Barcelo Punta Goleta Beach Resort

After we booked we made the 'mistake' at looking at the reviews for this hotel on this website and were quite concerned as what we would find.
We did lower our expectations and can honestly say that this was one of my best holidays we have had, which we think was due mainly that 'we all' go away with high expectations. You can't expect to pay for a 2 star holiday and get a 4 star.
The food was OK and we always managed to find something we liked. The room was basic but fairly clean but obviously not to our standard at home. This is where we deducted the rating as we don't believe the linen was changed during our stay and there was never the full compliment of towels.
The air conditioning didn't work and it took 4 requests till it was fixed. Some of the staff were very helpful whereas others you felt would rather be elsewhere, but this is general in life nothing is 'perfect'.
We believe if you go along with a positive attitude and don't expect too much you will have a lovely time. We don't plan to go back only because we never do the same place twice.

I went to Punta Goleta in November beginning of December in 2005. I read alot of bad reviews before I went, and the hotel is nothing but great. The grounds are very pretty and colourful. Yes the entertainment staff do annoy you sometimes when your a bit hung over, but that just because they wont make sure your having fun.
The rooms were ok not fantastic, but they were clean, and cool all you do is sleep in them. The pool is small but it was never full. The food was ok not fantastic but they had something there for everyone to eat. The Italian is something to be desired, it is a very nice setting but food was not that good.
The evening shows were quite funny, the staff trained for them very hard in the day to put a good show on at night. Over all I would say I enjoyed it there I am definitely going back as soon as I can, and will recommend it to anyone.

On arrival reception was shabby to say the least, a good indication of the state of the rooms, which were filthy, spartan, with concave beds, no wardrobe and as we found to our cost riddled with bedbugs.
Within days of arrival both my wife and I suffered with upset stomachs, which is hardly surprising given the disgusting state of the dining room and 'food', there was no entertainment to speak of, except at the weekends when the locals came to stay and receive their preferential treatment. For 2 days the only drinks available were water or alcohol, no reason was given for this, but ho hum.
The staff were rude and usually unhelpful unless you came across them in the late disco. When we complained to the Rep. she also was rude and we were eventually charged 125 US Dollars to 'upgrade'. We have finally been compensated, but this took a lot of time and effort. This was supposed to be our dream holiday, and we went with high but realistic expectations, how foolish were we.

We stayed at the Punta Goleta for 2 weeks at the end of June/Start of July and had a really good time. The hotel transfer is quite short and we were welcomed by the friendly hotel staff. We asked at reception for room with a double bed but to be honest it doesn’t matter as the twin rooms have two double beds anyway. We were in block 1, which is quite a good location as it is not too near to the entertainments, bar and pool if you want some peace and quiet. Our room was cool and clean with fresh bed linen and the room had been decorated with flowers by our maid. The room was cleaned very well every day and we did not have any problem with the room at all, our air-con was amazing! The room was as nice as a 4* room in many other hotels I have stayed in. The food was average, not amazing but on a few nights it was really nice. Breakfast is fantastic. Lunch is best eaten in the restaurant but it depends if you can be bothered to walk back over the bridge from the beach and snack bar! Dinner was fine, mostly better than you would expect for a 3* in the Caribbean. There was a varied choice of main courses and desserts. The Italian restaurant is ok, romantic atmosphere and a change from the dining room although the food was quite poor. All of the dining room staff were fantastic and would help wherever possible. The hotel is very pretty and well maintained. The pool was rather small but clean, and the daytime entertainment can be a bit annoying. The evening entertainment is quite good and breaks up the evenings. The entertainment teamwork very hard. The bar was fine with a good cocktail menu and friendly staff. It is very busy at the weekend in the hotel but it didn’t bother us and there were extra tables in the dining room. The bar was too busy though and it could take 10 or 15 minutes or so to get served. The most important advice is to GET A SAFE, two people on or floor had money taken from their room. We had no problem - but we had a safe. The beach is nice but not exactly paradise - it needs a comb and the sand banks at the side are not very attractive. You get a bit of hassle from the Lucky men but just say 'no gracias!' The sea is great and it is fantastic to watch all of the kite surfers and wind surfers. And you get a better tan at the beach! Its also a welcome break from the noise around the pool. The hotel is in a great location to walk down the beach to Cabarete (20-30 mins walk, 5 mins in a taxi) or get a cab to Sousa (20 mins.) Cabarete is great, a few shops and a nice beach with a few bars. Buy fags in Cabarete not the hotel or airport, I got 200 Marlboro Lights for the equivalent to about £7 at a supermarket in the high street. Jewellery and art is also nice here, offer about a third of what they say then walk away and they will say yes! We went on the Paradise Island trip (DONT go with the tour operator - Fun Tours in Cabarete is half the price) and it was great for snorkelling, but a very very long journey (4 hours each way!!) All in all a very good holiday with a much better hotel than you would expect for a 3* and under £600 for a fortnight! Ignore the bad reviews and don’t let them put you off. The Punta Goleta is a great holiday destination as is The Dominican Republic.

Arrived at the Punta Golata Hotel 25th May 2005 bedroom spacious with lovely views of the well kept gardens. But sadly the bedroom and the bathroom was needing refurbished.
The restaurant was dirty with flies and birds enjoying our company, the breakfast orange machine was dirty and needing renewed. When I told our rep the next day that we wanted to be moved he stated, "I don’t blame you" I think this comment speaks for itself.
The entertainment team put on a show! They were up palm trees behind the audience, shouting aqua and water [same thing] then staggered to the stage, knocking against people and pushing chairs over then lay on top of each other on the stage, that was our show. They then had the gall to stand for an applause, which they did not get. My advice is do not go there.

My boyfriend and I stayed here in January 05 and had a great time. The grounds at the hotel are wonderful, with lovely flowers and trees. The room was basic, but all you really need for an all inclusive holiday(shower,bath,hairdryer,tv,2 double beds etc).The rooms were cleaned every day and in good condition.
The food was very nice, I’m a fussy eater but always found something good to eat, after 2 weeks you might get a bit fed up with the same things. As for the drinks at this hotel-you can get just about every drink you want(in very large measures).
The animation team were brilliant, so friendly and helpful, there were activities every day and night. They also try to get everybody involved.
We went to ocean world an had a great time- this trip is well worth the money, you get a full day out and wont want to leave.
We also went on a trip to see a comedian twice, this was excellent you also go to the casino after, I think this was at Jack Tar hotel.
The beach was a little small, we were told this was due to the hurricane the year before, but still very nice there was a beach hut at the beach for lunch and drinks, we had nice food here too, mostly barbecue style food.
I would recommend this holiday, my boyfriend and I are going back in September and cant wait, don’t forget you are in a 3rd world country , so their standards are very different from ours.