Stayed at the hotel from jan 14 to jan 28, 2008.

CHECK-IN: On the bus they give you an envelope containing a hotel registration form to complete, your room number, and your two room keys plus your all inclusive braclets. When you arrive you simply just go to your room everything is already done. You can wait for the bell-boy to bring your luggage or take the elevator yourself.

ROOM: We were in room 330 (spectacular view)....room was situated in a quiet area as we had requested.

BEACH: About 400 FEET long from one end to the other. private beach.

PIANO BAR: Open once the lobby bar closes at 11pm. However there is no piano.

SOUVENIR SHOP: Small and only one on the premises.

SHOPPING: Go to Samana by taxi $15 each way or wawa (hop in with the locals...only $1 each way). we took the wawa at the gates of the hotel. Try to go when there is a cruise ship so that the flea market is open. There is also Pueblo Bahia (all little shops belonging to the bahia principe chain. There is also a casino in Pueblo Bahia.

A LA CARTE RESTUARANTS: You book at the reception desk. We preferred buffet to the two a la carte resuarants that we tried.

SERVICE: Exceptional service everwhere

FOOD: Delicious, smaller buffet than most other resorts however there is variety everday. First hotel that we did not get fed up after 2 weeks.

CHILDREN: Not a place for kids - there is no mini club to entertain them. There was only 2 children the first week and 4 the second week.

BEACH BAR: None - you have to walk about 50 steps to the bar which is situated at pool area.

BEACH TOWELS: When you arrive you will find towels in closet of your room. They also furnish slippers that you can bring home.

BEACH ENTRANCE: You will find two. Main one by using stairs near pool and the other is found by going out the main entrance there are stairs in between the piano bar and souvenir shop.

Great hotel if you want to relax, enjoy weather, and eat well. Staff go out of there way to make you feel welcomed and happy.

I experienced a bait and switch price quote with the Gran Bahia Principe Samana, Dominican Republic. I just returned from the Dominican Republic (11th trip) .

My girl friend, who lives in Santo Domingo, and I went to Samana to whale watch last week. Upon arriving in Samana we decided we wanted luxury and called the Gran Bahia Principe to get a rate quote. She was very specific it was for 2 people. We liked the rate quote and asked to make a reservation. She was told on the phone, just come on over, a reservation was not necessary. Thus, we hopped in a taxi cab and less than 10 minutes later were at the front desk.

The desk clerk, Sterlin, then doubled the rate we were quoted less than 10 minutes before on the phone. I asked to speak to the manager and was given the guest services manger, Francisco Bacheco. After explaining the problem, he made a call and then explained to us not only did the person misquote the room ( $123) regarding one v. two people ($256), but quoted it wrong even for one person. ( $153) The hotel offered nothing, nor did they pick up our taxicab fare. In short, we paid two taxicab fares, wasted time, and was insulted at the Gran Bahia. It set a negative mood for that trip, that instead of staying in the Samana area for the three days we planned, we left within 24 hours. ( After the whale watching, of course. )

As I told Mr. Bacheco, I am the type of person to inform people of bad ( or good service) service. I would have never expected such a luxury name brand hotel to bait and switch ( although experience has taught me it happens a lot in the Dominican, including a lunch tab the next day in Samana). Anyone thinking of staying here, get the price in writing!.

Relaxing at GBP. Samana

We spent 2 weeks in the gran bahia principe samana hotel.
This hotel is not for everyone.
But if you want a quiet, elegant, relaxing vacation,
with good food and friendly service, then, this is the
place for you. Not much animation, small but beautiful
hotel, nice pool and lovely beach. It is not the place
for teenagers, children, or party people. We enjoyed
our vacation very much as it was exactly what we wanted.

suerte

Returned from a great week Feb 4th. We were very pleased with the hotel,activities, staff, entertainment and food.
We have travelled every year for the past 12 years to many locations, usually 4-5 star destinations. We always use trip advisor to pick a location and decided it was time to start sharing our experiences.
Rooms- just like the brochure- beautiful, spacious, clean. Yes hot water, well maybe a few times warm, but not of any concern. The balcony is such a treat and we really enjoyed it. We had a prime location with a view of the pool and beach and the bay as far as you could see.
Activities - we met many great people and had an awesome time. The beach was great, with calm and wavy days. Calm for snorkeling and floating. Wavy for boogie boards and kayaks, great fun. Pool and ocean were warm. If the waves seemed strong, once you got passed the breaking point you could easily still float. Evening shows, were fun, worth catching. The magic show was awesome! Piano bar was fun on the nights you had a group. Raul and Juan always there to get the music going. It is all what you and your fellow travellers make it.
Staff - Have to say Natalie our air transat rep was awesome! She went out of her way for many guests. We went on 2 excurisions and when we mentioned there was some concerns, our money was promplty offered back from the tour operator when Natalie contacted them. All of the staff were great, with the ability to speak in several languages. We observed if you attempted to speak spanish, smile and thank them they went out of there way to try and have a conversation. Always helpful, smiling and attentive. To many great staff to mention all the names!
Food - Very good! Variety, quality and quantitiy. Have to admit we never used the al a carte spots as we never wanted to commit to a certain time. The wine still enjoyable, not top notch but not barrel wash. I sipped the champagne and loved it! I was frankly impressed eating from a buffet daily.
Recommend trying the Caprina's, Juan especial.
You can make it what you want, many had a quiet time, we were having fun doing things all the time.