We just returned from a week at this resort and gotta say that it was terrific! We had considered ourselves Punta Cana lovers until this stay. This is a return to the very best that the Dominican Republic has to offer. The vegetation was lush, the decor old school but very classy, and the beach!!! The water was crystal clear and the snorkling amazing. You didn't even have to snorkle to enjoy the tropical fish. The staff were great and the rooms very nice. We had no trouble finding lots to eat and the eating was terrific. The a la cartes were very good, our favorite was the Oriental (maybe 'cause Dauny really worked at keeping our wine glasses full). The resort is cozier than some of the larger ones in Punta Cana and therefore we had an opportunity to meet and greet people that you would bump into over the course of the week. Nice touch. The royal golden service is well worth it and we would recommend asking for it. The only downside is the long trip over the mountains from the airport. If you do not suffer motion sickness, it is a great chance to see the countryside. Maybe the downside is really an upside. Keeps the place less commercialized. We walked one day into the town of las Terrenas. Long walk by the beach but beautiful and we felt very safe. ( could have been the group of stray dogs that accompanied us) Guaranteed to be a great holiday!

Stayed at the El Portillo March 22-29th, this was our fifth visit to the Dominican, we have been to both Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. On each visit to the DR we have truly enjoyed each resort but the El Portillo was by far the best and would go back in a heartbeat.

Firstly, I have read alot of reviews about the bus trip back and forth from the resort. What I find amazing is all the complaining about how long the trip is. People tend to forget to get to a resort in Punta Cana you can count on at least a half hour bus ride. Our ride to El Portillo was exactly 1 hour and 10 minutes, so you are on the bus for 40 mins more then the Punta Cana bus trip. You are on vacation sit back and enjoy the ride and scenery. The highway we travelled was very smooth, looked brand new. The scenery is spectacular, very mountainous and lush, compared to Punta Cana. It's like going on your own mini excursion but for free! My only suggestion would be that the tour operators get together with the bus companies and perhaps have the bus assistants give a commentary about the DR customs, towns, vegetation as we travel along.

Check in was quick and painless. There were many front desk personnel awaiting our arrival, along with music and cool drink.

Front Desk/Reception - Amazing staff, always accommodating, no language barrier, and General Manager Carlos is always there to listen to your concerns and never ignored. I had a concern with my knees after being assigned a room on the third floor. Carlos was quick to change our room the next day to the first floor and even did one better and gave us room in building 1 that was close to everything. Thanks Carlos, much appreciated! And it always amazes me how well educated the staff are with the languages, considering visitors come from all different countries, Italy, Germany, France, etc.

Grounds - Impeccable, very lush and interesting, take a walk around the whole resort and explore all the different vegetation and florals!

Rooms - Very clean and spacious. Maid service very attentive, was always done before noon, bar fridge restocked every day!

Service - Can't say enough about the service personnel. Simply amazing. Compared to Punta Cana which I thought was hit and most times, the staff here seem to really care. We always ate our meals outside, which is quite a popular spot, and if there wasn't a spot available, manager Anna was quick to accomodate, even to the point of moving tables around so you wouldn't have to sit in direct sunlight. Staff around all the bars were attentive.

Beach - Again amazing. What more could you ask for, snorkeling right off the beach, clear and calm waters. This is the only resort on the beach, big residential oceanview properties on either side of the resort and when you walk further just complete natural beauty of the land, the waters edge has a flat hard surface to make walking or jogging quite enjoyable. Lots and lots of chairs on the beach and several shaded areas to sit under. The animation team always used the same area for their games and were not annoying and blasting their music all day long. Their games were fun and enjoyable, and not silly games to make anyone look like a fool.

Restaurants/Food - Food was by far the best we have had in DR. Very tasty. Buffets always had quite a selection. We visited all four al a cartes, enjoyed them all! Figured out that out of 24 meals we ate at the resort (one week), we only ate 4 indoors and that was for the al a cartes. The rest we ate outside, this was our preference. Our most favorite meal was breakfast, eating and drinking our coffee outside on the veranda overlooking the ocean, couldn't ask for anything more. Most lunches we ate were at the beach bar area where the deck overlooks the ocean, all shaded and the buffet had enough of selection including fries, burgers, hot dogs and pizza for kids.

Pool - was nice and is small but never saw it overcrowded. Most people were on the beach, enjoying watching all the fish they could see just standing or snorkeling.

We will be back!!!!

Enjoyed an amazing week, February 17 to 24, 2012 at Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo. My husband and I were so impressed with our first visit to this resort in February 2011 we returned again and brought family with us. There were 7 of us ranging in age from 24 to 70.
The only downfall of the whole trip is the long bus ride to and from the airport. It’s either 50 or 90 minutes depending on which highway taken and a lot of winding roads (might need Gravol).
Booked this time through Sunquest, and selected Diamond Club so we had rooms furthest from beach, which are most quiet with private pool and private bar with washrooms. The Royal Golden Rooms through Sunwing are in same section and share the same private pool and bar. This area is so very peaceful and relaxing. There are three, three storey villas in this section. Rooms are very clean and spacious. Cleaning staff do a good job. Although farthest away from restaurants and beach, the walk is only minutes and you can enjoy the beautiful gardens along the way.
Beaches are clean with many miles of flat sandy beach to walk and shallow water for a long way.
The staff at El Portillo are so hospitable and they make you feel welcome. The staff display much happiness in a friendly atmosphere and most go above and beyond to meet your every need. Many of comprehend several different languages and most times if they did not understand what I was saying in English they would try and find someone that could.
There is plenty of selection when it comes to food. The main buffet offers a wide variety of options for all three meals, plenty to satisfy pretty much anyone and the food was very good and fresh tasting. The beach buffet was really good, with a lot of variety.
We really enjoyed the Italian, Oriental and Mediterranean al la cartes and received outstanding service. We had same staff serve at both Italian and Oriental and their service was beyond exceptional, very professional, friendly and prompt. Thanks very much to Rut, Winton and Pedro – a job very well done!!! Service was also excellent at the Mediterranean al la carte – thanks Freddie, Willy and Antonio. The food service was perfectly timed and we felt relaxed and not rushed at all three dinners; and the staff took the time to briefly talk with us and make us laugh. The food at all three was very fresh tasting, hot, beautifully displayed and more than fulfilling – hats off to the chefs!!!
The service at the buffet was excellent as well – thanks again Pedro, Antonio, Winton and especially Rut (you are such a lovely lady).
There is a very good selection of drinks at the beach bar, and Carlos is a great bartender. The lobby bar lounge area is big, well laid out and very relaxing. Each night before dinner we would gather for drinks. The service was great (thanks Martina and the another lady which I did not get her name, sorry). Enjoyed some of the night life which was good and also saw some of the children’s entertainment which the kids seemed to really enjoy.
If you are looking for a relaxing resort – this is a great selection. I would not hesitate to return.