The Dominican Republic comprises two thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and borders Haiti to the west. Because the Dominican Republic offers beaches on both the Atlantic Ocean coast and the Caribbean coast, it attracts tourists who enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling and surfing. Popular coastal tourist cities include Punta Cana on the island's eastern tip, La Romana on the southeastern coast and Puerto Plata on the northern coast. Dozens of resorts and hotels line the beaches, including child-friendly accommodations.
Set on Bavaro Beach, within the 600-acre, six-resort Barcelo Bavaro Complex, the Barcelo Bavaro Family Deluxe offers 180 family-friendly guest rooms and suites. Most guest units accommodate up to six people and feature a master bedroom area with sofa bed, separate room with a hot tub and terrace and a children's area with two beds and a terrace. Special in-room amenities include a pillow-top bed, LCD TV with Video On Demand, iPod/MP3 docking station, wireless Internet access, mini-bar, bathrobes and slippers.
Resort amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, children's pool with slide, free access to the complex's water park, hot tub, fully equipped fitness center, full-service spa, arcade/game room, casino, seven tennis courts, four sports courts, nine-hole golf course, 24-hour casino, performing arts theater, child care services, supervised morning and afternoon programs for children ages four to 12, business center and tour desk. Guest also have unlimited free access to amenities at the four companion hotels. The hotel offers free inter-resort shuttle service.
Dining options include eight restaurants located in the complex, five bars and two nightclubs. The all-inclusive room rate includes all meals, beverages, snacks, on-site activities, non-motorized water-sport equipment, taxes and gratuities. Two specialty restaurants are excluded from the plan.
Complimentary on-site activities include kayaking, paddle boating, windsurfing, sailing, and snorkeling. Other activities include parasailing, water skiing, water ski and sailing schools, scuba dive instruction and excursions, miniature golf and horse riding.
Barcelo Bavaro Family Deluxe Resort
P.O. Box 3177
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
011-809-686-5797
barcelo.com
The expansive Casa de Campo Resort village stretches across 7,000 acres above the Chavon River. The main resort area of the village offers 165 spacious guest rooms spread throughout one- and two-story Mediterranean-style buildings. Out-of-the-ordinary room features include a furnished terrace or balcony, Coralina marble-tiled flooring, mahogany furniture, walk-in closet, CD player clock radio with dual docks for iPod and iPhone, DVD player, separate walk-in shower, Coralina marble-tiled tub and bathrobes. Each guest room also is issued a complimentary four-passenger resort touring cart.
Special resort amenities include a quarter-mile-long private beach protected by an artificial reef, two-tiered outdoor swimming pool with waterfall, full-service spa and complimentary children's and teen center, which offers computer games, pool tables, board games, CDs, karaoke and playground. For a surcharge, the resort offers supervised children's and teen activity sessions that are divided into four age groups.
Casa de Campo Resort
P.O. Box 140
La Romana, Dominican Republic
011-809-523-3333
casadecampo.com
Located near the Playa Dorado resort community, the family-friendly VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort offers 506 non-smoking guest rooms, including junior suites, suites and penthouses.
Special property amenities and services include an outdoor adult swimming pool with swim-up bar, a children's activity pool, a "quiet-area" pool, fully equipped fitness center with sauna, spa services at adjacent sister resort, babysitting services, complimentary supervised daytime recreational program for children ages four to 12 that includes sand castle contests, Spanish lessons, dance classes and arts and crafts, arcade/game room, playground, access to the adjacent 18-hole golf course and nightly live music and entertainment for adults and children.
Nearby tourist attractions include Ocean World Zoo and Marine Park, Columbus Water Park, Fun City Action Park (go karts and bumper cars), Puerto Plata Lighthouse, San Felipe Fort, Brugal Rum Factory and the Amber Museum.
VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort
Playa Dorada, P.O. Box 22
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
011-809-320-2111
granventanahotel.com
