One of the Dominican Republic’s most distinctive resorts is entering a new phase this year. Cayo Levantado Resort, set on its own island just off the Samaná coast, is expected to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt this summer, bringing a fully all-inclusive, all-suite private-island stay into Hyatt’s Caribbean portfolio, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The setting is what has always separated it. You reach the resort by boat, crossing from the mainland in under 15 minutes, and once you step onto the dock, everything you’ll use is already there — beaches on multiple sides, restaurants within a short walk, and paths that connect the entire island. It previously operated under the Bahia Principe umbrella, but this repositioning places it into a different category: an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic that feels contained without feeling cut off.

Arrival by Boat Changes the Start of the Stay

Getting here is straightforward. You fly into Samaná El Catey International Airport, about 45 minutes from the port, and from there you’re driven directly to the dock. The final leg is a short boat ride across the bay, usually around 10 to 15 minutes.

That last step changes how the trip begins. You arrive by water, step onto the island, and from that point forward, the all-inclusive setup takes over. 

If you come through Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata, the drive is longer, but the arrival still ends the same way, with the boat crossing that brings you onto the island.

A Private-Island All-Inclusive You Understand Quickly

The island is compact, which makes it easy to use. You can cross it on foot in minutes, and most guests understand how they want to spend their time within the first day or two.

The main beach draws the most activity early on, especially in the morning, because it’s closest to food, drinks, and the easiest access into the water. It fills in first, and that’s where most people start.

By early afternoon, guests begin to spread out. Walk a few minutes and the beach opens up, with more space and fewer people moving through. Most guests shift at least once during the day, depending on how much activity they want around them.

Because everything is included, you don’t need to plan your day around reservations or timing. You move between the beach, your room, and meals as you go.

All-Suite Rooms That Work for the Way You Stay

The resort has 218 suites, all designed with separate living space and private outdoor areas. Within an all-inclusive resort, that extra space becomes more useful because you’re in and out of the room throughout the day.

You have space to unpack, sit, and step outside without leaving your room entirely. Guests tend to come back in short stretches — to change, cool off, or take a break — and the layout supports that easily.

Suites closer to the shoreline pick up more breeze, which helps later in the afternoon, while those set further back stay quieter, with less foot traffic nearby. Both work, depending on how you want to spend your time.

Beaches on Multiple Sides of the Island

This is one of the few all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic where the beach changes depending on where you go.

The main beach is the most active and fills in early, but it’s not the only option. As the day goes on, the shoreline opens up and guests move toward quieter sections where there’s more space.

Some areas remain lightly used even when the resort is busy, simply because they sit a short distance away from the central areas. Most guests don’t stay in one place all day — they move once or twice depending on how much activity they want around them.

Dining That Works Because It’s All-Inclusive

Dining is where the all-inclusive model makes the biggest difference in how the stay feels.

There are multiple restaurants across the island, all within a short walk, and you’re not choosing based on price or planning meals in advance. You can try different places and adjust as you go.

Palma Real handles international buffet-style meals and is where most guests start in the morning. It’s the fastest option and keeps things moving.

For dinner, guests tend to rotate. Carey focuses on seafood and runs at a slower pace, where meals stretch out and people stay longer. Manaya leans into Dominican dishes and is where guests go when they want something more local.

There are also bars and lighter options near the beach, so you can stop for something quick without committing to a full meal.

By the second or third day, most guests fall into a rhythm, returning to a few places while still trying others.

Pools That Sit Alongside the Beach

There are multiple pools on the island, but they don’t replace the beach.

The main pool is the most active, especially in the middle of the day, when guests step out of the sun but stay close to food and drinks. It’s where most people pass through at least once during the day.

Quieter pools sit further away and tend to stay less crowded, especially in the morning or later in the afternoon. Some guests use them as a break from the beach rather than a full-day base.

Even with the pools, most time is still spent on the sand. The pools work as a change of pace.

Days That Build Naturally

You don’t need to schedule your time here, and most guests don’t.

Some stay in the water for much of the day, moving between swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling. Others move more slowly, alternating between the beach and short breaks.

There’s also a conservation element built into the stay. Guests take photos and help identify species as they move through the island, contributing without needing to stop what they’re doing.

It’s part of the environment rather than a separate activity.

Wellness That Fits Into the Same Routine

The Yubarta wellness area sits within the island and is easy to reach from anywhere. There’s a spa, a fitness space, and outdoor areas for movement and classes.

The program is organized into four paths — Renew, Refresh, Relax, Restore — but guests tend to use it on their own terms. Some start their day there, while others stop in between the beach and lunch.

It’s available without requiring you to plan around it.

What the Unbound Collection Means Here

The Unbound Collection by Hyatt is a group of independent hotels that keep their own identity rather than following a single brand template. Properties in the collection tend to be defined by location and character, rather than uniform design.

That approach fits here. Cayo Levantado already operates as a private-island stay with its own rhythm, and the Hyatt affiliation brings visibility and access without changing how the resort works day to day.

For travelers, it means you’re booking into a recognizable system while staying somewhere that doesn’t feel standardized.

Why This One Stands Out Now

There are many all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, but very few place you on an island you can walk across in minutes, with beaches on multiple sides and everything within easy reach.

With the Hyatt affiliation, Cayo Levantado becomes easier to find and book, but the experience itself remains straightforward. You arrive by boat, you settle in quickly, and within a day or two you know where you want to be.

After that, you don’t need much else. 

Are you planning a DR getaway? Check out our guide to the top Punta Cana resorts here.