Samana

My family and I had a wonderful time at Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo in Samaná. The dining area is very large, the food was great, and the staff were always polite and helpful—especially Alexandra at the front desk. We had a small issue in my mom's bathroom, but it was fixed right away. The resort was very clean, with no bugs at all, and we loved seeing the cute cats and the two friendly dogs roaming around. Overall, the property is very pretty. For anyone traveling to a small island, it's important to remember that it's not going to feel exactly like home—but you'll find plenty of sunshine, salt water, good food, and fun for a week. The only downside is that the bedrooms and bathrooms could use a bit of updating. That said, everything was clean; it's simply showing its age.

Very relaxing. Quiet space available. Buffet dining excellent with different theme every night. Accommodations were 5 star. Staff were pleasant and helpful beyond expectations. Wasn't overly impressed with a la carte dinning facilities. We much preferred the resort when it was Adult only, not suited for children.. Would highly recommend this resort and we will definitely return in the future.

Hotel and beach are not as advertised (as examples, only 2 out of 5 a la carte restaurants were open and there were no beach activities or entertainment). The beach is very narrow and there are not enough chairs or space to accommodate all tourists. Stray dogs are running around all day. Not recommended if you want to relax/sleep on the beach.