On a quiet stretch of coastline northeast of Punta Cana, Hyatt has opened the new Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa, a 500-room, all-inclusive property in the still-undeveloped Miches region of the Dominican Republic.

The resort is part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection portfolio and is designed for families and multigenerational travelers. Accommodations range from garden-view rooms to oceanfront suites with swim-out access. Inside, rooms include rain showers, double vanities, and Pharmacopia Natural Bodycare amenities, with select suites offering direct terrace pools that bring the Caribbean just steps from the bed.

The hotel had been in a soft opening since early last month, as Caribbean Journal first reported. 

So what do you need to know? 

Room Options

Dreams Playa Esmeralda has 500 rooms and suites with a mix of garden, pool, and ocean views. Families can book spacious junior suites, while couples can opt for oceanfront suites with private terraces. A number of swim-out suites provide direct pool access from the patio. Bathrooms feature double vanities and rainfall showers, with Pharmacopia Natural Bodycare amenities. For added benefits, the Preferred Club includes upgraded suite locations, butler service, and a private lounge and pool. We always suggest going for the Preferred Club at a Hyatt Inclusive Collection property.

Dining and Shared Spaces

Dreams Playa Esmeralda features 10 restaurants and 7 bars overseen by Executive Chef Carlos Quijano. Highlights include Tierra, with South American flavors; El Patio, serving classic Mexican dishes; and 1844 Dominican Cuisine, which reimagines local specialties.

At the heart of the property is the Public Square, a shared hub with the adjacent adults-only Secrets Playa Esmeralda. The space blends dining, shopping, and entertainment venues in a walkable, plaza-style setting, giving the resort a small-community feel. Adults at either resort have reciprocal access.

Family Focus

The property includes a kids’ Explorer’s Club and a Core Zone Teens Club, offering everything from arts and crafts to beach games and teen socials. Families also have access to a dedicated pool and a waterpark with slides and splash zones — a rare feature on this stretch of coast.

Wellness and Relaxation

Three pools, a full fitness center, and the Secrets Spa round out the amenities. The spa includes massage cabins, a hydrotherapy circuit, a bridal suite, and a full-service salon. For those who prefer the outdoors, Playa Esmeralda’s calm surf and protected reef are just beyond the resort’s edge, with snorkeling opportunities and regular sea turtle sightings.

Sustainability and Setting

As part of Hyatt’s World of Care platform, the property has partnered with local group Promiches on conservation, including a protected sea turtle nesting area along the beach. Miches is also a gateway to natural attractions like Montaña Redonda, Salto La Jalda waterfall, and whale-watching in Samaná Bay.

Bookable With Points

As part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, Dreams Playa Esmeralda is fully integrated into the World of Hyatt program. Guests can redeem points for all-inclusive stays, making it one of the newest options in the Caribbean for members looking to book an upscale family-friendly resort with rewards.

What Is Miches, Anyway?

Miches is rapidly emerging as the Dominican Republic’s next resort hub. That includes some major brands that have already opened their doors:

Viva Miches by Wyndham, a Trademark All-Inclusive Resort with 538 rooms, multiple restaurants, entertainment spaces, which opened this summer.

Marriott Miches Beach, An All-Inclusive Resort, offering beachfront accommodations, two outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and integration with Marriott Bonvoy loyalty.

Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda, featuring over 40 activities—think trapeze, treetop yoga—and kids’ clubs for all ages. This was the first major Miches opening when it debuted back in 2019.

Zemi Miches Punta Cana All‑Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, which officially opened on June 30, 2025. It brings 500 guest rooms and bungalows (including plunge‑pool options), 14 dining venues, multiple pools, kids’ and soon-to-open teens’ amenities, and wellness offerings. While it says Punta Cana in the name, this is a Miches resort.

What Does a Room Cost at Dreams Playa Esmeralda? 

Rates are pretty attractive right now. A junior suited with a tropical view starts at $298 per night. A swimout is $387 per night (if you’re a World of Hyatt member, which doesn’t cost anything to join). I say go for the swim-out. 

How to Get to Miches

Miches is about 60 miles northeast of Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), the Dominican Republic’s busiest air hub with nonstop flights from dozens of U.S. cities. The drive from PUJ to Dreams Playa Esmeralda takes around 90 minutes by car or resort transfer along new highways. Santo Domingo’s Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) is another option, roughly two and a half hours away.