Caribbean motel 6 then please come. If you want quality, good service and being treated with respect then go somewhere else.
Not worth the time or effort. Cheap, lazy and horrible all around.response / report this review -
08 April 2018
Under going major construction, not too noisy dough. The food is ok/good but choices are a bit limited. Staff very pleasant and outgoing. Pool superb. Beach wholesome but concerned when the thousands new rooms will be finished that it would make it crowded. Animation 11/10. Perfect with young kids. Some what perfected resort.
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22 March 2018
Would not recommend this hotel to anyone. Looks nothing like the pictures, not beach front, requested a room with king size bed and was given 2 double beds. When brought to staffs attention they shrugged shoulders said there was none available and there’s nothing they could do. Also, have bites all over which appear to be bed bug bites. The toilet had a door that was open on top like a cabana giving you absolutely no privacy. Food was crappy. We only came back to DR because of the great experience we had at the Catalonia hotel. This did not even compare. Would definitely not go back.
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20 March 2018
The place is huge. One side is villas and other side is the hotels. There is 2 beautiful pools. Hot tubs in the villa section. Several bars and restaurants. The food is good and there is such a wide variety. Disco for the night time. Theatre for evenings. Shuttle service to and from the villas ad well as shuttle service to the ocean side restaurant. Just an amazing place. Well kept and very inviting.
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07 March 2018
We had a wonderful experience there. In reading some of the reviews, we found that the complaints were either self indulgent or flat out wrong. Yes, if you're going there to eat burgers and fries, the food won't live up to your expectations. However, if you're willing to explore, you'll be pleased. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, the shows were fun, and there was enough variety in terms of pools and accommodation that you would find something right for you. We loved the high bar and were pleased with our villa accommodation. And the presence of flamingos, and chickens and peacocks walking around just amplified the experience.
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05 March 2018
It is a beautiful resort with a lot to do. The people are very friendly. The food is great as well. It's clean as well. It's a wonderful place. I'm hoping to go again. Soon!
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26 February 2018
Food sucks, pizza bar had the only good food! Room service rude and would just walk in you. Nice place though.
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01 February 2018
I was just there and had a great time. Just an FYI there are a few more people that have hook worm! I was there with everyone and I'm fine . I'm thinking the one place people may have got this from was the volleyball court on the resort. So a heads up to anyone who is going or is there already. I truly believe it's the volleyball area. Be safe and cautious always!!!!!!!
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09 January 2018
I rated this resort with 4 stars only for one reason.WiFi.weak and just doesn't work in some buildings(as example in 3201) . All other sides were good and perfect accordingly 4 star resort. I have been in IFA before and I didn't like the lines in the buffet to get a meal and crowded swimming pool. But the first week after new year celebration (2018) I was surprised to see minimal people in a beach, swimming pool and buffet. That's good for me but didn't get why it happened. So, if somebody are coming in high season you might be at the same situation as I have been at my first visit. Crowd's everywhere.Thanks all employees for their service, good attitude, doing their best.
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20 November 2017
This is a great Resort I got to stay in the newly renovated Villas that they had it's quite nice inside. The one thing I will say about Punta Cana is that it is so hot it's kind of ridiculous, but you have to beach to cool you off which is not far away at all. The Japanese restaurants and all those fancy restaurant they have there the food is absolutely disgusting. The only thing that is good is the buffet and that's it the French toast is to die for, but other than that this is a great Villa and I would actually recommend going here.
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06 October 2017
We were very skeptical of this place after reading the reviews but we decided to give this place a chance since the reviews were either really good or really bad. Rest assured, it was the best money my husband & I spent!
The staff-They were competent, very friendly, answered any questions we had, the language barrier was a little rough at first but the longer we talked with them, the easier it became. The room service was impeccable! They cleaned our rooms every day before 11am. We purchased a safe lock during our stay which cost $17 for a 7 day stay. Over all, the wait staff, guest service, front desk service, housekeeping, spa workers & shop tenants were all amazing & friendly people!
The spa-CHEAP for an hour couples massage!! We only paid $65 per person for an outdoor romantic garden area & the services were phenomenal! Elizabeth is the one that sold us the package. She gave us a "mini massage" by the pool. Once she did that, we were hooked. I highly recommend seeing her if you're wanting to purchase a massage package!!
The Food/Bars/Wait staff-The buffets arewell buffets. Nothing much to gloat over. They offer a wide variety of foods. Our favorite was the Mexican restaurant. The only downside is you have to make reservations for those restaurants at guest service. So be sure to be early in line at 8am otherwise you'll end up eating at 10 at night! The bars were fun. Dominican café is a relaxing bar to be in before your dinner. They poured great drinks! A large variety of drinks to choose from.
The rooms-we were put in the villas part. Which we absolutely loved! We were much farther from the beach but was ok because they have golf cart shuttles that take you back & forth. It was quiet on our side of the hotel. Overall the rooms were modern & very clean. The ONE & ONLY problem I had & why I rated it a 4 star is because the entire week we were there we had no hot water. First world problems right? Iit can't be a legitimate complaint as Hurricane Maria literally hit the day before knocking out power so our hotel was running on generators thus making it impossible for hot water.
The activities- My husband, father & mother in law & I decided to do the adventure boogies for $100 per couple(CHEAP) & FUN excursion that took half a day. We went to a swimming cave, a cocoa & coffee plant, & a beautiful beach. However, once you go off the resort you will see their way of life & the way they make money is off tourists. They definitely hustle you for your money & are VERY aggressive at selling you their items. The first mistake we made(I wish someone with experience would have told us this) is first & foremost NOTHING is free. We stopped off at the beach first & there were locals attempting to sell things. Necklaces, weaved hats, photo ops etc. A teen ran up to me & put his 2 exotic parrots on my shoulders & asked if I would like photos. Automatically assuming this was part of the excursion, I delightfully said sure! We took photos with his birds & then he said "that will be 1000 pesos" not knowing we had to pay & not having any cash on me I told him I don't have any money. He said "fine I'll take 500 pesos" again I assured him I have zero money & didn't realize I had to pay him to take photos with his birds. He then pulled me away from my husband & quietly said "fine, you & I can go over there (pointed to a secluded area) & give me a little something" meaning a sexual favor. My husband then got angry & told him we'll delete the photos & what he said was inappropriate. The teen then said "FINE" turned around angrily & took his parrots to another couple. I was completely baffled when this happened. So for future people that go on excursions, NOTHING is free & you have to be firm with people when you don't want to buy anything. Just tell them "I SAID NO" in a firm voice & they'll leave you alone
Overall our experience was good & it's one we will NEVER forget. Punta Cana was an amazing adventure and the IFA Villas made it a great one!response / report this review -
13 September 2017
I have never met a more amazing group of employees who all love doing their job. The large variety of cuisine (Mexican, Caribbean, Italian, Japanese) and with the culture diversity it felt like we were traveling far beyond just the Dominican Republic. The night shows are also incredibly entertaining and you can tell that the crew loves dancing. The workforce made Ifa feel like home and brought together people from different backgrounds. It is also very clean! Not to mention the fact that food is UNLIMITED! We will choose Ifa no matter where we go in Latin America.
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17 August 2017
Currently on holiday at this resort courtesy of Thomas Cook.
Firstly no Thomas Cook rep on site. Now we get to the joy of this resort:
Rude and surly staff - couldn't even be bothered to welcome us upon arrival, just demanded money fo safe and our room cards thrown a us. The staff attitude hasn't improved since arrival.
As an international hotel they almost go out their way not to speak english.
The beach is vile and one of the worst I have ever experienced in this part of the world.
The buffet restaurant resembles a 3rd world red cross food bank.
We don't go on holiday for the entertainment, however it is atrocious !
The only plus point is the accommodation has been updated in recent years.
It is not a 3 star resort let alone the 4/5 star it claims to be.
After spending £5000 for this holiday we expected a lot more and are extremely disappointed.
I recommend this resort is avoided at all costs.response / report this review -
27 July 2017
Beach full of seaweed, so you want to go to pool but pool has no shade??? +35 degrees and no shade what are you thinking
Service is below average
a la carte restaurants are horable waiters are no happy to be there
The only good thing has to be the buffet and the rooms are pretty nice
A lot of better options out there for the priceresponse / report this review -
06 July 2017
FOOD POISONING FROM TERRIBLE TASTING FOOD. I can not stress how bad the food is here. I got so incredibly sick my third day. It is truly disgusting. The bartenders are the only decent staff members. Huge language barrier (i understand i am in a foreign country however). We stayed in one of their new villas and let me tell you, it was CHEAP. My parents who are in their 60's, had their A/C go out the first day and it never got fixed even though they reported it every day (it was about 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside with extreme humidity). Everything looks nice on the surface but really was built or installed poorly. The pools would be nice if not for the constant flow of garbage in them. We were constantly accosted by vendors for novelty items and excursions, and while of course most people want to shop or have adventures while on vacation, if I desire these things I will seek them out instead of having someone bombard me at every turn or while resting my eyes on the beach. They should not let all these outside vendors just roam around the resort trying to sell stuff.
If you have had a similar experience here, go through and click "helpful" on the 1 star reviews so hopefully this place will get their s@#$ together.response / report this review -
28 June 2017
The resort is clean and modern. The staff is friendly. Don't expect them to all speak English, they don't, but it's awesome. The beach is also clean, blue water, not crowded. Just perfect. Enough things to do but also totally relaxing.
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24 June 2017
This was one if the worse vacation spots I EVER been to the rooms are nice but you have to keep calling for wash cloth and towels they ONLY wants to give you 1 pair a day the grounds are nice until you head towards the beach it's unkept with trash the beach looks dirty with all the leafs and whatever kind of plants at your foot step before you get into the water. The food WACK for breakfast the lunch was the BEST. Dinner we tried the restaurant which HONESTLY WASN'T ALL THAT. THE THEY TURN THE WATER TO OUR ROOMS ON CHECK OUT DAY WE COULDN'T ALL WASH. BOOGIE RIDE and MASSAGE was the best part of my 6 day TRIP. The party boat was DEFINITIVE RIP OFF!!!! I can go on but BEWARE!!,They needs some work. It's DEFINITELY NOT A 4 OR BETTER ME AND MY FRIENDS WAS NOT HAPPY
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22 June 2017
1st time at a resort and I loved it, everyone kept commenting on the food, the food gets a 3 star, sometimes items were amazing, others not so great, great for couples or families, big in size, 3 big pools, 3 minute walk to the clean beach, great entertainment options, sports options. They only downfall WIFI is awful.
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30 March 2017
Best 2 weeks spent with my best friend granddaughter Kelsie. We had lots of fun good food great entertainment. Days out horse riding swimming with dolphins catamaran sailing the Radikal 😬 Too much to mention 5⭐️ See you next July. We cannot wait 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻☀️
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26 February 2017
Honestly had the best week. The shows were great each night. Very well done and very entertaining. I'm vegan and found it hard at the a la cartes, especially with the lack of communication. The food was good though. I found it salty. The rooms got cleaned later in the day which was annoying but the staff we all so nice and so fun to talk to. There was constructiOn going on but they were really fast and you couldn't hear it at the beach. Definitely could be a great week if you want it to be.
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06 February 2017
Five of us came here for spring break 2016. We were college students so a beach and alcohol, we were happy. Therefore it took a look of unpleasant experiences for us to be unhappy with our location. The pools were dirty with floating garbage, there was only one pool bar with short hours, you had to walk forever to get to the beach, there was only one restaurant near the beach, the beaches were filled with seaweed and if they attempted to remove it, it was in the middle of the day, the food was the same thing everyday and at every restaurant. Lastly, we had money stolen from our room, when we confronted management their response was "prove it." Needless to say, we won't be going back again.
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31 December 2016
We just got back from our two weeks’ vacation. The weather was fantastic even with “the pineapple express” from time to time. My husband was in IFA Bavaro Village in the past so this is why we decided to spend our vacation here again. We got surprised in very unpleasant way. Our room was never clean the way you would expect it to be. Some days we did not get any cleaning service and the towels were exchanged every third day on average. Sometimes we had to hunt for the toilet paper too. You could expect the cleaning person knocking on your door even around 8 p.m. The other thing was a very poor selection for food. There was not much choice for food and sometimes when you got to the particular tray it was empty and you had to wait for refiling. Sometimes you had to wait for coffee or tea until you were done with your meal. What we really liked was the entertainment. People involved in it were very friendly and professional. Christmas performance was wonderful. When you decide to go there, remember that you have to pay for the in-room safe (smaller than in other hotels and you have a key, not a number combination) and wi-fi. This is not the first time we went for all-inclusive and we never had any major complains until this time.
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09 August 2016
My experience here was awful. If I could give them a 0, I would. I wish I was able to post pictures only our room because it was awful. We got to our resort and were expecting the beautiful rooms in the picture. Ours was far from. We walked in and there were stains and water damage all over the walls, the doors. There was hard water all over a black wall. We went into our bathroom and all over our mirror is what looked like splattered blood. Plus it had black marks all over it. Then our shower had blood on the grout. It looked like our room had never been cleaned. We were the furthest room from the front desk, and we were told if we come back the next day we can upgrade our room for 10 dollars or go to a different villa for free. So the next day we dragged our suit cases in the heat to the front desk. When we were talking to them, we said we wanted to do the 10 dollar upgrade. Then they said its 10 dollars per person per night. Then we said fine we want a different villa. Then they said that's still going to cost money. When they decided they didn't want to talk to us anymore, they just started talking in Spanish. So needless to stay, we were stuck in that filthy room and had awful customer service the entire time. Most of the staff hates tourists and wanted nothing to do with us. The food was AWFUL. If you want to go to the Dominican Republic, I would strongly recommend a different resort.
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