DESTINATION: Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic (DR) has become my one of my top five favorite destinations.  On a recent FAM trip for travel professionals I got to visit seven properties in three days which included my host property, Occidental Punta Cana.  My first visit to the DR was in 2010 as a surprise birthday present for my now husband.  It was our first time visiting this country and we were more than pleased with our visit.  We never left our resort so during that trip I didn't get to see much of what the DR has to offer but that changed during my recent trip in September 2013. 

As with most (not all) Caribbean destinations there are budget friendly, moderately priced, and well worth the extra $$ all-inclusive resorts in this beautiful wonderland.  Barcelo Bavaro is one of my favorite resorts.  This mega resort has an adult-only resort and a family friendly resort within the same complex.  Each resort has its own lobby for check-in, restaurants, bars, entertainment, pools but allows the guests staying in the adult-only resort the freedom to enjoy all the additional amenities the Palace Deluxe resort has to offer such as additional restaurant options, disco, spa, and a few additional extras.  Below are a few pictures from one of their beautiful rooms I got to check out.  I wish I was there for more than a 10 minute visit but it allowed me the opportunity to talk up this resort from a personal interaction versus reading views or checking out pictures they selected to post on their consumer website. 

Stay tuned for other featured resorts in the DR.