Grand Esmeralda - some questions

[lin7604]

what are some of the brans of premium brands they carry, CC, baileys, bottled beer, etc?
do you knw if the suites have a bedrrom that is seperate by a wall or door? can you get to the balcony from both rooms?
do they have high chairs or cribs? thanks for you help.

[Shammy]

You usually won't find bottled beer available at AI resorts - tap at the bars and cans in the fridge. Don't know what kinds, sorry. Also can't help with what premium liquors they have.

The 1 bedroom suites have a sliding door that separates the bedroom from the sitting area. I believe there will be only one sliding door to the balcony, but not 100% sure on this.

Cribs are available, on a request basis and subject to availability at the time of check in. There will be a limited number of high chairs available in all the restaurants.

[bayzee]

We re considering BBGE for March. We are traveling with another couple and 2 kids. Blue Bay, is not a chain I'm really familiar with and their reputation in generally more 3* resorts. We have been to the area several times and enjoy the services of the smaller, 4-5* properties. The price seems low for a 5* property.
Can anyone make general comments on:

The condition of the beach?
Level of service?
Food and drinks?
Atmosphere of the resort?

And more specifically:
Can you swim in front of BBGE?
Is there a charge for the use of the fancy beach beds?
Is there waiter service on the beach and around the pools?
Do they have Bailey's & Crown Royal?
Dress code in the restaurants?
Is bottled water easily available?
Do they offer a free shuttle to PDC?

Thanks.
We are also looking at Gran Porto Real , but it is almost $1000.00 more per couple. Worth it?

[mofi]

I might be way off but isn't the grand esmeralda fairly new, and wasn't it a Gala property while it was being built?

[Shammy]

Yes, it was started by Gala and then went belly up, or they sold it....so the Blue Bay people took it over.

Can't really answer all your questions with confidence, I have not had anyone stay there nor heard any more than what I can read on Trip Advisor - which I suggest you might want to do to get a feel for the place. I know it's not top notch, I'm not sure that you're going to find Bailey's or Crown Royal, but that's the case at many resorts of this caliber - some have those liquors and some don't.

I can also tell you that you will be able to swim out front of the hotel - how good the beach area is I can't say. This area is not known for the best of the best water entry.

There will be no extra charge to use the beach beds.

Don't know if they offer beach or pool wait service. That's not common at most resorts, maybe pool wait service but usually not beach service. That's more what you find at a top of the line property. Perhaps it'll be mentioned in someone's trip report.

I don't see any info that they provide a transfer to Playa, and that's a rarity - most hotels do not. A taxi might be about $15 one way I would think.

Restaurant dress codes will apply - men must wear pants/shoes to the ala cartes, women should look "nice" (skirt/sundress/capri's). At the buffet, shorts are fine.

There will be plenty of bottled water available, both in your rooms and from all of the bars.

[bayzee]

Thank you very much Shammy for your help.
While this property may be new, with a bit more research we've crossed off our list. There are more rooms being added per the orginal Gala plan, making it 1000 rooms. Apparently it will be finished by end of December, but who ever knows.
According to the reviews, food and service are very good to excellent, but the beach is a big let down. We may have chanced BBGE based on it's current size, but big resorts are not for us.
They do have pool/beach service as of now. I really don't think it's a true 5*, but the price is reflecting a good value here. We'll keep looking for now.

[bayzee]

According to a friendly poster on another forum, they did have CC and Bailey's during his visit in April. Often these brands are under the bar, so be sure to ask if you don't see them.