It could have been better

It started as a horrible experience, the room first given was like one out of a nasty horror film. Day 2 we were moved to a new room & things improved greatly from there. Many of the employees where polite, but did not seem very happy or smile much. However, there was 2 that made up for all the others, Carlos G, the porter & Robert, the bartender. They were a delight to see everyday & the service & smiles from these two was never ending. The Westjet representative was a nightmare & difficult to  [... read more]get ahold of, would think twice before booking with Westjet again because of his service or lack there of.

Not the best resort

The hotel wasn't great, I requested to be close to my sis and family and the room we initially got were the furthest possibly away from my sisters. I then asked to move, they kept telling me to come back at certain time and each time they said they couldn't yep anything. They finally switched me on day 3. The people working at the hotel were not friendly at all, the night show was not that amazing. Our stay did get better by the end of the week but I did not feel comfortable like home and the st [... read more]aff did not feel like family to me where other resorts I've been to felt so warm and king like family. A lot of people got sick from the food but my son and it were ok.

Good Times

A decent place, the Villa we stayed in was very roomy, and the bed was comfortable, however the room was a little run down. The hand held shower did not have a wall bracket to hold the shower head, the TV had a large blue strip running though the screen and there wasn't a remote. Our last day there the key card for our room stopped working, and it took many trips to the front desk and half a day to repair the problem (which turned out to be a dead battery in the door lock). The beach area was be [... read more]autiful, but not enough lounge chairs for everyone. The staff were friendly. Over all depending on your expectations, a very nice cheap vacation.

Will definitely be coming back!

We were at Grand Paradise Samana from January 21-28 and all I can say is it was really an amazing time. The resort is an hour and a half away from the airport but that was not really a bother as we also get to do some sightseeing on our way there. We were greeted by the friendly staff with some refreshing drinks, check-in was fast and no problem at all, safe is also available for $15. Our room was a bit far from the lobby (no complaints, we had not asked for a specific room when booking) but al [... read more]so the grounds of the resort is really big. Room is spacious enough, bathroom's okay as well, and there's a tv which we didn't even bother to use. We stayed mostly by the beach (not really a big fan of pools in general, better view at beach anyway), so beautiful and long very nice for a walk along the shore. There was quite a bit of seaweed, which I'm not a fan of at all, but I've managed to just keep my feet on the clear areas. Water is very clear even when you go a bit further. My boyfriend and I went kayaking a few times (free activity) and we were surprised how shallow the water even if you go further. Like the beach starts shallow, then deep, then shallow again. It was quite interesting, we tried snorkelling, saw some starfishes. Food was okay. It is not the best but they try to give you different varieties everyday. I'm not a big eater, I only consume what my body needs so the food was okay enough to survive through the week. Although there are actually a few items that I really like from their selection. Went on the Los Haitises Tour, it was very good, and really interesting. Lots of history, you will be surprised. Great wild life, never seen rare birds and different animals up close until here. What made the boat ride exciting was that we had seen at least for dolphins just swimming freely around us while we cross Samana Bay. That was quite a show. Bacardi Island was beautiful, nice tourist spot, good food served at lunch too. Spent about two days outside the resort, the town of Las Galeras is about 10 minutes if you take the beach. Nice pathway too, you'll be surprised of what you find in it. Had dinner at a local place, two lobsters, rice, plantains, veggies and cold Presidente for $20. How awesome. The staff of Grand Paradise really do work hard, I don't think we've ever been ignored like everyone says hi and acknowledges you it was very pleasant. Robert, the bartender at the Sports Bar by the beach was so awesome. Very friendly to everyone who comes by. Love his music, makes the bar lively. Francesco and the animation team are the best, love him, he's so funny. Angelo was very nice to us as well, he is our server at the buffet breakfast every morning. Front desk staff are all helpful, Alvaro was a good guy, always friendly and conversational. Overall, we really enjoyed our trip. Would definitely come back and maybe with family this time. My boyfriend and I really didn't fall into the age group of who else was there on our stay, everyone is much older, but still ain't a problem, guests were friendly so we made some friends along the way. Wish I went to the actual town of Samana but had no time. Again, lovely place, great people, and the beaches are beautiful!!!!!

Not great!! Not horrible!...but not great!!

Our trip to Grand Paradise was ok (at best)!! The flight was great both ways, weather was beautiful and warm, nice to get away and relax for the week, our room was clean and large on 3rd floor with balcony facing the ocean...lovely! The resort, in general, was very mediocre...food was not good and a LOT of people had gastro issues (including ourselves)...another couple we met were quite ill for most of the week, service was not good at reception or the buffet or some shifts at the bars. The Euro [... read more]pean travellers were the rudest I have ever experienced (not that that is the resort's fault)!! It wasn't completely horrible and we did have a good week as we are very low-maintenance type people...however...I would not return to this resort nor would I recommend it to others.

Paradise setting!

My recent vacation to this resort, with my husband, was our third time here. The resort itself is idyllic in its setting. Beautiful well maintained grounds, pleasant staff, quite and peaceful. The only negative about this resort is the food should be improved. Even the a la carte food is slipping (especially the deserts),

The good and the bad

We spend 2 weeks in Grand Paradiso Smana. The food with the exception of fish was good and the table service was excellent. It would not hurt to purchase additional coffee cups, so by arriving later we are not forced to drink our coffee out of soup bowels. We were staying in unit #6 and here is the negative side. To blend in with the environment the roof over the hallway on the third floor was covered with palm leafs. Looks really nice but after a number of years the roof was deteriorating and t [... read more]he upper floor was flooded twice during heavy rain. This led to up to 10 mm of water in our bathroom. Absolutely avoidable if the roof was replaced in time. Would I go back? YES but I would inspect the roof first

Great Holiday Vacation

Well maintained resort, clean, good food with a fair variety of options on the menu, friendly staff enjoyed making friends with the photographers, entertainment crew and bar staff, beaches cleaned everyday. Since Resort is on its own Bay, enjoyed the fact that there was little outside intrusion. Great for a relaxing week... ocean is wonderful to swim in at anytime.

Nice place

Example: What did you think about  this hotel? (grounds, public areas, rooms, dining, features, etc.)nice grounds,room was really clean,service was acceptable,sea not so good,food different every day,drinks only domestic

Great resort

Great resort. very clean rooms with extremely comfortable beds. ALL the staff in this resort were professionals, happy to make ur stay as pleasant as they could. All the staff. Location is really a paradise. Food can be improved. We had a great time!

Great Resort

Booked with Nolitours, had beautiful room with large balcony overlooking beautiful pool, no problem to get chairs at pools , beach is beautiful but unless you go very early its pretty hard to find a beach chair, the ride from the airport is quite long 1.5 hours. Small village within walking distance but not much there.

Ok resort for the price

Food was good - not as bad as reviews - but we are not picky eaters. I was impressed with the dinners on the beach. Staff were very friendly as well. Grounds were nice - perfect size resort. Drinks were good - not watered down like some resorts. The only complaint I have was the fact that they had difficulty with their air conditioning .... and it was so hot !! Beaches were beautiful. Another complaint is the fact that they let the locals into the resort on the weekends - nothing wrong with that [... read more] - however, the place becomes extremely crowded and the service gets re-focused !

Great resort

We are going back in March 2015. Can't wait we met new friends and the staff was wonderful.didn't see the time go by and we where there for 2 weeks. Love it. The food was great and we never ran out. Really enjoyed the party on the beach with a great meal and served like queens and kings the last night before we left the next day. Never had this before on our other trips.

Amazing resort

playgrounds of this hotel were always kept very clean. The staff were amazing always willing to help always with a smile . This resort had two dining areas one at the beach and one up near the lobby. Both places had enough food to choose from. My wife and I could not believe how nice the room was and how clean it was the maid service was fantastic. The mini fridge in our room always had two bottles of water and two bottles of pop. And the maid that clean the room was very honest. We have forgott [... read more]en money on the desk in the room and it was still there when we came back. We both know that we will definitely be returning to the grand Paradise resort.

Ok Resort

It was clean, food was ok. Pools were just ok. Beach part was small, you can't really walk down the beach far, you walk on a path beside the beach. Rooms were ok. Its a 3* so we didn't expect much. Food was ok, not a big selection and all of us needed Imodium..every day for me! Careful of excusions, we went on a whale watching one with guarantee to see whales. They took us out in horrible weather and almost capsized the boat..everyone just wanted to go home after the first few hours. Left at 9 a [... read more]m and didn't get back until 5pm...was only to go till 2 and they do not serve any lunch just pop when you get to the small beach they take you to for a break from trying to find whales. Never saw a whale...they were too smart to be out in such weather lol All in all it was an ok resort for price we paid but I would not return.

Wonderful place!

We really enjoyed our stay here and were pleasantly surprised with this unique, beautiful place and the exceptional service. We would definitely like to go back here again some time. The Dominican people were awesome as well.

A waste of oportunities in paradise

Excellent grounds but badly managed. From myngrup almost everybody got sick and they are not newbies. Its a shame that the management doesn't do a thing to prevent this from happening. The grounds are0 great and the diving team awsome

A lovely resort

a quiet relaxing time enjoyed the beach- had shade trees on the beach which is great for me as I need shade so I don't burn the water was awesome-warm and shallow so you could go out far in the water food was great our room was very nice, clean and had a great view we loved it here we met a lot of nice friendly people -

Great Time

Great week only downer was put on wrong bus but to right resort and air cond. didn't work in room but told reception and fixed within the hour. Lots of shade,lots to do and food was fantastic. Lots to see too. Bus ride 60 to 90 mins but sites amazing to see how others live.

Great resort!

I was there in February with my daughter and a few friends and had a great time. Our room was spacious and very clean. The food was amazing at all the restaurants- buffet included but the beach restaurant was my favourite!! Beach was small but very clean with lots of beach chairs. The main pool is where the action is but there are smaller pools if you like it a bit quieter. This resort is one of the smaller resorts I have been to but it was nice for a change. Overall a geat resort!