TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Lots of stairs. Can't compare to mexican resorts....except the beach is nicer and definitely more private.... My fiance built it up- well....the bar on the beach is gone!!!! Gotta walk a LONG ways to get to a bar or bathroom if your on the beach! DINNER- no à la cartes except 2 (served food from the buffet)....The rooms are dated....no premium booze (additional charge). I'm celiac so there was little in the way of options. Entertainment is poor (usually a 20 yo hooked up to a karaoke machine), nothing more...was upsetting bc my fiance has been in past and talked about fire breathers and aquatic shows and michael jackson shows but now it's just a solo young person hooked up to a karaoke machine until 10pm then everything shuts down on resort. bonus- nice beach, staff pleasant. It's more of a resort for elderly bc there's really no entertainment, it is romantic but plan to go to bed early bc nothing is open past 10....

We found the resort amazing. The safe were awesome. The food was fantastic. Could not ask for a better time.

Not a 5-Star Hotel Anymore – Unfortunately Closer to 3 Stars Unfortunately, despite its beautiful rooms and what used to be a high level of service, this hotel can no longer be considered a true 5-star property. In many aspects it now feels closer to a solid 3-star resort. The most disappointing part is that many guests arrive expecting a luxury experience and end up overpaying for services that are simply not available. There is only one bar operating with a very limited selection of drinks. Coffee is technically available, but the bartender has to go to the kitchen to prepare it, which slows service and contributes to long lines. Another surprising issue is the lack of the usual drink service expected in hotels of this category. There is no regular drink service in the lobby or around the pool area. The buffet selection is also quite limited, and the hotel does not provide meaningful alternatives for food or drinks during the day. This situation is especially surprising because the hotel is still marketed and priced as a luxury 5-star resort. Guests naturally expect a certain standard of service, food variety, and bar availability when paying premium prices. At the moment, the overall experience unfortunately does not match those expectations. Because of these issues, it is difficult to rate this hotel even as a 4-star property at this time. I hope the hotel management will review these issues and clarify whether the current level of service truly reflects a 5-star standard, so that future guests can make informed decisions before booking. For travelers considering this hotel, it may be worth carefully reviewing the most recent guest feedback before making a reservation

We just returned from 7 days at this resort. We had researched it ahead of time (watched lots of YouTube videos), and it was exactly as we expected - in a very good way. Our room (Superior Oceanview with Balcony) was beautiful. We had requested "close to amenities" due to my wife's difficulty walking. It was 1st room from the lobby so very close, but it was next to the stairs, so a little noisy on the balcony. But we could hear the evening entertainment. There are quite a few stairs, but the elevator was just around the corner in the lobby so very easy to go down 1 level to the Buffet. We loved the food - the buffet had a great selection. Yes, it's not that huge, but it was fine for the # of rooms & people in the resort. We always found items we liked. The view from the tables is wonderful - there are a few stairs to go down, but the staff was willing to assist whenever needed. I'm going to miss my morning omelette made to order.... The staff are very friendly and attentive. We had 1 supper in Don Pablo's. The choice included in the "all-inclusive" was very limited (especially for those who don't eat shellfish), but we both had the Lamb Medallions, and they were nice. It was nice to have one evening where we were served at the table. The view from the restaurant was great - open air so the breeze was nice. You felt like you were eating "El Fresco" all the time. We did get a few showers (some downpours), but we didn't have to worry about it. I loved the beach. We had a few days with a red flag, but some with a yellow flag later in the week. The sand is great - no pebbles or rocks. I was always able to find a spot in the shade Yes, there are stairs down to the beach, but they weren't bad. . My wife didn't try going down them, but she enjoyed the pool deck - she was able to find a lounger in the shade. We'd love to go back again next year. I hope becoming part of the Hyatt chain won't change things too much. If you want a great escape at a smaller, more laidback resort, this is the one to pick.

Grand Samana is a lovely adult only resort with amazing ocean and garden views, excellent service and just the right amount of activity. The staff are extremely pleasant and accommodating, the whole site is very clean and well kept and the food is good and abundant. For the second year in a row, we had a super, relaxing time and will be back again!