Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Relaxing escape from Canadian winter

This hotel was everything we wanted - gorgeous beach, beautiful hotel, and a relaxing atmosphere for a week long escape from the cold Canadian winter. The beach was definitely the highlight: you could walk for miles in either direction and barely run into anyone else. Soft sand and some really cool coral/marine life to go snorkeling. The hotel keeps the beaches very clean and there are a good number of loungers if you go early in the day. Lots of sun but not a problem to find shade if you want i [... read more]t. Lots to do at the resort: bocce, shuffleboard, badminton, ping pong, tennis, kayaking were all things we tried out and enjoyed. Some fun evening entertainment: michael jackson show, fire show on the beach, and a big super bowl night for those who were missing the game back home. There's some nice piano and jazz sax performances as well. This isn't a big party resort so don't expect much to be happening past midnight, but that was exactly what we were looking for. The food at this resort was great - really exceeded my expectations. The buffet has different themes for dinner every night so they do try to switch up the food. I highly recommend the restaurants - all four were good but the Brazilian steak house on the beach was a highlight. Staff are all very friendly and the hotel is clean and beautiful. Very nice landscaping / gardens. The grounds are not too big and my boyfriend and I were able to walk from our room at the far end to the lobby in 5 minutes max. Suites were spacious with a well stocked mini bar and a beautiful big bathroom. Would definitely go back!

Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Great adults only resort

Beautifully kept grounds, with clean facilities, hard working staff, and a gorgeous beach. This is a small resort with only 144 rooms in 3 storey buildings which are all in close proximity to the shallow, sandy bottom, well shaded (with palm trees) beach. The rooms are on the small side, but who goes to sit in the room! Wifi is included and works quite well ...most of the time; sometimes even on the beach. The food is quite good, but I do have to say that they need to work on keeping it hot.  [... read more]Much of it is warm at best, but I do see head chef, Manuel, making improvements as he oversees the buffet and 3 a la cartes, teaching his staff accordingly. Coffee is great; beginning with fresh ground beans.

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Best relaxing vacation under the sun Ever!

We visited this hotel from Feb 2 to Feb 9, 2017. We did not know what to expect, as it was our first time in Samana. We loved it! The hotel is small, quiet, and clean. We strongly recommend it for couples who are looking for a place to relax. No need to fight for a spot on the beach or by the pool, plenty of chairs available all day. The food is varied and tasty; try the French (Don Pablo) and the Brazilian (Rodizio) restaurants. The service is amazing! Allow us to mention a few individualsâ [... read more]€¦ Reception/ Majordome: Carlos, Luis Miguel, and Ramon took great care of us and kept asking how they could make our experience better. Restaurants: Maitre D' Crisostomo Gonzales, Anneylissa and Meilin (buffet) were very welcoming and always made sure to provide the best available table. Then Jose, Jesus, Oliver, Ingrid, Eunice, and Wendy made sure our glasses were never empty. Exceptional service and always with a smile! We were also impressed by the hard working waiters at the a la carte restaurants: Ramon Garcia, Eddy, and Fautos. Pool Bar: Hansel and Yacauris both went the extra mile to make sure our drinks were prepared exactly the way we wanted. They also took initiative and welcomed us with fresh pool towels each time we came back to the pool after lunch. Theater Bar: Carlos and Adeudice made sure we finished the evening with a few generous glasses of MamaJuana. Ay! Spa: Mercedes provided great facial services at the Spa. This is a true 5-star hotel that will provide you with a relaxing and worry free vacation. But, if you want to party, walk the beach for miles, shop, and do a lot of sports and activities, this is not the place for you. We suggest you go to one of those big resorts in Punta Cana instead.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Everything we were hoping for!

The hotel was awesome. - Best food we've ever had at an all inclusive. We enjoyed all 4 all a carte restaurants, as well as the buffet. - Very organized resort and the staff were friendly/helpful. The check in process was superb. They had you your key the minute you walked off the bus. No need to wait in line at the front desk. - Rooms were nice and very clean. Bed was fairly comfortable, at least by hotel standards. - Beach was amazing, you could walk forever in either direction. Only d [... read more]rawback is there's lots of people selling things on the beach. They're not pushy, but be prepared to say 'no thank you' every 20 minutes. - We liked the pools, although didn't spend much time at either - Older ground, most people we're 50+. Definitely not a party atmosphere, if that's what you're in too. We just wanted to relax, so that was fine by us Overall a great hotel, and would go back in a heart beat.

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Nice resort but lots of steps and walking

Food was fine, same items most nights at buffet but a la carte restaurants were good. Not a resort for anyone with mobility issues - washrooms not close to main pool, buffet not on main level. Strange layout to resort as nothing was close and everything required lots of walking and steps. Our room was clean and quiet as it was outside the main area - 10 minute walk plus 5+ flights of stairs with no option for shuttle and no way to avoid stairs. From main pool, flight of stairs and walk to [... read more] washroom, 2 flights of stairs up to main buffet or 5 flights of stairs down to snack bar. Set up a table at main pool with different types of rice every day, depending on theme. Snack bar by a secondary pool had dress code. Beach was very dirty. Staff was great - animation, bartenders and servers were all very friendly. Everything closes down at 11pm (bar closes, turn all lights off on patio) unless you want to go over to disco, which wasn't worthwhile Evening shows were inside very small, very warm disco. Not as nice as most of the Bahia Principes we have stayed at in the past.

Cayo Levantado Resort: Cayo Leventado: Samana's Vacation Gem

Cayo Leventado Don Pablo by Bahia is one of the best vacation properties we have visited. From the most excellent staff who gave the property a fun and friendly vibe, to the high quality food and drink - a la carte or buffet resto's, we found quality service and a wide variety of excellent freshly prepared foods. The accomodations were fantastic in the Villa's with beautiful views and large spaciouse and comfortable rooms. The oversized balconies with full wicker seating and a cieling fan to boo [... read more]t were awesome! Several beaches and a bunch of pools always offered variety. Loved the fact that the main beach and main pool were only steps away from each other. From beach volleyball and body surfing and snorkiling to just chilling this property had it all.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Beach Perfect

Awesome beach walk for miles, crystal clear water. Good food clean rooms. Don't waste your time in Les Terranas although it's a nice walk along the beach from the resort. No ocean view rooms at this resort as the restaurants all face the beach. Nice resort not to big. I would go back but wouldn't pay for the Royal Golden package as an upgrade next time. a la carte should be used Rodizio interesting, French very nice. Buffet was also good.

Viva V Samana by Wyndham: Not what I expected but amazingly more!!

This hotel is simply a gem. Close to the airport, a huge, nearly un-populated beach without other resorts nearby (maybe 2 other small hotels), very safe, fantastic staff, very good food and the rooms were very modern with comfy beds. We were there for only a week but simply were impressed by almost everything. This is a well laid out hotel, with a beautiful pool and multiple styles of lounging areas near the pool. The only negative is the flooring near and around the pool is made of marble a [... read more]nd can be extremely slippery causing me to slip and got minor hurt even though I was walking very slow. There were fantastic, enthusiastic staff that got many clients doing yoga, bache, volleyball, salsa dancing and just generally having a very fun vacation if that is what you wanted but they were never pushy. Overall I am impressed and would recommend this hotel and the Samana area to anyone looking for a trip south. I almost hesitate to give it such a good review because that typically means the price may go up next travel season. My biggest concern is the very real possibility of future development along this extensive mostly empty beach. That would change my review and it would be a shame.

Wyndham Alltra Samana: Great location but needs improvement

THE BAD The hotel in not attractive at all when you pull in. Our room had 2 double beds and when we asked for a king or queen (as we were a couple on our vacation ) were rudely told not available. We had no air conditioning the first night and after demanding to have it fixed it only worked ok for rest of trip. Transat rep would not accept tripcentral prepaid card for excursions. Pool bar staff very rude Two single girls woke up with two male staff in room and were robbed! Could see ligh [... read more]t all around door frame Bed linens were absolute nightmare! They were clean but used mattress pad as duvet and a king mattress cover as sheets on double bed. I guess they ran out of linens? Entertainment was a complete joke No make up mirror THE GOOD Absolutely beautiful beach and landscape Food was great Room was always clean Lots of room and shade available on beach Staff was mostly friendly excluding pool bar and one sour girl at front desk I would return to this resort only if I got a really good deal and it would have to be in select club. The beach is absolutely one of the prettiest I have seen in the caribbean! This resort has a lot of potential , Lots of room for improvement here as it could be turned into a 5 star very easily with the right management. The safety issue was a big deterrent when we checked out and the two girls had been woken up with male workers in their room and things had been stolen....VERY SCAREY!!!

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: great resort

It's good environment for relax with family, friendly staff and good food, Elevator to the beach, which is interesting, buffet change menu every day, overall good quality Friendly staff always smile on face, welcoming thank you

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Grand Bahia- El Portillo

Trip Central was able to help facilitate a great trip to El Portillo. There was a fine rep onsite daily to answer any queries. El Portillo was everything we expected and the staff were genuine with wonderful DR virtues. Thank-you Trip Central.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Fabulous Resort

We have travelled to the Dominican several times, but first time to Samana, and first time staying at a Bahia Principe resort. The resort did not disappoint.... it was everything we had hoped for. The beach was amazing, you could walk for miles, do some snorkelling along the way. The resort itself was very clean, and always saw staff sweeping, dusting, etc. The staff is amazing, and always willing to help and always with a smile. The resort is very compact, which is nice for anyone with mobilit [... read more]y issues. There is nothing that is more than a few minute walk. The buffet and the buffet beach bar( lunch only) had a great selection. We ate at 3 of the specialty restaurants( Italian, French, and Brazilian) all were very good. The Brazilian probably being my fav, but my husband loved the French. The lobby bar is very nice, with s great selection of drinks, unfortunately it closes at 11:00, then you have to go to the disco to get a drink. Too loud if you just wanted to sit and socialize, but great if you wanted to get in a little more partying. All in all a great resort that has everything to offer. Would definitely go back!

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Great resort!

Overall the resort was great, friendly staff and entertainers. The food was really great except the Oriental night, the meat and vegetable was drenched in sweet sauce and food was not appealing at all. Every other night was great. The water park eatery only had hot dogs and popcorn, perhaps some fruits and veggies would make the parents happy =) The maintenance crew starts cutting the grass/trimming leaves as early as 9:00am which woke us up on our 2nd day. When we arrived at the hotel, we had  [... read more]to fill out a form with our name, DOB and address (I think!). Shouldn't the hotel have all our info already instead of making us fill out a form after a long day of travelling? Which by the way, I never received my hotel voucher via email from Trip Advisor which delayed my check-in at the resort and the man that was at front desk was no help at all. He told me to wait, I waited for him to put on the resort bracelet on every person that was on our bus and then he proceeded to tell me that I needed to print the hotel voucher out (for the 2nd time). First off I never received a voucher via email (I checked my sent, deleted and inbox) and second of all in this day in age, who prints anymore? Lastly, the Air Canada rep should've gave us the hotel form to fill out while we were on the bus. My in laws arrived few days later and had the opportunity to fill out their checkin form on the bus. On our way to the resort, our Air Canada rep asked the driver to drop him off at his home 30 mins into the ride and left the bus to fend for ourselves when we arrived at the resort. On the way back to airport, the Air Canada rep should've had all the airport forms ready to go on the bus so we can fill it out to make our checkin seamless when we got to the airport. My brother in law had email the hotel before we arrived to inquire if our rooms could be close together. We never received a reply and when we asked at front desk, they told us to wait. we never ended up getting rooms close together. Half of The kids movie at night were in Spanish which was a bit of a bummer. Actually this is the first resort I've been to where there were many non English speaking staff. That didn't bother me much though! To end on a positive note, everything was really close, the beach, pool and resort which made it easy when travelling with kids. Overall the trip was great, but there are few areas that could be improved.

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Very Good Resort, lives up to expectations!

We spent a week here in late January after my having conducted extensive research into destinations. The hotel was as I expected - it is fairly represented by the hotel and in reviews. The views are spectacular - you must get a room with a balcony and a sea view. The buffet is gorgeous - open air, with sea views. It really feels like you are on the Mediterranean. The food is very good everywhere, though probably best at the buffet. The wine is drinkable, which is saying a lot for an al [... read more]l-inclusive! Good coffee and cappucinos as well. We really liked the beach, sandy bottom and big enough. There is an undertow and we did have some yellow flag days due to wind and wave. The pool is quite small, but I am an ocean girl anyhow. I got a head cold so I can't report on the snorkeling unfortunately. The only downside is that there is really little to do or see in the area. Personally, I would not spend two weeks here because I would be bored, but lots of people seemed quite happy to be there for two weeks! It is an older crowd - we are late 40s and early 50s and we were younger than many. It is quiet which we like, but evening entertainment we found a bit dull... We found the staff fine - neither abundantly helpful nor unfriendly. But we are not really joiners, and many people seemed to have fun with the staff. A good resort to chill for a week as a couple, but be prepared with some books!

Bahia Principe Escape Samana: Ontario Traveller

I have been on 7 all inclusive resorts. This one was the best for an older couple (50s) who want quality over quantity PROS Smoking, I smoke, But not in the room lobby etc, however enough spots to smoke that i was happy and not bothering someone else I could go for a long walk off the resort, feel safe and enjoy the countryside Fishing, I could fish off the walkway or by the rocks and have fun No salesmen Shows, small venue which aloud me to enjoy the performance, Relaxing atmosphere,I [... read more] could enjoy my food outside or in Friendly staff Service did not depend on tipping No line ups, ie bar, food, check in CLEANEST resort i have been to Service the best I have had More to do than you think, ie ping pong darts Cons: Stairs no night life after 11 meat twice undercooked 4th floor rooms did not have a balcony

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Delightful visit to the dR

Everything was in place to make this a wonderful respite from old man winter. Resort was wonderfully small yet well appointed with everything we needed. Didn't have that "city" feel when there just too many guests for the size of beach and restau etc. Whale watching was best ever.

Bahia Principe Explore El Portillo: Warmth and sunshine!

The resort is well maintained and very beautiful. There is only one building with ocean view and unfortunately we weren't in it. The beach area was clean and raking was done throughout the day to get anything like seaweed that washed ashore. Snorkelling wasn't great, but we did see a few fish. The rooms were large with lots of space to put your clothes. The bathroom was also large with a walk in shower and a jet tub. It was a bit dated and slightly dirty (walls), but again lots of space wi [... read more]th 2 sinks. The food wasn't great and very repetitive and the service was slow. Some days we were over half way done our meal before drinks or coffee arrived. I did notice that French speaking people were served better, I am assuming it was because resort staff speaks Spanish and French. The restaurants were okay, but again the service was slow. The Brazilian Restaurant was the best food by far and best service. The entertainment was awful and there was nothing to do past 7pm until it started at 9:30. There is no hot tub and the pool is closed at 7. No lights on the tennis courts or area with pool table and the attendant leaves at 7 so you can't get the equipment anyway.

Wyndham Alltra Samana: awesome stay

Stayed at Grande Paradise January 24 to 31 Beach was beatiful and well maintained Food was excellent good variety An expresso bar would be a nice touch!! Room was clean and comfortable Staff were friendly and attentive tips Help All in all excellent for the price and will be back

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Nice quiet vacation

This resort was just what we asked for. A place to relax and enjoy the sun/shade. Our Sea view Villa was quiet, spacious and very clean. The pools and beachfront bar were excellent. We enjoyed the fact that shade trees/ umbrella's were common at each pool/ beach. The main buffet had theme evenings and the food was good. Depending on which area of resort you stayed , there could be many stairs for the active vacationer, BUT free shuttles ran from each area regularly to the main hotel or room [... read more]s if you wanted to ride. The views were amazing from all areas. Thank You to our travel agent Sandra for picking this resort for us

The Eurostars Grand Cayacoa: Interesting view

This hotel was well kept and very clean. We up graded to golden junior suite when booking. Extra space in room and beach towels there, also one extra a la carte but we cancelled to go to buffet. A la carte nice enough. Most days pool lounge avaiable(three pool areas plus beach). Definitely not mobile friendly! Stairs to everything. Good if your looking for stair exercise!Shuttle avaiable to the door. Some elevators.Not very user friendly as you have to go down halls, up stairs, around the p [... read more]ool, etc. to get to buffet, lobby, etc. But weather was beautiful, meet some great friends. You can see town across the bay, boats, and quiet bay on other side.Overall holiday was enjoyable!