Melia Caribe Beach Resort

This property rebranded from its previous iteration as the Melia Caribe Tropical when it decided to split off into the family-friendly Melia Caribe Beach Resort and adults-only The Level at Melia Caribe Beach. While this transformation brought some renovations, past guests have reported some areas of the resort such as the rooms as still looking worn and in need of a refresh. The sprawling property has a stunning location along a wide stretch of Punta Cana’s Bavaro Beach, but the expansive grounds mean some rooms are a far walk from the sand and many guests opt to take the free golf cart transportation provided.
On the plus side, the grounds are lovely, filled with greenery, modern tropical furniture, a serene neutral palette with pops of ocean blue, and light, airy spaces anchored by marble. One indoor-outdoor area off the lobby, for example, features a pavilion with turquoise wicker peacock-style chairs in the center of a water feature, accessible by a minimalist wooden bridge. Multiple pools, restaurants, and bars dot the property, as does the fun Splash Island Water Park. Rooms are housed in whitewashed buildings that are no more than three stories high – all with either pool or garden views.
Guests tend to be a mixture of couples and families, with plenty available for each type of traveler. However, couples may prefer The Level at Melia Caribe Beach for an adults-only experience, updated rooms, and access to an exclusive restaurant.

The all-inclusive Melia Caribe Beach Resort is situated in the popular Punta Cana area of Bavaro Beach, right along a wide stretch of beautiful white sand. The grounds incorporate the adults-only The Level at Melia Caribe Beach. Sister property Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort, an adults-only all-inclusive resort, is also next door. The ground at this resort are huge, so there’s on-site golf carts and trams to take guests between parts of the resort (however, it can be a little unreliable in terms of timing and might take longer than walking -- the trams especially).
Cocotal Golf and Country Club, located a 15-minute drive from the resort, is a 27-hole golf course designed by Spanish golf champion Jose “Pepe” Gancedo. Guests get free access to the course but must pay for the required golf carts and caddy service. For those who like to shop, the tourist-oriented Palma Real Shopping Village is located next to the resort, a five-minute free hotel shuttle ride or an 18-minute walk away. The hotel also offers a free shuttle to and from to the much more luxurious Baha Mar resort, which, while generally worth the day out, some say highlights the low points of a stay at Melia Caribe. Punta Cana International Airport is a 20-minute (pricey) taxi away.

The Melia Caribe Beach Resort’s rooms are all decorated in an elegant, neutral-tone style that is attractive, albeit a bit bland. Entry-level units have simple dark-wood furniture, marble floors, and white walls and linens. Walls are largely bare, aside from a decorative mirror. All units have furnished balconies or patios, with views of either the pools or gardens – no ocean views, unfortunately. Note that some past guests have reported wear and tear in rooms. Also, be aware that some rooms are far from the beach.
Standard amenities consist of sitting areas, desks, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and free minibars that are stocked with beer, soft drinks, and water. Free Wi-Fi, ironing equipment, and safes are also provided. Marble bathrooms have spacious showers, hairdryers, and toiletries. Upgraded rooms add whirlpool bathtubs, while Family Rooms add sofa beds and bunk beds.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort Punta Cana offers 13 restaurants shared with The Level at Melia Caribe Beach, and a few of them are for adults only. All restaurants are included under the all-inclusive rate except for Hokkaido, a Japanese teppanyaki-style eatery with show cooking. Restaurants are decorated in their own style and cuisines range from Mediterranean and Italian to Tex-Mex and Spanish. While the general consensus is that the food is on the good side of average (along the lines of most all-inclusive expectations), the Japanese restaurant is a standout. All-day buffet restaurants are available. Reservations are not required at a la carte restaurants.
Several bars are spread across the property, including a swim-up bar. The alcoholic drinks included in the all-inclusive package tend to have decent pours, though The Level rooms are the only ones with top-shelf booze included.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort is all-inclusive, meaning all meals, snacks, and drinks are covered by the package. The only eatery requiring an additional charge is the Japanese eatery Hokkaido, which past guests have said is worth the fee. Also, be aware that some of the restaurants are for adults only, so families with kids have more limited options. Non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are part of the room rate, though liquor is not top-shelf. Most activities and entertainment is included, such as dance lessons, yoga, and non-motorized water sports, as well as the Cocotal Golf and Country Club, although guests must pay the required fees for golf carts and caddy service. Access to the spa requires a charge as well.

The Melia Caribe Beach Resort Dominican Republic beach is truly the highlight of this property: a long, wide stretch of soft white sand abutting crystal-clear turquoise water -- exactly what many imagine when they’re thinking of a Caribbean vacation. The beach has a smattering of palm trees, sunbeds, and umbrellas. Guests are welcome to use kayaking and paddleboarding equipment for free -- or grab a drink at Barefoot, the palapa-style snack bar located on the sand.

Guests can dive into any of the property’s six swimming pools -- or swim up to the bar at one of them. Two of those pools are reserved for The Level guests, however. The main pool is expansive, with a sprawling freeform shape bordered by loungers and palapa-style umbrellas. Activities such as water volleyball take place here, and waiter service is provided.
Those opting for The Level upgrade have their own pool, which is dotted with in-water loungers and small, column-encircled islands.

The YHI Spa offers guests several types of massages and wellness treatments in a serene setting anchored by exposed stone walls and softened by wood flooring and white, modern furniture. Treatment rooms feature palapa-style ceilings and modern tropical art on the walls; outside, there’s a small pool and covered seating areas to relax in between treatments. A thermal circuit, steam and sauna rooms, nail and hair services, and whirlpools are also available.
The 24-hour fitness center, located next to the spa, is airy and window-lined, with a standard selection of cardio and strength-training equipment, as well as classes like yoga, aqua Zumba, and Pilates.
On the family-friendly side, shows put on by staff in the evenings for families starts later in the evening and last about an hour; after, there’s a DJ in the lobby, and kids are as welcome on the dance floor as adults (which might not appeal to all). Guests on the adults-only side of the resort find that there’s not much to do in the evenings.
There is an on-site souvenir shop, as well as extensive meeting and event space. Multiple wedding packages are available. Wi-Fi is available across the property and free parking is available on site.

The property’s Splash Island Water Park is a hit with kids, thanks to dedicated places to swim, an interactive pool, splashpad, waterfalls, and twisting slides. The O Grille is nearby for post-swim snacks and even picnics, but keep in mind that the water park closes early in the evening (and doesn’t open until mid-morning).
The kids’ club, Kids Zone, is bright and modern, and open from morning until 8 p.m. for children 8 months and older. It offers a thorough schedule of activities like silent discos, plus little ones can choose from activities like pajama parties and treasure hunts. The club also boasts its own pool, a video game room, and a snack bar with fresh fruit. In-room babysitting is also available for a fee.