Bahia Principe Grand Punta Cana - All Inclusive

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

10609 reviews

• 

  A great vacation with a few challenges

  My wife and I went with another couple, all in our early 60’s and all fairly easy going. This was our second time at the Bahia Principe. The first time we were at the Luxury Ambar Adults Only but decided to try the Grand this time. As expected, the grounds were beautiful, clean, well kept, and landscaping crews were around most days keeping the grounds up. The staff throughout the resort were always friendly and very helpful with our questions and needs. Our room was clean and recently upgraded. We were on the Bahia Principe Grand Punta Cana side. We did have a large “6 legged local guest” pay us a visit one day but housekeeping was quick to move him back to the gardens. Maybe because we were on the ground floor, but we placed a towel along the crack at the bottom of our door each night and never had another visitor. Given the size of the Grand, and the BP resort overall, the trams were a great way to get around and there were numerous trams operating at all times of the day. Never a long wait. The drivers were very friendly and would pick you up even if you weren’t at a designated tram stop. There are 3 pools. The beach pool was where the action was. Lots of activities, crowded and loud music. If you want a lounger in the shade, get up early! Not very relaxing but it was where most people hung out. The 2 pools in the middle of the grounds were much more relaxing, quiet, and unlike the beach pool, we didn’t have to get up early to get a lounger in the shade. At the middle pools we were able to get loungers in the shade up to about 10:00am…any time after and availability was hit and miss. The middle pools were clean, well kept and the pool bars were never lined up. The bartenders were great to deal with and a lot of fun. We went to 3 a la cart restaurants. (Greek, Italian and the Steakhouse) every one was a fantastic experience. The food, atmosphere and staff were top notch. Make sure you book through the BP app the week before you get there. If you wait, you might not get a reservation time. Overall, a fantastic vacation, but there were a few challenges and disappointments. Check-in: When we booked we opted for and paid a premium for the Grand Punta Cana as it was advertised as upgraded rooms as opposed to the Grand Bavao. When we arrived they informed us the Grand Punta Cana and the Grand Bavaro had been merged into just “the Grand” and our room was now the older rooms that were in the Bavaro. They told us if we wanted the upgraded rooms on the Punta Cana side we would have to pay a premium of $340usd. While checking in our friends and 2 other couples met the same fate of having to pay for an upgrade that we had already paid for. It definitely felt like a “bait & switch” or money grab….not a great way to start. Restaurants(buffet’s): one of the two main restaurants was closed. Every day and every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner, we had to line up to get in. We regularly experienced lines out the door and 200 feet down the sidewalk. The line moved fairly quickly, but once inside the atmosphere was somewhat chaotic. Overcrowded and loud. Staff were friendly but overwhelmed to get tables cleaned and reset. Several days/meals they ran out of plates at the buffet and drinking glasses at the water stations. On these days we had to wait for staff to replenish the plates. They tried to keep up but as I mentioned earlier, overwhelmed. Lots of buffet options and the food was good. There was a bright spot each night at the dinner buffet. Once we did get seated, we asked for and we were so fortunate to sit in “Francisco’s” section. He made every dinner fun. On our last day we did notice the second main buffet restaurant re-opened for dinner. Maybe this will take the pressure off. The beach restaurant (for lunch) was not a good experience at all. Again staff were friendly but overwhelmed. If you were lucky enough to find a table, we had to track down staff to clean it off and reset. And then you had to sit and hold your table while your spouse got food, and then visa versa, or risk somebody taking your table. We only ate there once, and then opted for the main buffet. Fly bites: Our first day we went for a walk on the beach and were bitten several times by sand flies. After a couple of days the bites became unbelievably itchy and red spots started to appear. We also experienced mosquitos in the lounge areas where there was foliage close by. Recommend you take Off or a repellant with deet as well as anti itch cream just in case. Tipping: we took $50 in $1 bills for tipping, and we ran out. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful getting change from the front desk. We heard several other guests with the same issue. Next time we will take $75 or more in ones. Private Shuttle: Not related to the Grand, this was the second time we paid $150 during booking for a private shuttle to and from the airport. No more stopping at 3 or 4 other resorts picking up other guests. This time we were picked up the same time as another couple who were on a large bus. We arrived at the airport 45 minutes before them. Definitely recommend! Aside from a few hiccups, a great resort, we had a great time and definitely recommended for couples or families.

  Jan 28, 2026
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  Ok but not brilliant

  We arrived at the hotel and on first glance was lovely. Our room was very spacious and lovely. Cleaned each day and bins emptied as toilet paper is put in the bin. The beach was a bit disappointing as the amount of seaweed on it. They attempt to clear with tractors but not very successfully. The sea is also quite rough. Sunbeds are reserved around 7am and some not actually laid on until after 11am. No effort is made by staff to remove towels or warn anyone. Not good. Entertainment in Spanish as there are predominantly Spanish speaking guests and lots of Canadians. Food is plentiful. Restaurants can get very busy. The speciality restaurants you can book are ok but nothing special. Bar staff serve Spanish speaking guests first or ones that tip every time. I wouldn’t recommend the hotel to British guests unless your Spanish is better than mine which is basic.

  Jan 28, 2026
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  Very disappointing

  Sooo disappointed and would advise that unless you can understand the Spanish language, to avoid this hotel. ALL entertainment was in Spanish and staff struggled to understand questions. No entertainment, (all music played everywhere in Spanish) for british travellers and hotel was over populated. The restaurant struggled to cope with the sheer volume of diners making it very difficult to find cutlery, cups and glasses. The actual food was very good with ample variety but in the end I dreaded going to the restaurant as it was just soooo loud and manic. On 2 occasions when I asked staff members to provide cutlery, I was told to take off another table which at the time were all occupied. Beach was very disappointing and looked nothing like in the brochure. It was impossible to secure a bed on the beach other than on 2 occasions where I was on the beach by 6:30 am

  Jan 26, 2026
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  Unhappy family

  Check in took over an hour and 45 minutes No one seems to know what they are doing. After a long travel day wasn’t ideal but would get over it until we finally got to our room. Air conditioning didn’t work. Ceiling was wet and paint was falling into the room. Smelled awful. Has to go all the way back to the lobby Again, no one seems to know what they are doing Finally got a room change . Accommodations are acceptable but bed was hard as a rock. Shower is in a very high tub. Had to call for someone to make my daughters bed Waited over 4 hours after 930 pm before someone came All the à la carte restaurants were booked out unless you want to eat at 9pm Pools were great if you get up at 6 am to reserve chairs Beach was loaded with seaweed they do try to clear it but it is what it is Our flight was cancelled because of a storm in USA They were not helpful Ask to stay an additional night they told us to go on the app which we did The app says you can only hook 3 nights Went back and they told us they were fully booked and couldn’t help us Yet Half of ISA and Canada can’t fly Met others who they helped book a night so honor Miss I guess. Food was terrible I’ve been to many all inclusives and I don’t expect 5 star but this was very bad Staff wasn’t helpful or friendly but a few and most can’t speak English so not helpful when asking questions

  Jan 26, 2026
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  Don’t waste your time or money on this resort or Dominicana for that matter

  Absolute disappointment and I will never return to any of their resorts or Dominican Republic for that matter. Terrible service from overworked underpaid employees terrible boring food used from meal to meal and even the next day. And lineups in all bars and restaurants where they serve crap and absolute bottom shelf alcohol. Six out of 8 of my family members got food poisoning in different days.

  Jan 25, 2026