Wyndham Alltra Samana - All - Inclusive Resort
Wyndham Alltra Samana sits on one of the most beautiful pieces of coast in the Dominican Republic: Playa Las Galeras at the tip of the Samana Peninsula, with lush green hills behind and a quiet, swimmable beach in front. For travelers who put natural beauty and a real Caribbean village ahead of polished mega-resort facilities, it delivers. Las Galeras is a short walk away, wild beaches like Playa Rincon and Playa Madama are a boat ride off, and from January through March the humpback whales in Samana Bay are an extraordinary bonus few resorts anywhere can match.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Walk straight out onto Playa Las Galeras, on the calm stretch the resort calls Javo Beach La Playita, with loungers and beach service included and none of the crowding of the Punta Cana strip
- +Las Galeras village is within walking distance, with local seafood spots and bars that give you a real taste of Dominican life most all-inclusives wall off
- +Six restaurants is a lot of choice for a resort this size: the Azul buffet plus Cosecha grill, Island Grill, Bella for Southern Italian, Umi for teppanyaki and sushi, and the Seabreeze Cafe, with five bars on top
- +Samana Bay is one of the best humpback whale watching spots in the world, and the season runs January through March, so a winter stay comes with an extraordinary excursion
- +Wi-Fi in the rooms and across the resort, taxes, gratuities and free parking are all in the rate, so there are fewer add-ons than the old reputation suggests
- +Camp Alltra keeps kids aged 4 to 12 busy with supervised activities, and there is a children's pool and playground, while children 2 and under stay free
- +Some of the country's best beaches are a boat ride or hike away: Playa Rincon, Playa Madama and Playa Fronton are all on the resort's own excursion list
Cons
- −Getting there takes real effort: El Catey (AZS) is about 1.5 hours away but has limited, seasonal flights, Santo Domingo (SDQ) is about 3.5 hours, and Punta Cana is 5 to 6 hours by road
- −Airport transfers are not included, and Uber does not operate in the Samana region, so book an authorised taxi through the concierge or a transfer in advance
- −There is no room service at the moment, by the resort's own statement
- −House beer, wine and spirits are included, but the resort's FAQ says premium and top-shelf liquor cost extra
- −This is not a spa resort: treatments happen in open-air massage cabins for an extra fee, with no sauna, hydrotherapy or salon on site
- −Guests have complained about room upkeep, including plumbing, water pressure and inconsistent hot water, so read recent reviews and ask for a well-kept room
- −Club Level rooms and the Amana Retreat come with their own amenities, so standard-room guests do not get access to everything on the property
- −Babysitting, laundry and the gift shop are paid extras
The practical side is better than its old reputation. Dining runs to six venues: Azul, the all-day buffet mixing international and Dominican dishes, plus Cosecha for burgers and pizza, Island Grill for Caribbean dishes, Bella for Southern Italian, Umi for teppanyaki and sushi, and the Seabreeze Cafe for coffee and pastries, with five bars. Wi-Fi is included in rooms and across the resort, as are taxes, gratuities and parking. The gaps are real, though: there is no room service at the moment, premium liquor costs extra, massages are in open-air cabins at a charge, and guests have flagged room upkeep, so set expectations accordingly. The entertainment team is a highlight for many guests, carrying the evenings with games, live music and shows.
Wyndham Alltra Samana works best for travelers who plan to spend most of their time outdoors, on the beach, on boats or on excursions, and for families who want Camp Alltra without the scale of Punta Cana. If comfortable rooms and smooth service decide your trip, a newer resort in Punta Cana or Puerto Plata will suit you better. Budget for the transfer, because AZS is small and seasonal and Santo Domingo is about 3.5 hours away, but if you embrace the setting, the scenery and the character of the Samana Peninsula are hard to beat.
Common Questions
Is the whale watching from Samana Bay worth the trip?
Is Wi-Fi included?
How do I get to Wyndham Alltra Samana from the airport?
How are the rooms, and should I worry about maintenance?
Which nearby beaches are worth leaving the resort for?
How does this resort compare to Punta Cana all-inclusives?
Restaurants (5)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Azul |
| Italian | Bella |
| Japanese & sushi | Umi |
| Caribbean & local | Island Grill |
| American & grill | Cosecha |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
45 min drive · 18 mi
La Playita9 min drive · 1.6 mi
Las Galeras Beach (Playa Grande)10 min walk · 0.5 mi
Las Galeras5 min drive · 0.7 mi
45 min drive · 18 mi
Whale Museum (Museo de las Ballenas)45 min drive · 19 mi
More things to do (7)
- Playa Cayacoa · beach50 min drive · 19 mi
- Playa Madama · beach10 min drive · 2.2 mi
- Boca del Diablo · viewpoint30 min drive · 9.6 mi
- Cayo Levantado day trip · excursion45 min drive · 18 mi
- Samaná Malecón · town45 min drive · 19 mi
- Samaná Bridges (Cayo Vigía) · viewpoint50 min drive · 19 mi
- Juana Vicente Ziplines · adventure park55 min drive · 23 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Seaweed & sargassum
Samaná gets sargassum, typically worst May through August.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.4 · 4,480 reviews
“We spent nine days here. We liked the buildings close to the registration desk and buffet restaurant. I can see how families would like a bungalow but all of the bungalows have queen size beds, and two beds in a little upstairs loft the rooms closer...”
“Very nice resort with beautiful landscapes and very welcoming employees. Everyone is smiling and treating you very well. The entertainment service is also good, there are people taking very good care of you Bernardo, Luisa y Cassandra. But all the s...”
“During my stay at the Hotel, I was especially impressed by the animation team. The animators were always friendly, energetic, and truly dedicated to making sure no one ever got bored. In the evenings, the team organized fantastic shows, music, and g...”
