Class resort

This resort is absolutely gorgeous. The staff if full of life and were swift to ensure that they could assist you in anyway. The food I'd very good and well presented. This was a awesome and unforgettable get away!

Guess we are not getting married here

Just checked into the Gran Bahia Principe a couple of hours ago, this is our second time coming to this resort. We were here for new years eve in 2012 and loved it, we thought we would want to do a location wedding at this hotel so a month before we were coming I sent them an email telling them I was a returning guest and thinking of getting married there and would it be possible that we speak with someone while we were there for the week to find out what was involved, and of course the cost of  [... read more]having a location wedding, does everyone book with the same travel company? ECT Anyway they never replied to my email so on Monday this week before coming I resent it and asked if they had received it, still no reply...... We checked in like I said a couple of hours ago and my room is worst then the last time I was here. Didn't realize or remember that we need to pay for room safe so I went to the front desk to pay and just for fun mentioned to the employee that I thought being a returning guest I might of gotten a better room, she informed me that at this hotel you have to come back at least 3 or 4 times before you get any upgrades. obviously we won't be getting married here....and by the way we weren't looking for anything for free, just a price list or someone to explain how location wedding go, lol, I will review it after we leave. We are back home now, We are back home now, Let me start with the Don Pablo "Adults Only" upgrade. If you get the Don Pablo package you get to stay in the newest section of the hotel, free use of in room safe, you get room service, a Don Pablo exclusive restaurant, a private area at the pool with brand new lounge chairs, towels and cabanas, (cloth) waiter service at the poolside, a private poolside bar and washrooms, a private entertainment area at night with live singers and performers and private section off areas at the beach with new towels lounge chairs and beach bar. When I say private I mean only the people that purchased the "Don Pablo" package get to use it. Now if you didn't get the Don Pablo upgrade like me (it was the same money to upgrade to ocean view or Don Pablo although most of the rooms in the Don building are ocean view some are on the lower levels) this is what I got...... My room Ok nothing special had to pay for room safe $8 per day water pressure was excellent only problem was that the shower door didn't close proper and water went everywhere if you weren't carful, not Red Stripe in fridge but Carib, a beer from Trinidad, I think it was the worst beer I ever drank, the bed was so uncomfortable that I was up every couple hours and my back is still aching, maid did great job cleaning room, no complaints there, my room was in wing 2 which overlooks the Don area, that I couldn't use, I had to walk by the Don restaurant (was told can't eat here not "Don") to get to the other buffet, had to walk by the "don" poolside cabanas to get to the pool area that we could use. the lounge chairs are the same ones that were here in 2012 they are in rough shape, sagging, dirty, torn, and stained. We couldn't get pool towels for two days, finally on the third day we went first thing and got some, if you don't go first thing they run out of towels by 10am (they open at 9) It rained a couple times while we were here and the main lobby was leaking everywhere, buckets to catch water all over, a piece of drywall fell from the ceiling right by where there was a chandelier hanging and water was now dripping from the chandelier with the lights still on, hotel needs upgrades (paint, carpet, waterproofing, exposed hydro ECT. Nightly entertainment wasn't worth watching very amateurish with a very annoying mc. Food was average but same everyday at buffet, you can sit outside to eat and I recommend it, Elton the waiter was a great guy, great service, funny and very attentive, remembered our names after only telling him once. They still haven't answered my emails yet although they did reply to my trip adviser review that I wrote when we got here, asking me to go talk to the managers or something of that nature, I don't think that I should need to talk to the manager to get a meeting with wedding coordinator (emailed them) or have to beg for free upgrade because I'm a returning guest, (mentioned in the emails I sent) I wonder if they would have answered my e-mail if I had upgraded to Don Pablo. If you are going to stay at this hotel you should buy the Don Pablo upgrade unless you want to be treated like riffraff on your vacation. Which is exactly how we felt the whole week.

I will go back !

I will write tips that other travellers would find useful. Hotel - clean and beautiful. The hotel is well designed. Everything is easily accessible. The lobby has a wonderful seating area and the overall feel is very welcoming. It is evident the staff takes pride on keeping the grounds well maintained. Rooms - clean and spacious. We didn't spend much time in ours but I don't really have any complaints. The one thing I noticed is the noise can travel in the hallways. Food - Amazing! No complai [... read more]nts here. Wide variety of options. Breakfast was a must. All the a la cartes we went to were delicious. Make sure you don't miss Thursday night at the buffet as they have lobster! Drinks - Delicious. All I can think about is more dirty bananas and coco locos! Beach - peaceful and quiet. We did not find it overcroweded at all as most people seemed to hang around the pool. The only complaint I would have is the amount of times I was asked about a welcome gift and attending a welcome meeting. Sometimes I was approached 4 times per day which got irritating. Overall though, I had a great trip, I would recommend the hotel to others and I would go back.

Excellent food, terrible entertainment

beautiful resort, definitely worth upgrading to luxury don Pablo section. unlimited a la cart's made all the difference. Service often slow, majority of staff unfriendly, poor nightly entertainment and major insect bites. Do not stay on first floor.

CONTENT, SATISFIED, WILL RETURN

THE HOTEL HAS OVER 800 ROOMS ON 5 FLOORS. THE ROOMS WERE CLEAN ANS SPACIOUS. THE GROUNDS WERE WELL TAKEN CARE. THERE WERE 4 RESTAURANTS APART THE LARGE AND SMALL BUFFET STYLE DINING ROOMS . THE SNACK BAR ON THE BEACH WAS HEAVENLY.OUT OF THE 4 ( NON BUFFET ) RESTAURANTS CONSIDERING QUALITY OF FOOD AND SERVICE 1 RATED (A) 2 RATED (B) AND 1 RATED (C) THE LARGE BUFFET DINING ROOM IS LIKE ALL OTHER RESORTS A ZOO PEOPLE OVER DISHING THEIR PLATES A LARGE SELECTION OF FOOD TO MATCH ALL PALATES AND OBVIO [... read more]USLY VERY NOISY.HOWEVER, THE SMALLER DINNING ROOM ONLY FOR ADULTS WAS MUCH BETTER AND SLIGHTLY HIGHER QUALITY AND BETTER SERVICE. THE BEACH SUITED US PERFECTLY. NO WAVES, YOU CAN WALK A LONG DISTANCE IN THE WATER BEFORE IT REACHES YOUR NECK. WARM, CLEAN YOU CAN SEE THE SAND PLENTY OF BEACH CHAIRS PLENTY OF SHADE BUT DO NOT EXPECT TO WALK ON THE SAND FOR HOURS TO COME. IT IS SMALL.AROUND 15 MINUTES EACH WAY FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER.THE BEACH WAS IDEAL FOR TODDLERS. THE SWIMMING POOL WAS LARGE AND COMFORTABLE. BARS ALL OVER WHICH MADE IT SIMPLE TO HAVE A DRINK. THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR ALL PREMIUM WHISKY AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BUT VERY REASONABLE. BUT, THE WINES IN THE DINING ROOM OTHER THAN THE HOUSE WINE SOME WERE OVER PRICED. ALL TIPS WERE APPRECIATED YES THERE WERE A FEW INCIDENTALS WHERE WE HAD TO CALL HOUSEKEEPING BUT IT IS EXPECTED WITH SUCH A LARGE RESORT. DEFINITELY THEY NEED A NEW ENTERTAINMENT MANAGER. DURING 4-8 PM WHERE PEOPLE GATHER AROUND THE LOUNGE TO HAVE A DRINK EITHER THERE WAS NO MUSIC AND IF THERE WAS IT WAS BAD. THE 4 RESTAURANTS THEY CAN EASILY HAVE A PERSON WITH A GUITAR OR A VIOLIN GOING AROUND THE TABLES TO SET THE ROMANTIC MOOD WITH THE SUNSET. AS FOR THE EVENING ENTERTAINMENT, THEY ARE 20 YEARS BEHIND TIMES. ONE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS WHICH I FOUND VERY POOR REACTION IN BEHALF OF MANAGEMENT. MY WIFE HAD AN UNFORTUNATE AND SEVERE FALL IN A DINING ROOM HITTING HER HEAD ON THE MARBLE FLOOR VERY HARD( THE FLOOR WAS SLIPPERY BECAUSE OF OIL ). THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE BY THE STAFF OF THE DINING ROOM WAS AMAZING THEY SUPPLIED ICE AND EVEN BROUGHT A WHEEL CHAIR AND EVEN WANTED TO CALL A NURSE AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES WE LEFT . BUT, WE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANAGEMENT THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FIND OUT IF EVERYTHING WAS FINE. VERY DISAPPOINTED MY SECOND DISMAY WAS THE COST OF A MASSAGE 120 DOLLARS FOR 50 MINUTES. I WILL BE CRITICAL; MY ARGUMENT IS: MINIMUM WAGE IN MONTREAL IS $10.10 AN HOUR AND WE PAY AROUND $75 .FOR ONE HOUR MASSAGE. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. HAD IT BEEN $50 BOTH MY WIFE AND I WOULD HAVE HAD 2 HOURS EACH. THAT IS $200 REVENUE FOR THE HOTEL VERSUS 0. I CHECKED THE RATES FOR FEBRUARY I FOUND IT OVERLY PRICED. FOR THE SAME PRICE I CAN SPEND THOSE 2 WEEKS ANYWHERE IN SOUTH AMERICA. THANK YOU JACK KALAYDJIAN

Amazing resort

My wife and I just got bad a week ago and was one of he best resorts we been too , this was our 1st time in Jamaica and loved every minute of it, the staff were friendly and was even more better when they spoke English very well, not like in Dominican where we spent most of our vacation they did understand you has well, we can't wait to go bad with the rest of our family next year

Fantastic!

Hotel was great! People were great! Food was great- Lots of variety! Beach was warm, the pool was warm,the sun was warm! Our room was great! View of the beach from balcony. Grounds were spotless. Lots of nightly entertainment.

Average Resort

Rooms were average, bathrooms were not the greatest. Did not have running water one day, showers leaked....definately needed some renovations. Hallway carpets smelled horrible. When I spoke to front desk about moving to the newer section, she told me that children were not allowed in the new section, so that was the only location available to my family. I wish I new this upon booking, because I would have chose an alternate resort. Nightly entertainment as quite boring (pre shows were more enter [... read more]taining). Pool entertainers were great and food was great. Overall, an average resort.

We'll definitely go back to Gran Bahia Principe

we had a great stay, all was wonderful- the only thing I can comment on is the travel distance from airport to the resort- its quite long. water was very clear, hotel and grounds very clean, staff were friendly and helpful. Food and service was excellent.

Amazing Resort

The hotel was beautiful, clean, well kept, the service was excellent, the grounds immaculate, pools awesome, we were well taken care of and speedy for food in all areas, the entertainment was very good and most of all ..... the people were the best, very friendly, kind, caring happy and do anything they can to make your stay the best and they did that for us. We will definatley be back. 

Great Time but could have been better

We went to Bahia Sept 13 to Sep 20. Weather was great, had a little rain here and there. Resort is huge but laid out very well so not too much walking. Food was amazing at the buffet, the jerk hut, the Italian and the Spanish. Food was ok at the grill but we didn't like the Don Pablo at all. Unfortunately, the Japanese was closed while we were there so we didn't get to try it :0(. The hotel rooms are spacious and quite nice, if they upgraded their linens, it would be 5 star for sure! The staff w [... read more]as very calm - not what I am use to from the Jamaican people, but they were ok. There were two beaches - one sand and one rock - both were nice. We hung at the rocky beach mostly as it is referred to the "cool" beach if you know what I mean ;). The snorkelling there was amazing and we had many fish swimming around us even just going in for a swim. The sand beach is large and beautiful but there were so many people! Lots of opportunity on both beaches for loungers. The staff worked very hard maintaining the grounds, the resort was clean. I was surprised that I had to go get my drinks - no one came around the beach to serve you. Overall, I give this resort 4 stars but it could easily be a five if they stepped up their game a bit!

Awesome Resort

This resort was like a castle, so beautiful, so clean, so big! The age of the resort is starting to show with the carpets in the hallway and some of the door frames. Paddle boats shoud be replaces as they are in rough shape. But the pool was amazing, the sandy beach was equally as amazing and for September the weather was fantastic. Food was excellent, I highly recommend the Don Pablo the food, presentation and service is next to none. Staff are very friendly and helpful too. The only problem we [... read more] had was in the evening when leaving for dinner, we would come back the bed would be turned down and my husbands sunglasses would be gone, good thing he had a couple pairs, but by the end of our vacation he had none, so note to self, do no leave your sunglasses on the dresser as turndown staff might think they are a gift. But all in all I do highly recommend this resort and plan to go back soon.

Far but awesome !

Stayed for 4 nights with my husband & five month old baby. Dislike the distance from the airport ( hard when travelling with a baby) also disliked the ride to the hotel. The bus was clean & confortable temperature but the driver took a long time to leave (over an hour after everyone was boarded ) & made several stops. By the time I got to the hotel my baby & I were super cranky! Check in is a bit hectic people everywhere telling you to go to a special room to check in , I just wanted to go to  [... read more]the front desk ( they are pretty non chalont at the desk dancing & having a good time ) took total about 20 mins (they tried to make it quicker for me as I had the baby. Arriving to the room I was really pleased. It was a really nice size. I liked the bed & the style was not bad. Everything was clean. The fridge wasn't as cold as I wanted for my baby's bottles so I filled up ice at the bar each day to keep them inside the ice inside the fridge. There was also a crib in the room already which was a nice surprise as I had called ahead requesting a room close to the beach ( as I didn't want to walk far with the baby) The room location was pretty good if you want to be close to the beach & I was right outside the jerk chicken beach restaurant. Abit of a walk to the main buffet but it's a beautiful walk! The grounds as very pretty. We stayed in building 18. Had no issues with Mosquitos or bugs. So don't stay on the 1at floor just in case. Also the air conditioning was fine ! Even got too cold at night ! This is coming from someone that is always hot when everyone's cold ! The food was surprisingly good! I like a variety of food but I like high quality & was impressed. Not everything was 10/10 but the items that were good were really really good. My favorites that I'm still craving are the omelettes , bacon , cappuccino & jerk chicken. The cheesecake was good too. Yes sometimes they run out of bacon but you just need to wait a couple minutes & there's more. You just need to go for the bacon the minute you get in there ! I didn't try the mimosas but wish I would have ! They looked good. I was hoping for drinks inside coconuts or pineapples but didn't see any. The alcoholic drinks tasted strong so I didn't really like any too much. There was a cranberry cocktail at the Asian restaurant that was delicious! We were only able to do 2 a la carte meals with our package. 1 was the Asian was ok had seen better in Mexico not much of a show but good flavour. The don Pablo was really good. I had a very tender steak with a blue cheese cream sauce. The entertainment was fun! I didn't see much & only realized the last day that there is an earlier show in the lobby & a late show in the main entertainment area. Lots of shops there also! You can negotiate prices. Lots of souvenirs. Don't wait until you get the airport to buy any because they are ridiculously overpriced at the airport! Went for a massage at the spa for our anniversary & really enjoyed it. I have had massages at many hotels around the world & this was probably my second favourite! Anyhow my husband was told it would be $100 as there was a promotion & it was $130 because the promo was over. The spa said they called our room to let us know but we weren't there. We plan to call & speak to the manager to see if they will honour the price. The prices at the spa are pretty expensive. The spa is clean & nice. Overall everyone is really friendly & it was a nice family environment not as much of a party scene. Good music though !! Pool was nice ! The shady seats are taken early so if you want a good seat put your towel early like before 8am! Also my husband had tried to plan something special for our anniversary he went to the from desk & they said they would take care of if. They insisted. They ended up sending someone to set up the table for room service but they never came with any food lol. They did however send a fruit basket , small bottle of rum& 2 t shirts which was all thoughtful !

Never a dull moment

There were always fun things to do at this resort. There was always some sort of games near the pool, you could take out paddle boats, hit the shops, and just relax. I stayed for 2 weeks and it still felt like not enough time. With all the excursion possibilities, I recommend at the very least a 1.5 week stay. The game staff were awesome, they were personable, remembered our names. They tried to involve you in games, but they were never a bother. I was never bothered by people selling stuff on t [... read more]he beach. 5/5 I had a wonderful time and would recommend to anybody to stay here.

Hugely disappointing resort!

Nothing good there. Not a 4 star at all. Very disorganized and employees are not like north american hotelrie. When "concierge" has to check w her manager, its a big problem! Did not get my dollar value!

Should not be called Grand Bahia! Broken!

Everything was broken. No trolleys like at other Bahias. Food was good but the service was slow. Bartenders on the beach are cool but at times limited to mixes. The night club reeked of sewage. Do not go!

Some issues....

We had a 4 hour wait until our rooms were ready as plane landed before checking time. Found beach was great. But when the group of 20 of us returned fir room, 2 rooms still weren't ready . 2 more hours before room ready. Not fun. Food awesome and all other services great. Except initial check in. Wedding group enjoyed most of the hotel.

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay

This was easily one of our better holidays and we have had some really good ones at all inclusives around the Caribbean in te past. The rooms were spacious and clean, the swimming pool and beach well laid out and serviced, plenty of healthy and wholesome choices at the buffet restaurants, delectable fare at the a la cartes and to top it off excellent service from the staff, like Francine at reception, Barrington at the terrace lounge and Gerrick at the beach bar to name only a few.

GOOD TIMES

GOOD FOOD GOOD DRINK GOOD SERVICE GOOD TIMES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice resort not great service

My wife and I went on out honeymoon to what we thought was a 4 star resort , we paid for the don Pablo services and for the entire week didn't get anything as Promised on the paper . We were not impressed, resort was nice service was terrible