Very excited to go to this new resort, had stayed at the El Portillo last year and it was amazing. We wanted to go back to Samana area this year, did a lot of reading of reviews and decided to try the Cayocoa Gran Bahia. We knew from the reviews that there was a lot of walking and many stairs to climb to get around the resort especially if you were booked in the Jr Suites, which we were. we also knew from reviews that the beach was small. we flew Sky service Feb 11-18. The food was horrible but service was great. We arrived at the airport had a drive of probably 1 hour or more, great bus , good driver and we were there before we knew it. Upon arriving at this resort it was absolutely beautiful, check in was quick, room was ready and we were excited to be there. Our room was in the Jr Golden Suite section, room was amazing, huge, very clean, balcony with beautiul ocean view. The down side was many many stairs to get from our section of the resort to the main lobby,then had to take elevator down to beach. Beach was very nice but very small ,disappointing as my husband and I truly enjoy just walking along the beach, service was excellent in every aspect but it was not what we wanted as we found it very difficult walking up and down all those stairs to go anywhere on the resort. Next day we met an increduible Air Transat Rep by the name of Melanie who truly deserves mention as she was able to have us transferred to the El Portillo Jr Suites section, as I stated we had stayed there last year aand loved it. Needed to pay a small transfer fee and transportation but that was minor because we really wanted to go back there.I can only say good things about the Cayocoa and the servivce from all of the employees there as they truly do cater and try to please everone,Melanie thank you so much for going that extra to help us move to another resort, Cayocoa is truly beautiful, food was great for the few meals we had there at the buffet, but it was not for us. We had a wonderful vacation back at the El Portillo, it truly is a beautiful resort, food was great, room was amazing, no complaints

We are a couple from Calgary and we travel a lot the republic dominican. This site is very beautiful, on top of a rock mountain with an inimaginable view of Cayo Levantado. After 1 or 2 days you realize that you are a 360 degree view: the Bay, the port, the village (look a village on the andalousian coast in spain), and the island. I would just let you know that this hotel is very good but you have to know that it is a resort for couple and not very for family. They are close to 250 steps from the golden beach to the hotel lobby but there is a shuttle that can bring you where you want. For the room I have nothing to say: Beautifullllllll.....The beach: not the most beautiful but this hotel is not for the beach. The pool: amazing, the animation team are incredible, go talk with danny . The restaurant: the best is the Orquidée the fancy restaurant, the worst is the pescador and the italian is ok. the buffet is amazing for the dessert. Don't batter with bringing your laptop cause you have to use the hotel one for the internet but it is ok they provide you some dell laptop very fast. For diving it's nice cause you start your trip on the levantado island and there is 2 sites: one is a ship wreck new from one year and the other is a coral banks very nice. The personnal from the spa are very professional and to get a muscular massage it cost just 50 dollars for an hour or 40 dollars for 30 minutes. hope you ll enjoy and just try to not travel with skyservice, signature.......Eric

Travelled on the direct Toronto-Samana flight with Skyservice rather than do the long bus ride from Puerto Plata. Very smooth arrival, Samana airport very quick to get out of. As it was late at night (~11:30 pm), hotel did everyone’s check-in (not just Royal Golden) on the bus ride to hotel so we got room keys, wrist bands etc. Signature rep also did the welcome briefing on the ride in. This was great!

Large rooms with glass-walled balcony so view is amazing. Hotel is 5 stories and very accessible as long as you are in the main building with easy elevator access to buffet level, pool level and then another elevator to beach. We didn't do Royal Golden but the RG room locations involve ALOT of walking/steps to get everywhere (or waiting on a golf cart shuttle). My one suggested improvement is that in this caliber of hotel, the additional cost for the in-room safe should be ‘buried’ into the room cost rather than having to arrange with front desk to pay separately/access.

Buffet was fine – lots of selection, you never starved. Pasta bar, salad bar and fruit selection with each meal. A la cartes (Italian, Gourmet & Seafood) were typical of other resorts. Shrimp dishes quite good.

Glass elevator to pool level and then to beach fabulous. Never had problems finding a chair at pool or beach. Lots of palapas on beach. Sure, beach is smaller and not as nice as Punta Cana but we were expecting this and found it just fine. We enjoyed the remote feeling compared to being on a beach strip with hotel after hotel. There is a bar/washrooms at beach level. One improvement to suggest would be a lunch time snack bar – even if only limited menu -- at the beach level.

Animation staff were a great bunch, and, like other resorts, they work long days. Shows were hilarious and typical of other resorts we’ve been to. They do some “pre-show” games etc. in the courtyard outside the lobby bar before the real show starts at 10 pm. Disco continues after that.

Golf cart shuttle runs regularly to/from Pueblo shopping complex in Samana. Beware the motoscooters everywhere and look both ways twice before crossing the street!

Can book tours through your rep, other reps in lobby or on your own. We booked whale watching with Victoria Marine (Kim Beddall—a Canadian) and had a wonderful day and saw lots. We also rented a private taxi one day to travel to Playa Rincon (#4 beach in the world). Breathtaking location, almost the only ones there on a Saturday! Worth seeing when you're that close!

Would recommend this to anyone looking for a relaxing, carefree getaway. If, however, you’re looking for the white sand beaches of Punta Cana to go for long walks on, know up front, this is not the place. A nice sized resort with great facilities - we've stayed at “mega” resorts before and much prefer the travel experience of a smaller one such as this.

I booked this trip online with Signature Vacations via Selloffvacations.com. In the description it stated that the hotel was located 40 minutes from the new Samana Airport. After reading every detail, it stated in the hidden "Need to know" information that the actual port of disembarkation was Puerto Plata, 4 hours from the hotel. I was so alarmed I called Selloff to complain of the deceptive nature of the add. While they agreed, they could do nothing for us but re-book us into Samana at a fee of 240.00 each! While I was very disappointed, we reluctantly agreed. We did not want to travel 4 hours once we landed. So, buyer beware!!!

Once there however we were very happy with our choice. The hotel was beautiful, new, clean and spacious. The grounds were outstanding and the service was great.

The animacion team did a super job of entertaining guests who desired it, and did not hound those who did not. I learned that they work 12 days on and 4 days off. They were always smiling, and their hours were long (9-12am). They worked all day outside, and then put on shows in the disco at night. Very happy, hard working young people.

We were there for r&r and did not go on any excursions. You will have to read other reviews for opinions of those. But we met some fun people and managed to enjoy the beautiful weather and great service. The grounds were lovely. We usually started at the main pool, went to the beach for a while and ended up by the jacuzzi pools for some quiet time. Then drinks on the patio overlooking Samana, a nap in our room, and off to dinner.

The shows were fun and the more you put in, the more you get out. After the show, it was nightcap time and bed for us! Some young people would go into town for some dancing etc., and the disco was open till 1 or 2, but we would just retire to our beautiful room.

By the way, the rooms are spacious, clean and like new. The air conditioning was quiet and the room was not musty or damp at all. The noise level was very quiet and our view was great. Almost every room has a great view. The maid service was super. We never went back to our room to find it was not cleaned. Lots of bottled water, pop, and beer in the fridge.

We were in Puerto Plata last year, and while we thought it was great, it was not near the quality of this hotel. I thoroughly recommend this hotel for anyone looking for a nice quiet getaway with beautiful views and lovely service.

One last thing...the pool lounge chairs were wonderful..wood with thick cushions. ( I look for this when I research). Lots of shade huts on the beach, and while we were there it was never too busy!

The food in the buffet was very good. After a week though, I was happy to go home to some real meat!! My husband thought the fish was great though. We did not do the a la cartes due to the negative reviews of these, and we like to take our time and not be held to a reservation time to eat. But the buffet was indoors, which was nice (no bugs), and the service was impeccable.

Hope this helps!