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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE La Romana, Dominican RepublicGran Bahia Principe La RomanaFebruary 1, 2008 -- We just returned from a relaxing week at this lovely 5 Apple resort in the Dominican Republic midway between Santa Domingo and Punta Cana. The Gran Bahia was a take over property now just 3 months under the Bahia Principe Clubs and Resorts chain out of Spain and it is one of 7 resorts the chain now owns. We found the resort grounds to be beautifully groomed, the rooms, Jr. suites, spacious and newly decorated bathrooms. All of the rooms in the hotel are the same in two level, walk up units and all units have an enclosed deck. Four of the buildings have an ocean or partial ocean view, three have a pool view and the rest have lovely garden views. There is really not a bad room in the resort. And all rooms have a mini refrigerator stocked daily with water, soda and beer, an iron and ironing board, coffee/tea maker, hair dryer and a nice sized safe (daily charge for the key). There are 4 restaurants, two snack restaurants and 5 bars, the International buffet, Italian, Seafood and Gourmet al a carte. We tried the Italian, which was not bad although I've never had veal grilled like London broil before. It was tasty though. Then we tried the Gourmet, a figuring the beef would be somewhat like the veal I had the prawns in garlic sauce with brown rice. That was very good although not gourmet by European or American standards. They did try hard though and although the service staff was green "new", the service throughout the property could not be faulted. They were both pleasant and accommodating. There are two room levels to the Gran Bahia, the standard resort level and the Golden club level. You pay more for the Golden club and receive the same accommodations but a few more amenities. At the Golden level you have a golden club lounge where you have your check in rather than the front desk. You are entitled to use one of their two computers with free internet access. And you can make reservations at 4 of the al a cart restaurants during a 7 night stay as oppose to three for the standard resort level. And you have concierge service. We did find that the resorts website does not give adequate information regarding internet access however because we did fine when we arrived that if you have a laptop with wifi there is wifi service in the lobby of the hotel just outside the Golden Club lounge entrance. The hotel has a lovely pool complete with swim up bar and lots of palapas. They are also around the children's pool and the Jacuzzi. The beach is also lined with palapas and palms so there is plenty of shade for the fair of skin. The beach is in a wide cove and a river empties into it so the water does not have the appearance of the beautiful aqua blue associated with the Caribbean however I was told by a guest if you went out several yard off shore the color was blue and the water was clear to the bottom. I was also told there were many large stingrays swimming in the area just off shore. There is nightly entertainment, a casino and a disco for your evening pleasure. There is also a kids club and a spa. Given a few more months to work out a few of the wrinkles, we would recommend this resort for a quiet get away. The down side to the property is location. La Romana is the closest airport, about 1/2 hour followed by Santo Domingo, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours and Punta Cana, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. La Romana which may be a bit more costly to fly into would definitely be my first choice. Mary Ann Devery
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Last modified:
11/25/08
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