The D.R.’s only luxury resort set on its own island, the Luxury Bahia Cayo Levantado offers a relaxing atmosphere for couples and families. There are scenic beaches, beautiful pools, and some of the best rooms in the country (each with private Jacuzzi tubs). The beauty is incredible, but the dining and service lag behind even less expensive resorts.
The D.R.’s only luxury resort set on its own island, the Luxury Bahia Cayo Levantado offers a relaxing atmosphere for couples and families. There are scenic beaches, beautiful pools, and some of the best rooms in the country (each with private Jacuzzi tubs). The beauty is incredible, but the dining and service lag behind even less expensive resorts.
One of five Princess properties in the area, the upscale 270-room Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa is an adults-only all-inclusive geared toward couples and groups of friends. The property is set on a beautiful white-sand beach dotted with loungers and daybeds, and features a pleasant spa with couples’ massages and a sauna that guests can use free of charge. Rooms are well-equipped with free minibars, separate living areas, balconies (some of which offer ocean views), and jetted tubs, but decor is a tad generic. The nicest units are the Honeymoon Suites, which come with more stylish decor and great perks, such as free bottles of rum, free massages, and gourmet dinners. There’s plenty to keep guests entertained during the day -- from competitions to water aerobics and dance classes -- but nights are quieter than at neighboring sister properties, to which Princess guests get full access. Food is good and varied. Couples seeking something more upscale may prefer the quieter Le Sivory Punta Cana By PortBlue Boutique.
One of five Princess properties in the area, the upscale 270-room Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa is an adults-only all-inclusive geared toward couples and groups of friends. The property is set on a beautiful white-sand beach dotted with loungers and daybeds, and features a pleasant spa with couples’ massages and a sauna that guests can use free of charge. Rooms are well-equipped with free minibars, separate living areas, balconies (some of which offer ocean views), and jetted tubs, but decor is a tad generic. The nicest units are the Honeymoon Suites, which come with more stylish decor and great perks, such as free bottles of rum, free massages, and gourmet dinners. There’s plenty to keep guests entertained during the day -- from competitions to water aerobics and dance classes -- but nights are quieter than at neighboring sister properties, to which Princess guests get full access. Food is good and varied. Couples seeking something more upscale may prefer the quieter Le Sivory Punta Cana By PortBlue Boutique.
One of four Paradisus resorts in Punta Cana, the luxury, 554-room Paradisus Palma Real is an affordable all-inclusive resort with a romantic Caribbean setting along a stellar beach. The hotel feels bigger than its sister properties, thanks to a palatial lobby leading to a jaw-dropping courtyard, swimming pool, and beach area. There are mostly well-reviewed international buffets and a la carte restaurants (one from a Michelin-starred chef), plus 24-hour room service and several bars serving liquor and non-alcoholic beverages. Suites are decorated in a classically elegant style, and have whirlpool tubs and separate showers, free minibars, free Wi-Fi, and furnished outdoor spaces. A lovely spa with a thermal circuit, evening shows, kids’ club, and fitness activities round out amenities. For a more luxurious experience, Royal Service offers butler service and special access to a posh lounge. It’s worth comparing rates with the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.
One of four Paradisus resorts in Punta Cana, the luxury, 554-room Paradisus Palma Real is an affordable all-inclusive resort with a romantic Caribbean setting along a stellar beach. The hotel feels bigger than its sister properties, thanks to a palatial lobby leading to a jaw-dropping courtyard, swimming pool, and beach area. There are mostly well-reviewed international buffets and a la carte restaurants (one from a Michelin-starred chef), plus 24-hour room service and several bars serving liquor and non-alcoholic beverages. Suites are decorated in a classically elegant style, and have whirlpool tubs and separate showers, free minibars, free Wi-Fi, and furnished outdoor spaces. A lovely spa with a thermal circuit, evening shows, kids’ club, and fitness activities round out amenities. For a more luxurious experience, Royal Service offers butler service and special access to a posh lounge. It’s worth comparing rates with the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.
This 330-room mid-range resort for all ages attracts a European crowd (expect to hear Spanish and Italian) and has about half the number of rooms as its sister property next door. Fewer guests, expansive grounds, and full access to features at both resorts make this the slightly higher-priced option. The rooms are nothing to write home about, but have been upgraded with white comforters and flat-screen TVs; bathrooms have either tub/shower combos or walk-in showers with removable nozzles and limited toiletries (there's a convenience store on-site for the essentials). Kiddos stay busy with shallow swimming on the beach, a children's pool, and kids' zone next door. There are limited reservations for a la carte restaurants, but a late-night wood-fire pizzeria stays open all night.
This 330-room mid-range resort for all ages attracts a European crowd (expect to hear Spanish and Italian) and has about half the number of rooms as its sister property next door. Fewer guests, expansive grounds, and full access to features at both resorts make this the slightly higher-priced option. The rooms are nothing to write home about, but have been upgraded with white comforters and flat-screen TVs; bathrooms have either tub/shower combos or walk-in showers with removable nozzles and limited toiletries (there's a convenience store on-site for the essentials). Kiddos stay busy with shallow swimming on the beach, a children's pool, and kids' zone next door. There are limited reservations for a la carte restaurants, but a late-night wood-fire pizzeria stays open all night.
This 652-room, upper-middle-range all-inclusive offers solid value in tourist-heavy Bavaro. Clean, modern rooms, a huge, lively lake-style pool (popular with partiers), quieter pool by the villas, and a bar surrounded by several hot tubs are all points in the hotel's favor. A prime section of beach is a 10-minute walk (or short shuttle ride) away. But maintenance issues, an incredibly busy, crowded atmosphere, and thumping music at night from the theater and disco will be downsides for some. It's worth comparing rates with the Iberostar Bavaro Suites and Majestic Colonial, both better options in this category.
This 652-room, upper-middle-range all-inclusive offers solid value in tourist-heavy Bavaro. Clean, modern rooms, a huge, lively lake-style pool (popular with partiers), quieter pool by the villas, and a bar surrounded by several hot tubs are all points in the hotel's favor. A prime section of beach is a 10-minute walk (or short shuttle ride) away. But maintenance issues, an incredibly busy, crowded atmosphere, and thumping music at night from the theater and disco will be downsides for some. It's worth comparing rates with the Iberostar Bavaro Suites and Majestic Colonial, both better options in this category.
This is a slightly quieter, time-share-focused upgrade on the The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort, but it's a long walk from the beach closest to the resort and most activities. All rooms are similar to one-bedroom condos each with a kitchenette, living room, and private bedroom. Still, paying more for a kitchen in an all-inclusive just doesn't make sense.
This is a slightly quieter, time-share-focused upgrade on the The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort, but it's a long walk from the beach closest to the resort and most activities. All rooms are similar to one-bedroom condos each with a kitchenette, living room, and private bedroom. Still, paying more for a kitchen in an all-inclusive just doesn't make sense.
Don't be fooled by the deceptively well-manicured grounds or Wi-Fi access: The rooms are filthy, the food is disgusting, and the beach is littered with seaweed, shells, and cigarette butts. Instead, check out the nearby, similarly priced Oasis Hamaca, which has significantly cleaner rooms, infinitely better food, and a much cleaner beach.
Don't be fooled by the deceptively well-manicured grounds or Wi-Fi access: The rooms are filthy, the food is disgusting, and the beach is littered with seaweed, shells, and cigarette butts. Instead, check out the nearby, similarly priced Oasis Hamaca, which has significantly cleaner rooms, infinitely better food, and a much cleaner beach.
The 120-room, one-and-a-half-pearl Celuisma Cabarate, is a beachside all-inclusive property, but it's memorable for all of the wrong reasons. From the trash-filled parking lot to the poor sanitation in the restaurants, it's a stretch to call this place a resort, mostly for the lack of functioning amenities. The website lists two pools, but only one was working when we visited, and despite the promise of multiple bars and restaurants, there’s just a buffet serving sub-par food and small bar with limited hours. Rates are low for the area, and budget travelers only concerned with having a roof over their heads may be fine, but UltraVioleta Boutique Residences is a far nicer option up the road.
The 120-room, one-and-a-half-pearl Celuisma Cabarate, is a beachside all-inclusive property, but it's memorable for all of the wrong reasons. From the trash-filled parking lot to the poor sanitation in the restaurants, it's a stretch to call this place a resort, mostly for the lack of functioning amenities. The website lists two pools, but only one was working when we visited, and despite the promise of multiple bars and restaurants, there’s just a buffet serving sub-par food and small bar with limited hours. Rates are low for the area, and budget travelers only concerned with having a roof over their heads may be fine, but UltraVioleta Boutique Residences is a far nicer option up the road.
This family-friendly, 613-room all-inclusive resort has a mostly European clientele. Basic rooms have received a slight refresh (no more patterned bedspreads), and the limited all-inclusive amenities help keep prices low. Three pools, trapeze lessons, and tennis are available, but most guests flock to the beach. For drinks, guests will have to take turns standing in line to get small pours in plastic cups, and repeat the process until the (beautiful) sunset. Food is not a highlight: there’s a limit on a la carte reservations, and the main buffet seems to have a crowd at all times. Overall, though, this is an affordable choice for families. Romantics should consider the VIP upgrade.
This family-friendly, 613-room all-inclusive resort has a mostly European clientele. Basic rooms have received a slight refresh (no more patterned bedspreads), and the limited all-inclusive amenities help keep prices low. Three pools, trapeze lessons, and tennis are available, but most guests flock to the beach. For drinks, guests will have to take turns standing in line to get small pours in plastic cups, and repeat the process until the (beautiful) sunset. Food is not a highlight: there’s a limit on a la carte reservations, and the main buffet seems to have a crowd at all times. Overall, though, this is an affordable choice for families. Romantics should consider the VIP upgrade.
This 310-room colorful but basic resort is the lowest-priced of the four Princess-brand properties in Punta Cana. This family-friendly offering (with two pools and separate kids’ clubs for different age brackets) is situated next door to the more party-friendly Caribe Club. Both of these properties share certain amenities such as the lobby, nightly entertainment, tennis courts, and unreliable Wi-Fi; it can take a 10-minute walk or tram ride through the mangrove trees to get from one area to the next. Tropical’s rooms tend to be pretty outdated (the larger “Familiar” option is a better bet), but for those looking for a great beach location for a low price, this is the place. Guests have access to three restaurants and seven bars (there is a fee to use the restaurants at Caribe Club) and a nice spa.
This 310-room colorful but basic resort is the lowest-priced of the four Princess-brand properties in Punta Cana. This family-friendly offering (with two pools and separate kids’ clubs for different age brackets) is situated next door to the more party-friendly Caribe Club. Both of these properties share certain amenities such as the lobby, nightly entertainment, tennis courts, and unreliable Wi-Fi; it can take a 10-minute walk or tram ride through the mangrove trees to get from one area to the next. Tropical’s rooms tend to be pretty outdated (the larger “Familiar” option is a better bet), but for those looking for a great beach location for a low price, this is the place. Guests have access to three restaurants and seven bars (there is a fee to use the restaurants at Caribe Club) and a nice spa.