The sole adults-only hotel on the five-resort Riu complex, the Macao has a generally upscale vibe that’s significantly more tranquil than its sister properties. There’s still the requisite poolside entertainment and loud music by the gorgeous, white-sand beach, but couple-friendly amenities (which the other properties lack) include name-brand liquor and a designated VIP section on the beach. While this all-inclusive features sleek rooms and fun nightly entertainment, many guests complain about the mediocre food and the long walk to the gym and spa.
The sole adults-only hotel on the five-resort Riu complex, the Macao has a generally upscale vibe that’s significantly more tranquil than its sister properties. There’s still the requisite poolside entertainment and loud music by the gorgeous, white-sand beach, but couple-friendly amenities (which the other properties lack) include name-brand liquor and a designated VIP section on the beach. While this all-inclusive features sleek rooms and fun nightly entertainment, many guests complain about the mediocre food and the long walk to the gym and spa.
This lively 658-room resort is situated on pretty Bavaro Beach and draws a mix of families, spring breakers, and wedding groups. The grounds are a highlight, with tropical birds and palm trees all around, and there's are a wide range of bars and restaurants -- even a 24-hour pizzeria for those needing a late-night fix. This three-and-a-half-pearl resort is more walkable that other mega-resorts in the area, and rooms have homey, tropical style plus whirlpool tubs and balconies. There are plenty of activities like biking, tennis, archery, and a range of free non-motorized water sports. However, staff are always around to sell extra excursions and timeshare packages, so start practicing: "No, gracias." As an alternative, the Grand Palladium Punta Cana is a bit more pricey, but rooms have more personality.
This lively 658-room resort is situated on pretty Bavaro Beach and draws a mix of families, spring breakers, and wedding groups. The grounds are a highlight, with tropical birds and palm trees all around, and there's are a wide range of bars and restaurants -- even a 24-hour pizzeria for those needing a late-night fix. This three-and-a-half-pearl resort is more walkable that other mega-resorts in the area, and rooms have homey, tropical style plus whirlpool tubs and balconies. There are plenty of activities like biking, tennis, archery, and a range of free non-motorized water sports. However, staff are always around to sell extra excursions and timeshare packages, so start practicing: "No, gracias." As an alternative, the Grand Palladium Punta Cana is a bit more pricey, but rooms have more personality.
Grand Bahia Principe Aquamarine is an upper-middle-range adults-only resort within a resort, situated in Punta Cana's larger Grand Bahia complex (which it shares with four other resorts). The 498 Junior Suites here are more or less identical, and include furnished balconies and daily restocked minibars. Facilities exclusive to the Aquamarine include a huge central pool area with lots of seating and a bar, plus two a la carte specialty restaurants (one with international fine dining, the other with Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine). Guests also get access to restaurants and amenities across the larger resort, including tennis courts, a fitness center, and a spa. Grand Bahia Principe Aquamarine is right on the beach, with water sports facilities available. Families might want to consider Fantasia Bahia Principe Punta Cana instead, which allows children and offers much more for kids.
Grand Bahia Principe Aquamarine is an upper-middle-range adults-only resort within a resort, situated in Punta Cana's larger Grand Bahia complex (which it shares with four other resorts). The 498 Junior Suites here are more or less identical, and include furnished balconies and daily restocked minibars. Facilities exclusive to the Aquamarine include a huge central pool area with lots of seating and a bar, plus two a la carte specialty restaurants (one with international fine dining, the other with Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine). Guests also get access to restaurants and amenities across the larger resort, including tennis courts, a fitness center, and a spa. Grand Bahia Principe Aquamarine is right on the beach, with water sports facilities available. Families might want to consider Fantasia Bahia Principe Punta Cana instead, which allows children and offers much more for kids.
True to its namesake brand, the four-pearl Hotel Riu Republica is a sprawling, mega-resort designed to cater to a hard-partying and adult-only clientele. With eight pools, a water park, nine restaurants, 10 bars, and premium all-inclusive alcohol always within reach, the buzz starts at sun-up and goes until well after dark. Foam parties, circus acts, and DJs keep the party vibe going. The 1,382 rooms are bright and contemporary, but mostly functional with flat-screen TVs, balconies, free minibars, and liquor dispensers. However, the beach and pools are overcrowded, the food is mediocre, and the atmosphere is loud and brash for 12 hours every day. For a bit more money, the neighboring Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana offers more amenities in a slicker, more stylish package.
True to its namesake brand, the four-pearl Hotel Riu Republica is a sprawling, mega-resort designed to cater to a hard-partying and adult-only clientele. With eight pools, a water park, nine restaurants, 10 bars, and premium all-inclusive alcohol always within reach, the buzz starts at sun-up and goes until well after dark. Foam parties, circus acts, and DJs keep the party vibe going. The 1,382 rooms are bright and contemporary, but mostly functional with flat-screen TVs, balconies, free minibars, and liquor dispensers. However, the beach and pools are overcrowded, the food is mediocre, and the atmosphere is loud and brash for 12 hours every day. For a bit more money, the neighboring Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana offers more amenities in a slicker, more stylish package.
This 570-room property is part of the Bahia Principe brand's Don Pablo Collection and is one of the smaller, more luxurious options in the Bahia Principe resort complex. With an airy, relaxed scene and pretty surroundings, this seaside locale seems to attract an even mix of families and couples. Guests can choose to get their Vitamin D fix at two pools or the adjacent beach (best to snag a spot early). Though dining options on-site are limited, guests get unlimited access to several restaurant, bar and nightlife areas -- as well as all the family-friendly amenities -- of the entire resort complex by walking or using the shuttle.
This 570-room property is part of the Bahia Principe brand's Don Pablo Collection and is one of the smaller, more luxurious options in the Bahia Principe resort complex. With an airy, relaxed scene and pretty surroundings, this seaside locale seems to attract an even mix of families and couples. Guests can choose to get their Vitamin D fix at two pools or the adjacent beach (best to snag a spot early). Though dining options on-site are limited, guests get unlimited access to several restaurant, bar and nightlife areas -- as well as all the family-friendly amenities -- of the entire resort complex by walking or using the shuttle.
The upper-middle-range, 502-room section of the enormous Grand Bahia Principe Resort is one of the newer areas of the complex, but it doesn't show -- expect patterned bedspreads and drapes. Still, families will appreciate close proximity to a water park, children's spa (yes, a spa for kids!), tennis courts, mini-golf course, go-cart track, and playground area. Low prices for the basic level means that guests can expect limitations on a la carte restaurant reservations and non-motorized water sports. As this section is farthest from the beach area, most guests don't mind sticking to the pool -- but beware of early risers who reserve prime pool spots. Premier Suites (and their higher prices) come with more space for families with young ones, and extra amenities such as bathrobes and slippers.
The upper-middle-range, 502-room section of the enormous Grand Bahia Principe Resort is one of the newer areas of the complex, but it doesn't show -- expect patterned bedspreads and drapes. Still, families will appreciate close proximity to a water park, children's spa (yes, a spa for kids!), tennis courts, mini-golf course, go-cart track, and playground area. Low prices for the basic level means that guests can expect limitations on a la carte restaurant reservations and non-motorized water sports. As this section is farthest from the beach area, most guests don't mind sticking to the pool -- but beware of early risers who reserve prime pool spots. Premier Suites (and their higher prices) come with more space for families with young ones, and extra amenities such as bathrobes and slippers.
Club Med Punta Cana is a four-pearl, oceanfront all-inclusive resort that's popular with families and 10 minutes from Punta Cana’s international airport. The resort’s 630 rooms have modern interiors with tan daybeds, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and balconies or terraces. Some rooms have mini-fridges, but none include alcohol. The resort's stunning long, sandy beach is lined with lounge chairs and a beachfront Cirque du Soleil circus school. The three restaurants are delicious and even the table wine is tasty. Other amenities include two outdoor pools, free non-motorized water sports, a full-service spa, modern gym, and huge kids' club. Upgraded Tiara packages are available with swisher rooms, a private lounge, infinity pool, and bar. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts is another family-friendly all-inclusive with more exciting water features and a pineapple-shaped villa.
Club Med Punta Cana is a four-pearl, oceanfront all-inclusive resort that's popular with families and 10 minutes from Punta Cana’s international airport. The resort’s 630 rooms have modern interiors with tan daybeds, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and balconies or terraces. Some rooms have mini-fridges, but none include alcohol. The resort's stunning long, sandy beach is lined with lounge chairs and a beachfront Cirque du Soleil circus school. The three restaurants are delicious and even the table wine is tasty. Other amenities include two outdoor pools, free non-motorized water sports, a full-service spa, modern gym, and huge kids' club. Upgraded Tiara packages are available with swisher rooms, a private lounge, infinity pool, and bar. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts is another family-friendly all-inclusive with more exciting water features and a pineapple-shaped villa.
This 485-room upscale all-inclusive resort serves as the newer, pricier sister to the Memories Splash next door. It is better suited to couples, with its on-site casino and adult-only options (a pool and dedicated room buildings), while the Memories Splash -- which has easier access to the large water park, as well as some rooms with bunk beds -- draws more families. Rooms here are stylish and modern, and some have swim-out pool access. Features include an attractive ocean-view main pool with swim-up bar and adjacent kiddy pool, huge and gorgeous white-sand beach, six restaurants, and access to the options at Memories.
This 485-room upscale all-inclusive resort serves as the newer, pricier sister to the Memories Splash next door. It is better suited to couples, with its on-site casino and adult-only options (a pool and dedicated room buildings), while the Memories Splash -- which has easier access to the large water park, as well as some rooms with bunk beds -- draws more families. Rooms here are stylish and modern, and some have swim-out pool access. Features include an attractive ocean-view main pool with swim-up bar and adjacent kiddy pool, huge and gorgeous white-sand beach, six restaurants, and access to the options at Memories.
Two Sirenis properties have merged into one here, with more than 800 rooms. Aquagames, the biggest water park in Punta Cana, has a number of cool vertical slides (adults love them, too), two kids' pools, and sunbathing areas. Guests have unlimited free access to the water park. The resort, which is on a beach, offers clean (if slightly basic) tropical-style rooms with colorful decor accents. Its facilities, including two swim-up bars, a full fitness center, evening entertainment, a disco, casino, and several themed restaurants draw guests from North America, Europe, and Russia. Not all the rooms have been renovated, though. Guests have complained about maintenance problems.
Two Sirenis properties have merged into one here, with more than 800 rooms. Aquagames, the biggest water park in Punta Cana, has a number of cool vertical slides (adults love them, too), two kids' pools, and sunbathing areas. Guests have unlimited free access to the water park. The resort, which is on a beach, offers clean (if slightly basic) tropical-style rooms with colorful decor accents. Its facilities, including two swim-up bars, a full fitness center, evening entertainment, a disco, casino, and several themed restaurants draw guests from North America, Europe, and Russia. Not all the rooms have been renovated, though. Guests have complained about maintenance problems.