The animators in the hotel were a pleasure to be with... Full of activities & kept those of us active people on vacation. I would never forget Danny boy, such a comedian and great personality!! Hope to visit Samana again soon. Doris

Not a good start as the Thomsons rep did not accompany us and minibus transfer went over the mountains taking about an hour and a half with the roads questionable to say the least. Upon arrival at the fabulous looking complex, the reception staff were not the most efficient, one family waiting nearly two hours for their rooms to be ready.

The rest of the holiday was brilliant (apart from the return journey to the airport). The suite was very clean and airy and the cleaning was very good throughout the holiday. One word of advice is to tip the staff as you go along rather than wait until the end of the holiday. Your minibar is topped up regularly once you tip the maid!

The buffet food was exceptional with a great choice at all times. We tried two of the a la carte restaurants and found them a bit disappointing although well organised and much quieter than the buffet area.The waiters (with a tip) were very quick to refill your drinks for you and the bar staff were also friendly and efficient (with a tip). We avoided the daytime entertainment by the larger pool which was somewhat busy and noisy and we found a smaller, quieter pool on the days we did not go to the beach. The evening 'entertainment' was not our cup of tea but we preferred to spend time chatting in the bar with friends we had made.

We walked for a couple of miles in both directions on the beach and saw the range of life from shacks to high specification villas. There were persons trying to sell you scarfs, wooden ornamnts, paintings and cigars as well as boat trips but a polite no thanks was accepted. However if you start to talk to one of them you could be there an hour or so as they are interested in telling you about their family and asking about yours.

The beach was busy but not overcrowded and there were some activities such as keep-fit which were entertaining to watch. The snorkelling was very good, a lot of fish being very close to the shore.

We had a couple of days of dodgy weather, catching the edge iof Hurricane Irene but seeing the bad weather approaching from the beach was quite spectacular.

All in all, a very relaxing two week holiday and I would return some time in the future

Just back from the Gran Bahia Principe Samana after a one week stay and I have to say loved every minute , the location is stunning loooking over the bay and to Bacardi Island , the hotel is ideal for couples and if you want a week to just relax and unwind this the place , the food is fine at all meal times plentey of choice at breakfast ,lunch and dinner all in the buffet , the three a la carte are good ,and if you are still hungary the all night buffet starts at 11pm till 7am next to the disco , at night just one thing to note the local town is not the place to go so you are confined to the hotel and this would be a bit boring if staying for two weeks , but the staff are brilliant and make your stay special , go and walk the bridge to noware it is safe and the beach is brill and the staff have games on all morning the locals do use the beach but do not get in face just a polite no thanks and they leave you alone and never ask you again , the main pool area is also great again games on all day , if you want quite go down to the jacuzzi pool and you get pool and sea togeather with a small jetty walk and you can swim in the sea . the bedrooms are great and cleaned every day and all in all a great hotel which is made more special by the staff perfect

great holiday, staff couldn't do enough for you, the view was absolutely lush looking out to the sea and Barcadi Island. found the hotel very clean and food was surprisingly good, they had different themes every night so even fussy people would find something yummy!
only problem was the complaining English!
would definitely go back!