TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Had a great holiday over the New Year. The New Year Grand Buffet was superb, with a top quality selection of food including lobster and every sea food imaginable. The New Year party that followed at the village was really good followed by fireworks. Buffet restaurants had a good selection of food that was well presented and well cooked. The a la carte resteraunts that were so good during our previous visit, while the food was of good quality, on 4 of our visits, it was over an hour before we got the main course, and on one occasion the main course was stone cold and under cooked. Rooms and the Hotlel were spotlessly clean, staff were fantastic, polite and always willing to go out of their way to help. Entertainment was good with live acts and shows on a night and plenty to do round the pool during the day. Sports, there were a good selection on the beach and the Aqua Car was superb and really worth a go. On the whole the drinks were good but was unable to get a monitor during our entire stay as they had no mint. I went to guest services who said they would get this sorted but it did not happen. On the whole an excellent holiday but a couple of areas for improvement

Spent New Year’s Eve here and they know how to throw one hell of a party. I felt it was great service and staff were very friendly. Had a few minor issues at the start, but they were remedied instantly. Food, shows and the entertainment staff were very good. A big shout out to Andale who was our Guest Experience Services Representative. She did an excellent job checking up on us everyday and it was a pleasure chatting with her. Looked forward to seeing her daily and it was a nice touch ensuring we were satisfied with our stay. She did a great job! I have to say our experience was a positive one and would recommend visiting here. Cheers!

This all inclusive experience was fantastic. The rooms for the family- 3 rooms- were all on the same floor and very lovely. They were roomy, clean, and well equipped. The cove where we swam and snorkeled was beyond fabulous. The biodiversity, the quantity of fish, and the safety of the area were all great. We saw more species than we expected: even saw an eel and an octopus. The food was excellent in all of the many restaurants. We were quite pleased with every place, but were not able to make reservations in one of the ones we wanted. My suggestion would be to make the reservations immediately upon arrival. The whole experience- in the adult area even though we went as a family everyone is an adult - was really great.

This review is for the Bahia Principe Luxury - which is the Adults Only part of the resort. Please note that the Grand Bahia Principe is the side for families with children. If you are thinking about booking this holiday - please do! We are avid travellers and go away very often, we’ve done the Caribbean a few times and while staying in the Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal in Riviera Maya, Mexico, we were advised by a Jamaican family to also try the Bahia Principe in Jamaica. We couldn’t be happier we did - we’ve just had a fantastic two weeks over Christmas and NYE. ROOM & FACILITIES The hotel is very well kept and the double room we were given was very spacious with various seating areas and place for luggage. Our room was very tidy and well maintained. We felt the same way about common areas, the pool, bars and restaurants. If you want a view from your room - you better pay for it when making the booking. The Adults Only pool area is great - with a choice of being close to the bar or a bit further for peace and quiet. The entire seaside that belongs to the hotel is fantastic. White sand and crystal clear water - the sea was our favourite part! Take some snorkelling equipment to enjoy the sights of manta rays and fish - right by the shore. The beach by the family side has a lovely bar and barbecue area - definitely worth spending a good part of the day over there. Otherwise, the Adults Only beach is also fantastic - you can’t miss the Coconut beach bar! Ask for a ‘dirty banana’ cocktail and enjoy the sea breeze. The Luxury lobby has a fab terrace area where you can sit and enjoy live music in the evenings. ENTERTAINMENT As I mentioned above, there was live music most evenings consisting of cello, violin, and Jamaican percussion. We did not attend the bigger events, one every night, but happening in the family side at the theatre. We found ourselves not really enjoying how crowded the Grand side was. RESTAURANTS Sorry for the bluntness - the only people we heard complaining about the food were American tourists moaning over the pizza from Dolce Vita (the Italian restaurant) not being as good as their pizza joint back home - founded by Italians in the 1900’s. I mean… no sh*t Sherlock. If I can persuade you - be welcoming and open to try local Caribbean flavours! One does not come to Jamaica to expect the same food as at home. Keep it simple - jerk chicken is always good, enjoy the variety of fresh meats and seafood, have some Jamaican food! It’s part of travelling as an enriching experience! If you don’t like bold flavours or spicy food - you can go to the buffet and ask for meats or seafood cooked freshly for you with your choice of condiments. We thoroughly enjoyed all the restaurants when asking for the right dishes - meats, seafood with a side of veggies, rice or mashed potatoes. Can’t go wrong with those! DRINKS The reason why I’m giving a 4* review is the fact that supposedly the Bahia Principe group has imposed a restriction on certain premium liqueurs and alcohol. I did not appreciate not seeing my choice of vodka or bourbon. My husband had to pay 90$ a bottle for Jack Daniel’s which is a 20£ expense back home. As with the food - of course I recommend savouring local rum, but I’d say allow customers to have access to premium quality beverages. The same chain hotel in Mexico serves you Absolut vodka and premium bourbon that they now claim you have to pay extra for. SERVICE If you are from Europe, you might not be used the tipping culture. I think it’s quite standard in Caribbean destinations with a big influx of American tourists to find a culture of tipping. I must admit in this case it was totally worth taking a few hundred pounds and getting US dollars to tip the staff. We tipped people whom we felt were really happy to be there and make your experience memorable - I think calling staff by their name makes a massive difference too. We felt very pampered and looked after. If you read reviews where people claim the staff are rude, please take into account how rude customers can be in the first place. — SPECIAL THANKS: Staff at the Luxury side that made such a wonderful effort for us!!! Thank you Howayne and Juliet at Coconut beach bar, you guys are fab! A big thanks to Carlyle, Cornell, Derman, Terreashia and the rest of staff at the pool side bar - you were amazing! Waiters like Rajay, Lester, Logan, Damian - so many others whose names I’ve forgotten - it was so pleasant to be served by you! Luxury lobby bar - Mr Rudolph, Mr Uton - absolute legends!

Probably the worst hotel I have stayed in Jamaica and I have stayed in a few. I upgraded to the adult only part of hotel after awful night at the other part - both are old, dated, dirty and the stench of drainage/sewage is prominent. If you are used to proper 5* experience then this hotel will disappoint. I am currently still here for another night and can’t wait to leave.