We just got back Thursday after a week at El Portillo & had a fabulous time! We were in an overflow smaller bus on the way there so got to take the new road, old road on the way back, both have amazing scenery & never felt sick. We did check in on the bus so when we got there, just had a bite to eat & room was ready. Had a suite in #12 by the small pool, was far away but was nice to walk, no problems with anything in the room. Food was great, lots of variety for all meals at the buffets & al a cartes great too! Service was great every where, all staff very nice.
We walked into Las Terrenas by beach, took about an hour & had a burger at One Love, Rachel & Terry were away, but met some nice people who showed us around town, not sure what it's called but the clamado across from the Popular bank has ice cold Presidente...yum!
The only thing I would change is booking the whale tour through the hotel, wish we had of done it in town. Instead of 2 hours on Bacardi Island, they left us there for 4 & 2 would have been more than enough. We were told we get 1 free water, pop or pina colada, picked the pina, it was amazing, but after we drank it, "not free $6", no big deal, but the constant solicitation for beer/massage etc., really ruined the beautiful beach experience.
Would highly recommend this place:)

To anyone from Canada who is booking a wedding at this resort, please think twice. I started planning my wedding in January of 2011 for a November wedding. I used the company the resort had recommended for my papers to be legalized, which got screwed up. Once they were corrected, the papers were sent to the resort and they had them in hand for over a month and 3 days before my party was to fly out they told me that they were not correct due to the fact that the regulations had changed and the Judge was asking for the long form birth certificates, which of course we did not have and could not get in this short amount of time. We had to fly out not knowing whether we were going to have a wedding or not, when we met with the wedding co-ordinator on the Monday we still did not have everything finalized. In the meantime we come to find out that this resort cleaned house of their staff and the person we had been dealing with was not there anymore. After the Air Canada Rep stepped in we were told that the Judge would accept the papers as is....after 2 days of undo stress we were going to have a wedding. We did not know what was to happen the day of wedding after our meeting so my maid of honour had to go to the wedding co-ordinator and ask if we could at least have a rehearsal to walk through what would happen the day of the wedding. I don't know if the new people hired were just new but you would think that holding a wedding the staff would be a lot more helpful. We thought that we had covered everything at the meeting, but apparently not because when I had returned home I was asked if I wanted an offical "Registered Foreign Affairs Marriage Certificate" which I thought we had covered in our meeting. Of course this was going to cost us another $250.00 US to get. After going back and forth with the resort for 3 months, we finally got what I needed. This was to be our dream wedding and it turned into alot more of a stress wedding, which I would have liked to enjoy alot more. I have never been to a Gran Bahia resort and I don't ever plan on going to another one again which is sad because our group has decided to go on a yearly vacation and this chain of resorts is losing out. Anyone planning on complaining to the head office don't bother because apparently once they have your money they don't feel the need to respond to complaints about their resorts. But I guess that is what big business is all about!!!!

We went to Gran Bahia Samana Roulette Plus (Air Canada Vacations) from January 21, 2012 to February 04, 2012. It was our 5th All Inclusive and 2nd time at Gran Bahia Resorts. All people from our plane who bought Roulette package were sent to El Portillo. We were given a junior suite because we had a Roulette Plus.
What made our vacation special and excellent was outstanding service of Gran Bahia customer service staff – CARLOS – manager at reception, SAIDA and GEORGINA (client service). They did everything possible and beyond for us, very helpful and professional. And this makes a huge difference. Thank you . What happened was that El Portillo resort was completely full and overbooked. But in spite of this they accommodated us in junior suite in nice location (villa 3) close to the beach. They also offered us to stay in Gran Bahia Cayo Levantado for 3 days ( beautiful 5 plus stars hotel on Baccardi Island)and we were very happy to accept it. At Cayo Levantado we got absolutely stunning Deluxe Superior junior suite in villa 9 with 2 Jacuzzis and two TVs, separate living room with ocean view.
There are three Gran Bahia resorts in Samana area open at the moment. (Gran Bahia Samana on renovation). We have seen all of them, they are all different.
El Portillio – GOOD -absolutely gorgeous beach – clear turquoise warm swimmable water and a lot of trees on the beach – so if you did not get early in the morning to get palapas, you can always find a space under the trees. Layout of the resort is very comfortable – everything close to the beach – 2 buffets, bars, main building with inside bars. One snuck bar (buffet) located directly on the beach. Main buffet also has a very nice patio – we ate mostly there – just outside buffet . Grounds of hotel are beautiful gardens. Night entertainment was pretty good – we enjoyed it. A la carte did not impress us. This is family resort ( there were a lot of families)
El Portillo – BAD – there were a lot of smokers ( we never seen that many at any All inclusive). Most of them have been from Argentina – they did not care if you smoke or not – they just smoke directly in your face. First suite which we got at El Portillio had smoke smell, we could not sleep at night, but upon approach to reception. we were given different suite . What also really upset us – was Air Canada Representative – EMILIE - Very rude, absolutely not helpful, snobby. Never was able to help us . To all our issues was only one answer from him – NO. We are really wondering how so reputable company as Air Canada could hire such a man with absolutely poor , bad customer service. We believe that all those representatives at resorts paid from travellers money, and they have to be helpful . In the future we would avoid travelling by Air Canada.
Cayo Levantado – very different ambience from El Portillio. Grounds absolutely amazing, rooms in main building and suites in villas – much larger, newer. Swimming pools very beautiful with luxurious beds, quite, with separate bar area. Private beach a bit of disappointment – on the small size, and not that clear and quiet waters – was wavy. After El Portillio beach and water in ocean - you would be disappointed at Cayo Levantado. Buffet has more variety , and more deli staff that El Portillio. But whole feeling when you at Cayo is that you are exclusive. This is definitely first class vacation. You just feel different up there . It is more suitable for couples.

This was our 4th trip to E Portillo and it did not disappoint. We travel here to have a relaxing quiet beach vacation and it was as expected.....wonderful. The only downside was that tipping is more of an expectation rather than for good service.

We were in the 3rd villa on the second floor. Everything was spotless and hot water on request. Beds were fantastic. TV was older but then, we dont go to El Portillo for the TV.

Food was good. After all, they have to accomodate europeans, canadian, south americans, and americans. My disappointment was that I love the way they do pumpkin, and not once was it available. darn.....

The New ROAD was fantastic. Cuts the trip down by half. New ROAD is scenic, paved, quick......and smooth. Previous posting said one needed Gravol.....NOT.

All in all.....it was a relaxing time. Choose this hotel......for a rest.