JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar - All Inclusive - Adults Only

Guest Reviews from Our Customers

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

16233 reviews

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  5 star facilities and 2 star management staff

  Overall, a 3-star is experience. Starting with the good items, the facility is beautiful. The landscaping is manicured flawlessly and the pool is gorgeous. We spent most of the days at the pool and the bar staff there was great. Never worried about an empty glass as they were they ready when you took the last sip. They remembered how we liked our drinks all week. The daytime activities were great. The staff (Alex, Jeremy, Snoop, etc…) made all the events a blast. Whether it was your first time doing an event or a pro they made sure everyone had fun. After day 1 they remembered your name. We loved everything we did during the day. The food is great. I could have had lobster and steak at every meal if desired. We are at all the restaurants and like the French on the best due to the diversity of the appetizers, but they were all good. The Thursday Gala in the buffet was a hit as you could have as much lobster, crab, prawns, etc… as you could eat. The staff in the dining area was great, like every experience was 5-star dining. The Bulters were great as well. Caesar and Eduardo made sure we had everything we needed all week. The only three negatives were the beach, nighttime activities, and management staff. The beach and ocean was covered with sea weed so it was not usable. I did Not see one person try and go in the water and only 2-3 were ever in the beach cabanas. Nothing the resort could do about it as the entire ocean was covered for as far as you could see. The nighttime activities were lacking. They had two good shows and we went to the adjacent resort for another, but most evening they had nothing going on but a singer or person playing a piano. They needed something more in the evenings. The last item was the management staff was pretty weak for a major resort. A person in our party had a travel issue that took 3 days and probably 4hrs of time to correct. Despite going to the main desk, guest services, transportation desk, etc… everyone just pushed the problem to someone else. Nobody would help as one group said to talk to another group who said talk to another group etc…. We asked multiple times for it to be escalated but nobody would help us. Despite the reservation saying free transfers the hotel would never offer to help. I would not stay here again just based on this issue.

  Sep 05, 2026
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  Great resort; pool bar is now open! Read the details for W2M airport transfer

  JOIA was a great experience, aside from one small issue of communication regarding the airport transfer. The rooms are extremely clean with phenomenal housekeeping, room service, bartending, and food staff. The pool bar was closed until my departure date, but it looks like it will be a hot spot to hang out all day. The entertainment and drink staff quickly learn your name and your preferences on how you like your drinks and what activities you enjoy. I hope to come back in the future. Originally, this review was marked as 1/5. The reason being for an poorly handled customer service issue related to the included air transfer. I arrived with a Prestige member, and rather than take two vehicles, we consolidated into one vehicle. As a result, I did not fill out a airport transfer form that is clearly labeled as an arrival information form - so I did not fill it out. Low and behold, this form also requests departure information. Despite asking 3 and 2 days before to arrange transportation, I was told to go to the "W2M" desk 24 hours before. The guy at this desk was unhelpful at best, realistically - rude. Come back at 8, 9, 330; go to guest services at 330. Guest services asserted it was my fault I did not know the standard operating procedures of the hotel and that I would have to arrange my own transportation. I escalated the issue to hotel management, which was ultimately resolved 2 hours before departure. The evening hotel supervisor staff (Khianna [sp?]) did an excellent job de-escalating and assuring this would be resolved in the morning. Hotel management also visit me the morning of to walk me through the order of events for they can improve for future guests. I changed the review to 5/5, because honestly it was a great experience, minus a small inconvenience. The entertainment staff are excellent and deserve a shout out - Snopp Dogg, Alex, Jeremy. The queen tribute show was excellent.

  Sep 05, 2026
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  The Best Butler Duo

  Everything was absolutely amazing from start to finish #Room7358. My 2 AMAZING Butlers Ray & Houston made my quick birthday getaway PERFECT. They both went above and beyond my expectations. They made me feel truly special and I am so grateful & thankful. When I returned they are most definitely being highly recommended & will be most definitely requested!

  Sep 04, 2026
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  Great time

  I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Joia. The food was the best I've ever had at an all inclusive and the service was outstanding. I especially enjoyed Marcus and Jelly on the entertainment team. As I solo female traveler, I felt completely safe. The resort is very clean, beautiful and peaceful. I thought the workshops were very informative and enjoyable. Loved learning about mamajuana and coffee. The evening were very nice as well, with lovely singers and such a plus, in my book, that the theatre is air conditioned. Looking forward to returning.

  Sep 02, 2026
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  Excellent

  Victor and Houston was very attentive to our needs. I greatly appreciated both of them. The best butler's hands down. Thank you for everything.

  Sep 02, 2026