I stayed at the Bahia Principe recently with my partner. We were a little concerned prior to going here due to reading some negative reviews but decided that we should make our own minds up and put any bad reviews to the back of our minds.

Initially the resort appeared to be fabulous, the bar staff, animation team, and food were all excellent. The animation team work so hard to try to keep guests entertained and we couldnt fault the hotel at all at first.

Unfortunately during our second week, our room was entered with no visible sign of forced entry (therefore it appears to have been a member of staff) and our safe was entered despite us having the key on us at all times, and our money, bank card and some identification was taken. The hotel staff and our represnetative were completely rude when we explained what had happened and suggested we were lying.

Some reviews I have read have suggested tht from what they witnessed they thought security and management dealt with these situations well but I have to say that this is completely untrue and I feel that until you are in such a situation you cant truely understand how we were treated when reporting our complaints. 6 other rooms were broken into during our stay and all the staff treated us all appallingly, refusing to accept any responsibility or to call the police, security and management laughing during our complaints, speaking over us and stating that our situation wasnt possible. I know we are not the only guests to complain about the unprofessional and unhelpful way the staff dealt with us and I am very unhappy with the standard of service we received which is extremelly disappointing as up till this happened and ruined the final week of our holiday we had been having a great time.

If you are going here I do hope you have good time but do be very careful of leaving valuables in your room and your safe as nowhere seems to be safe and secure and you certainly won't get help if you do experience problems.

My b/f and I returned from Dom Rep on 14th July having spent the MOST FANTASTIC two weeks at the Bahia Principe. I cannot praise the hotel staff enough for their "genuine" friendliness and dedication to the jobs they do. A special thanks goes to Eddy, he was always there with his jugs of coffee+milk at breakfast. The only problem we had was on arrival, there was no safe in the room, we told the staff at reception and a brand new safe was installed almost immediately. We left a $10 tip for the maid on the first day and for the two weeks the room was always clean+tidy and we always had "towel art", even the sheets and my nightwear were folded decoratively ! The minibar was stocked daily. The hotel hygiene was A1. We had no problems with things going missing from the room, there were always security guards about in the evenings and at night. We had no sickness, just make sure you drink plenty of water, all the bottled water is purified and safe to drink but don't drink the tap water (don't even brush teeth with it).

WILDLIFE: go to the righthand end of the beach at night to see the frogs, they are huge ! the smaller ones sit by the lights in front of the room blocks too. Look out for hummingbirds. The woodpeckers were leaving their nests while we were there in july, they make one hell of a noise and are entertaining chasing each other round the trees. If you want to see the crabs on the beach try and get there about 9am as they come up from the water and proceed to dig out little holes to spend the day in, they are very funny to watch. There were a few little fishes and we did see a small snake in the water once !
With regards to the mosquito's: we would spray ourselves and the bed before we went out in the evening and managed to avoid any bites.
With regards to the sand fleas - we never saw them !

TRIPS:
Ocean World - Excellent ! As they say it's a once in a lifetime experience, it is an expensive day but well worth the money. Photo's $12each and DVD $45. They even have a pool you can snorkel in (they provide the snorkel) and the fish are lovely. Make sure you see the Dolphin Show - it's great. Go and feed the Lovebirds that's fun too.

Outback Safari - Excellent ! our guide was Ruddy, his English was excellent and he gave a lot of interesting and informative information throughout the day. The trip ended with a visit to Cabarette Beach to Boogie Board, this was great fun and enjoyed by all, if you don't want to do this just sit next to the guy with the coolbox on the beach and drink !

Freestyle Catamaran - busy+noisey on the front, quieter and more laid-back on the back. Prepare to get wet on the front ! Just be aware: they stop to snorkel then you all get back on the Cat for lunch and the booze comes out, then they sail for 10 minutes then moor the Cat again so you can get off for another swim/snorkel, so don't eat and drink too much before the second swim !

Paradise Island - WOW, FANTASTIC ! you must do this trip, the speedboat is great and the snorkeling and fish are amazing. This is truly the most beautiful little stretch of sand, the water is so clear and warm.

I went with my husband's family in June of 2007 and had a lovely time. The weather was beautiful at some point every day. Only rained 2 times during the day at the start of our vacation and the day we left. Otherwise sunny skies throughout.

We arrived late at night to check in and we were driven to our room on the luggage cart. We were located right by the spa by the flea market. It was quite a walk to get to the buffet and main building but quite quiet and away from the busy 'ness' of the entertainment.

The room was clean and suited out needs. No concerns about the maid service. We tipped well at the the start of our stay and never had a problem.

The beach was the best part. We went to the same area every day right by the small pool by the Mexican Restaurant and we always used the same sun beds. I highly recommend drinking the Bahama Mama's and the Coco Loco's at the Pool bar between the beach and that side pool. Yummy!! My step sister in law loved the Mamajuana shots...they reminded me of cough syrop...lol. But you have to try it at least once. Just keep another drink on hand nearby.

The buffet was very good. The food was consistently replemished. They always had some neat dish by the Pasta station. A huge selection to tempt your palate and the buffet wait staff were very helpful and courteous. My husband and I have no complaints about the buffet at all. I loved the coffee there. Even had to bring back a few bags of the Dominican coffee.

The a la carte's were good. The Mediterrean and Italian were very good. We also got the lobster dinner the night before we left and it was good value for our money. The house wine wasn't bad at any of the meals either.

The entertainment in the evening was horrible at the main stage but we made our own entertainment. We went to the strip and hit the disco, karaoke bar and the casino. We sat in the street while Jose brought us our drinks. He was an amazing waiter and bless him we never had to ask for anything. He just kept an eye on us all night and brought us a tray of drinks without us asking whenever needed. We had to get a picture with him at the end of our stay because he was such a nice man!

I would recommend the snorkeling adventure and you get a lobster lunch included. We also took out paddle boats and went wind surfing. To the right of the resort past the flea market we went to a private beach and just hung out there for a bit. It was secluded and away from the resort. We stayed there and I collected sea shells to take home with me. It was so relaxing. If you take a canoe or paddle boat, I definitely recommend going that direction. A lot of fun!

Overall I would rate this vacation 4/5 and I have told all of my friends if they are looking for a good value trip then this place is perfect.

A vacation truly is what you make it and we had a great time.

Just returned yesterday from this hotel having stayed there for two weeks with my 13yr old daughter. We had a fine time with fabulous weather. No issue with the hotel which was clean and well kept and service was (almost always!) with a smile but we all have our off days, I know I do. Most of the staff work seemingly long hours and its hard to keep smiling at one and all, particularly when faced with the attitude and behaviour of one or two of the `guests` we saw. The hotel ground were beautifully kept.
I had to complain about three `young women` who moved in to next door mid-second week due to their loud and obnoxious behaviour from moving in. They were evidently from Scotland, seemingly in their late teens/early twenties and on some mission to seen and heard wherever they went any time of day or night. Was told by Customer Services they would be sent a letter, warned and thrown out if they continued. Seemed to do the trick as they were quiet(ish) in their room after that.
There was not a vast variety of food but there is (from what we were told when out on one of the five trips from the hotel) a requirement that 85% of the food is locally produced which limits the variety (and promotes local produce, which is good for the island).
Some fellow guests had a break in and their safes were broken in to and they had understandable issue as they were only offered $50 compensation from the hotel. The breakins were on the lower floor rooms and entry was seemingly through patio doors.
The beach was sandy, clean and well kept (...if you want white sand, go to the south coast!) and the swimming was good in the gradually sloping water (so good for `needing to touch the bottom`, but like water, people (like me) and children). There was no issue with the `reported ` sand flies that I read about before going, and our rep told us to protect ourselves when it was wet or raining as that is when they tend to come out, so common sense!
This was our second visit to the Dominican Republic having stayed in Puerto Plata last year and we love the country. The `all inclusive` hotel is place to eat and sleep or relax - the country is what you see when you get out of the resort. It is exotic, hot, breathtakingly beautiful... and predominantly POOR. The vendors and children will try and make a buck if you give them the chance because they know you have more than they will ever have and they have no welfare system.
So `get out of the hotel` and see the country for where and what it is or dont complain about natural limitations because of where you are. Otherwise go to your local 5 star hotel and stick to what your used to...
My daughter sulked on the way home as she did not want to come home, she loves the island and wants to go and live there (...as do I).
Perhaps one day? But had to promise to go back next year, will probably try another part of the island for the experience.