Gran Bahia Principe Samana, Sta. Barbara de Samana

The hotel is beautiful, very romantic. No activities for kids though, but still our children had a good time. It was nice reading the reviews beforehand so we had no surprises. The rooms are beautiful, and the service was very good. Although most of the staff doesn't speak english, we had no problem since we speak spanish. Some reviews we read complained about the shuttle to Cayo Levantado not being available, but the truth is that it is. But don't ask at the hotel since they will tell you it's not, so you have to purchase one of their tour packages. Simply take a taxi to the nearest port, which is the one that takes tourists staying at the Cayo Levantado Hotel, and they will take you to the island for free (1 boat every hour); they even give you non-alcoholic refreshments while you wait. The food on the buffet was good. They have 4 a la carte dinners and 2 restaurants; try to book them all in "Le Gourmet" which is excelent. The other restaurant ("El pescador") is so so. Book them early when you arrive for the whole week. Tennis courts are still not ready.