Punta Cana – Oddball’s Favorite Things at Resorts
“Have you been there?” Yes! Oddball has recently visited these resorts in Punta Cana. And we’re sharing a few of our photos and things we liked best about each resort. We travel to learn about the resorts so that we can help you find the ideal resort for your vacation! Ask us about these resorts, and others not listed here. Want more info? Email Cassie at cassie@oddballescapes.com for more information!
Excellence Punta Cana
Overview. This adults-only luxury resort has an elegant atmosphere with a layout that extends along the beach.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Layout. - Only 3 stories high and multiple buildings, this resort has meandering pools for a relaxing, secluded atmosphere.
- Renovated! - Junior Suites are modern and sleek with a splash of Caribbean color. Very nice!
- Excellence Club. - Access to a completely different side of the resort, private beach, private lounge, and upgraded services.
Excellence El Carmen
Overview. A luxury adults-only resort with a modern & sophisticated design and a spacious layout.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Swim-up suites. - For guests wanting a more private and intimate poolside experience, each building offers swim-up suites.
- Poolside restaurants. - In addition to the restaurants at the main building, two are located at the main pool and face the beach.
- Décor. - Buildings are modern, sleek, and sophisticated. Large courtyards and open-air spaces create a grand atmosphere.
Overview. A smaller, stylish adults-only resort with an upbeat and classy nightlife vibe.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Décor! - Both daytime and nighttime décor is modern, clean, and fun for a trendy adults-only atmosphere.
- Restaurant locations. - Most of the restaurants are located beach-side, which is unique compared to most other resorts.
- Diamond Club. - Upgrade to Diamond Club for beach-side rooms, swim-up suites, private beach area, and access to the Mermaid Pool.
Majestic Mirage
Overview. This resort offers truly unique bedroom suites, lush gardens & meandering pools. Plus, all guests experience Club Level services.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Room layouts! - Choose from a 1-bedroom suite with separate living area (swim-up or balcony), or a room with a Sky View roof terrace!
- Courtyard layout. - Even at max capacity, the meandering pools allow people to spread out, for an uncrowded tropical atmosphere.
- Perks! - All guests receive Mirage Club level service, including butler service. Plus, enjoy unlimited golf at nearby Punta Blanca.
Majestic Elegance
Overview. Separate adults-only and family buildings set in a lush garden courtyard with meandering pools.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Kids pay full rates. - Why? The Elegance is designed for adults but allows children due to its popularity for destination weddings.
- Weddings. - Beach locations, gazebos, and even an onsite chapel for Catholic weddings. Able to perform symbolic same-sex marriages.
- Tropical vibe. - The center courtyard features meandering pools surrounded by walkways & bridges through tropical gardens.
Majestic Colonial
Overview. A lush property with meandering pools that caters to families but offers an adults-only side of the resort as well.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Larger pools. - Meandering pools at the Colonial are wider than the Elegance & Mirage, offering more room for families to swim & play.
- Junior Suites. - Recently renovated, large rooms with a sophisticated atmosphere even though it's a family-friendly resort.
- Connecting rooms. - Although limited, both the Majestic Colonial & Elegance do offer connecting rooms!
Royalton Punta Cana
Overview. A luxury resort ideal for both families and couples, with full access to Memories resort and Splash waterpark.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Center courtyard. - Open concept with pools, game areas, group space, and gardens that create a fun and inviting atmosphere.
- Beach & pool area! - The beach area butts up to the main pool, perfect for parents that want to sit on the beach and watch kids in the pool.
- Indoor theater. - Large indoor theater with family-friendly shows, and an upper level for Diamond Club guests.
The Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana
Overview. A luxury section of the Royalton Punta Cana that is exclusively for adults-only, with full access to both resorts.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Adults-only pool. - Just steps from the main resort, this pool offers an adults-only sanctuary with its own bar.
- Adults-only beach. - Just beyond the adults-only beach-side restaurant is your private adults-only beach.
- Multi-generation families. - The Hideaway is the perfect solution for adults that want their own space but are traveling with other families.
Memories (at the Royalton PC complex)
Overview. Located on the Royalton Punta Cana complex, this family-friendly resort offers a high-quality yet affordable vacation experience.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Splash World! - The largest on-site waterpark in the Caribbean will even keep adults entertained for hours!
- Family-focused. - This resort offers fun-filled activities for families, and is very good at involving the kids in daily entertainment.
- Beach access. - A short walk or tram ride takes guests to the Royalton, for access to the beach and a beach-side Grille.
Royalton Bavaro
Overview. This family-friendly resort offers Junior Suites (or larger) and fantastic outdoor activities for families.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Lazy River! - This 1200' lazy river is both entertaining & relaxing, with a grotto that you can float into and grab a drink!
- Entertaining courtyard. - You'll be entertained for hours with multiple pools, mini golf, and a Flow Rider in the courtyard.
- Sports bar & brewery. - This sports bar is unique, also serving as a brewery to try new flavors (extra charges may apply).
Iberostar Grand Bavaro
Overview. An adults-only luxury resort with less than 300 rooms and a boutique resort vibe.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Pirate ship! - Not only is this ship an eye-catching focal point at the resort. It turns into a disco for nightly entertainment!
- Boutique. - With less than 300 rooms, carpeted hallways, and soft color scheme, this resort has a unique upscale beach-side vibe.
- Fitness! - A gym in prime location overlooking the beach & ocean. Pool activities. Golf once for every 4-nights spent at the resort.
Iberostar Dominicana
Overview. A family-friendly resort with entertainment designed for families of all ages.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Family rooms. - Unique layout that allows families of 5 or 6 to share one space!
- Bright colors. - These brightly colored buildings have a lush garden, providing a tropical Caribbean vibe.
- Casino & Disco. - Both the casino and disco for the complex is located at this resort.
TRS Turquesa
Overview. An adults-only resort with unlimited access to the 3 other Grand Palladium resorts on the complex.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Swim at night! - Yes, that's right! They have the only pool in Punta Cana that stays open until midnight! And it's adults-only.
- Swim-up Suites. - In lieu of a large main pool, these buildings offer swim-up access directly off of each building.
- Various room décor. - Choose a room category to fit your needs, each with different décor.
Grand Palladium Punta Cana
Overview. A family-friendly resort on the Grand Palladium complex that features many amenities and activities for families.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Palapas. - Many palapas in the pool area. You know, those thatched-roof umbrellas over the chairs.
- New room décor. - These modern and stylish rooms were renovated in December of 2017.
- Kids Club. - Parents of toddlers 1-3 can drop their kids off at the Baby Club, located next to the Mini Club for ages 4-12.
Grand Palladium Palace
Overview. A family-friendly resort with beautiful pools and tropical vegetation, located on the Grand Palladium complex.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Room upgrades. - Upgraded rooms offer more space, like the loft shown above with a room full of travel agents learning about it!
- Palapas. - Just like other Grand Palladium resorts, many palapas in the pool area. You know, those thatched-roof umbrellas over the chairs.
- Covered walkways. - Thatched-roof walkways connect a large open-air lobby with the rest of the resort, you know, in case it rains.
Paradisus Palma Real
Overview. A family-friendly resort with an exclusive adults-only area. Amazing convention center & various sized meeting spaces!
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Convention center. - Wow! What a combination of various sized spaces to host an event or convention.
- Beach space. - An entire space on the beach is "open" to accommodate groups and host private parties!
- First impressions. - You can see the ocean from the moment you arrive at the resort and enter the lobby.
Nickelodeon
Overview. A family-friendly resort with uniquely themed décor, and a part of the Karisma Gourmet Inclusive Experience.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Restaurant décor! - What an experience! These themed restaurants have impressive décor and wonderful food.
- Unique room décor. - A mix of bold colors and a modern, sophisticated design.
- Aqua Nick. - An entertaining section of the resort with water activities, perfect for youngsters.
Now Onyx
Overview. A family-friendly resort with an adults-only section that has exchange privileges with the resort next door, Breathless.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Swim-up Junior Suites. - All rooms on the ground floor are Junior Suite Swim Ups, with some connecting to the main pool.
- Infinity pool. - With multiple pools to choose from, the one closest to the beach features an infinity pool.
- Adults-only area. - Raised platforms sit above the pool in the adults-only area, for a unique and more private area.
RIU Republica
Overview. An adults-only resort that features more amenities than a basic-level RIU, and located on a beautiful stretch of Bavaro Beach.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Building layout. - Its 1300+ rooms are spread out with large courtyards separating the buildings so that it doesn't feel cramped.
- Adult waterslides! - The newest section at the back of the resort features waterslides for adults and offers additional pools!
- Restaurant beepers. - Reservations are not required, so if there is a wait, they provide you with a beeper.
RIU Palace Punta Cana
Overview. A luxury resort with sophisticated décor for both adults and families, located on the RIU complex.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Décor. - Combining blues with soft yellow and wrought iron, this resort feels like Beauty & the Beast meets New Orleans... love it!
- Lobby. - Lobby is air-conditioned rather than open-aired, for those who need a break from the outside elements.
- Lush courtyard. - The center courtyard offers a mix of pool areas and lush tropical greenery.
RIU Palace Bavaro
Overview. A brightly-colored luxury resort for both adults and families, located on the RIU complex.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Bright colors! - Fun pink, purple, and yellow colors with a modern décor.
- Room categories. - With most rooms having the same layout, you'll experience the same quality regardless of your room location.
- Pool area. - The S-shaped pool allows people to spread out.
Occidental Caribe (by Barceló)
Overview. This recently renovated family-friendly resort has a unique building layout located on Bavaro Beach.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Beachside pools. - Pools are located at the front of the resort, so from within the pool you can often see the beach and ocean.
- Ocean-facing buildings. - With its beautiful architecture facing the ocean, you'll have more access to Ocean View rooms.
- Active entertainment! - Theater with mini-disco for families, water play area for children, rock climbing, and a trapeze!
Vista Sol
Overview. Often the most competitively priced resort in Punta Cana, this family resort has a basic but unique beachfront vibe.
- Top 3 favorite things about this resort:
- Lush vegetation. - Buildings are offset by lush greenery and unique cascading trees alongside the traditional palms.
- Room upgrades! - This budget-friendly resort offers affordable room upgrades, with much better locations.
- Air condition! - Yes, rooms are air conditioned. (Not all basic budget-friendly resorts provide this.)