Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana
Gran Bahia Principe resorts explained
click resort map to enlarge or download
Gran Bahia Principe is 40-50 minutes drive from Punta Cana airport.
The resort complex consists of 4 resorts:
- Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro
- Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana
- Gran Bahia Principe Ambar (adults only)
- Gran Bahia Principe Esmerelda
For location see Map 3
The difference between GBP Bavaro & GBP Punta Cana:
The GBP Bavaro & GBP Punta Cana resorts are basically mirror images of each other but with different upgrade options. The Bavaro resort contains 1286 rooms and the Punta Cana resort contains 780 rooms.
Each has their own lobby, lobby bar, buffet, and gourmet a la cartes.
GBP Bavaro guests can also use the bars and restaurants at GBP Punta Cana (except the main buffet on the Punta Cana side).
On the Bavaro side you can upgrade to Club Diamond (also known as Club Hacienda) – it’s rooms are centrally located, it has a private Club Diamond/Hacienda pool with swim up bar and guests have the exclusive use of the Il Capriccio a la carte for breakfast and lunch. Room service is not available. Other perks: exclusive reception – private check in – welcome cocktail – free internet (15 minutes per day in the club house) – international newspaper – exclusive concierge – four dinners in speciality restaurants (reservation required) – Express services – amenities VIP in the room – coffee shop – pool and bar relax – towel services in the room for use at the pool and beach.
Club Premier (also an upgrade for the GBP Bavaro section) – The rooms are furthest from the beach (but in a quiet area) and conveniently located across the road from Pueblo Principe. Private pool with swim up bar, own lobby and bar, buffet restaurant and snack bar. Club Premier guests can also use the bars and restaurants in the GBP Bavaro section (except the buffet). Club Premier guests can also use the bars and restaurants in the GBP Punta Cana section (except the buffet).
GBP Punta Cana guests can also use the bars and restaurants at GBP Bávaro (except the main buffet on the Bavaro side).
On the Punta Cana side you can upgrade to Club Golden – rooms closest to the beach, 24 hour room service. No private pool. Exclusive Reception – private check in – welcome cocktail – free internet (15 minutes per day in the club house) – international newspaper – four a la carte dinners (reservation required) – Express services – amenities VIP in the room – towel services in the room for use at the pool and beach.
GBP Ambar (adults only 18 years and over)
GBP Ambar guests can use all the facilities of the GBP Bávaro and GBP Punta Cana (except buffets, gourmet restaurant and exclusive club areas).
GBP Ambar has 2 rooms designed for disabled guests. All the rooms are close to the beach.
GBP Ambar has it’s own private beach in front of the pool. The Dominican Republic’s beaches are all public, so the private area does not extend to the ocean edge, but for a 100-200 feet in front of the pool. This is the only GBP resort that has a private beach front area. Since the Ambar is at the north end of the property the beach is much quieter than the center part of the resort.
The majority of the entertainment and shows are within the shared Pueblo Principe area. Light entertainment is provided exclusively for Ambar guests in their lobby bar.
Note: For transfers to and from the airport and to meet excursion transportation Ambar guests must take the tram to the Bahia Principe Bavaro lobby as there is no vehicle road leading to the Ambar lobby.
GBP Esmerelda
GBP Esmerelda guests can use all the facilities (except buffets, gourmet restaurant and exclusive club areas) of the GBP Bávaro, GBP Punta Cana and GBP Ambar (must be 18 years of age to visit the Ambar).
This resort offers the same top end services as the adults only Ambar, but for families.
All of the rooms are basically the same as the Ambar but with a slightly different washroom layout (all washrooms are self contained). All the rooms are close to the beach.
Since the Esmerelda is at the south end of the property the beach is much quieter than the center part of the resort.
Upgrade rates:
April 2011 – The prices are subject to change and upgrades are subject to availability. Guests can request for upgrade upon arrival at the front desk.
Gran Bahia Principe Esmeralda: US$35 per person per night / kids US$18 per kid per day
Gran Bahia Principe Ambar: US$35 per person per night
Club Golden: US$20 per person per night / kids US$10 per kid per day
Club Diamond: US$15 per person per night / kids US$8 per kid per day
Shared facilites:
The majority of the entertainment and shows are within the shared Pueblo Principe area.
Pueblo Principe is a large shopping and entertainment area at the top end of the resort complex for all to share – loads of local vendors, clothing, gift and jewellery shops along with a casino (not owned by the resort so drinks are extra cost here), disco, sports bar and karaoke along with outdoor entertainment each evening – this is additional to the nightly shows put on next to the lobby of the GBP Bavaro/GBP Punta Cana resorts called the Tropicana.
The whole Gran Bahia Principe resort complex is very large, but one that is very easy to get around primarily due to the very efficient tram service that runs throughout the complex from 5:30am to 3:00am.
Beach and water conditions:
Beach: Arena Gorda
Sand colour: sandy coloured ie. not pure white
Snorkeling & water conditions: very few fish to see. Walk to the left of the resort in front of Majestic Colonial – follow the swim zone rope to where it gets deeper to see fish there. The sea at the GBP complex is generally calm with a small shorebreak. Most waves are wind driven. No strong currents or undertow.
Golf:
The nearest golf course is Punta Blanca Golf Course which is right next door to the resort’s main entrance.
For more info on all of Punta Cana’s golf courses see www.puntacanagolf.net
Gran Bahia Principe website www.bahia-principe.com/BP/destino/PUJ
PuntaCanaTV would like to thank Albania Batista (sales and services – and probably the most efficient and pro-active resort employee in Punta Cana!!) at Gran Bahia Principe Resort for her assistance in gathering this information. And we’d also like to thank regular Gran Bahia Principe guest Brooklin (John) for his invaluable GBP posts on Trip Advisor, without which this information would not be possible!
Related posts:
Hola
My husband and I with 6 of our friends will be arriving on Feb 6 2011 and staying in the Premier Club, my question is this will be our 3rd time at a Bahia Principe resort ( BPSJ Feb 2007 and BPSJ Feb 2011) and our our friends 2nd time, what kind of upgrade are we allowed to have as returning guest?
Thank you
I look forward to your reply
Lynn MacEwan
Contact Senora Albania Batista (Sales & Services at GBP resorts). She is incredibly helpful and will be able to assist you further.
Email: asistenteventasbppuj@bahia-principe.com
Tel: 809 552 1444 Ext:13249
Fax: 809 468 4327
Have a fantastic holiday in Punta Cana!
Thank you so very mcuh