Which is the best hotel in Punta Cana?
The Dominican Republic is the most popular destination in the Caribbean. If you land in Punta Cana, you have over 100 all-inclusive hotels and resorts to choose from. But which are the best hotels? This is a question we get asked frequently, and the answer is not simple, as the needs of travelers are as varied as the hotels themselves, ranging from La Romana to Uvero Alto.
Here we offer you a summary of the hotel areas:
Punta Cana actually refers only to the airport and the small town (Punta Cana Village), as well as the nearby residences that house hotels. Most of the hotels are located on the famous Playa Bavaro. Depending on the hotel, the distance from the airport to Playa Bavaro is about 20 to 30 minutes. Other hotel areas, such as Uvero Alto, Macao, and Cabeza de Toro, are in the vicinity of Playa Bavaro. Bayahibe, on the other hand, is about an hour away from the Punta Cana airport. Many hotels in Bayahibe bear the name “La Romana,” although most are located in Bayahibe.
Below is a brief description of the main hotels on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, organized by area:
1. Hotels at the Bávaro Beach from south to north
The Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort is the first hotel you will come across when arriving at Playa Bávaro from the airport. On its extensive grounds, there are two hotel areas: the family-friendly Barceló Bávaro Palace and the adults-only Barceló Bávaro Beach . The resort has well-kept facilities and an impressive sports offering, including a golf course, tennis courts, baseball, beach volleyball, table tennis, paddle tennis, billiards, a gym and much more. A real highlight is its beautiful beach, where you will always find a quiet corner under the palm trees. The sea is generally perfect for swimming, as the beach is somewhat sheltered, making the waters calm and with little seaweed. Both hotel areas are 5-star rated and are highly appreciated by our German-speaking guests.
Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort Spa & Casino
The Lopesan Costa Bávaro is one of the newest and most modern 5-star all-inclusive hotels in Playa Bávaro. It was built on the site of the former IFA Villas Bávaro. The entrance to the hotel is impressive, with a palm tree gallery that leads you to the reception. It stands out for its wide gastronomic offer, with two buffet restaurants, and options of Asian, Mexican, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. In addition, it has a steak house, a lobby bar, a Sports Bar, three pool bars and two beach clubs. The Lopesan Costa Bávaro is a really attractive hotel with an excellent proposal. During the season
When the hotel is full, the beach can sometimes feel a bit crowded, but with 7 different pools, including an infinity pool, you’ll always have options to enjoy. If you want to get out of the hotel, right next door is the well-known Jelly Fish restaurant. On the other side, you’ll find the “Bibijagua” area, packed with souvenir shops and a popular bar.
Meliá Resort
Meliá operates 5 hotels in its complex near the center of Bávaro:
– Falcon’s Resort by Meliá – All Suites Punta Cana
– Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort
This already gives us an idea of the scale of the resort. Of course, it offers all the amenities, such as a water park, kids’ club, beach club, tennis, beach volleyball, gym, casino and much more. Meliá guests can enjoy the golf courses in the neighbouring Cocotal residential complex. Their part of the beach at Playa Bávaro is very wide and really beautiful. That’s a big plus! Especially in the summer months, when the annoying seaweed washes up on the shore, there is a large part of the beach here free of algae.
Dreams + Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
AM Resorts manages the two 5-star hotels Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana (family hotel) and Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana (adults-only hotel) in the area between Meliá and the Los Corales area. Both hotels were renovated in 2021 and stand out for their good gastronomy, attentive service, excellent facilities and a very wide and extensive beach. In fact, the beach here is wider than in other parts of Playa Bávaro, allowing for many activities on the sand. In addition, these two hotels are close to Los Corales, which is ideal for those who want to explore a bit on their own. This area, with all its restaurants and bars, is waiting to be discovered. And don’t worry, it’s not dangerous. Just be careful when walking along the road after dark, as it can be a bit uncomfortable. Then better call an Uber (!!!).
The WHALA! Bavaro is located in the hustle and bustle of Los Corales. It is a simple 4-star hotel with only 263 rooms. There is a slightly more exclusive section directly on the beach. This new building has a popular infinity pool and a rooftop bar. If you like a lively atmosphere and don’t want to spend too much on your accommodation, this is the place to be. It is also a good alternative to an Airbnb accommodation, as the hotel sometimes has irresistible offers. You will be in the heart of Los Corales, where there is a wide variety of restaurants and bars with live music in the evenings. The beach is also very lively in this area.
Impressive Punta Cana
The 5-star Impressive Resort is divided into Impressive Punta Cana and Impressive Premium , and is located right between the merged areas of Los Corales and El Cortecito. This makes it easy for Impressive guests to immerse themselves in Dominican life. If you go out
Walking from the beach to the right, you will find yourself directly in Los Corales, where there is a wide variety of restaurants, cafés and bars, as well as small supermarkets. If you walk to the left, you will first find the Vista Sol hotel and, a little further on, the souvenir shops of El Cortecito.
A 90-metre-long wooden pier has been built on Impressive Beach, which looks really nice. However, during the summer months, seaweed can build up in front of the pier due to the current. Despite this, behind the pier you will often find clear, beautiful turquoise water.
Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa
Vista Sol Punta Cana is a simple 4-star hotel that offers everything you need for a pleasant holiday in Playa Bávaro: a beach with sun loungers, several swimming pools, an all-inclusive restaurant, a gym, a children’s area and a large tennis and paddle tennis area.
A big advantage of Vista Sol is its central location, ideal for those who wish to explore the area on their own. If you walk along the beach to the right, after the Impressive hotel, you will reach Los Corales, full of restaurants and bars. If you walk away from the beach to the left, you will find yourself in the middle of El Cortecito, where on weekends there is a lot of atmosphere with the arrival of locals. Here you will also find many souvenir shops and some bars.
Grand Palladium Resort Bavaro
The Grand Palladium Resort is located in Playa Bávaro, almost in the center, next to El Cortecito. There are four hotels in the complex:
– Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa
– Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa
– Grand Palladium Palace Resort & Spa
– TRS Turquesa ( adults only hotel )
The Palladium is very popular with European tourists. The complex is extensive and has all the facilities of a modern 5-star resort: a remarkable variety of restaurants, a gym, water sports, a children’s area, several swimming pools, the Zentropia Spa & Wellness, tennis, paddle tennis, archery and much more.
If you walk right out of the Palladium along the beach, you’ll enter the hustle and bustle of El Cortecito, where you’ll find souvenir stalls, restaurants and bars for those who want to explore outside the hotel. The beach at the Palladium is relatively narrow and at certain times of the year the water reaches up to the palm trees. However, the beachfront is very long, so you can always find a quiet spot at the Palladium. When seaweed or weeds wash up on the beach in the summer months, the Palladium staff usually keeps things in order.
The Occidental Punta Cana is part of the Barceló group and meets all the typical standards of a 5-star hotel in the Dominican Republic. It offers a wide variety of services and amenities.
The hotel is a culinary destination with 11 restaurants and 10 bars to choose from. It has three swimming pools and a beautiful stretch of beach that becomes wider after the Palladium. For sports-loving guests, there are two tennis courts, a basketball court, beach football, volleyball, dance classes and a fully equipped gym. There is also a nightclub offering an entertainment programme every day from 11pm to 2am. If you are looking for more fun, you can exit the hotel via the main entrance and just a few minutes’ walk away you will find the popular nightclub “Drink Point” or “Steve’s Corner Bar” (also known as “Scharfes Eck”), which is very popular with foreigners living in the country.
Further up in Playa Bávaro is the Occidental Caribe , a 4-star hotel with 1,181 rooms and 6 restaurants. Here too there are all the necessary facilities and a beautiful beach, they frequently offer very good promotions.
Princess Hotels
Princess Hotels has four independent properties, located next to each other on Playa Bávaro:
– Grand Bávaro Princess (with Princess Family Club Bávaro)
– Punta Cana Princess (adults only hotel)
The Grand Bávaro Princess is an excellent choice among 5-star hotels. It is situated on beautiful grounds, where even some mangroves have been preserved. The hotel is known for its spacious rooms and its variety of 10 themed restaurants. The stretch of beach is very beautiful and offers plenty of space. The Grand Bávaro Princess is very popular with German-speaking guests and is suitable for both couples and families. The famous casino “Avalon” is located right at the entrance of the hotel.
The 5-star Caribe Deluxe Princess is geared toward a younger crowd or those who feel young at heart. This hotel is a bit smaller, with 355 modern rooms and 7 restaurants. Overall, it’s a good choice with a beautiful stretch of beach right on Playa Bavaro.
The Punta Cana Princess is the adults-only hotel of the Princess group. It is also a 5-star hotel, known for its colorful cabanas, which are scattered around the hotel grounds. It is a smaller hotel, with 256 luxury suites, 14 honeymoon suites, and 5 restaurants.
The fourth hotel is the Tropical Deluxe Princess , also a 5-star hotel, which focuses on family vacations. It has 311 rooms, 3 swimming pools, 7 restaurants and 9 bars.
The VIK Hotel complex includes the 4-star VIK Arena Blanca hotel and the exclusive 5-star VIK Cayena Beach hotel area.
Guests of VIK Cayena Beach have access to the entire hotel complex and can use the facilities of VIK Arena Blanca, but not vice versa. The private beach section of the exclusive VIK Cayena Beach is very beautiful and quiet, and its restaurant is highly recommended. The rooms are spacious and located directly on the beach, some with stunning sea views. The VIK Arena Blanca is a simple 4-star hotel offering very competitive prices.
The Ocean Blue & Sand is a well-equipped 5-star hotel with 7 themed restaurants, 2 buffet restaurants and 11 bars. It also has a spa, a fitness center, children’s clubs, sports facilities with a climbing wall, a theatre and a disco. An artificial waterfall has been built at the entrance to the Ocean Blue & Sand. It is located in the “White Sands” residential complex, next to the large Iberostar resort. A lot of work has been done on the hotel’s beach, as the sand has receded several meters due to the waves in recent years. This explains the large, unattractive sandbags in the water in front of the beach, which are filled with sandstone and are intended to attenuate the waves.
The Iberostar resort in Bavaro is one of the most popular among our guests who accompany our excursions to the German-speaking Saona Island in the Dominican Republic. It is divided into 5 hotel areas:
JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar: One of the most exclusive hotels in Playa Bávaro, this luxurious adults-only hotel features an excellent section of beach, 7 restaurants, and 3 pools with ocean views. It is known for the replica of a sailboat that houses an original bar. Guests of JOIA have access to all other hotels in the resort.
Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Bávaro: This is an exclusive area that is part of the Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites. Here you will find suites in a privileged location, a private beach section, a buffet with live cooking and several additional benefits such as preferential reservations and free snacks. Guests of the Coral Level have access to all the hotel areas mentioned below.
Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites: This is the hotel we pick up the most clients from for our excursions to Saona Island. Reviews for this hotel are very positive, and the service is excellent by Dominican standards. It has a beautiful section of beach with plenty of space and a great offer for sports and fitness enthusiasts.
Iberostar Waves Dominicana: This is an attractive hotel for families with children. At the “Star Camp” children enjoy exciting activities. There is a children’s pool and a playground.
Iberostar Waves Punta Cana: This hotel is located right next to the Iberostar Waves Dominicana and is also designed especially for families. Both hotels are the most affordable options in the Iberostar resort.
The RIU Resort is one of the largest in Punta Cana. It has a total of 5 different hotels and a wide range of activities in the complex. Highlights include the water park with its popular slides, as well as the RIU party and the Pacha nightclub, ideal for lovers of nightlife. If you are looking for good deals, you will often find them on the RIU website, which is also highly appreciated by locals, which can make the atmosphere a little more lively at weekends.
Below is a brief description of the 5 hotels:
RIU Palace Punta Cana: Renovated a few years ago, this is the most exclusive hotel in the RIU complex. It offers a good selection of pleasant à la carte restaurants, modern rooms and a beautiful section of beach with a bar. It also has two large swimming pools right in front of the beach and a 24-hour sports bar, where high-quality cocktails are prepared.
RIU Bambú: This popular family hotel has many repeat guests who return every year. With 1,000 rooms, it offers all the necessary amenities for both adults and children.
RIU Naiboa: This is the only 4-star hotel and is located a little further away in the RIU complex, approximately 400 metres from the beach. With around 360 rooms, it offers everything you would expect from an all-inclusive hotel at a good price.
RIU Palace Macao: Reopened after renovation in 2023, this has become a very popular choice. This adults-only hotel has 360 rooms, 6 restaurants and four swimming pools with a terrace and sun loungers in the water, as well as a reserved area on the beach.
RIU Palace Bávaro: Offers approximately 600 rooms distributed between the main building and 12 villas exclusively for adults. Here you will find a popular swim-up bar, which becomes especially lively on weekends.
Bahia Principe Grand Resort
The Bahia Principe Grand Resort is one of the largest resorts in Bavaro/Punta Cana. In total, it has seven 5-star hotel areas within the Bahia Principe complex:
– Bahia Principe Grand Turquesa 5*
– Bahia Principe Grand Bavaro 5*
– Bahia Principe Grand Punta Cana 5*
– Bahía Príncipe Luxury Ambar 5*
– Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda 5*
– Bahia Principe Fantasy Punta Cana 5*
The Bahia Principe Grand Bavaro is a very popular hotel with our German-speaking guests. Here you can enjoy a good standard, especially by Dominican standards. The property is very spacious and, to move around within the resort, there are small shared taxis that are always on the move. It offers all the facilities that are
would expect from a 5-star resort, such as tennis courts, gyms and water sports activities. The beach is beautiful, located at the top of Playa Bavaro, with plenty of palm trees offering shade and restaurants and bars that are right on the sea’s edge.
Below is a brief description of each hotel area:
Bahia Principe Grand Turquesa 5* This hotel is designed especially for families. It has spacious family rooms, a water park for children, a swimming pool, three restaurants and a nightclub.
Bahia Principe Grand Bavaro 5* Also suitable for the whole family, with a slightly greater focus on entertainment, it offers 2 swimming pools, 3 restaurants and 4 bars.
Bahia Principe Grand Punta Cana 5* Similar to the Grand Bávaro, it is also suitable for the whole family, with 2 swimming pools, 3 restaurants and 5 bars.
Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar 5* Recently renovated, this is the most exclusive area of the resort, located directly on the beach. Here you will find rooms with direct access to the pool, 24-hour room service, several themed restaurants and exclusive service on the beach and at the pool.
Bahia Principe Aquamarine 5* This adults-only hotel offers a varied culinary selection and excellent entertainment options. Guests have access to the à la carte restaurants at Turquesa, Bávaro and Punta Cana. There is also a new gym with an extensive program of classes and a Sports Bar serving high-quality cocktails.
Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda 5* Opened on December 1, 2023 after a complete renovation, the Esmeralda is launching as a luxurious family hotel with a “Taino” theme, celebrating the indigenous people of the Dominican Republic. Family, culture, joy of living and exclusive service are its priorities.
Bahia Principe Fantasia Punta Cana 5* This is an exclusive hotel for families. Although it is not the most affordable, it offers a unique experience for children. It has three castles dedicated to children’s activities, a water park and an extensive sports and games program that satisfies all desires. There are also options for adults, such as exclusive à la carte restaurants, 24-hour room service, waiter service at the pool and beach, and a modern gym.
Royalton Bavaro + Royalton Punta Cana
The Royalton Bavaro is a hotel I would highly recommend. It is very modern and offers exceptional service. Our guests often praise the food at this hotel, which of course comes at a price… but it is worth it!
Let’s start with some numbers: 730 rooms, 8 restaurants, 9 bars and a food truck. There are 3 pools and a lazy river where you can let yourself go. One of its special features is the Flow Rider surf simulator. In addition, there are two tennis courts, a 9-hole mini-golf course and a kids’ club.
The beach at the Royalton Bavaro has a slightly steep slope, but this can vary depending on the season. There are comfortable sun loungers on the beach, as well as various water sports options.
The Hard Rock Hotel is the last hotel on Playa Bávaro (although a new hotel is being built a little further down the beach). Here, the beach is particularly wide and offers plenty of space for sporting activities or relaxing on a sun lounger. The beach is usually quite quiet.
The Hard Rock Hotel has a casino, which is probably the most spectacular in the entire Dominican Republic. They also often host big live concerts by well-known artists that are always packed.
Hotel guests enjoy excellent service, international drinks and cuisine, as well as a luxurious atmosphere. The Hard Rock Hotel is among the most expensive hotels in Bavaro/Punta Cana.
In recent years, several residences with apartments have been built on the Hard Rock complex. The owners have an exclusive beach club, which is located right next to the hotel.
2. Hotels in Bayahibe from West to East
Hilton La Romana
The 5-star all-inclusive Hilton La Romana resort offers both a family-friendly hotel and an adults-only hotel in Bayahibe. In total, there are 11 restaurants and 8 bars in the resort. What really stands out about this hotel is its location: it is the only hotel on the south side of Bayahibe village and has no neighboring hotels. It takes approximately 15 minutes on foot along the beach to reach the center of Bayahibe.
The beach is very nice and wide. There are plenty of sun loungers and a well-equipped water sports department. To the left of the beach are most of the boats that take guests to Saona Island every day. This is a hotel we would gladly recommend.
Viva Wyndham Resorts
Viva Wyndham operates two all-inclusive resorts in Bayahibe:
– Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach
– Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace
The resort is located in the heart of the Dominicus area, which is a great advantage for those who want to get out of the hotel and immerse themselves in Dominican life. Another great plus point is the beach of the Viva Wyndham resorts, which is beautiful and perfect for swimming in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
However, online reviews for both resorts are not very favorable. Guests often point out problems with service, food, and cleanliness. The Viva Wyndham Palace receives better reviews than the Viva Wyndham Beach.
Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus
The Iberostar Selection Hacienda Dominicus is a popular 5-star all-inclusive hotel in Bayahibe. The image of the lighthouse-shaped bar on the beach is one of the most iconic photos of the Dominicus hotel zone and perfectly represents the Iberostar.
The resort is designed in colonial style and stands out for its beautiful landscaping. It features 5 specialty restaurants, various activities for children at the Star Camp, a wellness area called Spa Sensations, and excellent sports facilities. Guests can choose from 6 different room categories.
Iberostar is always a good choice, as here you don’t have to worry about basic aspects such as service, food quality and cleanliness.
Catalonia Bayahibe
On the grounds of Catalonia Gran Resorts, in the Dominicus area in Bayahibe, there are two hotels:
– Catalonia Bayahibe (4 stars)
– Catalonia Royal La Romana (5 stars, adults only)
Catalonia Bayahibe offers 5 different room categories, from simple double rooms with garden views to spacious family rooms. All rooms are located in two-story villas with a balcony or terrace, surrounded by beautiful tropical vegetation. There is a huge central pool with a hydromassage area and a sports animation area, as well as Margarita’s Swim Up Bar, where you can enjoy service directly in the water. There is also a buffet restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a small selection of à la carte restaurants.
The adults-only Catalonia Royal La Romana offers a more luxurious atmosphere. Its room offering includes several suites with direct access to the pool and a private area on the beach. Guests can enjoy some gourmet restaurants and have access to all the facilities of the neighbouring hotel, Catalonia Bayahibe.
The Dreams hotel in Bayahibe is part of AM Resorts, which also operates many hotels (such as Hyatt, Secrets, Zoetry and Breathless) in Punta Cana and Uvero Alto. The standard of this American hotel chain is generally very high. The hotels are modern and always located in excellent locations.
Dreams Dominicus La Romana is located in Bayahibe, on a beautiful beach. If you walk to the left along the beach, you will only find a few small facilities before the hotel stretches end. Here you can stroll for hours along a wild beach and explore the “Cotubanama” National Park at your own pace.
The hotel offers a wide selection of dining options, with 10 restaurants and 8 bars on site. Guests also have access to a well-equipped gym, a fitness program, a spa, and a beach volleyball court. If you’re looking for something more exclusive, you can opt for the Preferred Club.
We regularly pick up guests from Dreams Dominicus La Romana for our Saona Island Stars excursion, and they are always very satisfied with their stay at this hotel.
This hotel is typically excellent value for money and is one of the more affordable options in the Hyatt chain. Of course, it is all-inclusive, family-friendly, with several bars, pools, a gym and an entertaining atmosphere.
3. Hotel Playa Macao and Uvero Alto from South to North
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana is one of the newest all-inclusive resorts in the Punta Cana region. It offers ultra-modern rooms, top-notch restaurants and all the sports facilities that a 5-star hotel cannot do without.
It is, for now, the only hotel located on the beautiful Macao Beach. During the construction of the hotel, the facilities on the beach were also completely renovated. There are some lovely restaurants where they prepare fresh grilled fish, souvenir shops, coconut sellers and a surf shop.
However, Playa Macao is not the safest place for bathing. The section of beach right in front of the hotel can be dangerous due to the strong currents that, unfortunately, claim the lives of some people every year. But if you walk to the right, towards the end of the bay, the water becomes calm, and is ideal for swimming and snorkelling in a wonderful setting.
Ocean El Faro is the first hotel you come across when heading to Uvero Alto. The name of this 5-star resort comes from a lighthouse that is located on the hotel grounds, and offers a spectacular view of the sea.
The hotel has a long beach. It has an exclusive area for adults called “El Beso” and a children’s area known as “Daisy Club”, which includes water slides and entertainment activities. The gastronomic offer includes 10 restaurants, 13 bars, a café and an ice cream parlour. For more active guests, the hotel stands out especially for its tennis facilities.
The Royalton Chic is a small and very exclusive adults-only hotel located in Uvero Alto. The beach at Uvero Alto is beautiful and extensive. In general, the waves here come in a bit “wilder” compared to Playa Bávaro. During the summer, it is also common to have problems with large amounts of seaweed.
The Chic is not a quiet hotel to relax in… it’s all about partying here. Pool party, foam party, theme parties… there’s a party every day! Most of the guests are Americans. Here are some facts about the hotel:
320 rooms and suites
restaurants
5 bars
4 swimming pools, including a swim-up bar
Gym
Spa
Casino
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana
If you look at the hotel’s website, you’ll notice that SpongeBob SquarePants appears to be the official Nickelodeon mascot. This is probably the most exclusive family hotel in the Punta Cana region, with an extensive entertainment offering for children.
This American hotel not only offers rooms and suites, you can also rent an entire villa with a pool for your family! Here are some facts about the hotel:
460 rooms and suites
9 restaurants
4 bars
4 swimming pools
1 spa
Jewel is part of the “Playa Hotels & Resorts” group, which also manages the Hyatt and Hilton resorts in the Dominican Republic. There are two Jewel hotels in the Punta Cana region: the “Palm Beach” in Cabeza de Toro and the “Jewel Punta Cana” in Uvero Alto, which is the one I will describe below. Both Jewel hotels were called “Dreams” until 2022.
Jewel Punta Cana has a total of 620 spacious rooms and suites. According to information on its website, the hotel has one of the largest pool areas in the Dominican Republic. At this resort, great importance is given to gastronomic variety, with several restaurants and bars available:
L’ile de France – French a la carte restaurant
Cocoa Bean Café – premium coffee and snacks
Jade – Asian a la carte restaurant
Court Jester Fire-Oven Pizza – Italian Pizza Specialty
Sea Grill & Bar – seafood a la carte
Moonstone by Sofia – gourmet Italian cuisine
Two Palms Grill – steaks, burgers and live cooking
Coral Market Buffet – international buffet
Cana – Pool Bar – cocktails and drinks by the pool
Blue Bayou Bar – bar in the French restaurant
Jaspers – Music Lounge
Sunken Treasure Swim-Up Bar
Sunset Bar – lobby bar
Bling – Theater Bar
Aqua Marina Bar – for cocktails by the pool
The Terrace – Outdoor Lounge
As you can see, Jewel Punta Cana has a wide range of dining options. In addition, the beach area in Uvero Alto is beautiful, with plenty of palm trees providing shade. The hotel also offers a kids’ club, a well-equipped gym, a spa and an extensive entertainment offering.
Live Aqua Beach Resort Punta Cana
The Live Aqua is one of the newest hotels in the Punta Cana region, with a very modern architecture, which takes a little getting used to at first in Uvero Alto.
This adults-only hotel puts a lot of focus on its spectacular and luxurious pool design, which of course includes an infinity pool. It also offers several swim-up suites.
The resort features several restaurants offering a variety of cuisines: Italian, Japanese, French, Mexican, Mediterranean and of course, Dominican. In addition, there is a well-equipped gym and an exquisite spa, essential features of a 5-star luxury resort.
The beach is very well laid out, with lots of palm trees and places to relax in the shade. Guests who choose this hotel highly value its luxurious, if somewhat impersonal, atmosphere, which can make you miss out on a bit of the typical Caribbean atmosphere.
Dreams Onyx is a popular 5-star luxury hotel located in Uvero Alto. Dreams is part of the American group “AM Resorts”, which also manages brands such as Hyatt, Secrets or Breathless, all of which promise the highest standard of quality and service.
Dreams Onyx is a family-friendly hotel, but offers a special advantage for adults: they have full access to the dining options and spectacular entertainment program at the neighboring hotel, Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa.
Dreams Onyx features 806 luxurious suites. For families, there is the Explorers Club for children aged 3-12, and the Core Zone Teens Club for teenagers aged 13-17. For pool lovers, there are several options: an infinity pool, a Lazy River with cocktail bar and a children’s pool with water slides.
The hotel’s dining options include 23 restaurants and bars. For more active guests, the hotel has a fitness center, as well as tennis, volleyball and various non-motorized water sports options.
It is a hotel from which we always pick up satisfied guests for our excursions.
Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Party, party, party… at Breathless Punta Cana!
Breathless itself calls itself the “Mecca of Entertainment.” It is a 5-star luxury adults-only hotel in Uvero Alto. There are events every day with live DJs, live music, and other performances. The entertainment program is of high quality and designed to get guests to join in on the fun. But that’s not all.
You can also find quiet places within the hotel. There is a wide range of sports on offer, with a gym and a varied programme of classes. Guests of Breathless have unlimited access to the neighbouring hotel, Dreams Onyx, which belongs to the same hotel group (AM Resorts). This advantage makes the offer even more complete.
Breathless itself has 10 restaurants, of which 7 are a la carte. The 750 rooms and suites are decorated in a stylish and modern style. Most guests are American, and it is common to find groups celebrating bachelor parties or weddings. In addition, there are special tables in the restaurants for those looking to make new friends.
Conclusion: A first-class hotel with a wide and high-quality gastronomic and entertainment offer. Party, sport or relaxation… everything is possible! But only for those with a well-prepared budget!
The Finest Punta Cana is a 5-star luxury hotel in Uvero Alto that shines with excellent online reviews:
– 10,112 reviews on Google with a score of 4.9 out of 5
– 3,166 reviews on TripAdvisor with a rating of 4.5 out of 5
(Data as of October 2024)
Reviews particularly highlight the food, rooms, cleanliness, friendliness and excellent service of the staff. This family-run hotel offers everything you would expect from a luxury resort in the premium segment, including:
15 restaurants, bars and lounges
2 food trucks
Pool and beach service
Modern gym
Kids club and baby care
Spa area
Daily entertainment program
7 swimming pools
6 heated outdoor jacuzzis
Kayak and snorkeling equipment rental
Spanish, cooking and dance classes
Activities such as tennis, ping-pong, paddle tennis, billiards and darts
Aerobics and yoga
Excellence El Carmen is an all-inclusive luxury resort for adults only. This hotel is very modern and all rooms maintain a similar design. In total, there are 23 pools in the resort, of which three are the main pools and the other 20 are pools with direct access from the rooms on the ground floor (swim-up pools).
The hotel features 11 restaurants, 2 food trucks and a total of 16 bars, pool bars and lounges, where guests can enjoy cocktails, coffee and other drinks. It also offers a gym, a spa, a theatre, a water sports section, a shopping arcade and a cigar shop.
The Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort is a very popular hotel, especially known for its excellent family-friendly offerings. We have spent several weekends there, as it has one of the best water parks for children. This 12,000 m² water park has multiple slides, pools for different ages, and a bar with various snacks.
The Grand Sirenis offers everything a 5-star family hotel should have. There are 12 restaurants and 13 bars throughout the complex. There is also a 650 m² spa area and a wide beach with plenty of palm trees for shade. The hotel was completely renovated in 2018.
During the weekends, it can be a bit busier as many local Santo Domingo families take advantage of the hotel’s deals.
Excellence Punta Cana is a 5-star all-inclusive luxury resort for adults only. A highlight of the hotel is its beautiful Botanical Garden. It also features a mini-golf course, a well-equipped gym, basketball and tennis courts, a theatre, a water sports centre and a spa.
The gastronomic offer includes 9 restaurants and 12 bars and lounges. The complex has 4 large swimming pools: the main pool, one with a hydromassage, one with a waterfall and a pool facing the sea.
Excellence Punta Cana is located in a quiet area of Uvero Alto, with no hotels nearby, ideal for long walks on the beach. However, the waves can be a bit higher in this area.
Zoetry Agua is one of the most secluded hotels in the Punta Cana region, located at the end of the road in Uvero Alto. All the guests we have picked up at Zoetry for our excursions to Saona Island have been delighted with this AMResorts hotel.
This small, eco-friendly luxury hotel has only 96 rooms and places great emphasis on the use of natural materials in its construction. For example, all the hotel’s roofs are made of palm leaves (techos de cana). In addition, the hotel offers all the amenities of a 5-star luxury resort.
A special detail is the coral reef that is located right in front of the hotel’s beach.
4. Hotels in the Cabeza de Toro area
The Catalonia Resort, in the Cabeza de Toro area, is a very popular hotel among German-speaking tourists. It is the first hotel you come across after the airport in the direction of Bávaro, located in a quieter area of Cabeza de Toro.
The resort has two hotels: the Catalonia Bávaro Beach and the Catalonia Royal Bávaro , the latter for adults only. The Catalonia Bávaro Beach is usually very attractively priced, making it a popular choice. Right next door is the Pearl Beach Club, which is part of the hotel. In some rooms, at night, you can hear music coming from the club.
The Catalonia Royal Bávaro, on the other hand, is quieter and offers beautiful facilities with an excellent selection of à la carte restaurants.
Catalonia’s beach is usually very pretty, ideal for long walks on a secluded beach that stretches towards the airport. However, when the sargassum arrives, the landscape on Cabeza de Toro beach can become a bit chaotic.
Since autumn 2023, the Serenade is made up of two hotels: – Serenade Punta Cana Beach & Spa Resort*****
– Serenade All Suites ***** (adults only)
These are the newest hotels built in Cabeza de Toro. The Serenade Punta Cana Beach has 603 rooms and offers a buffet restaurant and 5 themed restaurants. These include a steakhouse, an Italian restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, a Mediterranean restaurant and an international restaurant. In addition, it has several swimming pools, a water sports section, a kids’ club, a gym and much more.
The 18+ only Serenade All Suites has 325 luxurious rooms, 6 themed restaurants and 5 themed bars. It also has swim-up rooms, several pools and 260 meters of private beach right in front of the hotel. Everything is brand new, super luxurious and with excellent service. Both Serenade hotels are highly recommended!
The former Be Live hotel was acquired by the Hyatt group in 2023 and is now called Sunscape Coco Punta Can. It is a spacious 4-star family hotel with 1,059 rooms. Although reviews are mixed, we think it is a good, affordable option for families looking for budget accommodation. Of course, it is an all-inclusive hotel, it has a childcare service and a large central area with swimming pools.
Jewel Palm Beach Punta Cana Hotel
Jewel Palm Beach is a 5-star family-friendly hotel located in Cabeza de Toro, which changed its name from Dreams Palm Beach to Jewel Palm Beach in 2022. As is usual in the hotels of the Jewel chain, it offers a wide gastronomic variety in its well-known restaurants and bars:
Beach Eatery: light lunchtime meals
L’île de France: French a la carte restaurant
Cocoa Bean Café: premium coffee and snacks
Jade: Asian a la carte restaurant
Tree + Agave: Mexican restaurant
Moonstone by Sofia: gourmet Italian cuisine
Two Palms Grill: steakhouse, burgers and show cooking
Coral Market Buffet: international buffet
Cana – Pool Bar: cocktails and drinks
Jaspers: Music Room
Sunken Treasure Swim-Up Bar: swim-up bar
Sunset Bar: lobby bar
Bling: bar in the theater
Aqua Marina Bar: cocktails by the pool
The Terrace: outdoor lounge
In addition, there is a wide variety of activities available:
Tennis, beach volleyball, darts, table tennis
Snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing
4 swimming pools and a children’s pool
Gym, yoga, aerobics
Kids’ club** (for children aged 3 to 12)
Teens Club** (for teenagers aged 13 to 17)
Daily entertainment program
The Jewel Palm Beach is a lovely hotel with good service. However, during the summer months, there can be a greater presence of sargassum (seaweed) on the beach and in the sea, which unfortunately sometimes overwhelms the hotels’ ability to keep the beach clean at Cabeza de Toro .
In Cabeza de Toro there is also a hotel of the Dreams chain: the Dreams Flora (previously known as Natura Park ).
This 5-star hotel reopened in 2022, after a long break, completely renovated and with a new name. It now belongs to the American group AM Resorts (like Hyatt, Secrets and Breathless) and offers modern facilities and top-notch service.
What makes Dreams Flora special is the lush nature that surrounds the resort. For nature lovers, the hotel’s pathways are beautifully decorated with numerous palm trees, flowers and shrubs, creating a truly enchanting setting to explore.
Dreams Flora has 520 luxury rooms, 8 restaurants and 13 bars. Its facilities include a gym, a spa, tennis and basketball courts, a giant chess board, a water park with slides for children and several pools for relaxation.
If you walk left from the hotel along the beach, you will find a beautiful natural beach with no hotels. If you continue walking for about 30 to 40 minutes, you will reach Playa Bávaro. This stretch of beach is perfect for snorkeling, as long as the waves allow it. Between Cabeza de Toro and Playa Bávaro there is a beautiful reef in shallow waters, ideal for exploring.
5. Hotels in the luxury resorts of Cap Cana and Punta Cana
They say it’s the most exclusive hotel in the Punta Cana region. Spending a night in a private beachfront villa can easily exceed four digits. The Eden Roc is a small luxury hotel with 65 suites and villas, located on the southern tip of Cap Cana. It has a beautiful private beach and is surrounded by a golf course.
As part of its concept, it offers top-class gourmet restaurants and an impressive spa for a total wellness experience.
The Sanctuary Cap Cana is part of an American hotel chain and is very popular with our guests. This adults-only hotel was recently renovated with an investment of 45 million dollars.
One of the great advantages of hotels in Cap Cana is their private and quiet beaches. In addition, this luxurious 5-star hotel offers everything you would expect from an exclusive vacation in the Caribbean. It has 5 restaurants, 7 bars and lounges, 6 swimming pools and a well-equipped gym.
Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma
Margaritaville is one of the newest hotel facilities in the Punta Cana region, located near the beautiful Playa Juanillo in Cap Cana. According to reviews on Booking.com (8 out of 10 points), the hotel’s private beach is somewhat rocky and there is no service offered there. However, it is definitely worth taking a walk to Playa Juanillo.
According to information on its website, Margaritaville stands out for its exceptional restaurants, specialty bars and daily live music. Its 516 all-inclusive rooms and 39 spectacular luxury villas with private pools on the balconies combine island-inspired design with luxurious comfort, providing guests with a perfect relaxation experience. Aerial images on the hotel’s website offer a breathtaking view of the place, ideal for getting a sense of the paradise that awaits them.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana + Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
The Hyatt resort is located in the exclusive Cap Cana residential area, just a stone’s throw from the airport. In this beautiful setting, you can enjoy two almost identical five-star hotels, each with 375 rooms and suites. All balconies face the sea, although some offer a more privileged view than others. The property is located on the popular Playa Juanillo, a true paradise. In addition, Cap Cana is an ideal destination for golf lovers, as it has a first-class golf course.
This is the perfect family hotel for those looking for fun at every turn. Here you will find a spectacular water park with slides and a relaxing lazy river. With 12 restaurants and bars, there is something for everyone. If you like to stay active, there is also a gym with a cardio area and rooms for spinning and Zumba. In addition, activities such as water volleyball, cooking classes, yoga and dance are offered.
This adults-only hotel allows guests to enjoy all the facilities of the Hyatt Ziva, which means you’ll have access to 25 restaurants in total! Plus, it has one of the largest conference centers in Punta Cana, ideal for events and meetings.
Cap Cana hotels are some of the most luxurious in the Punta Cana region, but it pays to shop around. Some of our guests have found real bargains during the off-season and have been pleasantly surprised by staying at Hyatt.
TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina
TRS Cap Cana is a luxurious adults-only hotel located in the Cap Cana Marina, in the “Fishing Lodge” area. This is the only hotel in that area of the port, which gives it a special charm. Part of the Palladium group, it is one of the most intimate hotels in Punta Cana, with only 115 units, all of them luxurious suites that feature a terrace and sea views or direct access to the pool.
The hotel has three swimming pools and a small private beach. For gourmets, there is an à la carte restaurant offering Argentine specialities, an international restaurant and a Beach Club with an Ibizan atmosphere.
Club Med has a legion of fans around the world. With 66 hotels, it is the third largest provider of club holidays in the German-speaking world, after Robinson and Aldiana.
Club Med is located in the luxurious residential area of Punta Cana, right next to the airport. In fact, getting from Punta Cana Airport to the hotel takes just five minutes.
An exceptional luxury resort awaits you here. Club Med hotels are known for their professional entertainment, superior comfort and top-notch service. The property features some 500 meters of fine white sand surrounded by palm trees, and its turquoise water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling and enjoying a variety of water sports that the club offers.
You’ll never be bored here. A top-class entertainment and sports programme keeps Club Med fans of all ages excited and active. Both the staff and many of the guests reflect the French style that characterises Club Med.
Although a vacation at an exclusive club may not be the cheapest, it is definitely worth it if you make the most of the program and activities available.
And here’s an interesting fact: there’s a second Club Med not far from here! Club Med Miches, located on the beautiful Playa Esmeralda, is also worth a visit.
Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in this Caribbean paradise!
