Part of the massive Lifestyle Holidays complex, The Tropical boasts the closest location to the beach. Features here are plentiful and most -- including the tranquil spa and the kids’ club -- are conveniently found on the resort’s grounds. For additional dining options and nightlife, however, guests must make the trek to the neighboring sister properties. While standard rooms feel a bit dated, with flat-panel TVs, suites have more of an upscale vibe with modern kitchens and technology.
Part of the massive Lifestyle Holidays complex, The Tropical boasts the closest location to the beach. Features here are plentiful and most -- including the tranquil spa and the kids’ club -- are conveniently found on the resort’s grounds. For additional dining options and nightlife, however, guests must make the trek to the neighboring sister properties. While standard rooms feel a bit dated, with flat-panel TVs, suites have more of an upscale vibe with modern kitchens and technology.
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 20-room upscale hotel with apartment-style units, Chateau Del Mar Ocean Villas is a breath of fresh air in a town whose name is practically synonymous with the words “all-inclusive.” Although you won’t find amenities such as an on-site restaurant, spa, or fitness center, the hotel has a small pool, prime central location, and offers a breakfast package at the restaurant across the street. Well-equipped apartments have simple, modern furnishings and full kitchens; they attract families, couples, and friend groups looking to get away from the all-inclusive crowd. In this respect, there’s really nothing else like the Chateau Del Mar in Punta Cana. The adult-only Sivory Punta Cana is another small, quiet property, but rooms don't have kitchens and rates are higher.
A 20-room upscale hotel with apartment-style units, Chateau Del Mar Ocean Villas is a breath of fresh air in a town whose name is practically synonymous with the words “all-inclusive.” Although you won’t find amenities such as an on-site restaurant, spa, or fitness center, the hotel has a small pool, prime central location, and offers a breakfast package at the restaurant across the street. Well-equipped apartments have simple, modern furnishings and full kitchens; they attract families, couples, and friend groups looking to get away from the all-inclusive crowd. In this respect, there’s really nothing else like the Chateau Del Mar in Punta Cana. The adult-only Sivory Punta Cana is another small, quiet property, but rooms don't have kitchens and rates are 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.
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.
This 473-room upper-middle-range all-inclusive has a central location on El Cortecito Beach in touristy Bavaro. It manages to squeeze three pools (including one with a swim-up bar) and four restaurants onto a compact property footprint. Most rooms have reasonably modern decor though some are showing wear and have minor maintenance issues. The beautiful beach and competitive all-inclusive rates are the main reasons to stay -- not the mediocre food or evening entertainment. Expect to line up early for a la carte restaurant reservations and to snag loungers. For a quiet, even more intimate property (albeit one with pushy time-share salespeople) consider the Presidential Suites next door.
This 473-room upper-middle-range all-inclusive has a central location on El Cortecito Beach in touristy Bavaro. It manages to squeeze three pools (including one with a swim-up bar) and four restaurants onto a compact property footprint. Most rooms have reasonably modern decor though some are showing wear and have minor maintenance issues. The beautiful beach and competitive all-inclusive rates are the main reasons to stay -- not the mediocre food or evening entertainment. Expect to line up early for a la carte restaurant reservations and to snag loungers. For a quiet, even more intimate property (albeit one with pushy time-share salespeople) consider the Presidential Suites next door.
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 four-and-a-half-pearl Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is the area’s brightest and quirkiest family-centric all-inclusive resort. Kids and parents who grew up with the in-your-face cable network will immediately recognize its signature bright orange motif and blimp figurines. But, decor manages to look more luxuriously modern than tacky. Features here are outrageously fun: a huge water park, character breakfasts, and daily lottery to get slimed. Parents can drop their kids at Just Kidding for supervised activities, and then relax at the adult-only pool and spa. All 208 bold rooms feature kid-centric amenities and optional swim-up access. One luxe villa is shaped like SpongeBob's under-the-sea pineapple home. The major downside is that the ocean is often too rough for kids to swim. For lower rates, the Family Club at Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe offers a calmer beach and emphasis on kids' activities.
The four-and-a-half-pearl Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is the area’s brightest and quirkiest family-centric all-inclusive resort. Kids and parents who grew up with the in-your-face cable network will immediately recognize its signature bright orange motif and blimp figurines. But, decor manages to look more luxuriously modern than tacky. Features here are outrageously fun: a huge water park, character breakfasts, and daily lottery to get slimed. Parents can drop their kids at Just Kidding for supervised activities, and then relax at the adult-only pool and spa. All 208 bold rooms feature kid-centric amenities and optional swim-up access. One luxe villa is shaped like SpongeBob's under-the-sea pineapple home. The major downside is that the ocean is often too rough for kids to swim. For lower rates, the Family Club at Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe offers a calmer beach and emphasis on kids' activities.