Gran Bahia Principe Ambar

Date: 11/02/2009

Name of Resort: Gran Bahia Principe Ambar

Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Agent Reporting: Carolyn Young

The Gran Bahia Principe Ambar, Don Pablo Collection is a wonderful “adults only “ addition to the Gran Bahia Principe Complex. In addition to its beautifully clean grounds and landscaping the entire experience is one that I would love to experience again. The service, food, drink, the pools, beach and the staff were excellent!

Rooms: The Ambar, part of the Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana’s complex provides 528 junior suites with hydro massage tubs in addition to separate jet showers. The junior suites are placed in 3 story villas nestled among some of the most beautifully manicured landscapes I have visited.

Each suite include the following:
• A king “pillow-top” bed or 2 full sized bed
• A sofa-bed
• Air conditioning and ceiling fan
• Full bathroom that includes scales, magnifying vanity mirrow and hairdryer
• Full stocked tray of toiletries
• Alarm clock
• Coffee maker and all of the coffee, creamers, and sweeteners that one might need.
• A mini-bar stocked daily, even includes chips
• Plasma TV with satellite access
• Private safe at no charge
• Pillow menu – Your butler will contact you and provide a different one every evening if you like
• A direct line telephone
• A balcony or terrace

The butler service was phenomenal! They escort you to your room when you check in and explain all of their complimentary services. They will draw a beautifully romantic candle-lit bubble bath every evening if you like. Just ask.

Beach: The beach of course is the highly reviewed flat Bavaro Beach with sand that resembles light brown sugar. There are lots of seating areas and it seems more spacious than some of the other resorts up and down the coast and very clean.

Pool: The pool was large and well laid out. The pool bar, Los Corales was quite busy and provided great service to the guests lounging in this area. The terraced area provided both sun and shade and there were ample pool loungers and wooden sun beds. The vegetation bordering the pool area was very well manicured and many of the plantings were unique and visually surprising.

Food: The following were available to us within the Ambar area:

• Palmyra – International Buffet – serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Don Pablo – Gourmet Restaurant – air-conditioned - a’ la carte
• Portofino – Italian Restaurant – air-conditioned - a’ la carte
• El Olivo – Mediterranean Restaurant – air-conditioned - a’ la carte

Note: Men are required to wear long pants and a collared shirt for dinner. In addition no smoking is permitted in any of the restaurants

• Snack Bar – drinks and snacks are served till midnight
• Room service is available also – 10 am until 6 am

Drinks: The following bars are available in the Ambar area:
• Daiquiri Foyer Bar
• Coiba Lounge Bar
• Arrecife Beach Bar
• La Caracola Snack Bar

As a part of the Gran Bahia Principe Complex, guests also have access to the all of the other facilities. This includes:
• 5 swimming pools
• 8 restaurants
• 10 bars
• 2 snack bars
• 2 lobby bars
• 4 wet bars

Service/Staff: Because we stayed at the Ambar for 7 nights we observed many of the employees as they worked. They were friendly and seemed to be working efficiently. Everyone was extremely efficient and we encountered no problems with service. We were very pleased with every staff member we encountered.

Activities: The Ambar offered the wide gamut of activities that are generally available in most all-inclusives. To list a few activities provided: Tennis, volleyball, football, aerobics, games on the beach and swimming pool, water polo and stretching. In addition they had nightly evening entertainment, a disco and a casino in the Palladium complex.

Free WIFI is available in the reception areas of the Ambar. I loved this feature!

Especially enjoyable is the Pubelo Principe , a Caribbean-stype shopping and leisure center located at the entrance of the complex. Some of the activities included are:
• Live music – Merengue, Bachata and Salsa
• Daily animation – shows
• Disco
• Piano-bar
• Karaoke
• Sports bar
• Shops selling: handicrafts, clothes, gifts, music photography and jewelry.

For guests who want to experience the culture of the Dominican Republic there are opportunities to arrange either private excursions or group excursions.

The Bahia spa offers pampering of your body and they also provide beauty treatments and services. These services will incur an additional charge.

Overall:

The Gran Bahia Principe Ambar – Don Pablo Collection, is a very nice addition to the Gran Bahia Principe complex. Its appeal is the “adults only” designation. It seems they have thought of everything to provide a very restful and relaxing vacation. The Ambar’s wonderful butler service was a very lovely experience. I highly recommend this resort!

You may look at photos of this resort on my personal webpage www.goaway2getaway.com