Reviews of Bahia Principe San Juan Hotel, Puerto Plata

We travelled with 2 children age 3 and 7. The food was great but the wait for the a la carte dining was a bit too long for the kids. The staff was friendly. The grounds nice



The gild club would be best choice. We went with other family that were able watch the kids for a day and did the paradise island day trip. It was a real highlight.



We suggest bringing some of your own snacks for little children. All in all a very nice vacation.

What a wonderful relaxing holiday resort - luxurious and fabulous!



Don't go for the wild night life but if you want to lie on a beach for 2 weeks reading with the occasional dip in the pool or sea then this is the place for you. Our room was lovely and cleaned daily - plus mini bar refills.



Our days consisted of relaxing, then drinks on our balcony at dusk. Finally the day was rounded off with either a buffet meal or a delicious meal in one of the resorts 4 restaurants. Light evening entertainment was available - nothing special but enjoyable none the less.



A wonderful holiday - just wish we could afford to do it every year!

We stayed at the Bahia Principe San Juan at the same time as all the problems were being reported on the news.



We had a fabulous time there with relatively no problem at all, only the air-con but that was soon fixed. The food was very varied and always fresh and well presented.



The staff couldn't have been more pleasant and the holiday rep Max was the best ever her speech was most informative and nothing was too much trouble for her.



We had a brilliant time and I think that some others on that holiday were just looking for some kind of compensation, there were people staying there from all over the world, and we didn't hear one complaint from anybody.



Have a great holiday.

I'm writing this 4 weeks after the return of my holiday, and would advise anyone not to book a holiday at his complex.



On arrival it looks absolutely wonderful, but two days into my holiday the real implications of booking a holiday in such a poor country started to set in. Sickness and diarrhoea spread through the whole family, leaving us bedridden. The whole complex was affected!



Blame was given to the fact us English love to drink alcohol and eat spicy food!



Four weeks later my appetite has still not return, bodily motions are still not the same and to put insult to injury I'm receiving a disciplinary at work for being off sick.

We arrived on the 22nd July 2007 and the transfer was approx 1 1/2 hours.



The staff are very friendly and the hotel looks impressive. People always pack themsleves around the main pool. Could never understand this as there is a beautiful beach with plenty of sun loungers and of course plenty of shade.



On arrival the maintenance team were fixing our allocated room as the air conditioning was not working, so we knew we were going to have problems. In total we have the hotel maintenance staff called out 8 times. Dont get me wrong as soon as we reported the problem they temp fixed it the same day!



As soon as we hit day 5 of the holiday my husband and myself were starting to experince stomach upsets, but by day 7 I had to take myself and one of my daughters to the complex doctor. God were were in for a shock on that 8.00am morning, there were 26 people already in the doctors waiting room all with the same symptons sickness and diarrhoea as us! We patiently waited for several hours because there was one doctor. He was great and very calm about the whole overload of very sick people, which were turning up constantly. He prescribed us both with an injection, medication and electrolite. However even after 24hrs we still did not feel 100%, and by then my husband had also caught the sickness and diarrhoea.



We have now landed back home in England and booked a doctors appointment for the same day. We now have to go back to our doctors the next day to have blood tests to investigate the cause of this very serious sickness and diarrhoea bug which as today 6th Aug, we still have. Faeces and sick was floating in the pool on several occassions but the pool was never closed!



General overview on the Bahia Principe is that the staff and always very polite and helpful, hotel looks grand, presentation of food great, but there is a very serious underlying problem which is causing a constant line up of very ill guests. The staff in the restuarant even commented to us at our dinner table that the complex managers were indeed worried of the crisis this resort is having as guests were to ill to come to eat at mealtimes.



I felt I had to write this as a pretty resort is not always what it seems. The watersports equipment is a joke if you are a keen waterpsport person. On the first day my husband and daughter went out in a pedlo, however it sunk and they had to be rescued. The windsurf and catarmarans are all very tired and roughly held together but all sorts and really in need of being replaced. Well best of luck and a well stocked medicine cabinet if you choose to go to this resort.

Well where I start... We booked our holiday through First Choice and decided that we would upgrade on the flights to premiere class that was our first mistake.



Not only were our seats not together, there were hardly any soft drinks available. To top it off on the return flight the in flight entertainment system wasn't working, which meant we had nothing to do for 9 hrs (and no apology).



Once we arrive at the Dominican Republic we decided to put the flight situation behind us and enjoy our holiday. We arrive at the hotel to be met with cocktails and a real warm welcome.



We were given the keys to our room and the porter bought our bags along. The rooms are basic and the air conditioning leaves a lot to be desired, but hay the complex looked amazing and we had everything we needed. A couple of days after we arrived we went on a city tour... if I could say anything about this it would be 'don't bother'.



After a couple of days my partner and I began to get really poorly with sickness and diarrhoea, we visited the rep who told us to drink more water. Over the next few days we got worse and I contracted a throat infection.



We went to visit the doctor, who straight away sent us to hospital, where we spent the next two days. We believe that the cause of our sickness was the food and that my throat infection came about because of the swimming pool.



On the whole the complex is very luxurious and there's plenty to eat and drink and entertainment to all hours. However, underneath the surface I think this hotel has some serious problems that need addressing.



I'll leave you to make your own mind up!

We were really scared after reading other reviews, so we went prepared and couldn't believe what we found. It was amazing, from the people to the beach and the food, every part was brilliant. Ignore the reviews that say it’s horrible and old they are wrong.



The Thomson flight was ok in length, the plane was nice but pity about the crew who seemed disorganised and safety didn't seem their top priority.



Upon arrival we were greeted with cocktails checking in was great and the porters delivered our bags straight away. The main restaurant was big and at dinner it caters for every taste from burgers and chips to squid.



To be honest there was really too much choice but you manage to squeeze in dessert and your glass is never left empty they keep filling it up with wine, water or pop.



Breakfast and lunch are the same but at night we booked the Italian which was nice, the Mediterranean was like an English restaurant with steak, but the fish restaurant was the best as long as you do like fish and lots of it.



When you arrive don't have pina coladas or banana mamas because they use coconut milk, which acts as a laxative and take diarrhoea tablets because everyone has a bad stomach from time to time.



The pool is large but people are crammed in like sardines when you've got this sandy beach right in front of you. To the right of the beach by the water sports it isn't that good, its stony but if you go left you've got white sand and a bar and snack bar so your well catered for.



The maids come in everyday and the man comes in and stocks up your fridge with 2 beers 2 waters a coke and sprite. The people are great everyone's got a smile on their face and says hello, they can't do enough to help you. The entertainment is from 10-11pm it then stops including the bars and everything moves down to the street which is open till about 3am.



We went to Ocean World and swam with dolphins which were great it cost $155 and the Puerto Plata and Sosua tour; it was a full day out with lunch included and free drinks when you stop at places like gift shops and the rum factory. That cost $42 and you can get your hair braided on Sosua beach for about $20, all the tours were booked through our tour operator and your picked up and dropped off at the hotel.



We had never been to the Dominican Republic before but our travel adviser suggested it and we trusted him to provide us with a relaxing holiday, and it was. We can't fault any part of it except for the fact that we had to return home.



The only word I can use is amazing, it was all so perfect and we are already looking up to book again and we haven't even been back a week yet. Hi to Wendy and Lee hope your drive back was ok.

On arrival to your hotel you will get a very warm welcome and a nice fruit cocktail, which is just what you want after a long day!



Your may find your room a little basic but then you are only using it to shower and sleep in! The hotel grounds are fantastic and very well looked after.



The buffet style restaurant is a+ with over 10 different main courses to choose from every day. My only problem with the al la carte restaurants is that you have to wear long trousers in them and the air conditioning is very poor, so this can become very uncomfy to say the least!



The staff at the hotel are very friendly and always try and help. The local alcoholic drinks are not great but they do the trick if you have enough of them.



One bit of advice, as soon as you get there buy a flea deterrent band from the hotel shop, as the bites are very sore!!

The hotel was so incredible I keep begging my mum and dad to take me again. The rooms are very clean and the maids even leave you little chocolates on your bed or make swans out of your towels which I thought was really sweet.



The animation team are so awesome and they have poolside games every day for you to join in with. The evening entertainment was really funny with so much fabulous dancing.



They do this special show every Friday that is called Madonna on Holidays and this is such good fun to watch. The manager of all the dancers always seems to be really cheerful and has a really cheeky face. He will do everything he can for you.



Luciano, who does the shows every night can speak at least eight different languages and the rest of the animation team, can speak at least 3 fluently!



They own at least a mile of beach so it’s always easy to find a sun bed. The complex itself is at least a mile in each direction so if you want a good night’s sleep there is no chance of you ever hearing the nigh time entertainment.

The street is really good because it’s like a shopping mall in itself and you always have loads of room because it’s so big.



We went on a banana boat and that was really good because the sea was quite rough so we were bounced and jumped all over the place.



I guarantee you will get lost in the buffet area because it’s just so big! They will even cook you an omelette with whatever you want in it, right in front of you!



You really must go to this hotel and the Bahia Principe song is so catchy, you won’t want to miss it!

The poor man's Caribbean? I don't think so! A great resort, brilliant, friendly staff, and rating amongst the best holidays I've ever had in more years than I care to remember.



Booking off the internet meant that we got upgraded without realising, to the "Club within a Club,” Hacienda Principe - bit quieter surroundings, right at one end of a mile or two's beachfront.



Own private this, that and everything, and a little bus to pick you up and take you back after a hard day's pub crawl around the numerous bars on site.



Choice of restaurants, great selection of food although those who went there and expected a fry-up for breakfast voiced their disappointment, and better than average entertainment.



Even a 24 hour beer and burger bar - dip your feet in the water (the Atlantic in the North, not the Caribbean) and wash your midnight chicken and chips down with a lager - the height of decadence, but it has to be done.



Best thing is the "strip" - the driveway that runs off the main road up to the reception. It's where the fun starts after the complex shuts down at 11pm. Disco, Casino, more restaurants and bars, karaoke, shops etc all open till the early hours and part of your AI package except for the casino.



Even live bands and Meringue lessons in the road after they shut the main gates.



Don't get hung up on the "Sandals" type packages until you've tried this.

A fantastic resort for all the family. Excellent staff that are keen to please.



The entertainment is great fun and it was a holiday to remember for us.



We had heard some reviews of the resort which were not too positive and were concerned that it might not live up to our expectations, however, as soon as we arrived and saw the pools, restaurants and the beach we knew we were going to have a good time.



Thoroughly recommended.

We arrived at the airport, put on a coach and the check in procedure was done on the coach.



So on arrival at the hotel we taken straight to our room, we could not believe what we were seeing!



The room smelt really bad, and was not very clean, nothing in the room matched - even curtains and pelmet were different fabrics.



I pulled back bedclothes, the blanket was filthy, underneath the blanket was sand, the sheet was stained and there was sand between sheets.



The electrics were hanging off the wall, the hand basin was cracked, the bath plughole was rusty the shower curtain was stained.



Every surface was smeary, but worse of all there was mould/fungus growing on a very cracked ceiling.



This was reported to reception directly the only response was a shrug and I will inform housekeeping, we said we want a different room this was greeted with another shrug.



We then contacted the company rep, who arranged a transfer to another hotel the next morning.



Housekeeping did come to the room, remade the bed and shook the sand out. Two maids arrived next morning with clean sheets and blankets.



We can't comment on the rest of the resort except to say it is very large crowded and noisy. The two meals we had there, were passable although we waited a long time to get a table.

This holiday was amazing. Everything was really good.



Ok the rooms were basic, but you don't need a fancy room when your on holiday because all you do is sleep in it. So as long as there is a comfy bed and storage for you to put your clothes away.



Although if your like me, things mainly end up on the chairs in the room and not in the draws, then there is no problem.



The animation staff were amazing, all of them were really good at there job and they could all speak at least 3 different languages, with the main entertainer speaking 8 different languages, ladies you will love the guys out there they are so hot! (sorry but it has to be said!) they are really easy to get along with and are great at making you laugh.



Go down the street at night and listen to the band playing in the street (top tip: if you want a chance to dance with the hotties sit near the front!) Go into the club at night and you are likely to see them all in there as well.



Keep an eye out for lucianio he is an excellent dancer even though he doesn't take part in the dancing during the show that is on every evening! Ricky Martin and Daniel Enriques (cant spell his last name sorry) are definitely the hottest two dancers but the others are pretty hot as well.



Stay by the pool and enjoy the games and the water aerobics, although you will be asked to join in, but you should do because it is great fun.



By the end of the holiday it will be guaranteed that you will have the Bahia Principe song stuck in your head! I have been back in England for 2 weeks now and i still have it stuck in my head.



I hope you all enjoy your holiday, and don't worry about being bitten as long as you put plenty of insect spray on you will be fine.

We came back on 26 November 2006.



Rooms. Our room was average was not what we expected but it was cleaned everyday and fresh towels so can’t complain really. The mini bar was good could have done with some more alcohol and would have been nice to have snacks in there nuts or crisps.



Staff. Most of the staff were really happy and nice.



Food. The food in the buffet was nice and a big choice could have been better in some of the restaurants but not bad.



Drinks. We were not happy with the wine as it was watered down you could not taste the difference between white wine and water not very good considering we were all inclusive.



Pools. The pools were big and nice but not the cleanest they could really do with been cleaned little more often possible with proper cleaning equipment instead of a net.



Beach. I'm afraid if you are looking forward to clear blue sea and white sands you come to wrong end of the island we were little disappointed with this as that’s one of the reasons we wanted to go to the Caribbean. But can’t be helped overall the beach was ok just like any other beach really. Lots of beds to choose from.



Bites. Well we had about 40 -50 bites between us and apparently when I read some reviews when I got back they are flea bites what can I say not nice and they itch like mad.



Trip. The best part of our holiday must be our trip to ocean world it was excellent and well worth the money getting to touch the dolphins and watch them in shows and see the sea lion shows and big tigers etc.



Holiday overall. We paid nearly £2600 in total with our spending money and we are really disappointed as we went for both our birthdays and its not what we expected I would definitely go back to the Dominican Republic but not to this hotel I would rate this 2 or 3 Star Hotel not 4 Star Plus.

Flight - Flew over in premium cabin very enjoyable it’s a must do experience.



Airport & transfer - When we arrived at the airport there was a massive queue to purchase tourist cards but lucky for us we contacted the embassy before we left its a good idea to do this in peak season its costs £20. After going through immigration didn’t have to wait long for the bags, started to walk out towards the rep when a bellboy approached us and asked if he could take our bags being we had never been to the Dom Rep before we let him he was very kind. (Bellboys liked to be tipped $1 per bag so make sure you take small change.) We got on an air conditioned coach which was very nice indeed the transfer must of took about hour and a quarter in which we got to see the beautiful island (be warned their driving is mad out there!) Whilst on the coach you get your room key and a map of the complex.



Hotel complex - When we arrived at the complex we had staff dancing to their local music and a cocktail drink handed to us. The bellboys bring your bags to your room so all you need to do is find your way it’s a massive complex so getting lost is quite easy we were in room 2167 which is near the Bahia Spa & Gym. The complex has 3 small pools and 1 large pool with a swim up bar (I must say the large pool was always busy and if you wanted a drink from the bar it wasn't easy). The room was ok it had air conditioned I must say thou the bathroom wasn't up to 4* standard the shower unit was rubbish we very rarely had hot water but other than that I couldn't complain about the room. Oh yeah the mini bar is free There was 1 main restaurant and 4 A la Carte restaurants all of which were great!



Staff - The staff were lovely. The maid would make odd shapes with the towels and she would place a flower on the bed with a couple of chocolates next to it she didn't do this everyday so it was fantastic when she did.



Weather - The weather was brilliant! Couldn't have asked for better weather!