Bahia Principe Escape Bouganville: Exceeded Expectations

We stayed at the luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville on Feb 18-23. We researched this resort extensively on Google earth and on YouTube before going so I had certain expectations going in. The picture's or video's didn't do it justice. The resort is spotless from the main lobby to the beach and everywhere in between. The rooms were spotless as well. Cleaned every day and mini bar restocked every day as well. There are 2 pools. The party pool next to the beach where the entertainment was [... read more] and the quiet pool on the other end of the resort. Both have swim up bars and both have waiter service. The beach water isn't aqua blue but the beach itself more than made up for it with the megalithic palm trees. A very tropical feel which is exactly what I was looking for. The food was all good no matter where we ate. The Buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner were hot and fresh. Different Selections every day. Different themes for dinner every night. We ate at 2 ala cart restaurants, the Brazilian and the signature Don Pablo restaurant. Both were out of this world good. The filet mignon is indescribable. The drinks weren't too weak but not too strong, they were just right all the time. I would suggest that you bring a "bubba", the supplied cups are pretty small. The staff are all helpful and friendly. Almost all spoke some english so if your Spanish isn't up to snuff you'll still be ok. Overall everything exceeded what I hoped this vacation was going to be. If a quiet relaxing vacation in a lush tropical enviroment is what you are looking for then this is the place for you.

Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: TAKE A PASS ON THIS HOTEL

This hotel offers terrible rooms with single beds, and supposed suites which are as small as a closet. Staff are wonderful, some of the best. Falsely advertised as a five star, it features improper AC, lack of storage for your clothes, a near impossibility to attain seating in the ala carte restaurants. We were unable to obtain seating in most of these restaurants, and not once were they fully seated. In fact at half seating capacity at best. They prefer to hoard you into a poor buffet,  [... read more]overheated seating area, with food that is of very poor quality, and has the appearance of being recycled. All of this hoax is in over to avoid your ability to book what you paid for. Free wifi is also not true. Your first attempt to obtain their wifi puts you into a portal with a fee of 70.00 US. Satellite tv....surely you jest. In fact for two days of the Olympics they had no TV at all. When it did function, you had basic cartoons (in an adult only resort) several Spanish stations, and perhaps one or two in English. Do yourself a favour, and book anywhere else, this resort is sure to disappoint you

Bahia Principe Explore Coba: Large complicated complea

Has many good features, ( Clean, relatively friendly staff and could hire more ) but overly too big and difficult to find your way around Many bars but drinks are inconsistent and overall poor. Food is average.

Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica: Awesome Resort

This resort was beautiful. We had such an amazing week here. The staff were all very friendly and outgoing. They all made us feel at home. Lots of activities for everyone. Looking forward to returning next year.

Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an

Spotless facilities and rooms. Could use more storage area and places to hang your wet items. Sleeping accommodation for third person in Jr. Suite was basically cushions on the floor and not very comfortable. Free WiFi was a joke. It was really a pitch to purchase premium service. Despite these instances still had a great time and would return.

Bahia Principe Escape Runaway Bay: Great Vacation

Hotel was fabulous, staff went out of their way to make you feel comfortable. Amazing food and Cool Running excursion to Dunns River Falls was crazy good ! No issues booking a la carte restaurants. Rooms were very spacious and clean. At no time did I not feel unsafe in the resort.

Bahia Principe Explore Akumal: Lovely resort

The grounds, rooms and all facilities were very clean. FOod was good to excellent in all the restaurants we tried including the buffet. Had trouble at checkin and with the air conditioning in our first room. After 3 complaints we were upgraded and all was good. Staff very friendly. Size is a bit overwhelming at first for those used to smaller resorts. Far from town so unable to walk to a village and just browse.

Bahia Principe Escape Runaway Bay: Can't wait to go back

This resort is by far my favourite right now. They make you feel at home and the amenities throughout the resort are amazing. Weather it's the 24 hour room service the servers saving you from having to go to bar on the beach or the water toys you can borrow it's amazing.

Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: perfect everything!!

The atmosphere, the rooms, the pools, the bars, the staff, the cleanliness, the towel exchange, the shopping and the excursions that are available are reasons that we will be going back. Everyone tells us to try another all inclusion at a different location but this one was so perfect both times we were there that that seems silly to us.

Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: Lovely Spot to Relax

This resort is beautiful. The staff couldn't be friendlier and truly are the stars of the show. The grounds are immaculate, the food is delicious, our room was perfect and the entertainment crew are crazy talented. And, if there isn't enough to keep you amused here, you have access to three other resorts - we only made it to Akumel, just didn't have time to investigate all there was to see. The only reason we would not likely return to this hotel is the beach doesn't quite meet what we look [... read more] for on a vacation south. This is no reflection on the resort itself, they do everything they can to keep it clean and there are lots of chairs and accessible bars, etc., but we prefer a long, wide sandy beach where we can snorkel without the barriers they put up to keep the waves from crashing in and walk for miles.

Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: Awesome, spectacular, overall well managed resortAll staff

All staff are courteous, well trained and provide competent assistance / service Transportation to and from Sian Kan to the beaches and restaurants is efficient and the drivers are again courteous and competent Restaurants serve excellent food , exception is Mikos Restaurant where both food and service are sub-standard- salmon was badly prepared; I was twice served dessert- one of which I had not ordered, and the other which I ordered, in both cases the quality of the dessert was poor. One o [... read more]f the staff at Air Canada office at the Resort was curt and disrespectful when I had gone to confirm my return flight

Bahia Principe Explore Akumal: Nice resort

We liked the resort. The food was quite good. The service staff were very polite. The downside was that there is no direct ocean access. There are retaining wall so there are a couple of small wading areas into the water but you can't go out in to the waves. The photos of the resort do not show that clearly. It appears as though there is clear access. For that reason alone, we won't go back to this resort.

Bahia Principe Escape Bouganville: Great trip except for AirTransat flight

We had a great time at the resort. They were a little unorganized for arriving and departing guess. Bus issue and check on issues. The worse was the flight. Air Transat has reduce leg room. I am a petite lady and my knees touched the front seat causing knee pain. Many passengers complained. Will think twice before even booking with Air Transat travel again

Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica: Not the best value for the money not a 4 1/2 star

The grounds were nice and the buffet dinning room was nice the hallways to your rooms were dirty the toilet didn't work properly and the room smelled of sewer smell some of the staff were rude in dealing with issues at the bar you were served before people in the line if you showed money

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Nice resort

The resort is really clean, good food, nice rooms, long walking beach, beautiful staff willing to help in anyway. We tried all the specialty restaurants and liked them all. My favourite was the gourmet restaurant.

Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica: Needs revamping !

Was excepting a 'bright, colorful' resort, no color. Everything was white and beige. Needs some re-decorating. Not enough information for guests, always asking for help/directions within the complex. We always vacation in Jamaica because we love the Jamaicans, they are very polite and happy people. But this resort, most employees seemed sad, or angry. Beach area, well there's none close to the hotel, we must walk a bit. Also when we reserved our trip, the website stated it was in  [... read more]'Montego Bay'!! NOT... was in Runaway Bay :-( Signs everywhere, that you cannot reserve the pool chairs, well that's a joke !! We woke up early one day, like 7am and there were always reserved chairs... Not enough chairs for everyone, some people were lying directly on the ground around the pool. Although, I would recommend this hotel for family with small children, great set up, lots to do for the kids!

Bahia Principe Grand San Juan: Had an amazing time!

The room was very clean- working AC, fresh towels, water and beer everyday and hot showers. Some of the rooms are far from the main area but they have carts they can drive you on, otherwise a walk never hurts you during an all inclusive. The food was fantastic, lots of variation. The buffet changed every night and the al cartes were fancy and delicious. Best food I have had at an all inclusive. (I have been to Cuba, Jamaica and Mexico). The beaches were small but the water was warm. Ther [... read more]e were three pools but most people tended to hangout around the big main one. My only complaint was that the pool was closed 2 days due to "child accidents" but not much can be done about that. We did the 27 famous waterfall excursion and hike. It was beautiful and I would highly recommend it if you like exercise and adventure. Overall, our experience was fantastic. Everyone was very friendly (and Canadian). The service was also very nice and efficient. I would definitely recommend this resort.

Bahia Principe Explore Coba: Fantastic experience

Nothing but good reviews for this resort. The staff were beyond friendly, the rooms were great, beautiful pools and beaches. Food was incredible. Resort was very big, and transportation was always available to the different locations around the resort. Never had to wait more than 5 minutes. Would 100% go back.

Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica: PERFECT SPOT!

We really enjoyed our stay here! The resort is well maintained, clean and comfortable with a friendly staff. The food was fantastic! A great variety everyday. The pools were perfect, the beaches were great. Make sure you go to the beach on the family side of the resort. There seemed to be more space over there and they even have some trees that provide the shade you need at times. The water was clean, clear and warm. We liked the beach better than the pool. There is also a very good lunch bu [... read more]ffet right beside the beach. The hotel is also in a good location to go to the excursions. GO HERE - YOU WILL LOVE IT!!

Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: Enjoyed our stay

My husband and I are fairly new to the concept of all-inclusive resorts. Things we enjoyed about our stay: 1. Convenient airport transfers. 2. The location - very central to access Mayan ruins at Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza and away from the bigger tourist centres. The Tulum ruins were only 15 minutes away taking the local collectivo vans. 3. Sian Ka'an is one of five resorts connected by trams. Mostly full access to different types of resorts allowed us to try out different locations. 4.  [... read more]Cleanliness - our room and all resort bathrooms were spotless. 5. Friendliness and helpfulness of staff. 6. The beach. The beach is private and kept immaculately clean. We never had any problem finding a chaise and shade palapa in the Sian Ka'an section. The things we didn't enjoy relate more (I think) to the nature of all-inclusive resorts as opposed to criticism of Sian Ka'an 1. Food quality. Aside from a very good meal at Alux (Sian Ka'an) and a good meal at Los Corales (Brazillian Grilled Meat, Tulum Resort) we found the food to be mediocre. Some food was obviously made from powder and juices seemed to be mixed with tang-like fillers. There is lots of choice so we tried to stick to the least processed food - had lots of salads and fruit which was fine. 2. Buffet ambiance. The Sian Ka'an buffet had a real cafeteria feel to it. We ended up going mostly to the al la carte restaurants or the buffet at Hotel Akumal which has lovely views of the ocean and the buffet is in a separate room. 3. The hair nets staff had to wear. Not sure if this is a health requirement for all inclusive resorts but requiring all the wait staff to wear hair nets made the dining experience less than perfect. 4. The El Cenote snack bar at breakfast time (apart from the coffee machine which was excellent - way better than coffee anywhere else). For anyone interested in getting up early to go to Mayan ruins, golf etc etc, the only eating option was the El Cenote snack bar that advertised itself as a place to get breakfast. Yet there weren't any breakfast food options. Would be great if you could get something really simple like yoghurt, toast, eggs. 5. The sound system at the pools and in the lobby. The amplifiers were turned up way too loud making it impossible to find quiet little spots to sit around the pools. We eventually did find a separate section of the resort closer to the golf course that was very peaceful though the pool was quite small. Am pretty certain those that wanted to participate in all the games and activities could easily still hear with the volume turned down a few notches. 6. The extent of drunkenness. Again, not clear if that's the nature of all-inclusive resorts, but we were embarrassed with the number of people (mostly Canadians) who drank excessively. By the end of the week, a very large number of people had broken legs, arms and incredibly bruised faces from falling down drunk. Not great ambassadors for our wonderful country. While we likely would not choose to stay at an all inclusive resort again based on our experience, we would certainly recommend the Bahia Principe to any friends who really enjoy that type of vacation. We met a number of people who return there regularly and just love it.