Lopesan Costa Bávaro stands out in Punta Cana for its massive "The Boulevard" entertainment district and its visually stunning, tiered infinity pool that blends into the horizon. Unlike traditional resorts, Lopesan functions as a self-contained city featuring a large casino, theater, water park, and shopping promenade. For travelers seeking exclusivity within this mega-resort, the Unique Club offers a VIP experience with private beach areas, premium dining, and personalized service.
Lopesan Costa Bavaro Casino & Spa had not been a property we often recommended, but a presentation by one of the resort managers intrigued me. I decided to explore it with my family to see if it should be on my preferred resorts list. Our 6-night adventure to the beautiful coast of Bavaro in the Dominican Republic was about to begin.
Resort Layout
The resort is quite large with around 900 rooms. The spacious lobby is the "heart" of the resort, connecting three "tines of the fork" that stretch to the beach. Each tine has restaurants and bars, and behind the "fork" is The Boulevard, housing the Coffee Lounge, various shops, the Casino, WaterPark, Ice Cream Parlor, Wine Bar, NightClub, Kids Club, Bowling Alley, Arcade, Escape Room, and several more restaurants and bars.
Accommodations
Most rooms are spacious, modern, and clean, with balconies. There are a few one- or two-bedroom suites, and some swim-out suites in both family and adults-only sections. The swim-out suites, located on the sides of the resort, have garden views that might not appeal to everyone. The adults-only section offers swim-out suites, but these are quite exposed.
Pool Areas
The main pool is beachfront and large, ideal for both adults and kids. There are multiple pools at the resort, though none have swim-up bars. The adults-only pool area is a bit hidden and quiet. Each pool area has a bar and drink service.
Beach
The beach is beautiful with plenty of chairs and shade, and the water is shallow and great for swimming. However, numerous boats docked in front of the property can be unpleasant, and boat fumes can sometimes be smelled. For a quieter beach experience, walk up or down the beach for about 10 minutes.
Dining Options
The resort offers many dining options, from fast food to buffets and à la carte dining. It's recommended to download the resort app and make restaurant reservations upon arrival. Favorite dining spots included the Mediterranean and French restaurants. Lunch options at the beachside buffet were repetitive, and the specialty cocktail menu lacked variety.
Service Quality
Service was inconsistent, with both excellent and not-so-attentive experiences. Housekeeping did a great job, and staff were generally friendly. Service at the pool and beach area was slow, making it quicker to get drinks directly from the bar.
Entertainment
On-Site Activities
The resort offers a variety of entertainment venues including bowling, an escape room, a casino, a spa, a nightclub, and several bars. Nightly shows were held in an indoor auditorium, which felt less like a resort experience. The entertainment team’s engagement was lacking, and daily activities were inconsistent in timing and location.
Kids Club
The kids club caters mainly to children aged 4-8, with an arcade for older kids. The waterpark was enjoyable for all ages, though it is far from the beach. There is a smaller toddler water park closer to the beach.
Unique Club
The Unique Club offers upgraded services including exclusive beach areas, pool and bar access, and a separate check-in/check-out desk. The quality of drinks at Unique Club bars was noticeably better. Whether this upgrade is worth it depends on individual preferences.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Lopesan Costa Bavaro offers a great stay, especially for groups or specialty trips. The resort provides good value for its cost, though there are areas for improvement in service and entertainment. With balanced expectations, guests will find this resort worthwhile. For more information or to book a stay, feel free to reach out to me.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should you know before booking Lopesan Costa Bavaro?
Lopesan Costa Bávaro stands out in Punta Cana for its massive "The Boulevard" entertainment district and its visually stunning, tiered infinity pool that blends into the horizon. Unlike traditional resorts, Lopesan functions as a self-contained city featuring a large casino, theater, water park, and shopping promenade.
2. How is the resort laid out?
The resort is quite large with around 900 rooms. The spacious lobby is the "heart" of the resort, connecting three "tines of the fork" that stretch to the beach.
3. What are the rooms like?
Most rooms are spacious, modern, and clean, with balconies. There are a few one- or two-bedroom suites, and some swim-out suites in both family and adults-only sections. The swim-out suites, located on the sides of the resort, have garden views that might not appeal to everyone. The adults-only section offers swim-out suites, but these are quite exposed.
4. What are the pools like?
The main pool is beachfront and large, ideal for both adults and kids. There are multiple pools at the resort, though none have swim-up bars. The adults-only pool area is a bit hidden and quiet. Each pool area has a bar and drink service.
5. What is the beach like?
The beach is beautiful with plenty of chairs and shade, and the water is shallow and great for swimming. However, numerous boats docked in front of the property can be unpleasant, and boat fumes can sometimes be smelled. For a quieter beach experience, walk up or down the beach for about 10 minutes.
