We just returned from a week of paradise. If you anyone can find a complaint about this place they can't be happy anywhere.
Check-in was a breeze and took all of 10 minutes. The welcome dancers and drink got us started off with excellent Dominican hopitality.
The specialty restaurants were fabulous. The food service staff were always eager to please and evcen though the language difference made communicating a bit more difficult at times the service was always top notch. Our wine and water glasses were always full. The buffet was plentiful and had something for everyone on it (quality not just quantity).
The rooms were large, clean, and cool. The maids and mini bar attendants always did their jobs to the best of their abilities (we did tip often and to anyone who provided us with extra service with a smile). Everyone here works hard (tip or no tip). Just our way of saying we appreciate your extra efforts. The nightly entertainment was cute (not Broadway, but then if we wanted Broadway, as we often do, we go there).
The beach was beautiful but windy. We chose to walk on the beach and reside by the pools instead. The water (ocean and pools) were cold but refreshing.
The hotel is huge but if you love to walk and enjoy the lovely weather its really not that big. The transports are always available without a wait.
The shops on the premises were nice but better prices could be found (some bargaining required) 2 miles away (walking) on the beach. The shopping is a fun experience. Go see Mr. Cheapee, Cheapee. He's a blast and great salemanship. The weather was mild during the day (not hot) and slightly cool at night. Saw very few bugs of any kind other than ants (outside). No mosquitos. We did not take any meds prior to or during the trip.
All in all the staff was simply marvelous and made this vacation a most memorable one. We booked our trip through Sam's Travel Club and it all turned out perfectly if there is such thing as perfect. We would recommend this resort to anyone looking for a bit of paradise. Enjoy.

One of the best resorts and vacations ever. We travel a lot and and often. We have been to Mexico many times, first time in DR. Bahia Punta was beautiful, clean, large room, better buffet food than usual found in carribean. Most staff very attentive. You do have to go to the bar for your drinks at beach and pool and you can ask for more Rum in your drinks if you like. Johnie Walker Red was included and was great. Very clean. they spray for mosquitoes every day. very few insects. Beautiful sand and water. Pool water cold at first. Night life after 11 in the market square. we did not leave resort. about an hour from airport. Language is a problem if you speak english but we managed. WONDERFUL, GREAT, WOULD GO AGAIN. HIGHLY RECCOMEND. ask for drink at restaurants called Mama Juana.

My wife and I just returned from there Feb. 11/05. The hotel is divided into 4 areas: Punta Cana, Bavaro, Golden and Premier. We stayed in the Bavaro. The Hotel is a definite 5 star. We have traveled to other countries and this hotel surpassed the others we've been to. The food in the buffet was great, we went to the French, Italian, and Steak house for our a la carte's. The French restaurant we highly recommend. The staff at the hotel were great and friendly. If you know a little Spanish it will go a long way. We visited the city of Punta Cana to do some shopping. It was a $10 taxi. There you can barter with clerks and pay about half price on any item. If you have any Canadian Memorabilia that you can fit in your bag, people will trade things with you. Bartenders will give you bottles of rum, clerks will trade you things in their store. We found that Canadian hats and shirts were most popular. We would go back again.

John and Lisa - Calgary Canada - Returned February 14/05

First and foremost, we have been looking at Trip Advisor for three years while planning our winter get a ways. The thing that you always have to remember as reading the reviews, it will always be different in your eyes and it is always what you make of it.

All I can say is that the Bahia Principe was first class and of course you run into little problems along the way but slow down, have a bevy and remember, your on vacation. We will recommend this resort to anyone young, old, kids or single. Go for it, you will love it.

In saying that, on with our review.

We had a little insight on this resort as we had friends stay at the Bahia during Xmas. There reviews were nothing but great.

We arrived late in the evening around 10pm and pulled up to this grand entrance and all marble lobby. The staff that greeted us, were very helpful and informative. We were taken to our room straight away by tram and helped in with our luggage. Rooms-------WOW. Brand new and clean.

We woke the next day and walked the entire resort to become familiar with all it had to offer for pools, dining and beach. This resort is large and you have the option to use a tram to take you from the lobby, right down to the beach.

Rather than giving an entire play by play, I will give an overview of all:

Dining - Upon arrival, book your ala carte the next morning at 9am. We were able to get into each that we wanted to. The ala cartes are all great. Our favorite was the Mexican and the French restaurant. We also went to the Italian and Steak house which were close behind out top picks. Remember you have to wear pants to the ala cartes. The buffet as great. No line ups, great food variety, fresh pasta and omelet stations daily. Lastly the pool and beach snack bars are great for lunch as you can go right from the pool and beach and enjoy great pizza, fried chicken, ribs and lots of salad.

Rooms - The rooms are great. They are very clean, roomy and a day after the sun, the TV selection is great. Remember to bring some things for your maid. Money is always king but my wife brought hair ties, tooth paste and other items they consider luxuries. These wonderful ladies will make your stay great. If you have special requests such as iron, mini bar stock ups just leave a note.

Beach - The beach area is massive and would suggest your first day you walk the entire beach to find your ideal area. Some people like to sit in the crowds and some like to have some room. We found a great little spot that allows you to spread your wings a little bit and did not feel like we were lined up side by side with others. If you walk out onto the beach, turn left and walk down to the area where the beach snack bars are. Great area and believe it or not, they will come around through out the day and actually serve you drinks. Are you kidding me on an all inclusive, this was over the top.

Pools - There are two pools mid-resort which are great and a nice place to finish the day. We hung out at the beach until around 3pm and then actually stayed at the main pool by the beach. Lots of activities from the resort staff and lots of chairs to be had. Yes you have to look and wait perhaps to get a chair but worth it. The swim up bars are amazing and have some great shaded area's so you are not always in the sun.

Bars / Lounges - The lobby lounge is a great place to settle down for the night. It starts to get busy around 8pm and shortly there after, there is a singer that comes out and everyone lets go a bit. If you like to dance or just sit, this is a great open area space that will settle you for the night. If you want to continue after 11pm you can go directly to the piano bar in the village or to the disco after 12pm. Both places are great and we were only able to make them once for the trip as it makes it for a long day. I want to clear the air on one thing about drinks. I have read alot of reviews and people are complaining about the drinks, again are you kidding me? The serve premium alcohol and if you ask for it you will get it. Just give them a chance to understand completely what you are looking for.

Staff - All I can say is 5 star. Yes sometimes there is a language barrier and sometimes it take a little bit to get your point across. I travel to Asia often and have realized one thing, when I go to there country, there English is better than my Chinese. Same goes for the Dominican, there English for the most part will be better than your Spanish that you can speak. In saying that the front desk staff, very accommodating. Bar staff, wow over the top and ready to go the extra mile. We would tip where we thought it was needed. I took 50, $1 US dollars with me for tipping. The maid got $3 dollars every day and the bar staff would get $2 a day.

Thank you for letting my wife and myself express our views of this resort. This is our third trip to the Dominican and this resort greatly out performed the others we stayed at.

I hope we have helped you make your decision and wish you a great and relaxing vacation at the Bahia.

John and Lisa - Calgary Canada