The 620-room Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa is an upscale all-inclusive property suitable for both couples and families looking for a relaxed beachfront getaway. It sits on a beautiful white-sand beach a 20-minute drive from touristy Bavaro, and about double that from the airport. A long list of features here includes a huge freeform outdoor pool, free non-motorized water sports, tons of daytime activities, a full-service spa, and nightly entertainment, plus a quality kids’ club with a mini water park. Dreams’ Unlimited Luxury all-inclusive experience means guests eat free at both a la carte and buffet restaurants, and receive top-shelf liquor at several bars. Rooms are contemporary and have outdoor spaces, free minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but they’re showing wear and few have direct ocean views. Overall, better values can be found at all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana; families should consider Majestic Colonial Punta Cana, while couples may prefer the boutique Zoetry Agua Punta Cana.
The 620-room Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa is an upscale all-inclusive property suitable for both couples and families looking for a relaxed beachfront getaway. It sits on a beautiful white-sand beach a 20-minute drive from touristy Bavaro, and about double that from the airport. A long list of features here includes a huge freeform outdoor pool, free non-motorized water sports, tons of daytime activities, a full-service spa, and nightly entertainment, plus a quality kids’ club with a mini water park. Dreams’ Unlimited Luxury all-inclusive experience means guests eat free at both a la carte and buffet restaurants, and receive top-shelf liquor at several bars. Rooms are contemporary and have outdoor spaces, free minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but they’re showing wear and few have direct ocean views. Overall, better values can be found at all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana; families should consider Majestic Colonial Punta Cana, while couples may prefer the boutique Zoetry Agua Punta Cana.
This upper-middle-range, adults-only resort is one of the original sections of an ever-growing resort complex that feels sort of like Dominican Republic’s version of Las Vegas. Make sure your driver knows the exact hotel name -- there are five hotels total -- otherwise you may end up confused at the wrong lobby. Spacious but basic rooms are close to a nice beach, pool, four restaurants, and four bars. The resort is clean but not quite as upscale as advertised; young honeymooners seeking a chic retreat may want to look elsewhere.
This upper-middle-range, adults-only resort is one of the original sections of an ever-growing resort complex that feels sort of like Dominican Republic’s version of Las Vegas. Make sure your driver knows the exact hotel name -- there are five hotels total -- otherwise you may end up confused at the wrong lobby. Spacious but basic rooms are close to a nice beach, pool, four restaurants, and four bars. The resort is clean but not quite as upscale as advertised; young honeymooners seeking a chic retreat may want to look elsewhere.
The 125-room Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village is conveniently located near the airport. While there is no beach on-site (a free shuttle takes guests to the nearby beach) there is an outdoor pool, shady terrace, and free (reliable!) Wi-Fi. Bar and restaurant options, including room service, are slightly more upscale than at neighboring resorts. Modern rooms have plenty of outlets, coffeemakers, big bathrooms, and eco-friendly toiletries. A free shuttle connects guests to the airport, but rooms lack mini-fridges and free drinking water in rooms doesn't last long.
The 125-room Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village is conveniently located near the airport. While there is no beach on-site (a free shuttle takes guests to the nearby beach) there is an outdoor pool, shady terrace, and free (reliable!) Wi-Fi. Bar and restaurant options, including room service, are slightly more upscale than at neighboring resorts. Modern rooms have plenty of outlets, coffeemakers, big bathrooms, and eco-friendly toiletries. A free shuttle connects guests to the airport, but rooms lack mini-fridges and free drinking water in rooms doesn't last long.
A dirt-cheap all-inclusive not far from the beach, whala!bavaro attracts a young, international crowd who’s ready to party. Though the hotel itself isn’t particularly rowdy, guests take advantage of whala!’s all-inclusive alcohol, three pool areas, and fun beach club. whala!’s proximity to downtown Bavaro’s restaurants and bars is another plus, but the hotel seriously lacks on-site entertainment options — unless of course, one considers watching the masses viscously overtake the buffet a form of entertainment. Rooms are clean, but pretty bare bones, with humdrum decor and few amenities. The nearby Barcelo Dominican Beach might be a better pick for travelers looking for more amenities and on-site entertainment, but rates are typically higher.
A dirt-cheap all-inclusive not far from the beach, whala!bavaro attracts a young, international crowd who’s ready to party. Though the hotel itself isn’t particularly rowdy, guests take advantage of whala!’s all-inclusive alcohol, three pool areas, and fun beach club. whala!’s proximity to downtown Bavaro’s restaurants and bars is another plus, but the hotel seriously lacks on-site entertainment options — unless of course, one considers watching the masses viscously overtake the buffet a form of entertainment. Rooms are clean, but pretty bare bones, with humdrum decor and few amenities. The nearby Barcelo Dominican Beach might be a better pick for travelers looking for more amenities and on-site entertainment, but rates are typically higher.
BlueBay Grand Punta Cana is an upper-middle-range, all-inclusive beach resort situated a 15-minute drive from the Punta Cana Airport. The 125 rooms here range from Junior Suites to three-bedroom apartments geared toward families, and some feature perks such as whirlpool tubs and full kitchens. All-inclusive options are available, and the hotel offers three restaurants, two bars, and a smoothie shop, plus room service around the clock. Other resort amenities include a massive lagoon pool, a wellness center with a 24-hour gym and spa, a kids' club, and non-motorized water sports. While the hotel offers animation and entertainment, some past guests have found this property too quiet for their liking. Fortunately, there are plenty of options in this area; for something larger and with more going on, the sprawling Majestic Colonial Punta Cana is a good option.
BlueBay Grand Punta Cana is an upper-middle-range, all-inclusive beach resort situated a 15-minute drive from the Punta Cana Airport. The 125 rooms here range from Junior Suites to three-bedroom apartments geared toward families, and some feature perks such as whirlpool tubs and full kitchens. All-inclusive options are available, and the hotel offers three restaurants, two bars, and a smoothie shop, plus room service around the clock. Other resort amenities include a massive lagoon pool, a wellness center with a 24-hour gym and spa, a kids' club, and non-motorized water sports. While the hotel offers animation and entertainment, some past guests have found this property too quiet for their liking. Fortunately, there are plenty of options in this area; for something larger and with more going on, the sprawling Majestic Colonial Punta Cana is a good option.
A kids' haven that's not quite directly on the beach, this 525-room all-inclusive resort one-ups King Neptune with what's billed as the largest resort water park in all of the Caribbean. Rooms are upscale and some categories have big whirlpool tubs; Family Suites with bunk beds are available. Restaurant options include a buffet, three a la carte restaurants, and multiple bars, and guests also have access to some options at sister property next door, the Royalton Punta Cana. The Royalton is more upscale, right on the beach, and better suited to couples.
A kids' haven that's not quite directly on the beach, this 525-room all-inclusive resort one-ups King Neptune with what's billed as the largest resort water park in all of the Caribbean. Rooms are upscale and some categories have big whirlpool tubs; Family Suites with bunk beds are available. Restaurant options include a buffet, three a la carte restaurants, and multiple bars, and guests also have access to some options at sister property next door, the Royalton Punta Cana. The Royalton is more upscale, right on the beach, and better suited to couples.
Bavaro Beach is known for megaresorts, but the upper-middle-range VIK Hotel Cayena Beach has mere 47 rooms -- all with guaranteed sea views -- and delivers an intimate, peaceful setting. This property is newer than the VIK Hotel Arena Blanca next door, and guests here get access to both properties' features, including restaurants, bars, two pools, nightly entertainment, a fitness center, and spa. Most guests, though, choose to stick to the Cayena's area of the beautiful beach, and eat lunch at the seaside restaurant, which is reserved for Cayena guests only. The property is due for some renovations.
Bavaro Beach is known for megaresorts, but the upper-middle-range VIK Hotel Cayena Beach has mere 47 rooms -- all with guaranteed sea views -- and delivers an intimate, peaceful setting. This property is newer than the VIK Hotel Arena Blanca next door, and guests here get access to both properties' features, including restaurants, bars, two pools, nightly entertainment, a fitness center, and spa. Most guests, though, choose to stick to the Cayena's area of the beautiful beach, and eat lunch at the seaside restaurant, which is reserved for Cayena guests only. The property is due for some renovations.
The NH Punta Cana is a sleekly designed, upper-middle-range 66-room hotel geared toward short-term business travelers and airline crews. Its modern urban aesthetic is a nice change of pace from the region's beach resorts, but vacationers will wonder where the views, sun, and sand are. Contemporary rooms continue the blue and green color palette of the common areas, and features include a gym and a restaurant where free breakfast is served. Guests an also use neighboring Now Larimar Punta Cana's beach and pools. Those seeking a beach on-site might prefer the often similarly priced IFA Villas Bavaro Resort and Spa.
The NH Punta Cana is a sleekly designed, upper-middle-range 66-room hotel geared toward short-term business travelers and airline crews. Its modern urban aesthetic is a nice change of pace from the region's beach resorts, but vacationers will wonder where the views, sun, and sand are. Contemporary rooms continue the blue and green color palette of the common areas, and features include a gym and a restaurant where free breakfast is served. Guests an also use neighboring Now Larimar Punta Cana's beach and pools. Those seeking a beach on-site might prefer the often similarly priced IFA Villas Bavaro Resort and Spa.
The Essenza Retreats At Punta Palmera is a three-and-a-half-pearl condo complex in a gated compound with just enough rental units and common amenities to qualify as a hotel. All 20 rooms include flat-screen TVs, kitchenettes, and optional views of the Caribbean Sea. Spacious apartments add full kitchens, hot tubs, and optional plunge pools. The beautiful private beach and seafront infinity pool are likely enough to keep most guests happy. The open-air restaurant serves free breakfast, a la carte lunch, and room service for a fee. But, the lack of activity options -- no spa and a non-existent social scene -- means traveling off-site is required for anything more. For around the same rates, Occidental Punta Cana offers a full-featured, all-inclusive experience with more resort amenities.
The Essenza Retreats At Punta Palmera is a three-and-a-half-pearl condo complex in a gated compound with just enough rental units and common amenities to qualify as a hotel. All 20 rooms include flat-screen TVs, kitchenettes, and optional views of the Caribbean Sea. Spacious apartments add full kitchens, hot tubs, and optional plunge pools. The beautiful private beach and seafront infinity pool are likely enough to keep most guests happy. The open-air restaurant serves free breakfast, a la carte lunch, and room service for a fee. But, the lack of activity options -- no spa and a non-existent social scene -- means traveling off-site is required for anything more. For around the same rates, Occidental Punta Cana offers a full-featured, all-inclusive experience with more resort amenities.
This intimate, upper-middle-range all-inclusive property has 120 modern, condo-style rooms with living spaces and full kitchens (though as meals are included, most likely won't use them much). The main draws here are the spacious rooms (starting at over 850 square feet, or 80 square meters), the location right on gorgeous El Cortecito Beach in the heart of touristy Bavaro, the two clean pools, and the relatively quiet atmosphere. The downsides include mediocre buffet food, maintenance issues (from noisy ACs to plumbing problems), and aggressive time-share sales pitches. Those looking for a comparable option without the time-share aspect should look into the Vista Sol property right next door.
This intimate, upper-middle-range all-inclusive property has 120 modern, condo-style rooms with living spaces and full kitchens (though as meals are included, most likely won't use them much). The main draws here are the spacious rooms (starting at over 850 square feet, or 80 square meters), the location right on gorgeous El Cortecito Beach in the heart of touristy Bavaro, the two clean pools, and the relatively quiet atmosphere. The downsides include mediocre buffet food, maintenance issues (from noisy ACs to plumbing problems), and aggressive time-share sales pitches. Those looking for a comparable option without the time-share aspect should look into the Vista Sol property right next door.