Hacienda Samana Bay Hotel Residences

We got more than expected for the price, and I wish we'd had longer to enjoy the hotel. The rooms were nice and spacious, with amazing views, and the rooftop pool and bar were a highlight. Breakfast was easily the best of our trip, the staff were really nice, and the AC actually works. The rooms face a very loud road, though. The balcony doors need replacing with soundproof ones. I had to sleep with earplugs.

We enjoyed this hotel and would come back. The bay view was breathtaking, and the rooftop was nice, though there wasn't enough seating, especially shaded seats or loungers. There were holes in the roof and walls on our balcony, which made us a little concerned about the building's overall structure, but we still sat outside to enjoy the view. The front desk staff were friendly, helpful, and accommodating. They were kind and empathetic, and took time to solve problems. I wish I'd gotten the names of the front desk woman and security guard who helped my fiancé and me. They stayed calm and patient and quickly found a solution that was safe and helpful for everyone. If you see this, thank you. One restaurant waitress didn't do a good job at complimentary breakfast and never brought the things I asked for. I ordered tea with milk, and was nearly done eating before it arrived. I saw her serving other guests, so my fiancé got another waiter's attention and he brought it. The rooftop food and drinks my fiancé ordered were good, but pricey in my opinion. At checkout, they accidentally tried to charge us for a meal we hadn't had. They quickly checked and saw it wasn't ours, then removed it from the bill.

The breakfast was a letdown for a hotel charging a premium, 5-star price. The selection was limited, and there wasn't even a simple omelette option, so it felt like a standard continental breakfast rather than a gourmet experience. We arrived at the scheduled time, but still waited another 30 minutes for the room. Once inside, we found there were no towels and had to call the front desk for basic supplies. I know we booked at the last minute, but a hotel with a 5-star rating should keep its standards regardless of when the booking is made. Several parts of the stay didn't justify the premium price.

Our fifth-floor apartment was really nice, with great views. There are beautiful pools and a bar, plus a restaurant. It's about a 15 minute walk along the waterfront to the centre of town. A great place to stay.