This is a real picture of the morning beach, taken straight from Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda Resort
Luxury Bahia Principe, Esmeralda
Don Pablo Collection
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
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Carr.El Macao - Arena Gorda. Punta Cana,
Provincia La Altagracia. Republica Dominicana
Punta Cana (PUJ)
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Rating: 5
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Our Rating: 5
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High seasons: December - March, July - August
Low seasons: April - June, September - December
What we liked
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Number of nooks
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Walking paths throughout the resort
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Walking paths throughout the beach line
No time share sales at any time
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Good quality Dominican coffee
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Sound proof walls in rooms
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Strong WIFI signal at the lobby
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What we didn't like
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Misleading schedule for exercise classes
Resort train runs on gas
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The Resort
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Luxury Bahia Principe, Esmeralda Don Pablo Collection Resort (it used to be called Gran Bahia Esmeralda) represents a great balance between price and quality, comfort and opportunities. Colonial, not screaming style, professional, not automated personal service, clean, but not sanitized greeneries, private areas without a separation rope, these are some of the descriptions we are using as a mirroring observation of our stay here.
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Territory at the Esmeralda Resort is vast enough to walk and explore possibilities around, which were numerous. One of the possibilities for us was to take a two wagon fully open mini train (in a style similar to a golf cart) from any destination throughout the resort, where you can see a train station sign, and arrive at the Main Lobby. By the way, the Main Lobby is in a way an international hub of all Bahia resorts located at Bavaro Beach. It is Bahia's Caribbean train station where people arrive and depart daily. It is always interesting there! This is also a place to book tours, walk around shops, visit the Amphitheater for an evening show, or take a walk on a path leading to other resorts. Regardless which of the Bahia resorts you are staying, transfers from the airport will bring you to the Main Lobby. After arrival you and your luggage are carefully transferred to another train and delivered to the resort you booked. Subsequently, on the day of arrival we were delivered to the Luxury Bahia Esmeralda lobby. And this is where another possibility of exploration was.
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A vibrant atmosphere at the lobby of Esmeralda Resort of newly arrived guests checking in, and tanned, fresh looking guests checking out, in a combination with guests passing the lobby or checking their phones in satin clothes and women having the beach-type hair style, created an uplifted mood right on the spot. Notably to us, all guests looked joyful and absolutely relaxed, respectfully keeping their voices down and rush at the minimum.
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Being more secluded among other Bahia Resorts and yet having an alive atmosphere, the resort attracts guests who prefer to be left alone, as well as to be away from a regular entertainment schedule presented in other all - inclusive resorts. Live music at the open air cafe near the lobby in the evening, and yoga, stretching and dance classes at the beach in the morning are the activities at Esmeralda Resort.
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Another possibility to explore in Esmeralda is a gastronomy. It is not about eat all you can, but to have choices to pick from and experiment daily with a diet according to the mood. This is also a therapy if we look at it from a point of determination and preferences. Vegetarians, vegans, people not tolerant to lactose will also find choices satisfying the diet accordingly. As a vegetarian myself, I responsibly confirm it.
Overall, the international atmosphere together with a balance between age groups staying here and plus the Caribbean mood that immediately immerses guests are what Esmeralda Resort is.
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Short note about Bahia Principe Resorts in Punta Cana:
Luxury Bahia Principe Fantasia, Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar Blue, Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar Green, Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda, Grand Bahia Principe Bavaro, Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana, Grand Bahia Principe Turquesa are all part of Bahia Resorts. What does it mean to you as a guest at Esmeralda Resort? They are all located next to each other! Guests from the Luxury Bahia Principe section have full access to all amenities in all resorts, except at Bahia Principe Fantasia, and guests from Grand Bahia section have access to all resorts at Grand Bahia collection (access also excludes Bahia Principe Fantasia).
The Rooms
Our room was lightly decorated, spacious, clean, well - maintained and comfortable. All suites in Esmeralda are similar in size, quality and features. The only difference is the type of bed. It is either 2 full - size canopy beds or 1 king - size canopy bed. It means no upgrades for rooms and/or additional unexpected charges at any time.
The suite contained a sofa with two chairs and a table. Remarkably thoughtfully located air conditioner and a fan made the air in the room flow pleasantly without a freezing effect from the air conditioner. Since this is a tropical country with a tropical climate the humidity in the room was sensible. But the ocean breeze refreshes the air and makes it flow gradually.
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We stayed on the first floor at the building closest to the lobby. Our room was two doors down from the entrance to the villa. As mentioned before the size of the resort and the space between our villa and the lobby (which was another walking time and a coffee station on the way) allowed us to feel an absolute quietness at all times. Our balcony faced the garden. Part of the Riu Palace Hotel was visible, but reasonably distant. We did not feel we are facing the building, instead had more privacy on the balcony.
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The room had three European sockets located in the bathroom, near the sofa and the bed. The power is 110 V. The mini bar had varieties of soft drinks including Pepsi, Mirinda, 7Up, mineral and regular water, beer and small bottles of hard liquor. Packs of juice, regular milk and chocolate milk were in the mini fridge as well.
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The bathroom had two sections. One is a jacuzzi with a window to the room, and another is a standing shower. Good quality toiletries, bathrobes and slippers also were there.
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Overall, our room was exactly as described on the resort's website. We had everything we need for satisfied living. We felt it was our home for the time here. Regular cleaning at our requested time, which you can freely ask for, made it all personal and yet not intrusive.
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The Beach
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It is true, the beach here is only steps away from the paved surface, and it is naturally blended with the resort's territory. It means we did not feel a change in the mood and the atmosphere between the pool and the beach area. The coastline is wide, flat and clean. Because you can access the beach from surrounding resorts, you have the possibility of walking for hours in both directions.
The weather is truly ideal during the winter season we had been: a gentle warm breezy wind and not intense sun. The sea also is clear and pleasantly warm. The sand is soft and lightly colored.
Guests did not interfere with each other and were spread out evenly and according to the activity (volleyball, swimming, reading, sand sculpting, etc.). Sun chairs in Esmeralda Resort were sandy color, comfortable and light. They can be freely moved in and out of the shady areas, which were plentiful.
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Overall, the Bavaro beach and especially Esmeralda Resort beachfront has that therapeutic effect we came for. Non-invasive surroundings and the absence of any food stations at the beach area make the time there splendid!
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What is around
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The Bahia group of Resorts are located between the Riu Palace Resort and the Majestic Elegance Resort. Esmeralda Resort, in particular, is located between the Riu Palace Resort and the Bahia Principe Ambar.
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Meeting the Sunrise
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Sunrises in Dominican Republic are warmly beautiful. They are the magnificent moment that brings everyone who watches them into peace and serenity. It is the experience to try and get addicted too. It is also a possibility to see the Caribbean sea in a different, very pure morning light.
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We were getting up every morning ten minutes before the sunrise and walked to the beach. At this time the coastline is empty and silent. The sea is calm and serene. Several people were walking with cameras, taking photos of their family members and the rising sun. We also took several photos of the lapping water and wrote the word "love" on the sand. Love as it is felt and love as it was.
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The Stay Experience
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Luxury Bahia Principe, Esmeralda Don Pablo Collection Resort has a great line between polished and simple. A virtuoso combination of an easy and appealing atmosphere permeates everything here. The service, facilities, landscapes and activities are the result of the thoughtful work and understanding of what guests wish for when it comes to a fulfilled and delightful holiday experience. The resort's emphasis is not only on unlimited food and beverages, rather on unlimited emotional life experiences guests have full access to!
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We recommend this resort for couples, solo travellers, families with small kids, active travellers who prefer all- inclusive arrangements, photographers, passive travellers, travellers who work online (free WIFI at the lobby with many laptop friendly areas), new travellers and experienced travellers.
* we are not associated with any resort we review. Our assessments are purely based on our observations, knowledge and experience!
Enjoy Your Stay!
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