Bahia Principe Escape Ambar

Location: perfect Atmosphere: fantastic, more to do with the company we kept and some other guests Room: Upon arrival there was a hard push to upgrade. However turned out our room Wasn’t ready and we were told if you aren’t happy, then change the next day to a different room, which we did. Room was fine once moved. Nice clean, spacious and the maids do a Stirling job. Value: poor, this is not a five star resort. 3 at best. 10 nights we stayed and we didn’t have a hot meal once, not in the buffet or à la cartes. Meat: stone cold, terrible service Hindu Thali: warm, service ok Portofino : cancelled because of how many guests warned us against it Olivio: lovely and service was amazing Rodizio: walked in and walked out. The worst service and absolutely filthy Limbo: we only went to the bar and is amazing. Buffet: breakfast good, dinner terrible all the food was cold. USA themed night was the absolute worst. I took a chicken burger back to the station and told him the food was cold. The server pointed to a microwave where another guest was heating up the food! Terrible. The table service is good though. Overall less than poor food, ok service at times, beach is gorgeous, pool is good. I would not come back and I will not recommend. I spoke to numerous members of staff about the standards and I warned against microwaving food. They are not interested in the slightest to improve the experience!

As usual, I’ll just run through my pros & cons. But I will start by saying I had originally booked this trip at Aquamarine and switched because of my previous experience at the Ambar. Not convinced the extra money was worth it. **Pros: -location is still amazing, weather was fantastic. -beach walks are perfect, and worth taking in every day. -coffee in the room was quite good, and our fridge was always STOCKED with everything, although we are good tippers for both the fridge and room. -easy to navigate, although this isn’t my first trip here so I do have a slight advantage -plenty of washrooms, and always clean throughout the entire complex **Cons: -Food at restaurants weren’t even close to our last trip. There was a few exceptions, with nice presentations and ok food, but certainly nothing like the last trip. I’ll post a pic, first Italian was great, Brazilian was also pretty good. Everything else was ok, but the buffet was better. -The app is not great, and restaurants book up fast, even with the 10 day window they allow to book. You will find yourself frustrated, and your travel agent will tell you it’s quite common. -I sent multiple emails and calls to the hotel weeks in advance asking to be as close to the beach as possible at the Ambar. We got placed to 66303…furthest. Try calling the numbers provided and you get redirected, and never get where you need to be. It’s quite frustrating when you’re spending this much money. -Ambar area is now quite lame. It’s almost entirely seniors which is great for some, but try finding people for volleyball or folks to dance in the evening, or just to mingle if you’re under 55. -Bars are slow throughout and understaffed. -Ambar is supposed to be where you can book and enjoy all the facilities (excluding legend). So much fun having waitresses at the Aquamarine sitting you at a table, letting you get your food, then telling you it’s not part of what you signed up for. So yes, you literally leave the food and walk out. -Extra $$ for things like bottles of beer and things out on the bars around site. Big pales of beer and ice, then when you pick one up it’s a paper trail nonsense that gets charged back to your room. Ridiculous in my opinion. -cigars are insanely expensive here, although quite good -Checkout was pathetic. No representatives for our agency (Air Canada) and we got sent in circles between three lobbies for hours. It was almost comical. -Pools at all places seem average, few entertainment staff for a short period then just lounging. So, that’s my take on the place. We did enjoy our stay, but we will look at alternatives for the next trip to Punta Cana as this fall quite short of the previous trip.

I have been to this resort several times and since the World of Hyatt have taken over what a disappointment. This is no longer luxury which how it was sold to us at the very best it’s now a 3 star plus. The service as a whole is still good in the restaurant Pymrya and around the pool. The al a cart restaurants are poor in service and food. The rooms need an up date. The restocking of the mini fridge is hit and miss. The cleanliness is not up to standard. I write this as an honest review from the sun lounger as I am still here. Very disappointing Honeymoon. Would not revisit while Hyatt have it.

We have been here many times and are here now. The grounds, beach and pool area are lovely. However the rooms need to be renovated this is the first time we have had no problems, normally air con, either all hot or all cold water, toilet no flushing, TV is poor not many English channels. The food is good however MEAT used to offer a prime rib steak that is no longer available they now have New York strip which isn't so good. Portofino was a let down this time the starter came out quick then we waited an hour for a pizza which wasn't cooked on the base so we left and cancelled our other reservations. There area that needs better service is housekeeping they need a vacuum for the floor but they just wash it with a mop and all it does is spread the dirt round it doesn't clean the floor. There is no deep clean anywhere. They have not cleaned the coffee area since we got there. The coffee machine is dirty never been cleaned. The sink in the bathroom is very flat the stopper does not work so when you fill it up it just lets the water out. So I think lots of areas could be improved and maintained better. November -March is the best time to come to avoid the sargassum seaweed problem if you like the beach don't come any other months. I don't agree that reception staff don't speak English we never have any problems.

Can someone compare this resort with say a Riu sort in Cancun mexico...... better or worse or same level. THANKS