Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo

The Bahía Príncipe Grand El Portillo is located on the incredible Samaná peninsula, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, very close to the fun town of Las Terrenas, right on El Portillo beach and 90 minutes from Samaná-El Catey airport. Your beach vacation awaits you.

Located in the Samana Peninsula, where the beaches are known to be among the best in the D.R., the beach at the Gran Bahia does not disappoint. The beach is huge and rife with blue lounge chairs -- for watching waves, building sandcastles,  napping and reading. Many visitors find the beach to be among the best in the Caribbean -- you can walk for miles on soft sand beside perfectly clear water. Guests also seem extremely pleased with the beach's cleanliness and chair surplus.

All of the rooms are in detached one- and two-story structures strewn all about the property. The suites, called "villas" by the staff, are closest to the beach, although select standard rooms are still near the sand. Groups of standard rooms line the road leading from reception to the main entrance.

The Junior Suites are extremely roomy. Light pink tiles and heavy balcony drapes keep the room cool (even without air conditioning). But the best features are in the bathroom. Namely, the Jacuzzi tub. The powerful Jacuzzi is an enormous asset, as are sweet-smelling bath products separate shower and bathroom stalls, marble floors, and plentiful towels. Even the soap smells like strawberry candy.

All suites come with a balcony that, by itself, is nothing to write home about – just a narrow strip with a plastic table and chairs.

All beds are extremely comfortable. And, unlike in most of the D.R., the blankets are heavy enough to combat the strong A.C. In-room electronics include a 21-inch Philips TV, a small black clock radio, and a Hamilton Beach coffee maker, as well as a safe (which is charged for use) and a minibar.