My best friend and I went to the IFA Bavaro Villas from 6/12-6/16 and we loved it. I read all the reviews before going, and I can't really say that any of the complaints were a problem with us. The rooms were better than we expected, the resort was beautiful, and the beach was within walking distance...must closer than we expected. I think the people who are disappointed must have had different expections, but for $113 a night for two people all inclusive...that is a fantastic deal for what we received. The food wasn't amazing, but I enjoyed it. The people were very nice to us. It definitely helped that I knew a little Spanish...I think many people who were rating this resort negatively must forget that they are in another country...their native language is Spanish and their culture is not to be necessarily speedy at getting things done :-). That is just one of those things you have to be sensitive to when staying at an especially inexpensive resort in another country.

We didn't do any of the optional excursions because we were more focused on being lazy, but other people indicated that they had fun.

If you are looking for a luxury resort with everything catered to, then I wouldn't recommend this resort...but if you are like me and on limited funds and want a great value....I definitely would stay at the IFA!

Went down by myself, (as a single female) to relax and visit friends who moved there. Just remember a Dominican minute can take a 1/2 hour....
The front desk registration went well enough, one person (Maximo) needs to be nicer to the guests, I found him rude and demeaning. .Dinner reservations can be made starting in the morning, opposite the reception desk, you must make them in person - we ate at the Japanese and the Caribe, both were nice. The buffet food was good, the wait staff works hard, just remember you are in an island situation, the buffet is open so you can admire the scenery, birds will make every attempt to steal food to enjoy...(remember,you are in a island setting...)

Make sure you get an extra card for the room, the electricity runs only when the card is in the holder - no electricity means the air conditioning goes off...The only negative I have is the housekeeping staff - I always tip at the beginning and each day..even tho it's an all inclusve. Used towels will be collected early - 9am the days I was there, fresh towels were returned late 6pm one day! - also, they will leave the doors/windows open while mopping the floor, inviting all the mosquitos in to feast. They don't have wash cloths, so bring your own if it's important to you - they do have dispensers for gel/shampoo/conditioner in the shower area in the section I was in Rm 4414-- bottled water was supplied and they happily gave me extra's.Internet cafe was good 30 minutes/3.00 American. The tv in the room did not have any shows in englist except for the China business news.. Tehy will charge you to get shows that you and the kids can watch...


I felt very safe in the area, lots of security were visable. always checking to make sure only guests were using the facilities.
Marketplace on the beach you need to haggle, they expect it and no one pays the first offer... I did well by finding out what prices was offered and walking away, the next guy would beat the offer....

Just because it's an all inclusive PLEASE...remember...you don't have to start drinking as soon as you wake up - I did see some people who thought is was appropriate to take over one pool and make it uncomfortable for others. Thankfully there are 3 pools and a jacuzzi area - wish I realised that from the beginning I would have gone to the jacuzzi area earlier. The spa was totally relaxing

Very, Very disappointed with this resort. This was our fourth trip to the Dominican and we have loved it everytime.....except this time. This resort was a 2-star at best. First the good: the rooms were very nice. The a la carte restaurants were nice. That's about it. Now the bad: With the exception of the "Cafe Dominicana" bar, the drinks at the resort were horrible. Oh, they have top shelf liquor, but it's not all inclusive. You must pay $7.00 per SHOT (not per drink) for any top shelf liquor. So, for a Long Island Ice Tea, you're looking at over $30 for the drink! The bars were very ill-equipped. You have to repeatedly ask for ice in your drinks, and one bartender told me the reason there were never any limes at the bar was because they were too expensive. Also, unless you ask for alcohol in your drink, you don't get any!! Unless the drink is on their menu, they don't know how to make it. For example, I ordered a martini (which I had to pay $7.00 for), and they didn't know how to make it. How much more basic than a martini can you get??
My daughter's air conditioner in her room did not work, so she was finally moved after 2 days...to another room with an inoperable air conditioner! After 4 days and much complaining, the air conditioner was finally fixed.
I speak a fair amount of spanish, but I was surprised at how little English staff members speak. I can't even imagine someone going there who speaks no spanish....they'd be lost.
There is a large local contingent always present at the resort. The resort is located right next to a "suburban" residential area of private apartments/townhouses. ALL the residents have access to the resort, so it gets very crowded.
As mentioned earlier, the a la carte restaurants were ok. The central buffet was not.....the same food every single day...no variety. Same with the pizza snack bar, and the same with the beach snack bar. Whatever you do, don't order a hamburger...it doesn't taste like any beef I've ever had before.
The animation team was a joke. They too were very predictable....same thing every day....stretching and volleyball. That, coupled with EXTREMELY LOUD music blaring on the beach (and I might add, many of the same songs over and over and over again....enough already). And speaking of the beach, there are NO umbrellas of ANY KIND on the beach. Every other resort in the Dominican has thatch-roofed umbrellas for those not wanting to stay in the sun all day.......not this place.
If one had never been to the Dominican before, or to an all-inclusive before, one might think this is a nice place. But believe me, spend a few more dollars and go elsewhere. We have previously stayed the the Grand Oasis Resort, and the Sunscape Resort (coincidentally, located right next to each other). We had a wonderful time at both resorts and would highly recommend them over this place. DO NOT STAY HERE!!!

We stayed at IFA Villas Bavaro from May 9 to May 17 with a couple of our friends. It was by far the best vacation we ever had. The only thing that was not perfect - the A/C in our room didn’t really work – and we just never thought about asking them to put us in a different room. Everything else was great. Food was fantastic and there was a lot to choose from. Previous review says that the main buffet was closed that week – but there was a huge buffet open so maybe we are not talking about the same place.
We loved the atmosphere in the pizza bar, Pikalo – and we especially loved Adison, one of the waiters. He was very nice and friendly. Most of the employees were very friendly, and always with a smile on their face. Those people work 12 + hours a day, for 12 days straight, and we were amazed with their happy attitude at all times.
Pool was perfectly clean – all of them, and there was always something going on there.
Bernardo is a host for all the fun events at the pool, and also for the evening show at the beach – he speaks at least 5 languages! He was quite amazing.
Isabella is your fun coordinator at the beach – she has the prettiest smile.
Signor Papo and his dancers were fantastic! We watched the show 4 times – every time it was different, and every time it was great!
Shopping at the open market at the beach was FUN! Whatever we wanted to buy – they would start with outrages sums – over $200 – and we would offer $20, and after few minutes of going back and forth – we would get a reasonable price. Be prepared for a lot of friendly hugs over there.
Since we came back all we talk about is our vacation. We really had a great time and next year – we will be going for two weeks.