I have been an absent blogger.
Richard and I were vacationing in the Dominican Republic. The Bhia Principe Cayo Levantado on the island of Samana was our home for two glorious weeks. Samana is located between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, and the resort is a ten minute boat ride to a private island that houses just the Bhia Principe. For Canadians - Air Canada vacations fly direct to Samana.
Our criteria for the vacation was - a beach resort, all inclusive, adults only. We were not looking for extra activities - we just needed sunshine and rest. And we got exactly that.
The island is incredibly lush with beautiful views out to the water or back towards the mainland. The hotel features a four story main building were the lobby, three floors of rooms, the main buffet, and terrace with alfresco dinning are located. The balance of the resort is made up of several villa's throughout the island.
There are three pools - one at the beach area, one nestled between the villa's near the Don Pablo restaurant and a quiet pool area that is referred to as the spa pool (albeit it is not near the spa). Both main pools have a bar and buffet restaurant, which is perfect for lunch.
The beach offered the opportunity to sit out in the sun or shaded under the tree's the lined the curve of the shore.
The pools are very clean, the rooms, buildings and grounds at the resort are very well kept.
Traveling throughout the resort was convenient. The paths are small cobble lined roads flanked with lush tree's and if we didn't feel like walking (or if it was raining), we took one of the 'taxi's' to the restaurants or main lobby.
I didn't take great pictures of our room, but the website for the hotel shows them accurately. They were large, clean and well equiped. We had a junior suite in villa #15, which was only steps from the main pool area and convenient to everything.
The view from our large balcony looked back towards the mainland. Just after a bit of late day rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared over the water when one of the cruise ships passed through the area. It was always a pretty view to wake up to and enjoy at the end of the day.
There are cottage style villa's at the beach area.They face out to the beach, the pool and flank either side the Portifino restaurant.
There are four feature restaurants in addition to the main buffet. We visited the Don Pablo and Rodizio restaurants once, the Mediteranneo and the Portifino were the two we preferred.The main buffet was very well presented with food options for every taste, and it quickly became our dining choice each evening. The chefs at the main buffet create wonderful hors d'oeuvres that get your palette prepared for the gourmet theme each evening.
Richard and I had a very special dinner one evening - which I will share with you in my next post.
It was a pleasure walking down to dinner each evening. The property is so lush and the stars were always glowing in the sky. Running enthusiasts will appreciate the path markers along the cobbled paths, the full gym and tennis courts. The spa offers a full menu of treatments in addition to hair stylist services.
Richard and I went out on a whale watching trip one day (available from the hotel dock). It had been a stormy night and we weren't sure if we would be going out on the water that morning - but we did. And really - I shouldn't have. Despite taking anti-nausea meds, after a half hour of spotting whales all I really wanted was to be thrown overboard in my life jacket and allowed to float back to shore. I kept my eyes on the horizon and sometimes the whales.
Several mornings while we were sitting on the terrace for breakfast we saw the humpback whales just off the shore at the hotel.
As we sat out on the veranda with a beverage in hand just before we left to come back home. We both agreed that another week in this lush paradise would have been easy to take. We will likely visit again when the snow is too much for us to endure.
Richard and I were vacationing in the Dominican Republic. The Bhia Principe Cayo Levantado on the island of Samana was our home for two glorious weeks. Samana is located between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, and the resort is a ten minute boat ride to a private island that houses just the Bhia Principe. For Canadians - Air Canada vacations fly direct to Samana.
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| The 'door' to the resort is the private boat dock. |
Our criteria for the vacation was - a beach resort, all inclusive, adults only. We were not looking for extra activities - we just needed sunshine and rest. And we got exactly that.
The island is incredibly lush with beautiful views out to the water or back towards the mainland. The hotel features a four story main building were the lobby, three floors of rooms, the main buffet, and terrace with alfresco dinning are located. The balance of the resort is made up of several villa's throughout the island.
There are three pools - one at the beach area, one nestled between the villa's near the Don Pablo restaurant and a quiet pool area that is referred to as the spa pool (albeit it is not near the spa). Both main pools have a bar and buffet restaurant, which is perfect for lunch.
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| Beach pool |
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| Beach pool |
The beach offered the opportunity to sit out in the sun or shaded under the tree's the lined the curve of the shore.
The pools are very clean, the rooms, buildings and grounds at the resort are very well kept.
 |
| The main pool was our hang out spot |
Traveling throughout the resort was convenient. The paths are small cobble lined roads flanked with lush tree's and if we didn't feel like walking (or if it was raining), we took one of the 'taxi's' to the restaurants or main lobby.
 |
| Taxi !! |
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| our villa |
The view from our large balcony looked back towards the mainland. Just after a bit of late day rain stopped, a double rainbow appeared over the water when one of the cruise ships passed through the area. It was always a pretty view to wake up to and enjoy at the end of the day.
There are cottage style villa's at the beach area.They face out to the beach, the pool and flank either side the Portifino restaurant.
 |
| beach villa's face out to the beach/pool area |
There are four feature restaurants in addition to the main buffet. We visited the Don Pablo and Rodizio restaurants once, the Mediteranneo and the Portifino were the two we preferred.The main buffet was very well presented with food options for every taste, and it quickly became our dining choice each evening. The chefs at the main buffet create wonderful hors d'oeuvres that get your palette prepared for the gourmet theme each evening.
Richard and I had a very special dinner one evening - which I will share with you in my next post.
It was a pleasure walking down to dinner each evening. The property is so lush and the stars were always glowing in the sky. Running enthusiasts will appreciate the path markers along the cobbled paths, the full gym and tennis courts. The spa offers a full menu of treatments in addition to hair stylist services.
Richard and I went out on a whale watching trip one day (available from the hotel dock). It had been a stormy night and we weren't sure if we would be going out on the water that morning - but we did. And really - I shouldn't have. Despite taking anti-nausea meds, after a half hour of spotting whales all I really wanted was to be thrown overboard in my life jacket and allowed to float back to shore. I kept my eyes on the horizon and sometimes the whales.
Several mornings while we were sitting on the terrace for breakfast we saw the humpback whales just off the shore at the hotel.
As we sat out on the veranda with a beverage in hand just before we left to come back home. We both agreed that another week in this lush paradise would have been easy to take. We will likely visit again when the snow is too much for us to endure.
How incredibly beautiful Katherine! I am living in each photo you have shared. What an amazing resort to have spent time in refilling your souls. I know you must have loved every minute of your stay. I love the yellow and white together with those large porches (verandas) I think I would have loved this very much. But no whale watching for me, because I would have been just like you----sick-sick-sick. Thank you so much for sharing this. It was such fun to read and I am looking forward to your next post.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
sending hugs...