Hyatt’s New Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort Now Has an Opening Date 

The long-awaited debut of Hyatt’s new Secrets Playa Esmeralda is imminent, Caribbean Journal has learned. The all-inclusive resort in the Miches area of the Dominican Republic is now taking bookings for stays as early as Aug. 8. That’s in line with the previously announced “mid-summer” debut, according to Hyatt. 

It has been a big year for Secrets in the Caribbean, with the brand having already debuted both the new Secrets St Lucia resort and, in June, the highly-anticipated Secrets Baby Beach in Aruba. 

Now, there’s a third new resort in the region for the adults-only brand, which was part of the former Apple Leisure Group portfolio acquired by Hyatt back in 2021. 

How Big is Secrets Playa Esmeralda? 

The new resort will have a total of 500 rooms, with a mix of balconies, terraces and, in some cases, direct beachfront rooms. The latter is something we’re starting to see in more and more all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, with more travelers seeking toes-in-the-sand experiences rather than a long trek to get to the sand. 

So what else do you need to know? Well, there’s a Secerets Spa, a large infinity pool and, in a nod to another trend, a host of programming across the property (and the adjacent Dreams resort). 

The Food and Beverage Options 

The food and beverage program is in line with the typical Secrets offerings: outposts like the Barefoot Grill, the thatched-roof Barracuda Beach Bar and the French-inspired Bordeaux, among others. 

Based on my experience, while there’s a diversity of food options, the quality is never quite there at Secrets, at least not when you compare it to the food at brands like Sandals. 

What’s Secrets’ strong point? The rooms themselves, which are always top-quality, particularly elevated options like the Preferred Club, an option we always recommend for guests staying at a Secrets. 

What the New Secrets Will Cost 

Rooms in August start at around $394 in a tropical-view king. A swim-up room will go for about $513 per night if you’re a World of Hyatt member. (It’s $551 right now otherwise). 

For the Preferred Club, a partial ocean-view room starts at $572 per night, meaning $4,003 for a weeklong stay.