Just returned from Fantasia Punta Cana, had a great holiday, went with wife, daughter and grandson (just turned 5), we selected this hotel for our grandson as it looked amazing for him. When we booked we requested 2 adjoining rooms, 1 month and 2 weeks out i messaged them to again request adjoining rooms, i checked into hotel before arriving using the app but in truth don't understand the point as check in was not the quickest, when we arrived we were told we didn't have adjoining rooms, Yohanna on reception was excellent and booked us into adjoining rooms.
We had booked 2 side castle view rooms, these were reasonable size and comfort. Sink only had hot water and shower was good. Our maid was very good and polite (sorry but didn't get her name) but on her day off we had a different maid, she was rude and when asked her name she ran off, spoke with management about her and rest of holiday both rooms had our maid, she was very good (would set up our grandsons toys for him).
Electric buggies are used to take guest around the hotel, the complex is huge, 6 hotels in total, this became quite confusing as we were unsure what we could use or where restaurants are. Everything is done through the app we we found when making reservations they sometimes didn't go through. There are lots of buggies but in truth we walked to beach or to restaurants in other hotel and mainly didn't see buggy so walking was quicker.
The beach is about 10 minute walk from hotel, there was plenty of sunloungers and the beach is nice, slightly rough sea but ok, the beach bar is nice and serves simple snacks.
Pools - there are 2 quiet pools behind the castle bar, the large entertainment pool where games and activities were held, this had a swim up bar, we spent most of our time here, our grandson loved it. This pool was always staffed by life guards and they were excellent. The staff at swim up bar were ok but didn't seem happy to serve none Spanish speaking guests and even though i would leave regular tips they seemed unappreciative, they would have received more if they had been more polite.
There is a kids water park as well, this was excellent and had a bar and snack bar, this was very good.
Restaurants - the buffet breakfast we all found disappointing as we didn't like the selection of foods, limited fruits, random items in hot plates, did not enjoy breakfast and missed a few instead getting something from snack bar, before anyone says there is a large selection and you wont starve, we didn't go on holiday to survive, we want to enjoy our food . Lunch and evening meals were far better. The Circus restaurant was closed (this was not briefed out) and meals were at the Le Gourmet, the service, staff were excellent but the food sadly was not, this was our worse meal. Thani (Indian restaurant) was in another hotel (Grand Punta Cana i believe), we ate here twice, the first was excellent with good food, view and service, but the second time the service was very poor bordering intentionally poor. We ate at the Il Paradiso twice and the food and service here were great both times.
Lobby bar - the staff here were very good and didn't appear to favour Spanish speaking guests, the drinks here were also better.
Entertainment - day time activities were good but nothing to say where they are held, there was a kids club but our grandson didn't use it much as they only spoke in Spanish, we complained when they were doing games in pool and so one of them just dragged him around the pool, we took him out of this as he had more fun with us, he did a couple of craft sessions but they didn't speak to him in these. Evening entertainment was ok for hotel, the magician and circus act was very good the the other nights were ok.
This is a very noisy hotel, the pool music is loud, the sound proofing in the rooms is none existent, evening music is loud, this isn't a problem if your kids do not have afternoon naps or go bed early but it was an issue for us at times, sadly cannot recommend a part of hotel as different parts are noisy at different times.
Cleanliness - the hotel appeared spotless at all times and the gardens were immaculate.
Other guests - the children here seemed to be very well behaved on the whole and the families seemed polite.
We had a fantastic holiday here and have some great memories but would probably not return due to the lack of spoken English, the majority of guests are Spanish speaking but our grandson missed out on kids activities because of the language barrier and we only came here because of him. Some of the staff seemed indifferent to none Spanish speaking guest which is a shame for the rest as it definitely effects there tips. Most of the staff were excellent and would spend time with our grandson making him laugh. The app needs improving. Better information around what can be used and where things are.
This is a great hotel especially if you speak Spanish, very little was spoken in English and to adults this was not a problem, but this is not an adults hotel, it is for families with young children and because of this we would probably not book a Bahia Principe hotel while taking our grandson again.
BR
US
CL