My husband and I recently returned from a one week vacation at El Portillo Jan26th-Feb 2nd)
This is our third time to Samana and each time we stayed at a different Gran Bahia hotel. This one was quiet nice and we only had a few little issues.This is the first time I have stayed anywhere that you could walk off the beach and snorkel without having to put on the flippers. You could put on a mask and walk out waist deep and check out the colorful fish in the coral. Our room was beautiful and in very close proximity to everything. The cleaning staff was very capable but we found that our facecloths and soap were not restocked on a day to day basis, neither was the coffee creamer. This was not a big deal. The food in the main buffet was very good. It was nice that they had a different theme everyday. The beach buffet was a different story. The food itself was tasty, but there was no variety. (same thing everyday). We ate at three of the ala cartes. The first night it was the Italian. The food was so so but we were served quickly. The second one was the Asian which we both enjoyed immensely. The third night was the Gourmet. This one we found to be our least favourite.The service was very slow. Our waitress was almost unfriendly and had we enjoyed our main course, we would have walked out before desert. It was the very best part. Other than these little issues, I would definately recomment this resort. My husband and I love Samana and we would definately return. Of the three times we visited Samana, our all time favourite hotel is the Gran Bahia Samana. We stayed there 4 years ago and have not been able to rebook it since. Last year we stayed at Gran Bahia Levantado. It is absolutely beautiful, but pricey. We liked the ambiance at the Gran Bahia Samana better (its a smaller hotel, with just over 100 rooms ) and the price was much more affordable.

We booked are vacation with Air Canada and went for the roulette package, it was a great price! Did not find out until we got to the airport in Samana that we were staying at the El Portillo. This place was O.K. beach was very nice but pool was too small for a resort this large. Rooms were small and dated but we spend very little time in are room so we didn't let it take away from are holiday. Food was average at the buffet, same food choices daily. We had 1 a' la carte dinner at the Gourmet restaurant and it was very good.

We were approached on the beach by Gran Bahia staff asking us if we wanted to relocate to the Gran Bahia Cayo Levantado (island resort) as the El portillo was over booked, if you get asked DO IT! We only spent 2 days here but it was amazing, this resort has 2 large beautiful pools and the beach was very nice. We were given a large room with a ocean view. In are room we had bathrobes and slippers, free in room safe and nightly turndown service. Food at buffet and a' la carte restaurants were excellent! If we go back to Samana I would spend the extra money and stay at this resort.

Got back this weekend from El portillo,We done the Air Canada Roulette(the difference between regular booking and a Roulette is you have to pay $28 per week for your safe,you also get 3 lacarte instead of 4 and no %20 of the spa so in saving 100's of dollars you do the math = best deal) and everyone on our plane that done the Roulette went here,We were told the other hotel was completely booked but as our week went on this 1 was also completely booked to the point they moved people who were staying 2 weeks to there flagship property on the island for a few days,can't say i would complain about this (it was there call in moving).Checkin was very fast all our papers were waiting but had to wait for approx 1 hour for our rooms ,no big deal since we were hungry we just ate and and soon as we went back to the lobby the rooms were ready.All standard rooms are small approx 14' by 14' and a small closet,nice washroom but the second floor rooms have high slanted wood ceilings which make them seem bigger.Building 15 could not have been in a better place ,right behind the lobby any every close to everything along with it being super quite.There is a umbrella in the room if needed .The safe is another thing to figure out so here is 1 fact open safe door,install given key in the inside key cylinder not the outside 1 this was most confusing part first.before you do the rest of your programing.after you install your code you punch in your number then letter A then turn a knob (dead bolts)to open.
No beach towels in room or cards so you have to go to lobby desk to get sheets of paper to take to beach hut to collect your towels then at the end of week you get your cards back to pass in at checkout
Resort - in short
Beach 4+ palm trees beautiful sand very nice and raked every morning.Lots of chairs on the beach(I was also there before 8am for the best choice)Great beach walking.will take approx 1 hour towards the left to reach town or a $10 cab ride each way.Felt very safe
Food at buffet 4++ alacarts- done 3 presentation very good,Food, will everyone has a different taste so no comment or complaint.
beach snack bar food also okay not much variety.
Service- tipping or no tipping was excellent in everyway.5+
Pools(2*) -there are 2 ,1 small and other smaller so stayed away from them,however did get into the Jaquizza by the beach.
Drinks are drinks,coffee just okay nothing special
Air condition very lacking everywere,very little in resturants or shops .
Wifi decent in bar area was not working in main lobby but its free for all.
Airport leaving as stated DO NOT have any liquids,Coffee,spare batteries of any kind,chargers or they will be taken,no trouble bring food in however since resturant expensive.Canadian 1 liters of rum cheap at duty free $11 a bottle ,coffee expensive at $10 since it was 4.75 at resort.

My wife and I have just returned (Thursday 26th) from 2 weeks vacation at this resort. Recommended by our travel agents Marlin Travel in Beamsville ON, package by Transat Holidays and it was terrific.
Flight from Toronto was smooth and Samana airport is small and very efficient. From the time we left the plane to getting on the coach was less than 45 minutes, which compared to the 2 hours getting through Montego Bay airport last year was a win!
Hotel is great, rooms good and we were in the newer 3 blacks with the swimming pool are bar.
Beach was magnificent, miles of sand and no other hotel in sight, but must say if the hotel was full it would be a bit crowed. Water clean, clear and because of the coral reef off shore we had no big waves.
Food at the buffet was varied and plenty of it to suit all but the most picky.
Evening shows were not bad and fun, plenty of drinks and the staff were happy and helpful.
The grounds are wonderful and very well kept.
Must say the Transat Holidays rep, Danny, was great and helpful when needed.
Strongly recommend this resort if you are looking for a quieter holiday away from the mega hotels all lined up shoulder to shoulder on the beach.
Two small complaints i) you need a PHD in rocket science to understand how to operate the room safe...the first time and 2) why can't these hotels replace the loungers on the beach every 2 years.....
Otherwise had a great time and will go back. Value for our money.