Hi Kathy,

I can only answer some of your questions since our stay was on the Royal side. My responses will bump the post and maybe Lynn or 3rdtimer will see it and can answer the rest...

Staying on the ground floor will always yield more bugs than an upper floor. I didn't see one roach while we were there... and they are in EVERY resort. It's just a matter of maintenance and control.

The Caribbean Festival is PERFECT for you and your family. They are very child orientated and they provide the best snorkeling experience, which includes shark & sting ray exploring.

I’m not sure about the horses being “poorly” treated. But I know they are not in the best shape. At least the ones I’ve rode and seen.

There is a scuba center that provide kayaking, hobbycat and boating and the water sports that are included in your package. There are excursion reps in the lobby to offer the rest. Do you have a specific tour company assigned with your package?

Yes, there are seating times for the restaurants. We did NOT e-mail ahead, but I understand that you can…

bavaro.rrpp@hoteles-catalonia.es

Sorry, I don’t have more then that…

Good luck and have fun….

Don’t miss the pizza & chicken by the pool…

Peace

Lea

Lea,

Thank you again you have been most helpful as always. I cna't wait....I just wish there were more posts on this hotel. But we will love it I know. I sometimes peak at the Royal pictures and dream...... Maybe next time.

Kathy

that's the point with the travel with family Kathy,

we dream of the royal sides, but stick with the kiddies, ha ha.

i add the answer for the diving and snorkel masks:

yes, there's a diving/watersports center right on the resort's beach, named "ProMarine", i know the guys who own it since a very long lifetime, you can take their advise without a doubt.

snorkel masks and fins are included in your all in package for 1hr per person per day, the first time you take all in equipment you have to sign a paper for that and get your resort bracelet marked, so the 2nd day ahead you do not have to sign again.

in case of catamarans make your reservation a day ahead, they are often booked in case you travel throu peak season.

for snorkeling as an full excursion the above recommendation of Lea is a great one, the same watersports center also offers smaller/shorter snorkel excursions in smaller boats which may suit your family with small kiddies also, no travel time by bus, much cheaper in rates, back at the hotel's beach for fun in the sun after 2 1/2 hrs.

have a blast

Mike

Thank you so much.

As always you and Lea help me so much. Where can I find out excursions and rates for the Carribean festival. I read in the link Les provided kids were free. True?

Thanks again

Hi everyone! Lea thanks for bumping so I could see it!!!

Kathy there was no other program such as vip .. but really wasn't needed. We were on the first floor (and hope to be again on our next trip!) NO roaches for us. thank god lol.

We always take gregs snorkle equipment. They do have some available that last I knew you had to leave a deposit on..but I have seen how they was them..YUCK.

There is a guy on site that deals with scuba trips as well as an atv tour on site.

As for horses,, as someone who grew up in a dressage sadle..NOPE I would NEVER ride a horse in the tourist areas of the DR. I checked the teeth on one of the horses at a "tour" once. We were thinking of going..the poor beast, according to the teeth...was WAY too old to be being used for tourists to ride.

Restaurants. You can book them all at once in the lobby by the "bank" (across from the disco) they have several choices available..

Have a GREAT time, you have chosen a fantastic resort! Don't miss the bbq chicken by the pool!! Your kiddies will love the self serve icecream cones there as well!!

Cheers

Lynn

Lynne,

Glad you had no roaches....I know bugs are always a possibility but we pray they stay away.

We plan to bring mask and snorkel just with all our big feet flippers are out of the question, esp due to weight.

Thanks we just might get scuba in this time too.

Thank you so much.

Kathy