Easy check in,easy departure.Moved us to a room overlooking the pool which was great.The dining room staff was great:Ruben and VanCarlos always brought our expressos and cappuccinos the way we liked them.We did one day trip to Santo Domingo in a small crowded bus. However the guide was excellent from Hola tours and was a fount of information.Went to a few evening shows which were fun even for us ,late 60's couple.The front desk staff under Luis's management were attentive and always helpful.Luis told us a bit of the country,geography and history;so on a return trip we wish to travel to the interior for a brief excursion.Housekeeping staff kept our rooms spotless and were always available but unobtrusive .Came into our room one night and Milfi did a rose petal valentine for my wife,2 weeks before Valentine's Day.Will certainly return.

First the bad, or VERY BAD! Tennis courts are horrible and 20 min. by shuttle. The gym is even worse (also at far end) ... dingy, smelly, dark without windows. The equipment in poor shape. Don't go there!
Now, the EXCELLENT, or full five stars: Grounds, rooms, food, service, staff, beach, bars, a la cart restos, ambiance; you name it, the entire facility deserves best marks in all categories aside from the two above. We will come again provided they fix the facilities list, or simply put; NO TENNIS AND GYM!
If management read this; please, add just two tennis courts behind the buffet resto and a small decent gym and you could claim ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars.

I read many of the reviews before leaving and was not expecting the food to be 5 star however, the quality and service does need to be addressed if Esmeralda wants to continue calling itself a 5 star resort. My experience was just average.

The beach, the pool areas, the rooms and the grounds are amazing. The entertainment staff does a good job to make sure that the right vibes are going on in the right areas. If you feel like relaxing there is a pool for that. If you feel like dancing to Soca Boys along with everyone else, there is a pool for that. However, when staying for five days, four nights, one does expect a decent meal or two from a "five star resort".

I just honestly felt like no one cared if the food was prepared correctly. Hot buffet items were always cold...always. Often times you found yourself digging the last remains of a dish as the attention to keeping dishes fresh and full was null and void. I seriously wanted to jump back and at least show the staff how to make french toast that was not hard as a rock.

I ate at two of the a la carte restaurants. An Asian restaurant which is on the grounds and a Tex-Mex that is down the beach at a sister site. All a la carte begins with a buffet for appetizer. These were not so bad but again, the problem with temp was persistent. The actual meals were mediocre. I had the fattiest piece of duck, which was covered in at least 2 cups of asian sauce and a tough, well done piece of carne asada which was covered in about 2 cups of tex-mex sauce.

I'm not trying to bash this place, but if you enjoy eating while paying for a 5 star vacation, I would research a few other places as they all share the same beach and a pool is a pool is a pool.

It's not good when you and your wife say to your friends who pick you up, "No, all joking aside. The best meal on the trip was the Wendy's at the Punta Cana airport."

GH

Ps. I asked for a white russian and after explaining the drink was given vodka in a glass of milk...we all had fun, but its little things like that, when added up...

I went to the Esmeralda with my wife and three daughters over New Years.....we are all very well travelled and a picky family, we can afford luxury hotels so trust me when I tell you that as far as all inclusive resorts go all over the Carribean the Esmarlda is a gem. The staff is amazing from Juan the Bell Man to Esteban the Manager to Louis the director they are there to make you happy as well as all the bartenders maids waiters and front reception staff they made us feel like family. On the third day I was being high fived by staff and felt like I had been there for a month...instant comfort....the food is great not just good and we are all foodies...yes it is typical all inclusive layout but good selection and all fresh....I am king of the stomach issues and I didnt have one all week....and I ate everything....The esmeralda is like a private oasis at bahia principe just take the shuttle over to all the other hotels and then come back to a quite retreat..............On our second last day we were faced with a accident...my wife was playing in the windy surf late in the afternoon and was hit and thrown by a large wave....she tore her quad tendon off her kneecap and also her acl in her knee....we needed medical attention....the staff took her to the on site Dr who was amazing then to the local hospital for xrays.......to make a long story short this hotel stepped it up for us....they got us a wheel chair and brought her ice, the night of the hospital they left the buffet open late for my family????what hotel does that??? they gave us late check out for free and moved our rooms to a better access for my wife.....the one thing you want hen you travel is to know you are safe and in the event of an accident well looked after....the Esmeralda made us feel that and for that as a Father and Husband... I Thank Them All. I recommend that you stay here its simply the best!!! We are going back in March to say thanx to everyone all over again Toronto Canada Richard B