South East Travel - Steinbach, Manitoba

Samana, Dominican Republic

Report by Ella Giesbrecht


We departed Winnipeg the 15th of October 2007 for an over night stay in Toronto. My overnight stay was at the Sandman Hotel, very nice, brand new, clean hotel close to the airport with a free shuttle bus. Unfortunately, I did not stay long enough to enjoy the pool, but really enjoyed my short stay there.

Gran Bahia Principe El Portillo: Impressive public spaces 3 Story Villas The Spa/Hot Tub area	On October 16 we arrived in Samana. Our flight to Samana was smooth. After everyone got off the plane, we drove with 4 Buses to the The Gran Bahia Principe El Portilloa Hotel were we did our first inspection. This is a 24-hour all-inclusive resort that has 462 rooms in the form of three-floor villas around the property, as well as a slew of amenities ranging from a fitness center to an entertainment village. While the Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado focuses on seclusion and privacy, the El Portillo is more social. Any room on the property is only two minutes away from the social hubs of the beach, bar or restaurant.

Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado On October 17 we went to see the Bahia Prinicpe Hotel which was a 45 Minute Drive from the Amsah Marina Hotel. Samana’s resorts have all the amenities of four and five star all-inclusives while retaining their natural surroundings. On an island all its own ia the Gran Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado. A 5-plus star resort, it’s a great hotel if you’re looking to get away from everything.	The resort as a whole lends itself to honeymooners. The spa is designed with rooms and treatments for two. The salon provides hair, make-up and manicure/pedicure services for brides-to-be. Aside from the turquoise shoreline, the base of the island houses one of the resort’s two beautiful pools. Close by is a social/games lounge. Also hugging the shoreline are eight beach villas, each with their own small porch and ocean-facing Jacuzzi. Further up the island are 81 junior suites and 106 superior junior suites, the latter having the added advantage of spectacular balcony views overlooking the water. All suites are equipped with a king size bed and living area. A wall-to-wall window separates the bathroom from the bedroom, ideal for the romantically inclined.