Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Since the beginning of resort development (especially of the all-inclusive kinds) and the opening of an international airport in the early 1980s, this town sprawling along 62 miles of the DR´s northeastern coast has evolved into Latin America´s second-most popular beach destination (and by the way, contributing around a quarter of the DR´s entire GDP), and it´s not hard to see why: pristine white sands, turquoise blue waters, a variety of attractions, and more than a hundred all-inclusives in five hotel zones ranging from unexceptional budget to luxe and exclusive indeed (not even counting the various other types of accommodations, from guesthouses to condos). To give you a flavor, here´s a look at just seven of its top beachfront properties:
Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Designed for adults only, at this 750-room luxury all-inclusive (top) you’ll find four pools (include a unique multi-level one); four hot tubs; seven restaurants; a 20-treatment room; a state-of-the-art spa; a casino; a theater with nightly shows; and an extensive fitness center with an also extensive calendar of activities. And perhaps the biggest selling point for many? Parties and events take place throughout the year, with some dedicated to top DJs, themes like The Great Gatsby and masquerade balls.
A family-oriented property on a hundred acres, one of the very first resorts in Punta (built in 1978) has kept up with the times, and apart from a splendid beach, this 630-room property specializes in a variety of land-and-sea activities; of the former you´ll find a tennis and pickleball court, an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding, and most famously, a circus school where kids and grownups alike can learn how to juggle, and fly through the air with the greatest of ease on the flying trapeze (above). Out on the water, you can go snorkeling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding, Jetskiing, Other amenities include two pools; three restaurants; two bars; a spa; and a big theater with elaborate nightly shows.
Located in the more exclusive Cap Cana resort zone, at this pet-friendly Relais & Châteaux property families and couples can find laid back and more intimate boutique luxury rather than a huge resort atmosphere. There are 34 stunning boutique suites and villas - most on the beautiful white-sand Blue Flag beach, several with their own pools, and all wrapped in nature. Other notable amenities include two pools (including an infinity pool and an enormous main pool with swim-up bar); four world-class dining venues; three bars; family programs and a kids´ club (shaped like a treehouse with a man-made beach and small kayaks); a full-service spa; a fitness center; access to a nearby 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course; and several shops, along with easy access to the high-end Blue Mall Punta Cana.
A new build set amid lush garden grounds, this idyllic, adults-only all-inclusive resort boasts five-star accommodations in 375 luxurious suites (including swim-up suites), as well as no fewer than a dozen dining options and bars (gourmet and casual, from extensive buffets to themed à la carte restaurants. There´s also a 14,000-square-foot fitness center and full-service spa; a pair of serene, lagoon-style inflinity pools; and a water park with lazy river and water slides. Then of course there´s gorgeous white-powder, Blue-Flag Juanillo Beach, with a full complement of water sports. It’s a great choice for couples, groups of friends or family, and even solo travelers.
On Bávaro Beach with 427 rooms and suites, this good-value, midrange Punta Cana outpost of the Spanish all-inclusive resort chain is known for its strong family-oriented activities and the great Star Camp kids´ club with a playground and its own pool. There´s plenty of high-quality dining - two buffets plus various ethnically-themed à la carte restaurants (Asian, Mexican, and so forth) - along with a half dozen bars. Other key amenities include a large main pool; nightly entertainment; a spa; a fitness center; tennis courts; a diving center; and an 18-hole P.B. Dye golf course. Another interesting aspect is the property´s "Wave of Change" environmental initiatives, such as reducing plastics (for example with no single-use plastic use on the premises), serving sustainably-produced seafood, and promoting beach and coral reef health (with for example a "coral laboratory" used by international researchers to combat among other things reef bleaching and die-off.
Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino
Here's midrange, kid-friendly but also couples-friendly resort on Bávaro Beach - and the most massive one, with 1,042 rooms and suites and a huge raft of perks, including a pair of buffets; eight à la carte restaurants; nine bars; two beach clubs; a half dozen pools (including an enormous infinity pool); bike rentals; a kids´ club; and The Boulevard, a leisure/entertainment area with various shops; the 31-treatment-room Om Spa; a casino; a 790-seat amphitheater with nightly entertainment; a nightclub; a bowling alley and arcade; a fitness center; and even a water park, called Splash Island. The proverbial something for everyone!
Perhaps the most exclusive, private, and high end of all, located within the 15,000-acre Puntacana Resort & Club ecological development and nature reserve; this beachfront AAA Five-Diamond oasis of ultra luxury offers the best of both jungle and sea. Designed in part by Dominican fashion icon Oscar de la Renta, the DR´s only Leading Hotels of the World member is most definitely a boutique experience, with just 30 suites spread across 13 beachfront villas. Amenities include a modest, understated pool; private butler and other bespoke services; no fewer than eight restaurants showcasing diverse cuisines (three of which as AAA Diamond and helmed by world-class chefs); the Six Senses Spa; and access to a pair of nearby golf courses. Considered PC´s epitome of "quiet luxury," Tortuga Bay also touts its "sustainability," and especially appeals to well-heeled honeymooners and other couples (though there´s a kids´ club, so families do show up as well).
Comments
I´ve only been to the Club Med, as well as a handful of other resorts not on this list. But they´re all great in their own way - an embarrassment of riches for vacationers!