Just back from a wonderful week at the GBP Ambar. To sum it up in one word….Heaven!

We traveled with Transat. The airplane seats are small, but we survived. It’s a 25-30 minute drive from the airport to the resort, fortunately we traveled in a comfortable, air conditioned bus. The Transat representatives at the resort were great. We met with Nicole for an information session, and learned quite a bit. In my opinion, it’s worth your while to talk to them if you can. We also booked our excursion through their office.

Our room was fantastic. Very spacious, with a sitting / dining area. The bed was very comfortable with great pillows. The bathrooms have massage tubs and shower stalls, which were awesome. No problems with bugs. Huge closets, although I would pack a few wire hangers in your suitcase if you want to hang everything. The safes are in the closets, and are digital.
The maid did a super job every morning, and was very grateful for her tips. There were a couple of days that our mini bar did not get restocked with alcohol and Pringles, but that was not a big deal. As long as it was clean with fresh towels, that was perfect for us. I did write a note asking for specific thingsin the mini bar, but was not accommodated. I’m not sure if the same maid restocks the mini bar. Maybe someone can advise??

The pool looked great, although we didn’t spend any time in it at all.

It’s difficult to find appropriate words to describe the beach and ocean. To say that it was awesome, does not do it justice. White sand, turquoise water and rolling waves….that memory will be my happy place until I return.
We were late getting to the beach on the first morning, so needless to say, all of the palapas were taken. However, we did find a very short palm tree which provided the perfect amount of shade, with an unobstructed view of the water. It was such a great spot that Todd went every morning at 6:45 to reserve our chairs under the palm tree, and it was there that we spent our entire vacation.

Aerobics or yoga on the beach every morning. The coordinator does his best to invite everyone to join, but not so aggressive that he/she is in your face.

Cocktails: We had drinks at the beach bar, snack bar and main lobby. From what I’ve seen, there is only top shelf liquor at the main lobby. I thought the drinks were a little weak at the beach and snack bar, so I asked for doubles. That worked for me.
Lobby bar closes at 11pm, so after that it’s up to the other sections (PuntaCana/Bavaro) if you want cocktails.

The a la cartes at the Ambar were OK. In my opinion, the buffet at the lobby is a better choice. Lots to choose from with different themes each night. Snack bar was good too, but to be honest, you can't go wrong eating at the buffet in the lobby for all of your meals. It was fantastic. Todd used room service every night. Took about 25 mins, which wasn’t bad at all.
The a la cartes at the other sections were booked so I cannot comment on those. If you’re interested in going to them, I suggest contacting Laura at Guest Services before you arrive. I corresponded with her, and made certain requests about a week before, but by that time it was already too late. Checked throughout the week for openings, but nothing came up. .

Overall, it was very relaxing week; everything we hoped it would be and more!

My husband and I plus one other couple stayed at this resort Apr 13 to Apr 27. This resort was by far the best we have ever been. The food was delicious, the drinks great variety, exquisite beach, beautiful, lush well attended gardens. The service friendly and if there was something you needed, the staff would go out of their way to get it for you. It definitely was a 5 star hotel according to Canadian standards and one we will definitely go back to.

Stayed at Ambar from April 26 - May 3. Overall enjoyed my stay, ending up getting sick for the whole week with the flu.

The resort/grounds are beautiful. The work really hard to keep this place in excellent condition. Arrived early, didn't check in on bus like some others have mentioned, got dropped off at Amber around 12pm and our room was ready which was fantastic.

I found the staff to be very attentative, sometimes, almost too attentative. I know that they were trying to make sure everyone was happy and had no needs, but during meals, my husband and I felt like we were being 'watched'. They hovered and grabbed your plate too quickly. But that's better then not paying any attention!

The beach is beautiful. Very clean! This was my first time to DR (only been to Cuba) and I found the water very rough. I'm usually a beach person but found myself spending more time at the pool at this resort.

The pool is a perfect size with a very nice layout. Right next to the beach which I loved, some great views. The only thing I would change is the lack of any music, etc. I went on this vacation for total relackzation and have no deisre to be talked into pool activities, etc. but some music would have been nice.

Room was very nice. Stayed in 60217. The maid had it cleaned by ealry afternoon everyday and yes we did receive turndow service everynight except for the evening we were in early and had our Do Not Distub sign out. Did get a welcome bag with rum and two t-shirts. Never used the bath tub, very nice, but looks like it was stained with grout that had run down it's sides. Even though the room is nice, you can still see shoty craftmenship. We left the maid $10 up front and about $2-$4 bucks each days. Also left a couple of bucks for the person doing the turn down service.

The food was really good. Like I said I ended up with a bad flu so we stuck mostly to the buffet which had a hugh variety. The beach grill is also ok for lunch, hot dogs and hamburgers, a perfect daytime snack! At at the Italian, and from previoud reviews knew what to except - and everyone was right! Don't waste your time going there! Ate at the Don Pablo twice, the first was our anniversairy and they even baked us a cake and sang to us when they delivered it. A very thoughtfule touch. Overall, I didn't find the food that great at the Don Pablo - it was just average. Also I found the staff smiled less at this restaurant. They were much friendlier at the buffet. Tiped at most meals, but felt no presure on this end, which was nice.

There's a lot of water traffic! Much more that what I seen in Cuba. I did parasailing and would highly recommend it. But it goes by really fast and don't buy the pictures. We were supposed to get 10 pics of us for $20 USD on a CD, got home and there is only 1 of us very far away and the rest is of 'set' photos of Punta Cana.

Wasn't really impressed with the weather. It rained a few times for long periods and days that it didn't rain, only had clear skies for a few hours and it clouded over in early afternoon. I actually felt cold sometimes! Didn't really go for the vendors. Found what they had to offer also looked very cheapy-cheapy, as they say. Also, I really don't like being harassed by them. Like when I walk away, don't start pulling me back in. Found PC outside the resort very dirty. Apart from the beach, I fould Cuba better.

Overall, I enjoyed the vacation. Would return to this resort and would return to PC. But probably will try somewhere else just for variety.

Any questions, I would be happy to answer. Enjoy you vacations whereever they may be!

Hello, My partner and I stayed at The Ambar from 16th - 23rd April by default. We landed in Punta Cana after a long flight from London UK, expecting to stay in Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana for 2 weeks after getting on the coach for our transfer we were told (approx 11 groups) that the hotel was overbooked and we were being 'bumped' into the hotel next door, The Majestic Colonial. (see review under hotel name) We were given $400 cash plus VIP bracelets which unabled us to access all of the resort bars, restaurants etc in both Majestic Colonial and Gran Bahia Hotels.

We were transfered to Gran Bahia Punta Cana on the 16th and at reception were told that we had been upgraded to The Ambar. We were taken by the concierge to our suite near the sea which was amazing, we were given first class treatment by the reception, cleaning and concierge staff. We made reservations for the Mediterranean, Italian and Le Gourmet restaurants without problems. The food in all three restaurants was good, but very limited choice and very small a la carte menu! Also apart from the extensive wine list (Extra ££££) we were not offered any other drink choices. The Italian restaurant also served breakfast which was excellent, quiet and service very good, lots of hot coffee refills. We also ate in the buffet restaurant on 3 occasions for dinner, food good with lots of choice, themed each evening. The one downfall of this resort is the food and drinks service in the restaurants and bars it is very very slow, most evenings at dinner we didn't get our drink glasses refilled without asking, often the waiters looked liked they were very busy and over stretched (not a staff issue, but management issue -need to put more staff on each shift) The snack bar by the pool had excellent lunch time choices and staff friendly and efficient. The swim up pool bar, good fast service, but not sure what we were drinking most of the time. The same cocktail never tasted the same twice.! The lobby bar served the best cocktails and service quick if a little abrupt. We ventured out most evenings to the Entertainment Sq, Theatre and Bavaro and Punta Cana lobby bars. The casino and disco good fun. These areas are much busier and lively but again not enough staff, could wait 10 minutes to be served only to be pushed out of the way by people from countries where they obviously don't queue!!!! Also service with a smile would go along way in us giving tips. The tram system around the resort - great idea after a few cocktails.

The pool area very nice but not enough shaded areas, this led to people sitting by the pool at 7 am waiting for the security guard to give the go ahead at 8 am to put towels on chairs, in 3 minutes there was not a chair left each morning, quite funny and amusing to watch!!! Also on occasions the pool area was incredibly noisy with people shouting at each other non stop, thinking that everyone else wanted to listen to thier conversations. How can anyone have a ten minute converstion on how thier steak and shrimp(prawns)were cooked?Also what is with people taking thermal mugs everywhere with them????This resort is dominated by North American/Canadian clientle, and personally would like more of an international balance. I was with a party of people who first language is Russian, I speak both English and Russian and on a couple of occasions when we were speaking in Russian around the pool (some people probably do'nt realise that some people can speak more than one language) Some very dorogatory remarks about russian people were made!!!!!!!! Not good for international relations!!!

Also guests were getting really angry when the staff could'nt understand thier demands, what happened to 'Please may I have.........and Thank you' Learning a few word of spanish would go a long way, as you are in a spanish speaking country.

All in all we were lucky in being upgraded to The Ambar as we would of gone insane if we had to of spent 2 weeks on the Punta Cana side, for the Brits who may read this just think Benidorm or Blackpool at high season.
We are glad that we were bumped into The Majestic Colonial Hotel next door for the first week because it gave us a comparison, we enjoyed our stay at the Ambar, the rooms and food were great, but the friendliness and excellent service from all the staff and the friendliness of other guests at the Majestic Colonial was second to none. We will return to The Republica Dominica but probably not to Gran Bahia Principe as it is far to big and appears not to cope with the amount of guests it has at any one time.
Kind regards

Fay & Georgi
London England