Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Checked All the Boxes

Right from being picked up at the airport on our arrival to check in, it was a breeze! The hotel staff were very attentive, friendly and catered to our every need! The food was great, the rooms were spotless, in fact the entire hotel was VERY clean. After not going away for 6 years, it was a pleasant experience!

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Great place to stay!

We have a loveliest family stay at the resort at the end of January 2023. Absolutely well maintained facilities starting from lobby, landscaping, villas, restaurants, everything. Very clean. Food and drinks were amazing. Beach and pools are perfectly maintained, gorgeous, stuff was very friendly.. We stayed with the 4 years old and he had a great time at their children's waterpark and Miniclub (children's care place).Entertainment was good enough (but we were not much into this, because we had [... read more] the grandson with us, maybe for someone else it was not that good). But

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Great food, friendly staff, but bad drinks service

We went to Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo for a week as a family including two sets of grand parents and our four year old. It was a fantastic resort and the beach absolutely blew us away. The sand was soft and well maintained but the best part was the coral reefs just off the shore that were teeming with fish! You could literally walk a few meters into shoulder-deep water and see colorful tropical fish without paying for any snorkeling tours. Indeed, many other tourists came prepared with the [... read more]ir own snorkeling gear - there was a ton of people enjoying the beauty of the reefs, adults and kids alike. The food was phenomenal at the buffets - loads of choice and the snack bar was way above what we expected to find at a typical snack bar - it was basically a mini buffet with full on meals which was amazing for a little kid who gets hungry at random times of the day. The a-la-carte restaurants were alright, nothing too interesting or special but still worth a visit. The staff were incredibly friendly and even though few spoke English outside of the front desk staff they really did try hard to tend to your needs. In particular, the ladies who ran kids activities were so nice and so sweet, my son really enjoyed playing in the sand the sand and at the "Bahia Scouts" kids center. The only exception to this is the drinks service - the staff will happily come take your order as you sit and enjoy the patios but literally out of 10+ times they took an order from me for something as simple as a glass of wine they never actually came back with the drink. I'm not talking about it coming slowly, I'm saying after 45+ minutes they still didn't even check up again and even try to make up for forgetting. Moreover, in the evening time there's basically only the one bar operating as the beach and pool bars close so with the amount of people there and the tiny bar, you guessed it - you're waiting more than 20 minutes sometimes just to fill up a small cup of beer. This is not limited to alcohol - at the breakfast buffet, getting a cup of coffee was a challenge. This was honestly one of the most annoying things about our stay and while it is not a deal breaker it would definitely make me think twice about visiting again. I generally don't want to stand in lines for significant portions of my vacation. The rooms were pretty "meh" - adequate but nothing special. We had a shower faucet that sprayed sideways when we got our room that they quickly fixed after we complained. Unlike some other resorts I've been to, there's not much to see if you try to walk somewhere from the resort. The closest town, Las Terrenas, was almost an entire hour's walk down the beach with not much to see there. A few other things that are worth mentioning as well: * There are a few mosquitos but not many; only a few bites out of a whole week there * There are two ATMs at the resort but both of them stole my money - they withdrew the funds but never gave me any cash. One refunded it quickly, but for the second time I had to launch a full investigation via my bank that is going to take 10-15 business days to recover the funds (hopefully). DO NOT USE THE ATMs; and even the ones outside the resort I wouldn't trust. You're much better off bringing in American dollars that you exchange in Canada. * There are some incredibly friendly stray dogs that occasionally wander into the resort area; we along with many others that we saw found them very endearing. They are super sweet and do not cause any trouble at all, but if you're afraid of dogs you might want to make note of that. Many people including us petted them and really enjoyed their company. They will quickly leave you alone if you tell them to "shoo" and wave away. There are also cats around the resort, they are also super sweet although they don't really like to be petted - me and my wife both got scratched when we tried to. * Wifi in the lobby and common areas was fairly good but in the villas it was very, very spotty to the point of not working at all for long stretches of time

Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Amazing Resort

The resort was small but cozy and very friendly and we loved it. The rooms were spotless and service was excellent. What we liked about this resort is that every room had an Oceanview and the recent restorations were done with class. Each room had balconies with glass railings and did not obstruct any view of the grounds or ocean. The grounds were green and lush. The food was excellent and catered to all international tourists. The beach was excellent and clean and we loved the fact that you  [... read more]could walk for unlimited distance without any fear. We had no problem getting beach chairs there were plenty of them. Beach towels were at our disposal with no limits. The staff was very friendly and accommodating throughout the resort.

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Cayacoa

I have nothing negative to report. Everything was first class and the staff were awesome. They made me feel at home. The food was outstanding and the beach and pools were fantastic. I would definitely go back.

Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Perfect size resort!

The grounds are very beautifully kept.The beds are very comfortable.We enjoyed the Cirque de Soleil and the 70&80's show.The food at the breakfast buffet could have been warmer,but that problem was solved once I discovered the omelette station would make you a fried egg and also had bacon.The cappuccinos were very good.We really enjoyed the Fusion restaurant.The salmon and risotto was delicious.House wines were also good.The Mediterranean restaurant was hit or miss depending on what you ordered [... read more].The beach although beautiful,was slanted which was a bit of an issue for a less abled body.The disco was far too loud to enjoy inside.Almost every person employed there was friendly and acknowledged your presence.The front desk workers were very helpful!

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Great resort! Wonderful time!

We are a family of 5 and we stayed in the resort during the 1st and 2nd week of January. The hotel was more than we expected. The rooms are large and comfortable, food was excellent - probably the best we've ever had in the Caribian. Staff was very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed all the games and activities organized by the entertainment team. We went to snorkeling and horseback riding. We loved both excursions. We would highly recommend this resort. We are planning to go back for the wake wat [... read more]ching.

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Not a Luxury 5 Star 0r "Hidden Jem"

Although my wife and I very much enjoyed our two week vacation, weather was great and the view for the room is beyond description... A few annoyances and misses that made us not love this resort. Food - Buffet was ok, but not 5 star worthy, also ventilation in the cooking area was poor and very hot and smoke filled. A La Carte restaurant - although they have 3 listed only one was open daily and due to privet events and resort capacity, we were stuck may times at the buffet for dinner. This  [... read more]is not a 5 Star experience. Rooms are comfortable but dated and in need of renovation. Although the resort itself is vey quiet, it backs onto the main road and you can hear the occasional motorcycle late at night. The Beach, quiet and private... but not as advertised in this picture. The boardwalk and ocean break wall shown in the picture are washed out. Overall... Not a 5 Star and not worth the extra money spent.

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Did not exceed our expectations

The Hotel was clean and grounds are very beautiful, Stuff is very friendly and accommodating , But the reservations for a La Carte Restaurants are not possible to get. It was very disappointing not to be able to get a table at Don Pablo French restaurant. If I am paying for Luxury Resort, I am expecting to get the everything that the place is advertising as All inclusive. Food at the buffet was alright, but nothing to brag about. No shrimp /crab legs or seafood in general except for fish, and  [... read more]calamaries we had The beach and pool grounds are nice , enough space for everyone to enjoy. Overall is good Resort but not a Luxury resort

Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Great vacation spot!

It was our first Adult only resort in DR and we weren't disappointed. Perfect location beautiful grounds always maintained and clean. It was great that we didn't need to hunt for beach towels you can just grab them near the pool and drop them to the same place. And there are always plenty of them . We stayed in bungalow highly recommended if you want privacy and quite place. The customer service is great whenever we had small issues they were addressed fast and always with the smile . The food [... read more] we good always versatile. Would be great to have more musicians coming playing in the resort not only Spanish singers .

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Relaxing & Beautiful Resort

A 40-minute drive from Samana Airport to the Hotel. Stunning views from this beautiful resort. The staff was very accommodating, personable, and professional. Ample buffet choices. Fresh juices daily & plenty of fresh fruit. Egg and pasta stations to order personal choices. The buffet food was always lukewarm. If you like your food hot, a microwave is located beside the egg station. The hotel, public washrooms, and swimming pool were very clean. Staff was always in public areas, clean [... read more]ing. The Beach is very short. Ample beach beds and shade from umbrellas and trees. Seaview Room - The washroom and vanity were on the smaller side. The room and balcony are a good size, with lots of cupboards and a safe is included. The room was well sound-proofed. Music at the pool and at the nightly entertainment area was very loud. Request a quiet room when booking and many of the rooms were close to the outdoor nightly entertainment area where loud music played until 10:30-11 pm most evenings. Coffee and tea are located in the lounge area beside the bar. .

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Dominican Republic bliss

I would highly recommend this hotel as the people working there certainly make the difference. I would not recommend booking it through air canada as the rep lied to us. Flight was excellent but the rep was dishonest

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Nice but some things have changed

Resort is beautiful. However. Relax pool is not relaxing any longer. No rules posted. No rules enforced. It used to be for adults but no longer. Security removing towels from lounges because of unclear rules when you can place your towels on them. Waiting for a drink takes way too long.

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Tropical Resort with Amazing Views.

The resort was in a lush, tropical setting with such beautiful views from so many vantage points. The room was one of the largest I've stayed in with a huge balcony with an amazing ocean view, sitting area, comfortable king bed and large spacious bathroom, with both a tub and shower. The elevated heated spacious pool sported a swim up bar, one of a kind views, lots of seating in both the sun and shade, and ongoing fun-filled activities. The private beach area was nice, with lots of lounge chai [... read more]rs, a bar, and warm waters for swimming. At the buffet restaurant you were always treated wonderfully by the staff, and the food was very good. I always found much to choose from, using pork, beef, chicken, fish, mussels, potatoes etc. in many different ways. Lots of fresh fruit and vegetable dishes. There was a made to order pasta bar. A large selection of hot and cold desserts, my favourites being the hot rice pudding and fresh ice-creams. The specialty restaurants were a nice way to try some different new foods. My favourite was the French restaurant, but all were worth trying. The bar tenders were all friendly and enjoyed making any sort of beverage. Really enjoyed the frozen Margaritas, Banana Mamas, Coco Locos, etc. The lobby bar had an all day tea and coffee station. The nightly entertainment was good, They was always a musician / singer or sax player to start the evening and get the dancing going. The specialty shows like the Stars (impersonators), Caribbean Party, and Circus sported talented dancers and performers. And as always, like by the pool in the afternoons, the entertainment staff were there engaging with us, dancing with us and for us, getting us participating, having fun, making the experience extra special. Such high energy and pride in their jobs. The resort was so very clean. Constantly sweeping / washing / painting/ repairing. Even though it is a fairly compact resort, with it being built on a hillside there are many stairs, which in the 37 with humidex weather I found taxing at times. The staircases to our 3rd floor unit, as well as many of the outdoor ramps/ stairs were not all well lit at night, so had to be quite careful not to mis-step. I'm so very glad I went and saw this beautiful resort.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Nice resort

Everything was fine, except the waiting line for the buffet. Hotel was crowded and waiting in the line for a table when is hot outside was unpleasant. This was the main negative aspect. Room and the beach were good. No seaweed, the shore was clean and the sea clear enough. Nice beach in general! Activities and night entertainment were present like in the old times, before 2020.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Average

Hello, I like to leave a review on our recent travels to this hotel and our experience with trip central. Firstly when when we speaking with trip central agent about booking travel and stay at this hotel. Even thou the travel agent informed us that no flights would fly directly into Samana going forward and therefore only to Puerto Plata at the time of travel. The agent never mentioned that the bus ride would be a 4+ HR bus ride..THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MENTIONED. The travel agent should have at [... read more] least informed us of this at time of booking. They could have stated that as a courtesy. Nevertheless, the trip was booked. We stayed at this hotel before (pre- pandemic) and the experience was incredible therefore we were so excited to take our first trip after the pandemic to this exact destination and hotel again. We stayed two weeks in superior junior suite. The room was great as like before. However, the overall service was average at best. Far cry from before(pre pandemic). The shows were only tailored to children. No adult shows or entertainment existed. Very disappointing. The service seemed to cater to the locals rather than travellers from outside countries. On weekends the service was even worse. Sometimes had to ask to be served after waiting on servers who were going to serve locals multiple times. It was noticeable… some were quite rude and and didn’t try to even speak a word of English. The beach is great. Overall, average. Never travelling to this hotel again. Not worth the money and never using trip central again.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: The ultimate in incompetence

Room not verified before rental, shower head didn't work and hand held shower in bathtub also broken. AC didn't blow strong enough to cool the room (AC system antique) and the bed was hard as rock (flintstone era). Only the shower head was fixed, the rest wasn't properly addressed to my liking. Wait time for lunch and dinner lineups was up to 30 mins, but most of the time was 8-12 mins. Shows were very poor, always for kids and very few, if any, were good for adults. Beach was the best I've seen [... read more] from all the Bahia's I have been to. Excellent for people (like my wife) who can't swim, you can go out 50 feet and it's at mid section height and this was for kms everywhere on both sides of the resort. Kite sufing 5 mins away. Pool was full on weekends since they rent rooms to the locals. Service on weekends is horrendous since they increase the room rentals to locals but don't increase the staff. Beach bar service could take up to 1/2 hr. No where to sit on the beach on weekends. Staff have a hard time to understand plain english except for Lidia who was very helpful. If your a privilege menber of any sort, you will be equally ignored like everybody else. I feel generous today and will give a 2/12 star rating. Definitely not a 5 star. Paid $1449 for a superior jurior suite in first class (still too expensive for what is was worth) CAD with Air Canada from Montreal. Unless you have very little money, DON'T GO THERE!!!!!

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: A keeper!!!!

This was our 5th trip to a GBP Resort and our First to Luxury Samana. As was mentioned in other reviews for other travelers this is a small resort which we love. It has a lot of stairs. Not the typical flat resort. The resort, staff and location is fantastic. Private beach and no other resorts around. What else could you ask for!!! Add great food at the buffet and restaurants and all the drinks you would need. We have to mention Jen Black at Trip Central who did a wonderful job with emails  [... read more]and follow ups. Air Transit was perfect. Clean plane that left on time and landed before scheduled time. A flawless vacation.!!!!!

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Relaxing vacation!

Very relaxing one week stay. Staff all very friendly and accommodating. Buffet and a la cartes all excellent. accommodations were excellent. entertainment excellent. shout out to Nerfri for leading all the fun activities!

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Absolutely Amazing

Upon arriving at the resort the first thing you notice is the cleanliness. We booked the junior suite and it was just what we had expected. The moment my wife got off the bus she said we have to come back. The beauty of all the vegetation was incredible. The friendliness of the employees made you feel so welcome and at home.Food was amazing, there were many different choices and they never ran out of anything at the buffet. The beach seater were very clean and very well maintained. We will defin [... read more]itely be back next year. Special thank you to Nicole Deforest for everything and for answering the questions that I had for her, your answers were always polite and very clear to understand