The only thing the Melia Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana, Dominica Republic, lacks as Caribbean getaway for Americans is more Americans. Accessible via one-stop airline service from New York and set on 96 oceanfront acres with such inviting features as a mangrove forest and a menagerie of tropical birds and monkeys, the Melia Bavaro compares very favorable to the Caribbean spots frequented by Americans, in terms of convenience and amenities. The Melia Bavaro Resort is also a relative bargain comparing with similar resorts in Caribbean.

Open for five years, the Melia Bavaro is the reigning "Green Hotel of the Year" , the first hotel in Dominican Republic to receive that environmental award from the Caribbean Hotel Association. It is also the only property on the island to be designated as "ecological hotel".

Melia Bavaro offers exceptional quality without extravagance. It has enough luxury to satisfy discriminating travelers, but its rates are also within reach of less affluent vacationers. It also has a lot of appeal for environmental travelers.

Over one of the most marvelous white sandy beaches of the Caribbean, surrounded by coconut plantations. Just 20 mins. from the airport of Punta Cana, and 1 hour from the Airport of La Romana. Next to the only commercial centre of the area. 40 kms. from Higüey. 300 kms from the capital of Santo Domingo.

Accommodations.

Most of the 750 guest rooms are in villas (or bungalows, as Melia calls them). Units are comfortable and spacious, with terraces, a dining table and mini-refrigerator. Standard room amenities include air-conditioning, designer toiletries, a hair dryer, TV and telephone. Eighty quest rooms are in hotel wings of the main building. They also have terraces and living areas, but the furnishings are not as nice as in the bungalows. There are 82 Junior suites and 2 Presidential suites, 86 two-story bungalows with 8 Master Suites. The rest are standard rooms.

Amenities/Facilities

The Melia Bavaro is a quintessential Caribbean Resort, providing all the services and amenities that cater to guest’s three basic need on a Caribbean vacation: sun, surf and relaxation. The property is beautifully landscaped and meticulously maintained.

The attributes that earned the hotel its environmental honors are among its most delightful attractions. Chief among them is a walk-through mangrove forest with a small zoo. More then 50 species of birds live on the property, and guests encounter some of them roaming freely on the lawn and pathways. The resort is also home to about 100 botanical species.

Among the free activities at the Melia Bavaro are tennis, aerobics classes, volleyball, archery and merengue dance lessons. Watersports, activities and the fitness center and horseback riding are available on-site for a fee. For evening entertainment, guest have complimentary admission to the disco and the show lounge, where musical revues are performed.

Sports activities include 2 pools, 4 tennis courts. Watersports: banana boat, surf, underwater fishing, kayaks, scuba-dive, snorkeling.

Dining.

The extraordinary natural environment contributes to an unforgettable dining experience at Chopin restaurant. After patrons have had time to enjoy the sumptuous dinner buffet, the lights inside the open-air restaurant are dimmed and the forest surrounding it is floodlit. Diners are then treated to classical music performed by musicians aboard a boat that glides through lagoon encircling the restaurant.

The Licey is another elegant locale for dinner.

Less formal restaurants specialize in seafood, barbecue, international buffets and Italian fare. Meal plans are (1997 prices) $35 for breakfast and dinner, or $55 for three meals daily. Room service is available, and the resort has nine bars, including a swim-up bar.

Conclusion

Attentive and pampering service is the rule, and the entire staff is enthusiastic and personable. Prime attractions include the marvelous beach, mangrove forest. Mini-zoo and Chopin restaurant. Plenty of choice of recreation and dining. The resort offers honeymoon trips special program and option to wedding ceremonies.

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