Bahia Principe Explore Akumal: Over promise, Under deliver

THE GOOD... Overall the property is very large and beautiful and aging but quite well maintained. There are many pools (both busy and quiet) and expansive beach areas with safe swimming and decent snorkeling areas. There is no shortage of beach / pool recliners to spend a few hours in the sun. A very unique feature is the transportation system that is made up of a large number of large modified golf cart like vehicles that travels the many pathways and roadways throughout the resort on a regu [... read more]lar schedule. This is free to visitors of the resort. Most staff were quite friendly and helpful, with the exception of some front desk staff who tended to deflect concerns. Our visit to the Spa for a Mayan Massage and Reflexology treatment was excellent! our therapist was Berenice and she was excellent! Definitely the highlight of our week. THE BAD... Depending on the package and individual resort that you purchase there is a promise of dining at the specialty restaurants. The package we purchase was at the "Luxury" Akumal Resort which was supposed to include daily dinners at their specialty restaurants. Upon arrival, however, when we tried to book our dinners we were informed that all the restaurants were totally booked for the week! It was only after many heated discussions with several staff including 3 managers that we were able to get 5 of 7 bookings. Most of these were only discovered at the last minute after checking with the "entertainment" coordinators multiple times during the day! THIS CAUSED A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AND STRESS...something you go on holidays to avoid. Sadly, we have experienced the same frustration on previous visits to this resort but hoped that things would have improved. This resort was technically "all inclusive" but proved to be not really the case. The specialty restaurants had nearly as many choices on their menus that were available FOR AN EXTRA CHARGE as choices that were included, including liquor. The many bars had a reasonable amount of recognizable "premium" brands of liquor but when the staff poured drinks I always saw them use unrecognizable domestic brands? of cheaper liquor. The mixed drinks that included fruit juices all had a very UNPLEASANT chemical like taste which resulted from using cheaper fruit juice alternatives / concentrates. When I asked what type of red wine was being offered at dinner the waiter just laughed and declared that he did not know. Upon reading the bottle he was right. There was no grape variety listed, it just said red wine. Same for the white. (Unsurprisingly it was not good). But unsurprisingly you could actually purchase FOR AN EXTRA CHARGE a named bottle of Merlot, Cab Sav, Pinot Noir, etc. The same applied to some of the resort bars that were open in the evening. Despite displaying moderately premium brands of liquor, they were only available at EXTRA COST. We experienced several minor irritations with our room that included loss of TV signal on three occasions, malfuntion of the in room safe, and malfuntion of our room access key. While none of these were serious they took multiple conversations / visits with hotel staff to rectify. FRUSTRATION AND STRESSFUL! CONCLUSIONS.... In my opinion this resort is no longer 5 star but probably 4 star. Although they make many promises about the superior service level at the Akumal Resort this is not the case. We have also previously stayed at the Coba resort and there is not an appreciable difference (except that it is less expensive and has much better fun vibe...especially in the evening. We spent the most evening time there.

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Can't wait to go again!

A lengthy, detailed, honest review: We had the pleasure of staying at the Bahai Principe Luxury Esmerelda for the second time: March 31, 2025, for 10 nights, 11 days, to celebrate my 60th birthday. It was enjoyable a year prior, but this time, they really upped their game! A big shout-out to Alfredo Michel, our butler, who went above and beyond! He got us checked in smoothly and he helped my boyfriend to have a fruit tray, swan towels, and rose petals forming HBD on the bed, as well as a big [... read more] bubbly bath with rose petals and champagne on ice. He always helped us out in many ways and became a real amigo! He made our stay so much better in every way! The a la carte restaurants were very good. 15 of them! I was able to book our restaurants at home before we left on the My Bahai app. *If you don't do this, book your restaurants the minute you arrive, or they may be full or only have very early or late times. The only 2 we do not recommend: Caicu Beach & Rodizio. The staff took a long time to get around to us, and we were all very uncomfortably bloated after eating and drinking there. The Fish Market, the smoke alarm was very loud and lasted a very long time. Also, the food was overcooked and very rubbery. The staff at the pool bar were very friendly. The staff at the Main Caney restaurant were also very friendly, acknowledging us every morning. A large group came to sing Feliz Cumpleaños (happy birthday) to me at breakfast! So nice! For dinner at Yurta, the Mongolian restaurant, they brought me a cake after I had mentioned it was my birthday! An entire cake! I have to say Tequila, Yurta and Limbo were my favorite restaurants. If I could suggest anything, it would be to change the music they played during exercise time at the pool. It was the same songs every day, and I was there 11 days, so it got monotonous. The maids were very good. I suggest using Google translate on your phone if needed, as a lot of the maids aren't fluent in English. (Because i was here a year ago, I took some basics in Spanish). Get the My Bahai app for your phone. It shows your dinner dates and times, menus, room service, plus you can get mini bar items, towels, maintenance, etc. with this app. The staff at Guest Experience were always asking how everything was. If you needed anything, they jumped to do so immediately! I had a massage twice near the beach. Those ladies were very good. Google translate will help with those not very fluent in English. Very friendly. Every staff member walking by you always greeted you with Hola! There is a sign stating you're not supposed to reserve lounge chairs, yet people do. Ongoing problem. I see people put towels on them, then don't show for many hours. Almost had a real problem with guests after i moved their unattended towels after no one was there for about 25 mins. They complained to staff but were told there was no reserving lounge chairs. Tipping the maids, bartenders, waitresses and drivers of the golf cart transports is optional, but I would recommend it, if you can. (I found out these people make very little money, and their faces light right up and are so very appreciative to get any tip). I was not told this before, but when you stay at the Esmerelda, you have access to the other Bahai resorts nearby (except Fantasia because of the children). You can go to the other resorts and drink at their bars, wander their grounds. They only state you use your own resorts buffet. A truly enjoyable and memorable birthday vacation! Highly recommended!

Bahia Principe Escape Runaway Bay: Amazing resort!

I had a really great vacation with this resort chain and would definitely go back! The resort was beautiful — the grounds were extremely well kept and clean, and the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. The food was fantastic, with the Asian restaurants being a real standout. We stayed on the luxury side, and I was a huge fan of the poolside entertainment — special shoutout to Crazy Legs for keeping the energy high and making it so much fun! The only downside to our stay was the del [... read more]ay in getting into our room. We didn’t get in until around 6 PM, and when we did, we noticed some slight mold issues and a non-working A/C. Thankfully, guest services acted quickly and moved us to a different room, which resolved the issue. All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and I’m already looking forward to returning!

Bahia Principe Explore Jamaica: Peaceful family vacation

Just spent a week in Jamaica at the Grand Bahia Principe. Rooms were clean, nice king bed and good air conditioning (almost too good). The buffet was well varied, had steak almost every night grilled but large variety of other meats. Fresh fresh fresh vegetables, a little early for good msgo but nice variety and fruit selection. Pool had a lovely mix of shallow water for small kids and deeper water with music by the pool bar. Found it hard to get chairs the first couple of days but made o [... read more]ur way to the beach and spent most of our days there. Everything was central (5 min walk to our rooms, the pool, the buffet, the beach) and there were a number of cordoned off beach spots to choose from. The grandkids thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling in shallow eater and seeing lots of fish and hermit crabs. Bahia has a good, reliable standard and it was a great relaxing vacation. Only the airport was a disappointment returning home. There were several restaurants in the airport terminal but none were open except Wendy's and Margaritaville. Excellent weather, good food, good drinks and a great time with family.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Not a 5 stars resort!

Too many people in resort. No places on the beach or around the pool. Waiting in line to go in the main buffet (not enough space). You pay for premium drinks (so it is not all included). Food is average more oriented to the Canadian taste: bacon, burgers, fries, pizza, pasta, omelettes.

Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana: Beautiful Resort

The food was Plentiful and tasty. Rooms were pretty clean. Had no wifi in my room. Depending where you were sitting by the pool, wifi was a hit and miss. Although there are signs not to reserve your seats by the pool or at the beach, people continued to set their towels down and go back to bed or to breakfast. Because the resort is so big, i found that staff were not very social. I feel that Punta Cana (Bahia Principe) has become very commercialized. It's lacking the carribean feeling.

Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: great resort

overall the resort was great. The only downside was that you paid for premium and were told that you could go to all others hotel bars and restaurants but then they wanted you to pay extra for the things that should have been included. That makes no sense. If a drink is included at your hotel it should be included at all the hotels. People were very nice and helpful, the rooms were clean and the entertainment was good. The restaurants were all booked and not easy to get reservations

Bahia Principe Explore Coba: A good visit!

The staff are by far the best thing about the resort. We had a few hiccups with our room (12) being very far away with no trolleys going by, air conditioning didn’t work, and no wifi. (The router was not working in that room) That whole area was not clean at all (animal poop all over the walkways) in comparison to the other areas which were impeccable! The next day they moved us closer and on ground level. There was no king bed available but made the two double beds into one big bed! Once we wer [... read more]e moved and all settled it was much better. The beach this year was clean and wonderful. A few rocks but we personally did not need water shoes. Food was good at the buffet, tons to choose from. Only had one à la carte as they were all booked. The second à la carte we cancelled as it was booked late on the night before we were leaving. So I thought I’d give it to someone else to enjoy! It’s a huge resort, if you like walking there’ll be tons of that! The trolleys were hard to get except up at the lobby.They were getting ready for renovations and I’m anxious to see what it’ll be like. Oh and the hacienda was amazing for shopping! Lastly, we landed in Tulum airport! It was fast and easy to navigate.

Bahia Principe Explore Tulum: Amazing resort

Everything was very nice. The week that we went was very windy so we could not go to the beach and the beach and water was full of seaweed. That was the only downfall. The workers, food and drinks were amazing. The main pool was a bit dirty mostly on the sides. Not sure how often they clean it.

Bahia Principe Explore Coba: Very good budget friendly resort.

This was our second time in Coba. The last time was sixteen years ago although we have stayed in the Akumal and Tulum sections more recently. Although dated the regular rooms at the Coba are the nicest of the sections we have stayed. Very spacious and the washrooms are really nice with Jacuzzi tubs and everything. The food at the buffet was quite good and there was a lot of choices so you could always find something to eat. The al a carte restaurants were excellent especially The Gourmet. The  [... read more]staff were of course excellent as they have been every where that we have stayed at the Bahia Principe property. The only thing that we found irksome was that there were no food options at the Coba beach as the blue banders were not allowed at the Akumal or Tulum restaurants or the food truck at Tulum. I know this has been mentioned by others but it would have been nice to have a food kiosk or something at the beach so that we didn't have to trek back to the buffet to eat during our day at the beach. All in all a great vacation and another note that the evening atmosphere around the Coba lobby bar is by far the best of the three sections we have stayed in. Keep up the good work.

Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine: Amazing resort

Great resort, great service, clean rooms, amazing food. Juan is a very good server at the pool. Good quality drinks. Entertainment is very good and interesting. We where there 3rd time, and plan to come again and again. Recommend this place to everyone!

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Nice place but beer not good

The resort is nice and smaller than the other accessible bahias that you have access to. Meals were good and decent size portions at all the a la cartes. Biggest downfall of this and all the Bahia resorts is they do not have presidente on tap ! They only have Canita which is there cheap local beer and I found it hard to get more than 1 down… ya it’s that bad! Everyone I met there said the same comment. I had to bring cans of presidente from my room to drink around the pool as it’s the only  [... read more]place you can get it… disappointing to say the least. Even the local Dominicans I talk to said canita is no good. I’m a beer drinker, so it’s kinda important to say the least.

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: amazing resort

I had a wonderful time everyone was so helpful the only thing I was not to happy with was the bathroom smell I believe it was coming from the shower stall.there could of been an issue and I smelt it in other bathrooms while I was there. The service was impeccable and loved the people! the food could have had more spice like herbs in their food. But everything else was AWSOME! Entertainment was not my bag but hey for some they loved it! I was particularly impressed with the man that was worki [... read more]ng there. His name is Alfredo Michel. I hope you can pass that by for a good review for him. He went out of his way to be so helpful beyond .

Bahia Principe Explore Akumal: Reasonable

Food: excellent. Buffets have a lot of variation. You won't starve, A la carte.. Really good. You do have to go online to pre-book restaurants. Get the app, pre check in, pre book restaurants... And then day of leaving, pre check out. Pretty painless Room was clean, but very musty smelling 7516. They were made aware, but did nothing. Definitely need water shoes. There's lots of rock/Coral.. Especially adult section. They did their very best cleaning the sargassum. The big beach is busy [... read more], water is shallow, so good for little kids. Pools were clean. Not freezing cold. Really big resort. If you don't care about the beach and are a pool person, you'll love it.

Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: Beautiful Complex with One Concern!

This hotel does afford the vacationer a wonderful experience with well groomed grounds,lovely rooms, very good food and a nice environment. My only complaint is the NOISE and it made it such that I would not go back unless I was assured that the loud music would not go on past 7:00pm.There were 3 nights that it was so bad that it vibrated the walls until 11:00. I will come back IF the music problem is solved . It is not what what I Signed up for.

Bahia Principe Escape Ambar: Some reservations about returning

The resort and our accommodations were lovely. The staff were friendly, very accommodating, and we certainly had no complaints about our private room and pool. BUT WHAT GOOD IS A PRIVATE ROOM WITH NON STOP LOUD MUSIC. THIS IS BILLED AS ALL ADULT, BUT 18 YEARS is JUST A NUMBER. WE ARE 75 and 80 and looked forward to a quiet and relaxing time. BLARING MUSIC AT THE POOL, COUPLED WITH BLARING MUSIC HEARD IN OUR ROOM UNTIL 11:00 PM. WAS NOT WHAT WE SIGNED UP FOR, NOR EXPECTED. WE WERE DISGUSTED!  [... read more]PERFECT PLACE TO SIGN UP FOR FUTURE HEARING AIDES. IF WE WERE ASSURED OF THE MUSIC VENUE BEING RELOCATED, WE WOULD RETURN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THE ENVIRONMENT IS REVAMPED TO ADDRESS MY COMPLAINTS. WE DO NOT WANT TO RETURN UNDER FALSE ASSURANCES. PLEASE ANSWER MY REVIEW. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED BY JUDITH BRADY.

Bahia Principe Escape Runaway Bay: Nice week away

The hotel is aging and in need of some updating. Having said that, it was very clean, the room was lovely, all the staff were top notch. Elevators were out of service frequently. This resort is large, if you have mobility issues it isn't for you. The a la carte restaurants were disappointing. The Knife and Mikado were good others nit so much. Trying to get a reservation was challenging as they aren't open everyday and apparently save tables for Privilege club members

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Wonderful resort

Spectacular views, very nice rooms, amazing staff, really good buffet, a la cart ok Lots of chairs by pool and beach. The girls at front desk are super friendly and helpful. Very quiet resort so if you are looking to stay up late or party this is not the place for you. You are not able to walk anywhere from resort.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Amazing time

A very lovely place to visit. The resort is absolutely immaculate, the staff are wonderful and the food was great. The beach was clean and the water absolutely beautiful. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. A beautiful place you must visit!

Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda: Overall good resort!

All in all it was a good place and good value based on other similar resorts. The room was spectacular - junior suite, with large bathroom, double vanities, separate soaker tub & glass shower. Large king bed plus comfortable sitting area with sofa & 2 chairs. Resort was nice, lots of hatched roof umbrellas on beach, plus cabanas & umbrellas by pools. Buffet breakfast was amazing with plenty of choices, plus variety of freshly squeezed juices & smoothies. Only downside was you had to ask for c [... read more]offee every few minutes because of the small cups. Found the service hit & miss, some staff very friendly and attentive others just ignore you. The Beach restaurant buffet for lunches was also good. Two negatives, a-la-carte restaurants are not all of equal calibre, 4 out of the 7 were good, the other 3 were less than mediocre. Recommend Yurta, Olivio, Taino & Steak restaurants. Second negative, public washrooms were tiny, you either hit the toilet or door getting in & out & I'm a petite person. Also there were only 2 bathrooms provided at a time, so sometimes there were lineups. One last thing, they should spray grounds more often for mosquitoes. I have a severe allergy and was bitten in the evenings. We've been to Punta cana several times and I didn't have that issue at other resorts.