Grand Paradise Samana

Hello everyone (warning this post is VERY long but it raises all the questions that a traveler arises before leaving READ!), We stayed at the Grand Paradise Samana from 16 to 23 April. For my part, it was officially my first trip south, my first independent trip and my first trip as a couple. The optics of our trip was simple: adventure, exoticism, tranquility and rest were the words that we want to implement our 'trip' and we were not disappointed! I will try to describe what I experienced there being as clear as possible. Traveling AND SITE: He advised that we traveled with Sunwing from Montreal we went to Punta Cana after 3:30 flight to wait (and out of the plane ..) nearly thirty minutes useless, we are back on board to turn back for a further 1 hour attérir in Puerto Plata and THERE take a 'bus' for about 4 hours (we sum up at 4:45 am and we got there around 8:30 p.m. .. .). I was aware of these details, and we did not give much importance because we knew the place was declined as it was low season and we might be very quiet on the golden beaches : Bingo! The site is enchanting smells of flowers and greenery with you wherever you are!, The site is small it looks like a small village of travelers. We chose to stay in a small bungalow (3118 *** room), we were using the pool close to the buffet (especially in the morning practice), next to the pool bar (perfect for lengthening the evening on our terrace with an espresso / amereto Jose!) and right next to the beach, what more? RESTAURANTS - BUFFET AND RESTAURANT A LA CARTE: Several were mentioned in the comments Trips Advisor among others that the food was of poor quality, some had been sick etc ... You should know that we are VERY focused on the food, we love to eat, to cook, good wine, we are demanding when the quality of products. On the other hand, we leave our comfort to know something else, and again, we were delighted! I found EXCELLENT buffet every night we are offered the braised meat and carnivore I was not disappointed, the accompaniment are sometimes bland but the salad bar is always fresh adding oil sesame some hot sauce and voila! The lunched are a bit flat, being myself lunched little fan in general .. (The pancakes made on site are good, are hard and little pancake tasty, the scrambled eggs are too spongy for my taste so I mostly launched in FRUIT enjoy it because upon your return home the fruits of your grocer never taste as good .. Do not be afraid to put ice in your beverage and serve you water from pitchers is very good. Wine and beer are of poor quality but is it really a tragedy? was lucky enough to spend the duty-free just to make lots of good wine, that's what we did and it cost $ 30.00 really not so bad! The restaurant of the beach is okay I recommend the chicken is grilled to perfection and I encourage you to try the dishes that seem more local / typical is definitely a must, frying fat and very little for me with the heat we had. .. The a la carte restaurant now, they told me good feedback on the Italian but my dish was really bad that my boyfriend was good, the pasta prioritize simplicity is the best option. The steakhouse was okay too but again, if we do not like the dish that brings us one is damn, no way to have better BEACH:. definitely the main attraction of the place The place is preserved with almost any secret! its vegetation, horses furrowed freedoms around the territory, the beach is in a sort of bay and beautiful walks are to course! I also found the nice little traffic from the beach we were never more than 30-50 persons, when the sun reached its zenith, strangely, everyone disappeared (heat maybe good for us: D)! The natural appearance of the beach is something that I really appreciated, you could enjoy at all hours of the palm trees, water and SUPER hot on the flanks find some coral / rocks I encourage you to go snorkeling is free and frankly, was one of my favorite activities! Yes that says says natural algae (just on the edge of the beach or on the sand, there is not really in the crystal clear water), for me it is obvious but some people seem to find it terrible ... ** Little more also our last night we played the explorer on the site and have seen a frog, turtles (as in the day, however), ducks and reptiles that you can not see the day it was fun to do VILLAGE:.. Accessible from the beach of the hotel, the village is just 10-15 minutes from the hotel people are courteous but we still feel that it is a 'game' I bought some jewelry and products and I am glad but the village does not deserve so much attention, an afternoon that is enough in my opinion . If you speak Spanish is a BIG Plus! people are unsettled to see that you understand and bargaining is easier or faster is by the seller ;). EXCURSIONS: We took a package tour with our Sunwing representative of the hotel: Jeep Safari to $ 94.00 per person and we were very satisfied. The day was full of adventure and sooooo charge! We start with a tour bus and has to go far to drop other person doing another activity (it takes at least an hour ..), then we will see a cigar, it starts and will be the horse to reach the falls, shipping is still quite long and we are given a bottle of water per person then I recommend you bring snacks and extra water you never know how our body and our energy will operate. There was with us a family with three children, two girls, this step seems to be VERY difficult for the father who had to go down and up the mountain with the smallest in his arms, that's a downside for me for the hotel representative because it could be dangerous .. The splendor of the activity has exceeded my expectations, guides us during the tour were real silk, despite my fear of horses I would do it again without hesitation! I invite you to be as generous with your guides, you do not have water and do all the walking tours is very demanding, it is at your discretion but good! Then we had a small buffet, we are left in the Dominican countryside to discover different aspects of farm life and it was very good too. SPEND YOUR IN FOR edible I PRODUCTS YOU SAID TO PREMISES ARE UNBEATABLE IN OUR PRODUCTS! I did not and I bitterly regret now: P! Smaller, the tour guide was amazing, a true polyglot accommodating travelers with explanations in Spanish, French and English from one to another with ease, his knowledge of Samana are rich he knows a lot c 'was really interesting! We decided to take a tour with a Wilson (met en route to the village), the trip to the National Park and an island as it was saving about $ 60.00 for all, why could not that happen to us? All ..! First we take a local 'taxi' to go to Samana, we are arriving late after an hour and a half of transport. Once we learn that another group canceled and then asked us to leave .. Uh WHAT? We had dealer with little courteous men (6 for two travelers is intimidating AND stressful!), Luckily my boyfriend speaks Spanish and a little after ONE HOUR of tense discussions we finally just left. We assigned a boat and our driver Chico Spanish who speak only Spanish. 45 minutes later we are in the National Park, can not fault the place is peaceful and Chico, although few words, does a very good job. We leave for LA famous island for which we fought because we were asked to pay $ 60.00 $ -100.00 more to go because of the 'essence' (pfff..), In addition to the meals we now had to pay arf! The sea was repeated but this time the waters are raging .. We fought at sea for about 1:30 against the current and we faced a very severe storm. Chico to keep his cool (Thank God!) And we finally reached the island completely soaked (I had to throw my clothes, but that's a detail). During a meal, made by the lovely woman Chico, the time is again gray and rain accompanied us during the sum TWO HOURS we stayed there, nobody could do nothing, but what a disappointment when same! We strolled on the beach sum activity was still fun but ultimately the most grueling day. On our return Chico was responsible for us called a Wawa (comparable transit), it is in the quiet and the locals we returned to Las Galeras, we clashed, people were surprised see us as curious (a little girl watched with curiosity my boyfriend, a big white beard is awesome haha!), a beautiful day I still do not regret it but I not advise! ;) TO KNOW: - We have moved our bank in the airport, DO NOT, it offers a 35% rate while the hotel and the city has 40%. Also, ask a lot of MONEY, on the site is one you have to make changes and it's annoying for tips, at least U.S. $ 25.00 to $ 1 practice will believe me! - For two people, we used two bottles of sunscreen 35% and we had sunburn anyway! Crémez you every hour or two is an advice. - Before leaving, plan snacks and water for 4 hours by bus! - The nights are sometimes a little fresh wool is welcome. - Take the time to equip yourself, mask, snorkel and water shoes (watch out for sea urchins) for apnea so worth it for free on the site and it is truly unforgettable! - Make purchases in the village it is you will find beautiful things, but this tour is another thing, be vigilant ... - Learn rudimentary sentences in Spanish, the staff will recognize you more easily and instantly love you I will tell you! - Even if we have not been necessary, equip yourself with a small first aid kit, aloe, Tylenol drug against nausea / indigestion / stomachache you never know! I hope that my testimony is quite comprehensive and it will encourage you to choose this destination worth to be chosen! : D

- The staff and especially JOSE cocktails and luxury! - The enchanting and magniiifique beach! - The excursions with the hotel and their guides. - Buffet.

- The a la carte restaurants, for me it was not a winner. - Wilson and excursions bailing wire ..

It is truly a piece of paradise! It is certe not fancy, but it is a great place to relax and have a good time! Beautiful scenery, excellent food, we do not feel a mega resort, this is much more user friendly! For cons, the rumor that the place was bought by the chain Bahia Principe and they shave all this summer to build a mega-complex Bahia Principe ...

staff very courteous and nice ...

lots of rain, lots of seaweed beach with many water hole. journey to get to Samana .... 4 hours drive from puerto plata ... very long drive very fast big gap ... warn people that there is a 4 hour drive ... more .. bibites inconceivable in the ground floor room ... not this hotel is not a 4 star .. at most a 3 star ..

Very nice place

The food is good and the rooms very well entrenus

The Republicans lack of savoir vivre and they are very tiring with their things for sale

Food not much variety and not very good except the pasta, french fries and chicken.

The beach is not worse in some places but lots of seaweed.

Difficulties with air conditioning, safe. They just bring us towels at 11 o'clock at night when we sleep. We (we were 8) it is not large brasseux but we like a drink that evening. The bar closes at 11 o'clock and the music in the bar stops about 9-10 hours. Say, they manage to do that day too late. We were all disappointed with our trip. If you go to bed early is the ideal place. Very quiet. There are many French, they are not unpleasant, but it seems that there is not much room for others. Swim in the pool in the end of French and you will be told by them that it is their pool, yet nothing indicates. With Sunwing, you will receive a "special dinner" but that's exactly the same thing as buffet. No effort is on this side. No person in our group has enjoyed the trip. In addition, it is in the mountains, it is often cloudy with rain. Even chilly. Not much tanned this year!

What a beautiful paradise, so we enjoyed this hotel! The hotel is very clean well maintained. Friendly and courteous staff, beautiful animation team. The buffet was very good. A beautiful beach. We enjoyed the small village of Las Galeras about 10 minutes from the hotel where we found several stores to purchase our memories of the people very friendly. We enjoyed our stay.

Beautiful beach, Las Galeras, smiling staff, well maintained hotel.