Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda - All Inclusive
4.0 out of 5.0
4.2
out of 5
"Good!"
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Recent guest reviews
First time in Punta Cana but not my first time with "all inclusive". Best beach so far by a landslide. Workers took care of the beach daily. Hospitality was excellent. Food was ok which was the only downfall. From a person that worked in hospitality for all these years, we were happy with customer service and ambiance and even though food was not as great.....we loved our experience.
Enjoyable, good food and cordial staff the facilities are great lots of activities for both adults and children. However, the music selection could be better!
We booked the Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda for our anniversary trip along with our kids (22) graduation from college trip. I researched EVERY post made in order to make a decision on where we would go. For the most part everything you read is true (I was hoping the negative was overblown in some). The towels are an issue...because the first day there were none to exchange. We went to the front desk first...no towels...they called and no one could get us pool towels. It really is ridiculous to ever have such a problem. We finally talked to our butler about getting more pool towels and she did help the second day. Our toilet in our room started leaking the second day. We called and no one came until 5pm when I was showering to fix it. He came back the next day after my husband went to the front desk to complain. Our room had not been cleaned and our floor had toilet water all over it. We were using towels to soak it up but had to where shoes as not to step in it at night. The maintenance man came and tried to show my husband it was the shower leaking. It was not the shower. It was spraying out the handle when you flushed and then dripping to the floor. The man finally agreed with us and fixed the toilet. We also had an issue at the pool bar where my 22 year old daughter ordered a drink. The bartenders spoke in Spanish about how much alcohol they put in her drink...but covered it up by squeezing limes into it. She speaks fluent Spanish. We wont return to this hotel
Beautiful country, people and resort. Food was good. Staff was incredibly friendly and public areas were impeccably clean. Rooms could use some updating and better matteresses would improve the overall score.
I took my sister there for her birthday and let me tell you, this was an amazing trip! I was so happy with my choice, cannot wait to book it again...definitely staying at Luxury Esmeralda again!
Just to help other travelers the Esmerelda is one of 6 resorts on this complex. This complex is very large to the point they have tram shuttles to help you get around the resort (when you can find and catch one). Once you arrive depending on the level of 6 resorts you've booked you will be given a wristband for the duration of your stay which will determine for what you're entitled or allowed to do. Fortunately, the Esmerelda was almost the top tier so nothing was really restricted other than Anbar Blue. The rooms were decent, however, the beds were extremely hard and broken down. While there are multiple restaurants they are all reservation only and day of reservations end at 3 pm. With our flights from the central US, there was no way to get there any earlier than this so our first night was forced to be a buffet. The buffets were good but not really any variety and after breakfast, and lunch every day was getting very old by the end of the week. If you can manage to find one of the poolside lunches they make I'd recommend this to break up the monotony otherwise. There is a sushi bar at the Fantasia resort in the central building at the pool but its hours were inconsistent with what was published. For reservations, you'll want to do the Rodizio (Brazillian steak house), one of the two Japanese (with show) hibachi, and they had a BBQ restaurant that was all good. As normal the Japanese were super hard to get booked at a decent hour so book this one early.
The rooms are a little dated. We got a room 93001 which was on the first floor near the entrance. There was noise all night and early morning, every single day. We could not sleep and complained at the front desk who could not do anything for us. They offered us to switch to a 2 double bed room, but we, being a couple didn't want to sleep in separate beds, so we didn't take it. Nothing else was available according to the front desk, so we had sleepless nights for 7 days. The biggest problem in this resort is the "towel game" or game of claiming beds at the pool and the beach! People get up at 6am to "claim" all the spots at the pools and the first couple rows at the beach. If you aren't there with your towel, to claim the spot, at the latest at 6.30-7am, you aren't going to enjoy the pool that day or you aren't going to see the beach and the water, because you'll be camping in the 18th row... There are signs of reservations being prohibited, but no one cares! The claiming game is in full effect, which is a shame for a resort like this! So, if you decide to visit this resort, better be ready to get up at 6am, every day, or you are not going to enjoy neither the pool, neither the beach!
Love the staff. Very clean. The food was great the only thing I regret is not booking more days to stay
Very well maintained hotel, friendly staff and excellent service.
Very good hotel, worth the price, highly recommend after having been visited various other hotels.
We went for a birthday celebration and over all had a great time. The staff were all pretty friendly. Depending on your butler, some room services are better and faster than others. You'll have to make reservations for any other restaurant besides the buffet, and you should should do it asap, upon arrival if possible. This resort caters to more family friendly, so if you plan to travel without children, I would recommend an all adult resort instead. We traveled as a group of 10 adults and wished some of the activities were available till later.
Everything was very good for our stay: swimming, walking, etc. .
My water went out resulting in not being able to shower or was my hands or face priorto going to dinner. I called when I noted the problem as I was about to prepare to get ready and no one came so I had to get dressed go downstairs and let them know as I rushed to make my dinner date
The Hotel Staff is what makes this hotel, from their great service at the Pool, restaurants or just around the property. The staff is ready to please, and they are in such great moods at all times. The property was beautiful, and very clean. you see staff always cleaning the property. I enjoyed most restaurants at the property, even the buffets. It helps that the buffets also have food stations, where they will make various items for one at time of ordering. This was our 2nd time at the Bahia Principe, 1st at the esmeralda. Will definitely comeback, possibly to try the the new Fantasia property, now that the Esmeralda will be going to adults-only. Only negative, is that their Refrigerator is not a refrigerator, it is a temperature kept fridge, meaning it just keeps cold things cold, doesn't make them cold. But when they restock the fridge with room temperature drinks, they will never get cold, and So if you like warm beer then you are OK. But that was my only gripe at the Ambar 2 years prior, and i still cam back, so it obvious that its minimal.
It was our honeymoon vacation and we couldn't have asked for a better time. The food is ok for all inclusive. The room is big and comfortable with a nice shower and jet tub bath option. The beach is within walking distance and the pools never felt crowded. But the best feature by far was the hotel staff. From the servers at the restaurants, bartenders at the pool, the ladies that cleaned our rooms, all extremely very nice. But a very big thank you to Lucas at the beach for keeping the drinks coming all day. My wife and I will definitely be back next year.
Lovely hotel with good staff. Language a bit of an issue but had a great time.
Great, recomended . Good to be the best time. Must visit the site and the fun of the week
This resort has a nice layout where everything is close, the pool, the beach and restaurants and the beach is stunning!
This hotel was the best one that we have been to in all of our stays in Punta Cana
I was there last year at the Ambar and I wanted to see what difference between these 2, and I can say: the decor ,the room at Esmeralda is better but the buffet, the atmosphere at Ambar is more settle for adults. The staff at both place are fantastic, the whole resort is calm and peacefull and so much to do. I will return almost every since I have join the privilege club.Great place to spend a week vacation.
Hotel highlights
- Free buffet breakfast
- Free WiFi in rooms and public areas
- Free parking
- Onsite dining
Located in Bavaro within a short walk of Punta Blanca Golf Course, Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda - All Inclusive is within 2 miles (3 km) of Iberostar Golf Course. This 570-room, 4-star resort welcomes business and leisure travelers with 2 outdoor pools, a golf course, and a full-service spa. On the beach, the resort is also close to Hard Rock Golf Club at Cana Bay and White Sands Golf Course.
Dining
Free buffet breakfast is included with your stay and awaits you each morning from 6:30 AM to 10 AM. Relish the international cuisine when dining at Jazmin, one of 6 onsite restaurants, or enjoy the pool views at Snack Night. Satisfy your hunger from the comfort of your room with 24-hour room service.
Rooms
The 570 air-conditioned accommodations feature furnished balconies or patios and afford space to spread out with sitting areas. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and plasma TVs with satellite channels. Beds are dressed in pillow menus and bathrooms offer jetted tubs, hair dryers, and designer toiletries. Sofa beds, minibars, and coffee makers are also standard.
Property features
Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda - All Inclusive features a golf course, a full-service spa, and 2 outdoor pools. If you drive, put free parking to good use. Multilingual staff at the 24-hour front desk can assist with dry cleaning/laundry, tours or tickets, and luggage storage. Other amenities at this all-inclusive resort include a casino, a free water park, and a nightclub.
Guest reviews for Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda - All Inclusive
best beach
Everyone
First time in Punta Cana but not my first time with "all inclusive". Best beach so far by a landslide. Workers took care of the beach daily. Hospitality was excellent. Food was ok which was the only downfall. From a person that worked in hospitality for all these years, we were happy with customer service and ambiance and even though food was not as great.....we loved our experience.
nice hotel...
Everyone
Enjoyable, good food and cordial staff the facilities are great lots of activities for both adults and children. However, the music selection could be better!
just ok hotel
Families
We booked the Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda for our anniversary trip along with our kids (22) graduation from college trip. I researched EVERY post made in order to make a decision on where we would go. For the most part everything you read is true (I was hoping the negative was overblown in some). The towels are an issue...because the first day there were none to exchange. We went to the front desk first...no towels...they called and no one could get us pool towels. It really is ridiculous to ever have such a problem. We finally talked to our butler about getting more pool towels and she did help the second day. Our toilet in our room started leaking the second day. We called and no one came until 5pm when I was showering to fix it. He came back the next day after my husband went to the front desk to complain. Our room had not been cleaned and our floor had toilet water all over it. We were using towels to soak it up but had to where shoes as not to step in it at night. The maintenance man came and tried to show my husband it was the shower leaking. It was not the shower. It was spraying out the handle when you flushed and then dripping to the floor. The man finally agreed with us and fixed the toilet. We also had an issue at the pool bar where my 22 year old daughter ordered a drink. The bartenders spoke in Spanish about how much alcohol they put in her drink...but covered it up by squeezing limes into it. She speaks fluent Spanish. We wont return to this hotel
Everyone
Beautiful country, people and resort. Food was good. Staff was incredibly friendly and public areas were impeccably clean. Rooms could use some updating and better matteresses would improve the overall score.
amazing time
Everyone
I took my sister there for her birthday and let me tell you, this was an amazing trip! I was so happy with my choice, cannot wait to book it again...definitely staying at Luxury Esmeralda again!
not a single hotel
Everyone
Just to help other travelers the Esmerelda is one of 6 resorts on this complex. This complex is very large to the point they have tram shuttles to help you get around the resort (when you can find and catch one). Once you arrive depending on the level of 6 resorts you've booked you will be given a wristband for the duration of your stay which will determine for what you're entitled or allowed to do. Fortunately, the Esmerelda was almost the top tier so nothing was really restricted other than Anbar Blue. The rooms were decent, however, the beds were extremely hard and broken down. While there are multiple restaurants they are all reservation only and day of reservations end at 3 pm. With our flights from the central US, there was no way to get there any earlier than this so our first night was forced to be a buffet. The buffets were good but not really any variety and after breakfast, and lunch every day was getting very old by the end of the week. If you can manage to find one of the poolside lunches they make I'd recommend this to break up the monotony otherwise. There is a sushi bar at the Fantasia resort in the central building at the pool but its hours were inconsistent with what was published. For reservations, you'll want to do the Rodizio (Brazillian steak house), one of the two Japanese (with show) hibachi, and they had a BBQ restaurant that was all good. As normal the Japanese were super hard to get booked at a decent hour so book this one early.
hard bed, noisy room and the "towel game"
Everyone
The rooms are a little dated. We got a room 93001 which was on the first floor near the entrance. There was noise all night and early morning, every single day. We could not sleep and complained at the front desk who could not do anything for us. They offered us to switch to a 2 double bed room, but we, being a couple didn't want to sleep in separate beds, so we didn't take it. Nothing else was available according to the front desk, so we had sleepless nights for 7 days. The biggest problem in this resort is the "towel game" or game of claiming beds at the pool and the beach! People get up at 6am to "claim" all the spots at the pools and the first couple rows at the beach. If you aren't there with your towel, to claim the spot, at the latest at 6.30-7am, you aren't going to enjoy the pool that day or you aren't going to see the beach and the water, because you'll be camping in the 18th row... There are signs of reservations being prohibited, but no one cares! The claiming game is in full effect, which is a shame for a resort like this! So, if you decide to visit this resort, better be ready to get up at 6am, every day, or you are not going to enjoy neither the pool, neither the beach!
Everyone
Love the staff. Very clean. The food was great the only thing I regret is not booking more days to stay
Everyone
Very well maintained hotel, friendly staff and excellent service.
great place to stay!
Everyone
Very good hotel, worth the price, highly recommend after having been visited various other hotels.
