Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Not great

Took 2 hours to check in at which time our room wasn't ready so we had to return to the line at 3pm. Buffet wasn't great. Long walk from our room to the main pool/beach. Long lines at bars and slow service, we would wait up to 15 minutes sometimes. Beach is awful, small,smelly and full of seaweed. Chairs are a huge issue. When all reviews are about the lack of chairs, why don't you buy more chairs??? Spend extra money and go somewhere else!

Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel: Horrifying

We all got a very severe Gastro virus from this resort. I have submitted a claim for you to help us with. The staff were not helpful and we all ended up admitted to the hospital in Mexico except for Diane. It was the worst trip of our entire lives. We are still recovering and thank God we made it back home.

Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel: Horrifying

We all got a very severe Gastro virus from this resort. I have submitted a claim for you to help us with. The staff were not helpful and we all ended up admitted to the hospital in Mexico except for Diane. It was the worst trip of our entire lives. We are still recovering and thank God we made it back home.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Great Staff, great food & fun!

The BlueBay Villas Dorada is smaller resort with a great set-up. It is easy to find your way around. The food is great with so many options and varieties each day. The staff is friendly and fun. The Entertainment crew were the highlight of our two week stay, getting to see them for games on the beach in the morning and games at the pool each afternoon. Then the evening shows were always so much fun and entertaining. Sure, the resort could use some updates, which they are in the process of doin [... read more]g. If your room has a problem and you let them know, it gets fix quickly. I have been twice already with plans to go back :)

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: This resort is something else

This is the best place that I have visited, food galore Everything was perfect, the restaurants very good You could never ask for better service, and the people are so friendly and loving They make you feel at home The servers do everything they can to make sure you don’t miss anything They brought water and pop and beer every day Changed the towels and cleaning every day A place to take walks and it always seemed that there was never a crowd anywhere but the hotel was booked I recomme [... read more]nd this hotel to anyone who wants to relax and enjoy your food

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: This resort is something else

This is the best place that I have visited, food galore Everything was perfect, the restaurants very good You could never ask for better service, and the people are so friendly and loving They make you feel at home The servers do everything they can to make sure you don’t miss anything They brought water and pop and beer every day Changed the towels and cleaning every day A place to take walks and it always seemed that there was never a crowd anywhere but the hotel was booked I recomme [... read more]nd this hotel to anyone who wants to relax and enjoy your food

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Never Again Resort!

Let me first say, our travel agent is and always will be our go to person. This resort was our choice. There were six of us, hoping to visit this resort thinking.. WOW, it is going to be the awsome. Friends, family, new friends added a positive to our trip. Arriving April 12th, we moved rice. First room AC was not working. Second room..after complaining of the toilet leaking at the water shutoff valve..wrnhad lakes every day. Talked to the same people from the front desk, maintenence (who l [... read more]aughed at us) God forbid a woman knows about plumbing. Saturday to Thursday we put up with a room soaked with water. It was Thursday afternoon we were moved to our third room. Food..average, drinks..plenty to forget about the rooms. Staff, depends where you were in the resort and what color braclet you wore. Be your own judge.We will never go back. I rate this resort a 2

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Clean and Cozy!

We wanted something low-key and relaxing, and Blue Bay was just that. From the very accomodating staff, to the delicious and varied food, and clean grounds, we could not have asked for more. Even though it rained most of the time we were there, we made the most of our weather app and made do with what sunshine we did have. Our last full day there the sun did not disappoint, and we were able to spend most of the day at the beach. Majority of the people were older couples, and no rowdy large group [... read more]s. The a la cart food was delicious and varied, but we even found the buffet to be fresh and varied too. If you are looking for a place to relax and unwind, stay here! And if you have any issues, the staff at Blue Bay will go out of their way to make sure you are happy! We will definitely go back to this resort!

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Not impressed

The resort itself is outdated in a whole. Electrical outlets are sketchy and loose and not fitting correctly. The staff seemed unhappy in their jobs. No smiles most of the time. The time share people were hounds and were not happy if you didn't go to their 2 hour session. Most of the staff while working were on their phones if they were not helping? someone. The food was the same for breakfast and lunch but some foods were changed for dinner. Dinner buffet you seemed rushed to hurry and e [... read more]at. You leave your table to get 2nds and come back with your table already cleared. I found the staff very unaccomidating. No willingness to make a person feel welcome at all. Would not go back and will not recommend this resort

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Fantastic Resort

This hotel was everything my wife, 3 year old, 1 year old and myself wanted for our first family all inclusive. The staff were very welcoming and friendly and always quick to help. There were plenty of tasty food options. Both pools were beautifully done and we loved the beach. The rooms were clean and all of the public bathrooms as well. The coffee shop and soft serve ice cream were a big win for us! We hope to return soon. This was a 12 out of 10 experience at the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda for o [... read more]ur family!

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: You get what you pay for

Pay the extra money for the room upgrade. Nice rooms down on the ocean front. Food was decent, but didn’t seem to change from day to day. Staff is friendly. Especially the ladies serving around the pool. The more you tip the better service you will receive.

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Updating Needed Throughout The Resort!

Travelled March 25-April 8 2025 Gardenview Dbl Room #6 Bldg Check in - no information package on resort, map of resort, restaurant information. Bell boy asked if we’d like to carry our own luggage (2 large suitcases) to our building instead of driving us. Not impressed. Checkout - had prearranged a pickup to help with our luggage to the lobby. We ended up taking our own luggage anyways. PROS - clean room -large shower, double sinks, hair dryer, makeup mirror -comfortable beds clean [... read more] sheets -towels are more greyish than white (if that’s what you like) and not soft -patio balcony - average size -wifi spotty at times in room and throughout resort -housekeeping staff kept our room clean -liked the smaller quieter pool close by buildings 6,7 & 8 (snack bar closed down) - bar by small pool (hit & miss with cocktail knowledge) -pool by beach large & clean - restaurant close by -Festival Buffett - great cappuccinos , Mimosas **Highly Recommended these staff who were excellent in service and just wonderful people! *Festival Buffett -Miguel Benjamin, Lidia, Fernando *Ala Cart Seafood Restaurant- Benjamin *The Coffee House - great coffees, soft ice cream - excellent service all the time *The Black & White Bar - bartenders knew their cocktails. The shows here were basic, need to fix stage area. -Grounds - were well maintained CONS ~Room, deadbolt once locked , you had a hard time unlocking it! -ceiling fan didn’t work-no button on the wall to make it go on/off -AC next to none -limited plug ins for electronic devices -all rooms are the same - we checked them all and are in need of major updating done -pillows need replaced as ours were musty smelling -no snack bar or pool service at smaller pool - small pool area had approximately 25 Sun loungers 4 shaded areas only -staff shortage in Festival buffet, seemed overwhelmed in evening service at times -food was average in Buffett with long lineup for omelettes every morning as there was only 1 person cooking (felt sorry for her) -hard to book an ala cart on their Bluebay App, you could only book 12 hrs in advance -again hit & miss on cocktails…margaritas were served with Mescal, not Tequila (prefer flavour of Tequila) other drinks were messed up depending on who was bartending -the “welcome breakfast” is a a timeshare spiel! (Been to a couple at different resorts) learned to not go unless you want to! Ala Carts - Cuore di Rossi Italian Ala cart their salmon dish/spinach ravioli was delicious - Don ISI Steakhouse Ala cart - disappointed in the steaks. They were not grilled, no seasoning on steaks. - Jaal-Ha seafood Ala cart - very good food here Overall, I would not book this hotel or recommend to anyone until major renovations have been done!

Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel: Beautiful, quiet gem of a resort

In all of our years visiting resorts in the Mayan Riviera, this is hands-down our favourite. Is it showing it's age a bit - yes. BUT...we found absolutely nothing to complain about. The grounds are spectacular, our patio junior suite was perfect. The plunge pool was cleaned and filled every day and it was extremely private. The hotel staff was super friendly, courteous and helpful. And...i don't know where they stole their chef from - but the food was INCREDIBLE. We couldn't be happier w [... read more]ith the Blue Diamond luxury boutique and we're already looking forward to a return trip.

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Alright resort personally would not return.

Staff were alright ... so make you feel very uncomfortable and rude. Beach was a mess. Did travel to the lagoon very nice watch for rocks. 2 people ended up very sick from the food. Ended up with a bill for 100 American because someone got sick in our room from food poisoning and got a little bit of voimit on the sheets which is absolutely ridiculous ? it was the size of a quarter. Resort is very nice. And drinks very good. Night life is good till about 1am. I wouldn't return. Was s [... read more]cared to eat or drink to much. Cause of the charge on the second day. Heard lots of stories while on vacation and many not so good. Also think our daughter got a concussion from the sunwing drivers on our way to resort from not slowing down for speed bumps and holes in the road got to the resort and her forehead was all cut up from cracking her head on the bus so many times. Thats also could have help with her being sick the first night along with the food.

Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel: Great relaxing vacation

I loved the quaintness of this hotel. Small number of rooms, great beach, beautiful infinity pool looking out into the ocean and outstanding service by staff. Very surprised at the great quality of food...not always so in my other all inclusive. Would definitely return.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Underwhelming

Rooms were a big disappointment. Standard rooms are well below standard. I suspect this is because they want your upgrade dollars. The upgraded room ($’s) were better though the bathrooms are tiny and badly maintained. Both sink and especially the shower did not drain. Nice if you want water puddling around your feet…eew! Front desk people are sullen and uninviting. Food was great. The staff at the buffet were inviting, smiling and courteous (Special mention to Anelyina & Antonio who were esp [... read more]ecially attentive and helpful) Nice pools though not enough umbrellas for shade. Grounds were immaculately maintained. Entertainment was ok. Beach area is nice. A la carte were ok.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Splendid resort!

Spent 7 days here and I would for sure go back. Staff were great, did their very best to accommodate my mobility issues. Rooms were dated but clean and extremely comfortable. Guest Services Yuliana was a sweetheart and was there to help with whatever we needed, pool was clean,drinks were yummy, try the Superman it was my favourite drink, the VIP salesmen were not pushy, say no and they left you alone. Buffet had such a variety of food, no way you would go hungry ! Beach was small but also very c [... read more]lean. Vendors were a pain, just say NO loudly lol. Entertainment was the usual, karaoke was really enjoyable.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Nice Vacation

My wife and I had a nice 7 day vacation and really enjoyed ourselves. Rooms are old and would need better upkeep but they were cleaned everyday and ultimately we weren't there to stay in our room. The grounds were for the most part well maintained. The pool and surrounding area would need need some additional TLC with loose and missing tiles here and there. The staff was great, the food was good and the beach was beautiful.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Lovely well kept small resort

Blue Bay Doradas in Puerto Plata D.R. is a lovely, small resort that still has 3 pools, entertainment every night and a beautiful large well kept beach. It is an older resort but very well maintained. The grounds are groomed and are very attractive. Our room was kept very clean and when they changed the sheets they changed the mattress cover too! No problem getting towels, face cloths etc and plumbing worked fine. Lots of hot water and good water pressure. The food was over cooked most times a [... read more]nd after a few days it all tasted the same. They did get 2 new chefs in there for 2 days near the end of our vacation and boy what an improvement! So the only thing not up to par was the food. Specialty restaurants were better. But only 3 of them. We were there for 14 days and I was bored. Ten days and I was ready for home. The Playa Dorada mall is only a five minute, safe walk but very lacking and run down after covid. If you are looking for a quiet vacation this is the place. People were all very friendly and mostly Canadians. You can book excursions right at the resort. Our flight was with Air Transat and very good other than my video player didn't work so they gave me extra snacks etc on the trip down. Bus rides were good to and from the resort. Good vacation and glad to be home again.

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Okay resort

The hotel was ok, a lot bigger than I anticipated. Lack of lounge chairs at both pools Food was decent and no issues with booking a la cartes Didn’t get to experience beach as well as the red flag was up the entire time and we were not allowed to go in.