TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Extremely crap post covid 19, and at most a 3 star hotel with 1 star food quality

I loved visiting Punta Cana, but unfortunately Grand Bavaro Princess was often the part that made the experience less enjoyable. The resort itself has some positives, but there were too many issues for me to recommend it wholeheartedly. The main pool available to standard guests was constantly overcrowded. Finding a comfortable spot was difficult most of the time. The staff experience was very inconsistent. Some employees were genuinely amazing and helpful, while others came across as quite rude. I noticed this more often with staff who didn’t speak English, although that may simply have been due to communication difficulties rather than intentional rudeness. The entertainment and attractions were disappointing and did not match the expectations created by the promotional material displayed in the hotel lobby. Food was one of the biggest letdowns. Restaurant reservations were extremely difficult to get. During my 7-day stay, I was never able to book the steakhouse. The buffet often served food from the specialty restaurants, which initially seemed like a good alternative, and eventually I stopped trying to make reservations and just ate there. Unfortunately, I ended up with a severe stomach bug. A piece of advice: always travel with basic stomach medication. I didn’t, and when I got sick, I had to arrange medication delivery from a local pharmacy because the resort doctor wanted to charge around €220 just for a consultation. Housekeeping was also inconsistent. Even when leaving tips, water bottles and towels were sometimes not replenished. Room service was honestly terrible. You might wonder why anyone would order room service at an all-inclusive resort. In my case, it was because I was dealing with a bad stomach infection and wanted something simple. I ordered a chicken breast with rice for $20. What arrived was a cold, bland meal wrapped in plastic film, delivered without a tray. The tray was never collected afterward either. The rooms generally had a musty smell, and the bedding was uncomfortable. If you’re booking excursions, be careful with Nexus. The prices offered through the resort were significantly higher than what I found on other websites for the same activities. One final note: I would strongly recommend avoiding the dolphin excursions. Seeing the conditions in which the animals are kept was genuinely sad. Punta Cana itself is beautiful, and I still enjoyed my trip overall. However, Grand Bavaro Princess fell far below the standard I expected from an all-inclusive resort.

I checked in on June 8th, 2025 and from the very first moment my room (2022) has had no air conditioning. Sleeping in a Caribbean resort without AC is not just uncomfortable — it is a health concern, especially with the extreme heat and humidity in Punta Cana. I reported the problem to the front desk staff multiple times and have received absolutely no response — no technician sent, no room change offered, no apology, nothing. For a resort that markets itself as a premium all-inclusive experience, this level of service is completely unacceptable. Guests deserve basic comfort, and air conditioning in the Caribbean is not a luxury — it is a necessity. I will update this review if the hotel resolves the situation. As of now, I strongly recommend checking your room immediately upon arrival and demanding a change if anything is not working — do not expect staff to fix it on their own.

We arrived at the resort May 31 to June 5th 2026. This resort is HUGE! So many people and trams to pull people around. Lets get right to it- we upgraded to Platinum for a cost and it was worth it! We arrived at our room and took a look around, there were miscellaneous paint dripping on the reading lamp in the bedroom, ceiling light was coming out of the socket, the toilet flush didn't work so we had to fix it after every flush. The room style was fine, nothing great, it was a suite near the beach. Had a refrigerator that supplied you with bottled water, soda, some coffee/expresso machine. Rooms were worn down and in need of a refresher. We then walked down to the beach, which had plenty of chairs and palapas for shade..Now, This is a multimillion dollar resort on Bavaro beach, sargassum is a problem for all of the Caribbean, and they didn't clean it up for 4 days...very disappointed, although the last 2 days, they were out there with the front end loader cleaning it up. The buffets were a free-for- all... no one waited for their turn, dress code was not enforced and people took advantage of that. The staff at the buffets could care less but the staff at the restaurants where you needed reservations were very nice. The staff in the Platinum areas were very nice and always ready to bring and refill your drinks. They have 3 food trucks on the beach but they were not very hood and the food quality was poor- burgers tasted like flattened hot dogs. The chicken wings at the food trucks were skin & bones. They had an 'Ecological walk way' which was essentially a swamp with dirty water, tons of turtles( which were cute!) and broken down concrete railing, and 2 rabbits in a dirty enclosure at the end.The peacocks were a plus and were nice to see around the property. There are staff walking around selling massages which I did and it was on the beach and EXCELLENT ( thank you Alexis!) The Marinearium excursion was very good too! The boat was smooth sailing, not a party boat, we snorkled, swam with some stingrays and nurse sharks- they didn't come near you so no worries. To sum it up - go Platinum and make reservations at the other restaurants for better quality & service. Would we go back to this resort- no.

This is another year in this wonderful place. Many people like searching for something new every year — I don’t. I don’t like changing something that simply works. And here, everything works: the location, the beach, the resort itself, the atmosphere, and above all — the people. Once again, I chose the Platinum package, and I mention it on purpose because it truly makes a huge difference in the comfort and overall vacation experience. We always feel relaxed and comfortable there, and the entire team makes it possible to truly rest and recharge. My child has multiple food allergies, so every trip usually comes with a lot of stress for me. But not here. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who made us feel safe and genuinely cared for — especially our child. Special thanks to Chef Oliver, who made sure everything was prepared before we even had to ask. Despite coordinating the kitchens across the entire resort as Manuel Medina’s right hand, he still found time for one little girl and made sure that wherever she went, there was always safe food waiting for her. That was far beyond professionalism — it was genuine care and kindness. I would also like to thank the entire Platinum team — from the always smiling reception staff to the exceptional team at the PBG beach restaurant. Special thanks to Jhonfis — a fantastic chef — and Robert, the restaurant manager, for their warmth, attention, and the wonderful atmosphere they create every day. I’m writing all of this because people are what truly create a place. A vacation is not only about a beautiful room or a paradise beach. It is also about feeling welcomed, cared for, remembered, and surrounded by positive energy and kindness. I love this place because it truly works for everyone — families with small children, teenagers, couples, anniversaries, romantic getaways, or group vacations with friends. The hotel offers endless possibilities for both relaxation and evening entertainment. I already can’t wait to come back… especially for those wonderful Wednesday dinners on the beach. The lobster is first class. Sometimes I feel like Chef Oliver has a truly extraordinary culinary gift. He is always present, attentive, and genuinely involved — while creating spectacular dishes with impressive ease. It is hard to believe that someone coordinating the work of the entire resort kitchens can still dedicate so much attention to individual guests and make them feel truly important. In his work you can clearly see not only incredible talent and experience, but also real passion and heart. We spent another wonderful 14 days there, and I am certain we will return again. A few practical tips for future guests: If you booked Platinum, after arrival ask directly for the Platinum reception area. There is no need to wait in the main line — just clearly mention your reservation type from the beginning. The entire resort is very clean — both the rooms and all common areas. The walkways are regularly cleaned, and beautiful peacocks with tiny chicks wander around the property, creating a truly magical atmosphere. It may also be helpful to download the hotel app before arrival and explore the resort map, especially because the property is very large. Restaurants: It’s worth making reservations for the themed restaurants fairly early during your stay. Platinum guests will most likely also receive an invitation to the Wednesday beach dinner — definitely ask about it because it’s a lovely experience and absolutely worth it. A few restaurants we especially enjoyed: • Chopin — beautifully located restaurant surrounded by water, turtles and tropical greenery. The food area is air-conditioned, while the seating area lets you fully enjoy the relaxing outdoor atmosphere. Fresh, varied and interesting food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. • Soho — creative dishes with very elegant and artistic presentation, almost like edible art. • PBG — an excellent steakhouse for meat lovers. Pools: We personally love the Platinum and PBG areas the most, but there are many options — from quieter pools to children’s areas and the water park in the Family Club section. Everyone will find something they enjoy. A big plus for the Platinum towel system — towels are available directly in your room and can be exchanged anytime near the PBG pool without any hassle. The Platinum Beach Bar also deserves recognition — fantastic atmosphere and amazing bartenders. I still wonder how they remember everyone’s favorite drinks among so many guests. Even outside the Platinum area, there are many beautiful hidden spots. One particularly charming area is near the small children’s pool — peaceful atmosphere, beautiful palm trees and plenty of space to relax quietly. It is also worth taking time to walk through the resort’s green areas. You’ll find beautiful mangrove trees with roots rising from the water, turtles, majestic iguanas, colorful birds, and lush tropical vegetation everywhere. The resort is huge, yet still feels beautifully maintained and deeply connected with nature. Karolina