It may feel like a new resort opens in Punta Cana every week. And while that’s not literally true, the coastal hotspot in the Dominican Republic is home to almost 50,000 hotel rooms — with more in the pipeline.
Indeed, the stretch of beaches ranging from Uvero Alto to the north to the corner of Cap Cana to the southeast has been one of the most sought after development spots in the wider Caribbean.
And while you probably know most of the major brands: names like Melia, Paradisus, Royalton, Palladium, Barcelo — in a sea of large resorts, some can get lost in the shuffle.
Our latest look at Punta Cana takes you to five of the area’s newest resorts – all of which are the first-ever Punta Cana locations for their brands, and all of which have opened their doors in the last two years.
Here are five new Punta Cana resorts to discover right now.
Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Put simply, it’s one of the best resorts to debut in Punta Cana in years, the product of a partnership between Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels and Resorts. All the Jimmy Buffett signatures are there: the Five o’Clock Somewhere Bar, the St Somewhere Spa, the sleek, colorful aesthetic; but it’s far more than that; there’s a central Gourmet Village that makes you feel like you’re staying in a little town called Margaritaville; a focus on live entertainment; and even the first-ever Landshark Brewery outside of the mainland United States. It all adds up to the best Margaritaville resort experience in the Caribbean.
Lopesan Costa Bavaro A well-known name in Europe, Lopesan is the latest major brand to make its debut in Punta Cana, with its flagship Lopesan Costa Bavaro resort. The 574-room resort has a broad offering: seven pools (including a unique bi-level infinity pool and a kids’ waterpark), seven themed eateries, two buffets, a spa and a casino. It’s all done in a bright, sleekly designed package — a formidable entry to the Caribbean for the brand. The standouts, though, are the terrific swim-up junior suites.
Live Aqua Beach Resort This adults-only stunner is the first-ever Live Aqua in the Dominican Republic, joining a strong portfolio of Live Aqua-branded properties in Mexico. The Uvero Alto-area retreat’s is home to some terrific rooms, with lovely little touches like Nespresso machines and Molton Brown toiletries. For a bigger splurge, go for a Honeymoon Suite, with a very cool split swim-out layout, with access to the main pool and a walled-off plunge pool of your own. But the core of every Live Aqua is wellness — in this case, it’s the Feel Harmony Spa, part of Natura Bissé.
Radisson Blu Punta Cana This is a bit of a rarity for Radisson: it’s one of just two Radisson Blu resorts in the Caribbean; but, more notably, it’s the only all-inclusive Radisson in the Caribbean, set in Punta Cana’s Cabeza de Toro. And, with just 163 suites, it’s got more of an intimate, boutiquey, feel, a big departure from most of its neighbors in the area. But all of the amenities and inclusions are there: seven eateries, a spa, room service and a decidedly serene ambience. The beautiful grounds and the rarefied vibe are a hallmark of the Blu brand, and that’s precisely what you find here.
Serenade Punta Cana The family-friendly, 603-room Serenade is another Spanish addition to the area, the brainchild of Spain-based Best Hotels. And it’s a fresh, complete resort, from its eight different eateries to 10 different bars and lounges to a massive spa to its prominent setting on Cabeza de Toro beach. And yes, it’s home to a number of swim-out rooms, along with some ocean-view rooms that come with their own outdoor jacuzzi tubs. Most importantly, though, it’s one of the best value resorts in all of Punta Cana.