Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Amazing Resort

Luxury Bahia Principe Samana was exceptional. The staff were amazing professionals, always smiling and doing whatever they could to make our stay memorable. The grounds were well maintained and very clean. There was an error made with our room type which was rectified the following day Kudos to Fenando at reception, Watkin our butler, Jose, William, Johnny, Fernando, Ramon our waiters. Best holiday ever

Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Great Staff!

The grounds were beautiful and the staff were very nice! The activities personnel, especially Jordan, Dens, Chocolate and Joanne were a lot of fun and kept us entertained all week! Great job!!! One big negative: the resort didn’t have enough designated non-smoking areas. The few they did have were right beside smoking areas, so there was no way for us non smokers to escape the smoke! That was a big negative for us and we would not return for that reason alone.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Great resort

Everything here was top notch, food, service, room, beach. Nice compact resort without long distances to get to food beach etc. Will come again.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Perfect Family Vacation!

The staff is extremely hard working and each and every member of the team goes the extra mile to ensure your stay is a happy one. The grounds are clean and immaculate; trees and gardens are perfectly maintained. It feels very lush and tropical and the beach is stunning. There is a long coral reef that protects the beach which results in calm, crystal clear water. Beautiful view of the beach from the restaurants. Food is very tasty with plenty of choices for everyone and delicious fresh fruit. [... read more] Menu varies from day to day with different theme each day. Entertainment team made our stay fun and busy with activities! At first I was afraid that my kids will be bored but my 2 girls had fun all week long. Between volleyball, ping pong, darts and many other games the entertainers always kept them busy. The beach party was a nice ending to a week in paradise.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo – Excellent Vacation

We stayed at the resort from Jan 27th to Feb 2nd 2020. Overall, it was a great experience and one of the most enjoyable Caribbean all-inclusive vacations I have had. Resort: The entire resort is a good size and very walkable. The layout is well planned and the main buffet/pool/lobby bar is all in close proximity. Everything is walkable. The nighttime shows are held in one of two areas depending upon the activity: either near the nightclub/disco (#46 on Map – Publeo Principe near main en [... read more]trance) or in the area west of the lobby (#24) and lobby bar (#25). We had standard rooms and stayed in buildings #13 and #14. These are excellent locations to stay in as they are in close proximity to the beach/buffet/pool/lobby and are quiet at night. Rooms In building #13 and #14 the rooms are of average size and are in stacked townhouse-type 2-story configuration. Two units are on the 2nd floor and require a short climb of stairs and 2 are on the ground floor. The rooms are a little dated and nothing great but nothing to complain about either. There are very few available wall outlets in the rooms, so if you have many devices to plug in to charge, you are advised to bring a multi-outlet splitter or power bar. The rooms require that you insert your room key into a slot before power and A/C is enabled, so sometimes the room gets warm when unoccupied. Each room has an ironing board and room safe in the closet to store your valuables. The room was also provisioned with a robe and slippers. Service to clean the room was good. The only issue for us was that the rooms were not serviced until late afternoon (4PM or later). We would have preferred the rooms were cleaned mid-morning. Beach The orientation of the resort means that the beach is facing north. In January, this means that the sun rises in the South-east and sets in the South-west. If you are facing the water, the sun will be pretty much at your back the entire day. The beach is not hugely wide and is densely packed with multiple rows of beach loungers. I always got to the beach early and so never had a problem getting a lounger. There are palapas available but they get reserved early. Slightly away from the beach, there are shady areas where palapas are not necessary. When the resort is crowded, if you show up after 9:30am you will need to hunt to find a free lounger. The sand is soft, powdery, and pleasant on the feet. The water is shallow gradually gets deeper. It is warm enough to be pleasant and yet cool enough to be refreshing after a hot day in the sun. There are many corral formations close to the beach and further out toward the ocean. There are few waves as the corral formations and the shallow water disperse the waves before reaching shore. Snorkeling was not great immediately in front of the resort but was much better if you walked west along the beach outside the resort. Outside the resort, the beach extends for miles and miles. We did an hour walk along the beach toward Las Terranas. It is a very pleasant walk and is sparsely populated. It is a recommended activity for those who like beach walks. Buffet The main buffet (#27) is close to the lobby. A smaller buffet (#38) is also available. In front of each buffet is also an area for near beach dining. The buffet is well stocked and the food was delicious. The staff service in the buffets was good. Servers are quick to offer you coffee at breakfast time or to fill your water glass in the afternoon. The buffet selection and food quality was as good as or better than any other resort that I have been to. A-la-carte Restaurants We had opportunity to try all four a-la-carte restaurants. They were all excellent. We were a group of 9 and could not agree on which was the best. Service was excellent. I had red wine with dinner each night. While the wine was somewhere between terrible and not great, I kept drinking more anyway. Tip: At the seafood restaurant, the seafood stew was excellent and included some large pieces of lobster. Overall, even though the buffet was good, I very much preferred the restaurant-type experience and excellent food at the a-la-carte restaurants. Activities The Animation staff coordinates a variety of activities during the day. They encourage visitors to participate and are very upbeat. If you like activities, there is no shortage of activities (e.g. ring toss, horse shoes, bean-bag toss, volleyball, dance lessons, yoga, etc.). My only disappointment was there was no archery activity during the week I was there even though there was a range on the resort. Cons: Lighting – the overhead lobby lights are turned off later in the evening so the lobby is pretty much in the dark. I you like playing cards at night or sitting around with friends in the lobby expect it to be dimply lit. Bar Closings – the lobby bar closes at 11PM. After that, the only drinks available are in the mini bar in your room or at the nightclub near the main entrance. Wi-fi – the free wi-fi is a pain to register. It is very slow and the signal strength is intermittent. 15 min of internet access are provided after registration until the email address entered at registration is validated, however some devices are unable to access email during those 15 min. In this day and age, easy and fast email access should be a given.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: 5 star food !

Nice beach but there is a lot of sharp corral you have to watch out for. The layout at the beach is excellent with everything close by. The Bazillian BBQ restaurant was a hit and everyone liked the buffet especially the never ending bacon in the morning and the fresh fruit. Not really suitable for the party crowd but great for families, retired and relaxers! The only thing I would add is a swim up bar but for the money you can’t go wrong. I give it a solid 4.5 stars

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Beautiful resort!

This was our first time in Samana but we have been to other areas in DR. Absolutely beautiful hotel. Breathtaking setting. Smaller but just what we wanted. We upgraded to ocean view and it was worth it! Elegant, clean rooms. Lovely staff, very friendly. Great food - nice variety. We will definitely go back.

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Amazing

Everything was great and we would go again. The only thing we found is that other guests paid less than us so we wouldn’t book as early as we did next time. We would also stay 10 days instead of 7. The food was good. The seafood restaurant was the only one that wasn’t very good, but the service was still good

Cayo Levantado Resort: Excellent resort!

This resort was beautiful. The grounds were kept so well maintained. Food was amazing and the staff were great! There really was nothing bad to say! The a la carte restaurants were great and the Brazilian was very entertaining . The veetamina was always good!! Would highly recommend!!

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Great resort.

This was our second visit and we were not disappointed. We were very happy to have been given a larger room on our return visit. We were travelling with a large group and had asked to be in the same building and on the same floor. We were happy that these two requests were granted. Very good food, amazing beach, clean and well maintained resort.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Awesome Again

This is our second year in a row at this resort. Everything was great, with the exception of a few cranky staff members. Most of the staff are pleasant and very helpful, but some seemed unhappy to be there.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Very nice resort!

The hotel rooms were comfortable and spacious. The beach was beautiful, you could take long walks in both directions, palm trees giving you shade. The drawback was that the part of the beach in front of the resort was very crowded. Regarding dining - there was always a great selection of nice dishes to choose from. As far as excursions from the resort I took one to the National Park. The places we saw were beautiful but the lunch we got during the excursion was horrible . I had never ever se [... read more]en anything like this. Luckily a friend of mine who had taken that trip before advised me to take some food with me, otherwise I would be starving . There was just rice and noodles , some raw cabbage and tiny pieces of chicken back bones. Hopefully that will change as I complained to the Air Canada Vacations representative , but it is hard to tell.

Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Wonderful vacation

The resort is beautiful, clean and delicious. Well kept grounds, clean rooms, scrumptious restaurants. Never waited for food or drinks. Amazing staff. Now the bad. When we arrived at airport we had to fill out another declaration from. Mass confusion. It is 9pm we are hot and tired. The print on the forms are so small. Why couldn't we do it on plane ? We waited over an hour for everyone to complete these forms so we could shuttle to our hotel. And there were no drinks. Not a welcome cock [... read more]tail, not beer for sale at airport or on bus, first time for us, no beer ! Not even water to drink! When we arrived at hotel there was 1 sandwich in room. Only sandwiches available from room service. By now it is 11pm. We are at only bar open, no snack bar !the Disvo has ear splitting music and of course no one in it. We grabbed drinks and sat in lobby. Next problem. SMOKING. It is not enforced. Smoking with non smoking sections. Saw people sit at non smoking tables and smoke. Some took signs off table. Staff would do nothing about it. My last complaint is the bar , disco closes whenever.....we were seated in front of glass door to Disco, playing cards, drinking, and tipping. Twice she closed bar an hour early. Didn't ask if we would like another drink, of course ! And didn't tell us she was closing. We would have been quite happy with another drink or 2. It was only midnight and all inclusive. The Activities were great. Sometimes you had to remind them but they were willing g to play all the games and we had a great time !

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Amazing resort

Wonderful grounds, very nice kept, clean and stuff very profesional, and helpful. Food excellent, very fresh and well prepared. specially fruits always fresh and plenty to chose from. Restaurants re very good specially the brasilian one was amazing.

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Fantastic Resort

BP Luxury Samana, is a wonderful Adults only resort. The buffet & a la carts were great. The service was all top notch. The staff were wonderful & accomadating. Would not hesitate to recommend or return.

Cayo Levantado Resort: Lush Tropical Resort

Resort staff are friendly. We really liked the style of the development and all the greenery. It would have been nice to know that part of the beach was under construction and that the water is murky.

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Great Resort

Enjoyed our stay at the resort. One thijg though. Upon arrival the room only had one king bed for 2 guys when we were expecting 2 beds. I approached staff who switched us 2 a correct room with 2 beds but charged us 5 Dollars US extra per nite 4 6 nites. I asked for that 2 be waived informing staff that this was my 5th or 6th visit to the Bahia chain of hotels. After confering with his manager I was told nothing could be done. I was disappointed .

Wyndham Alltra Samana: Disappointed on my third stay

Just returned from a week in Grand Paradise Samana. This is the third time we have stayed here over the past 7 years..unfortunately it will be our last visit. Some things have improved since our last trip..The quality of food is certainly better and the new pool area is very nice, but some things have changed for the worse. Since our last visit they have implemented a tiered guest system.. with "select","premium" and everyone else. If you happen to go as a regular visitor the experience is as a  [... read more]third class citizen. The management of the main dining hall is the best example. It used to be the whole dining area was open to everyone. Now more than half is reserved for select or premium guests leaving only half available for the rest of the guests. So while half the dining area was virtually empty the regulars were crowded into a too small area with tables so close you were constantly being knocked by passers by. If you did not get to the buffet (either breakfast, lunch or dinner) as soon as it opened you would be lucky to get a table. People were sitting at tables with no place settings or often sat down at a table that others had just left before it was cleared to get a spot. The upshot of all this was dining was more of a cattle call than a relaxed dining experience...meanwhile we gazed longingly at the dozens of empty tables on the other side of the dining room. It also seemed to have affected the staff.. who on previous visits were outgoing and friendly. That does not seem true anymore. They seemed remote and generally unhappy. Maybe it had to do with the fact that seemed more about policing who could do what and go where under the tiered system than actually providing a service to the guests. I don't blame the front line people. I think they are just as unhappy about this as I was. The laid back, friendly vibe I returned for has gone :( The natural surroundings both on the property and around it are stunning..It is truly a beautiful area. I have recommended this hotel many times over the years to friends who want a relaxed vacation in a beautiful setting but I cannot in good consciousness recommend it anymore. I will not be going back

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Not bad but can be improved

Small and quiet so one doesn’t need to fight for beach chairs. A bit disappointed by the buffet seafood choices (only fish and squid). The shower only has warm water, so don’t expect to take a nice hot shower. Lack of facilities for kids. However overall an enjoyable trip and j will give it a 4 /5.

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Great resort!

Room service needs improvement as in response time. 2 orders were not even delivered to our room. A la carte restaurants need lots of advace booking as there is only one open restaurant per evening. Very difficult to find a spot at the pool or beach unless reserved with a towel by 7 am. Shower in room also only had a half wall which allows for water all over the bathroom floor which also has no exhaust fans in the suite bathrooms.