Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

13870 reviews

• 

  We made it amazing for us, mostly very good.

  Lovely resort, beach area is amazing and the pool area is nice too, the smell from the pool bar was sometimes not very good so perhaps needs a good clean. Plenty of sun loungers but limited umbrellas - had to get up early to put your towels down (even though it does say do not reserve beds, everyone did anyway) However from about 3-4pm lots of beds became available as seemed like most guests went up to their rooms - loved the man giving out pool towels, think his name was Ramon - very friendly. Loved the entertainment team - Antonio, Maiko? Wilson, Kenny, Mina Niarobi? Chocolatey? All so friendly and great entertainment throughout the day, loved the white party in our 1st week - it was amazing. Didn't like the inconsistent service in the main buffet - staff not overly friendly or bothered about you being there it felt. Dirty tables and not always re laid correctly but they will still seat you there anyway. Didn't get offered a mimosa at breakfast until the 12th day so didn't even know it was an option and we spent 14 days here so we preferred the beach restaurant for breakfast and lunch. Also found the food cold all the time. They also had a lovely small BBQ area between the pool and beach, a very friendly chef cooking chicken, burgers, hot dogs, paella. The pineapple and coconut swing bar between the beach and pool was nice - although nobody tells you that you can't give the 5 dollars for that drink to the staff, so I ordered a pineapple (5 dollars not included in your all inclusive) and the staff took my money and placed it into the tip jar, we then later realised we had a charge on our room bill - I spoke to reception who offered to remove the charge because he said the staff aren't allowed to take cash (he willingly did so I was unaware) and the charge finally got removed but we did have to keep asking and reminding them and then when we checked out we got asked to pay the charge, we refused and it was removed. We had also asked and spoken to guest experience about this charge a few nights before but they were unhelpful and disinterested and seemed to laugh about it. We mainly used to restaurants in the Ambar hotel, and 1 Japanese at the aquamarine - which the food was ok, not overly hot and the service was rubbish, this was our first themed restaurant so wasn't aware we had to scan the QR code which was on the table to access the menu so we sat and waited and nobody told us that's what we needed to do. It becomes obvious once you've done it once but as I said this was our visit evening doing the themed eating places. The greek was ok, portion size of the kebab was quite poor. The Italian was good, service was nice. The meat was our favourite, great food and loved the service. Jesus who works in here is amazing, always running around to ensure everyone has their food, he is smiley, very professional and delivers fantastic service. We won't forget him! The village shops are nice to walk around - open late so can be done in the evening, good gifts for bringing back home. Soana Island day trip - was the best! Lois the couch driver and Roberto the guide was amazing. The team on the boat taking us to the island and then team bringing us back were lovely, loved every thing about the day trip. Rooms were very big, slippers were placed in the room but no robes (saw other guests with robes on) so assumed we should of had them, cleaners were friendly enough but not overly friendly like other places I have stayed at, only got 1 morning of nice display on the bed. Nothing any other day - the way they normally make something out of towels or napkins - we only got that once. One thing to note...we got woken up at 2am because next door had ordered room service food and drinks, the staff member knocked on our door by mistake. Woke us up so we answered eventually and there wasn't much of a sorry for waking you, it was more of a...oh wrong room, it's ok it's here I need to be!! It then happened again! The hotel itself and the grounds are beautiful. Really liked the Lobby bar, drinks were always good and consistently made with fruit etc. Sports bar was good - food is lovely. The overal holiday was very good, we made it amazing for ourselves. The welcome meeting was poor, got told it was at 9:15am the lady turned up after 9:30am and pulled up some chairs in the lobby, we sat down and she spoke about nothing useful at all. We had no idea we had access to all 3 hotels, what was on offer etc! We had no idea about the QR code for restaurant menus. At the airport coming home another couple told us the other hotel had a hot tub champagne bar which we knew nothing about. The welcome meetings I've had at other holidays have been much more informative, often include a welcome drink (we got nothing like this when we arrived but saw a station for it) or even a cool face cloth after travelling over 9 hours or a presentation to showcase the hotels and what's on offer.

  Dec 20, 2024
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  Disappointing start to nice holiday

  We booked 14 nights All Inclusive through TUI. Junior Suite King bed with Swim up room. First things first, this is not a 5 star resort and it is certainly not luxury. There are far better resorts out there for the money. Flights and service provided by TUI in getting to the hotel were excellent. We arrived at the hotel in the early evening. You get dropped off at the Aquamarine Hotel and get a buggy up to the Ámbar reception. ***Check in*** Firstly if you download the app and check in you don’t have to queue at the main desk, although we weren’t told this. We went to the desk and were immediately asked if we wanted to pay $400 to upgrade to a corner suite with a bath tub and bigger plot. We politely declined and this is where the issues started. We were then asked, oh you did book a twin room didn’t you? Again this was not correct, we had booked a King Room as per the booking. When we challenged this we were told the correct room would not be available until 15:00 the following day. After a long day travelling we were given a room right next to the night time entertainment. It was an awful first night. After complaining to the front desk and to the TUI rep this was eventually sorted but that is one day of the holiday wasted. Eventually we were given a room down near the pool out of the way and it was pleasant. Although we were told the King Rooms are subject to availability - (It doesn’t say this on the booking). Whilst at the resort we ended up speaking to another couple who this had happened to. They gave the reception staff $20 USD and the room miraculously became available. After this point almost all of the front reception staff were rude and very unhelpful. Other than Jesus who was happy to change money up for us regularly. The others would give you all different times of the days to go back and had a terrible attitude when asking for change. Ultimately I was asking for change to tip the staff so it’s in their best interest to do it. Also no information is provided about the resort upon check in. It really was a poor experience. We were told something nice would be done for us an an apology but that never happened. **Main pool** Unless you get up at 06:00 you will struggle to get a sun bed. It’s a nice pool area but the music starts at 10:00 and goes on until 18:00. It’s not relaxing and after the first day we used the beach and our swim up room to have some peace. The staff in the pool bar were very friendly. We didn’t mind the music but it was just far too loud. Not what I expected at all. **Swim up room** Nice room with good facilities. Cleaners were good and looked after us throughout our stay with a tip a day. Swim up pools could do with a clean. **Food** Very hit and miss across all of the resorts. Limbo was the best by far. Make sure you use the cocktail bar which is open even without food reservations which again we weren’t told! The staff were excellent and the drinks were great too. Hindu Naan on the Esmeralda was very nice. Portifino is basic Italian. It’s not great. M.E.A.T is ok but again it’s nothing special. The tepenyaki is not worth the time. The Oriental Takara was disappointing. **Staff** The staff in the beach restaurant were excellent and couldn’t do enough to help. Alba was great and looked after us. It’s nice to sit there for breakfast and lunch. As previously mentioned the reception staff were poor. We actually went to Aquamarine a couple of times to change money up as they were much more helpful. **Issues** There was a line for people making complaints every single day. The TUI rep had said she had been receiving numerous complaints about the reception staff and their treatment of guests. This was our first time staying in a Bahía Príncipe hotel and it was not a great experience. Think long and hard before booking and read the other reviews as looking at it the feedback is acknowledged but not actioned. Final positive note is the coffee shop was great. Nice addition to the hotel. Not a total disaster of a holiday and we had a nice time and met some nice people but the hotel has a lot to work on to meet the 5* standard I would expect. The Dominican Republic is an amazing place and we would return but to another hotel.

  Dec 19, 2024
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  Disappointing.

  Definitely not a luxury experience. Cleanliness hit and miss. Nightmare trying to get a sun bed unless you are prepared to get up around six in the morning and even then most beds are reserved. Staff expecting tips constantly and if you don’t, be prepared to be ignored in favour for the guests who constantly tip. Not once did we receive a night turn down service. Throughout the two week stay having to chase up missing basics in our room, such as towels water in the fridge and tea coffee and creamer. Dining in the main buffet at night poor quality food and not once during our stay did we see the food being tested for temperature. Specialist dining hit and miss and definitely be prepared to wait to receive food, in some cases up to an hour after seating. Menus differ from the app to the actual offering in the restaurants. Overall a poor experience and wouldn’t recommend.

  Dec 17, 2024
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  Amazing resort

  Amazing staff and people, property was super clean beaches are amazing and the food was excellent, only complaint I have was it only lasted 7 days, if you are wondering about booking please do and come back to the review and thank me. If you go you need to go to the limbo for a cocktail! So much entertainment from “skinny boy” and the team!

  Dec 17, 2024
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  We had a great time all over the place the ocean the beach

  The staff is outstanding specially as a privilege club great job I had a swim up room, which was great. The food was excellent at the buffet or in the restaurant. The Italian restaurant was excellent. My room was great the cleaning lady outstanding and their service at the beach for the privilege club. Philip is exceptional. I’m going back again next December.

  Dec 17, 2024