We had been searching resorts online, and this place looked wonderful! Well, we should have been looking for another place, as soon as we started booking, and realized that no flights from the U.S. land at the Samana airport. We had to pay for transfers from Puerto Plata, which is 4 hours away from the resort. Granted, we knew that before we left the states. We looked on the map, and we would be on a highway for most of the time. We knew the word "highway" would be a loose term, as we have been to Mexico & Jamaica before. I am not someone that gets carsick, nor was anyone else in our group, but this was the scariest ride any of us had ever been on in our lives! The traffic and the drivers in the D.R. are and adventure in themselves!

So, we finally got to the El Portillo and checked in. Our first problems: the safe in our friends' room was broken, and had to be fixed. Our showerhead was broken, and would not work. Next, our toilet was broken and needed to be fixed.

The ala carte food. The Asian Ala Carte was the best. The seafood restaraunt was almost inedible. As we were dining at the Gourmet restaraunt, all the electricity went out, and we were left sitting in the dark.

The Buffets. We tended to watch what we ate at the buffet. We had several dishes that were undercooked, and alot that didn't seem heated very well. Also, we noticed "leftovers" from previous buffets. I guess I wasn't picky enough.

We arrived on a Saturday. By Wednesday, I was sicker than I have ever been in my life. I have never went to see the Dr. at a resort on any vacation we have been on, but this was the time to do it. By Friday morning, I had shivered all night, and I was so happy my fever had broken, but I wanted to see the Dr. anyway. When we got to the Dr., my fever was stil 103°, and he told me that I probably was experiencing convulsions in the night, not just shivering. I was on I.V. drip, antibiotics, and a couple shots during the course of the morning, not to mention being iced down. I only found out after I got home, one of the other GBP resorts had been closed a couple weeks earlier, due to a "mystery bug", that involved "undercooked food".

Although it was a beautiful place, as you can see by the pics posted from the couple days I was able to enjoy, and by the pics taken by my husband, it was not beautiful enough for the illness I experienced, that continued and caused me an extra week off work when I got home. Because of this, I am wary of traveling to the Dominican again. We'll go back to the Riviera Maya again as we did before, but we will surely NEVER go back to a Gran Bahia resort.

My husband and I stayed at the GBP El Portillo from Mar. 31 - Apr 7 2008. We had chose to visit this resort from all the past reviews and forums. The number one reason we selected it was for the beach and the scenery, and we were not disappointed. The scenery is incredible. We travelled with AirTransat Royal Golden and we were happy with the upgrade, namely, our room. We requested to stay in Villa 1 and had a beautiful suite with a great view of the beach. The grounds are so well kept and the entire resort is immaculate.
The food, well we didn't come for the food, but were not disappointed. It was good, we certainly didn't go hungry, and didn't get sick. So I think that is the important thing. We tried all three a la cartes. The were all good, especially the gourment and the oriental. We are not seafood lovers, but visited the seafood restaurtant to try the beef ternderloin. We found that overall the beef was very rare, so ask for it well done and you'll get medium rare. But it was very tasty! The buffet had great selection of entrees and salads. We were not disappointed with the food at the buffet either. For breakfast we had omeletts every morning and ate outside. The cabana outside is a beautiful place to eat breakfast with the sounds of birds and the ocean. Definately our favourite meal of the day.
The rooms are beautiful. We had a suite with a king bed and a sitting area. The bathroom was marble with separate shower with glass door and a jacuzzi tub. The toilet was even in a separate stall with a glass door. Very nice touch. A couple of nights we sat out on our balcony, the sound of the waves crashing on the reef is incredible.
The beach is my favourite part. We could walk for miles either way on the beach and it was so quite. It was nice to walk early in the morning and steal some private time away. Felt like we were the only people on the earth...Again the scenery is incredible. Palm trees flanked by misty tree covered mountains in the distance. Views I will not forget. We took a catamaran ride out to the ocean, in my opinion this is not to miss. The view of the shoreline from miles out was extrodinary. The resort and a hilltop mansion are basically the only civilization to be seen. The week we were there was quite, which was nice, so the beach was never very busy. The staff organized a soccer game a couple of afternoons and this was fun to participate in. People from all different countries playing together. The coral reef was beautiful. Snorkeling was amazing. Best time is at low tide and you can walk out and see fish, sea urchins etc.
The pool is really nice as well. Very clean and well kept. The loungers are very comfortable by the pool. We spent the mornings at the beach and afternoons at the pool cooling off.
We did an excursion to El Limon waterfall and this was a highlight of our trip. Again, I can't stress how beautiful the scenery is. The horseback riding was fun. I have ridin horses before, so my guide kept my horse moving fast. When you get to the waterfall make sure to climb down even further and there is a couple of smaller waterfalls which are beautiful to see as well. The lunch served back at the ranch was really good. They will offer you a music cd with you pic on the cover at lunch. We bought ours and I am glad. Has some great Dominican music which is nice to listen to and reminice. Our cost was $12 American.
We traveled into Los Terrenas by cab. Cost was $20 for both ways. We arranged for our cab driver to pick us up at a specific time and he was not 1 minute late. We decided to get a drink and came upon a beach bar called Paco Cabana. What a great little spot. If you visit Los Terrenas, don't miss this spot. Right on the ocean, very relaxed atmosphere.
We met many wonderful people from many different countries and had a really great time. The beach party on Saturday night at the resort was a lot of fun. Good dancing and drinks.
To end my review, if you are looking for a relaxing getaway with beautiful natural scenery and a laid back atmoshere, this is the place to go. As mentioned in many of the other reviews, we were told that in a few years this place will be unrecognizable with many resorts going up. Many have already started. Get there quick. We would love to come back and visit many more of the natural wonders we couldn't fit in.

My husband and I just got back last night from the Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo just outside of Samana, and Las Terranes. What an amazing spot, and a super hotel/resort. Great beach, and your kids can snorkel in 18" of water and see 7 - 10 different types of tropical fish on the reefs that are close to shoreline. There is plenty of safe swimming as well without reef rock. Food excellent, people as always in the Dominican, friendly, helpful and willing to please. The best ever check in was done on the bus on the way to the resort, so when we got there at noon, we could go directly to our already made up rooms, and head straight to the beach. There were plenty of families, and retired people and all ages in between. German, French, and Canadian for the most part. Would highly recommend going before this area get really built up like Puerto Plata, and Punta Cana.

Amazing ocean with nice clear waters... very cool and refreshing this time of year.

The restaurants, hotel grounds, and room where all very nice, clean! Great variety of cuisine from seafood, chinese, and international gourmet restaurants as well as a great buffet with delicious dominican food.

The drinks were very good not water down at all. Try the mojito and caipirinhas! highly recommended. They serve the
national beer Presidente which @ other cheap hotels don't.

Overall great hotel and service with one of the best beaches in the island for sure ... that is if you're looking for a calm ocean and serene relaxing vacation :)

Tip of the day:
If you're looking to be adventurous take a small plane from the private airport in front of the hotel and go and visit the capital's colonial zone. You'll just pay $75 each way and get there in 25 min!!!