TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

My first solo trip over christmas and I've had a fab time! Resort was stunning, clean, food amazing with lots of choice and all the staff were super friendly. Big shout out to the entertainment team...100% every single day!! I stayed in the junior suite which was huge!! Daily housekeeping to a high standard and mini fridge also topped up daily. If I had to be picky, I'd have to point out that although the rainfall shower was lovely, it took a very long time to warm up. I can't wait to go back!

Terrible experience overall. Starting with the room, the bathroom door was faulty and wouldn’t close properly, which caused me to get stuck inside multiple times. At one point, at 5 AM, I was forced to use the lobby restroom because my bathroom door wouldn’t open at all, which was incredibly inconvenient and frustrating. The room service was equally terrible. I needed water to take medication and called for assistance. They promised to deliver it in five minutes, but no one showed up even after 20 minutes. When I tried calling back, they stopped answering entirely despite my repeated attempts, calling them 5–6 times. The sense of discrimination was disheartening. At the small bar stall near the main lobby, the attendant was rude and dismissive towards us. It was clear that she treated other guests, especially Caucasians, with much more politeness. Her attitude made us feel unwelcome, as if serving us was an inconvenience to her. The reception staff made the experience worse. I requested a room change due to the bathroom issue but was ignored for two days. When they finally agreed to help, they delayed further by telling me to come back after 3 PM. While the issue was eventually resolved, the lack of urgency and care was unacceptable. The currency exchange experience was nothing short of dishonest. The posted rate was 37 pesos per CAD, but the staff initially gave me a rate of 30, then 35, and finally claimed they couldn’t offer the correct rate due to a "shortage of pesos." Even though 37 was clearly posted, I was still shortchanged with a lower rate. To top it all off, there was no running water in the washroom for 4–5 hours, forcing us to use bottled water for bathing. I would strongly recommend avoiding this destination. Consider Europe or the Maldives, where you’re more likely to receive better service and value for your money.

Beautiful resort, Staff are very friendly, food was excellent & very well maintained. Nice sandy beach , with lots of chairs at the beach & pool. Rooms are great. We received amazing services from Melvin, The Privilege Club Concierge and Yokaira, we also received exceptional services from the bar waitress Isabel and Molen from the beach bar. The only downside, ocean water is not clear.

There are goods and unfortunately bads with the hotel. We paid for a 5* superior junior suite so we had certain expectations including a hot shower. On atribal we even paid a further £340 to upgrade to black bands that would allow the use of the Bougainville facilities. After a 9 hour flight plus the transfers etc all you want is a hot shower to freshen up, not to be I’m afraid. I immediately contacted customer service thinking it may just be a problem that could be fixed easily, unfortunately that wasn’t the case. We were told for 4 days this was an acceptable temperature until I involved TUI and the rep agreed it wasn’t acceptable. The to and fro for the first 6 days put a bit of a dark cloud over the holiday and we feel we couldn’t enjoy it. We were given a room at the Bougainville as a gesture of good will (although if you book that it’s only £330 more expensive so I suppose I overpaid upgrading bands!) but at last we had hot water and it was great. The room was lovely, however the air con was poor (we didn’t complain as felt we had lost enough holiday time prior) but, overall it was a much nicer more comfortable experience and place to be. Plenty of eating choices, don’t be surprised when you can’t book into Al-a-carte as the hotels are massive and restaurants can’t cope with the volume. Like I say a nice hotel but needs some $$$ spent on the plumbing, rooms etc and only then you could say it’s a 5*. At time of writing I’d say a low 4* to a very high 3*. If booking please note that the sea is very dark/sandy and absolutely no chance of snorkelling. I believe the river is to blame so don’t expect Caribbean aqua sea. I’m not sure if I would re book unless I knew there had been an extensive refurbishment of the interiors. I feel a little deflated knowing I paid £340 extra on top of the holiday price but we live and learn. (Photos show temperature at shower) The gardens are stunning and well cared for

Positives:- Very clean complex Both the main restaurant and the beach restaurant serve a wide variety of food and different selection every day. Staff very good and accommodating Generous alcohol measures Entertainment team around pool Fantastic with lots of activities and great kids club Very large bedroom suites quick check in and check out Own phone app which makes extras on the complex easy to book. Pool is very big Plenty of sun loungers on beach and around pool Housekeeping very good Negatives:- Lobby shop VERY expensive Location is very far from anywhere so unless booking excursions there is only the beach to go for a walk and the only minimarket not at the hotel costs $15 for a return taxi although they will wait up to an hour for you but wouldn't need anywhere near that amount of time. Sea water not clear but that is not hotels fault Spanish speaking guest served quicker at bars Evening entertainment poor Expensive cost for Spa services Air con in room VERY noisy and would just cut out at times Bedrooms need furniture modernising Mini bar in room was not working correctly and was frozen over inside Electricity would just cut out randomly however it would get fixed very quickly Didn't go to the casino or nightclub so cant comment on those. Its such a pity as overall its a pretty good Hotel but mainly due to its location and proximity to places, the quality of the sea water and need of modernising I wouldn't come back to this hotel but would definitely stay at a Bahia Principe hotel again.