Written By: Geoff Millar, Owner – Ultimate All Inclusive Travel
We will continue with our look at the Playa Resorts with those resorts located in the Dominican Republic. There are 5 of them in various areas of the Dominican. They consist of both Family and Adult only resorts. As we know, the Dominican is home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and it is no different with the Playa Resorts. They are set on some of the top beaches and the best locations. Three of the resorts are set in one of the most upscale areas of the Dominican, Cap Cana, a gated community on the Atlantic side, and the other 2 are located in the La Romana Area on a beautiful beach on the Caribbean side. Two are new builds and 3 are former AM Resorts. I would rate all these resorts as 4 star all–inclusive resorts. I may rate the 2 Hyatt resorts in Cap Cana as 4.5 star resorts because of the beach they sit on.
First, we will look at the resorts in the Cap Cana area, one of the most upscale areas in the Dominican, and the top beaches in the Dominican, in my opinion. The resorts are a short 30 minute ride from the airport.
The first resort we will look at is the brand new Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana. This is a brand new build Family all-inclusive resort. It sits on one of the best beaches I have ever seen. It does share the beach with the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana and sits next door to the Secrets Cap Cana on the same beach. The beach is large enough to not seem crowded even though it is shared by 3 resorts.
The accommodations consist of the Jr. Suite King or Double, the Resort View Jr. Suite King or Double, Ocean View Jr. Suite King or Double, Club Ocean View Jr. Suite King or Double, this is the concierge level, Ocean Front Jr. Suite King or Double, Jr. Suite swim-up King or Double, the concierge level Club swim-up Jr. Suite King or Double, Ocean Front swim-up Jr. Suite King or Double, Ocean View One Bedroom Master Suite King, Ocean View Grand Master Suite King with Club level and a 2 person jacuzzi on the balcony, 1,300 Sq. Ft. Club Level One Bedroom Swim-up Master Suite, The 1,800 Sq Ft Club Level Presidential Suite including butler service. All accommodations include WIFI, minibar stocked daily, upgraded amenities and 24 hr. room service. The 3 main views are resort view, ocean view, and ocean front.
Dining offers a number of choices. There is an International Buffet, and 4 A La Carte Restaurants as well as a food truck serving things like hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos Etc. and a coffee bar with Coffee and snacks. The A La Carte restaurants serve, Italian, Asian, Healthy Choices, and Caribbean. As far as drinks guests have the choice of, a Sports Bar, an upscale lounge, a Rum bar, a Lobby Bar, 2 pool bars and a swim-up bar.
Activities abound with a water park, a fantastic beach, kayaking and other non-motorized watersports, a huge lagoon style pool, a fitness center, a separate yoga center, Aqua exercise, a kids club and a teen center with supervised activities, the latest electronic games. Daily activities such as cooking, learn to speak a new language, pool games, and of course nightly entertainment for the whole family. Off the resort you can scuba dive, play golf and shop until your heart is content. There are also a number of tours that can be taken from the resort.
This resort is for families that want a very nice upscale all inclusive resort experience that won’t break the bank.
The next resort we will look at is the new build adult only Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana. This all-inclusive resort sits next to the family all–inclusive the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana. It sits on the same beautiful beach and in the same upscale Cap Cana area.
Accommodations at this resort consist of Jr. Suite King or Double, Resort View Jr. Suite King or Double, Ocean View Jr. Suite King or Double, Club (Concierge level) Ocean View King or Double, Ocean Front Swim-up Jr. Suite King or Double, Jr. Suite Swim-up King or Double, Club (Concierge) Jr. Suite Swim-up King or Double, Ocean Front Jr. Suite King or Double, 1,200 sq. ft. Club Ocean View 1 Bedroom Suite King or Double, 1,300 sq. ft, 1 Bedroom Ocean View Grand Master Club level Suite, 1,200 sq. ft. 1 Bedroom Swim-up Master Suite King, 1,800 sq. ft. Club level Presidential Suite King with jetted tub on the balcony. All Suites and Jr. Suites come with free WIFI, upgraded amenities, mini-bar stocked daily, and 24 hr. room service.
Dining offers a number of choices and guests have exchange privileges with the Hyatt Ziva next door. There is an International Buffet and 6 A La Carte restaurants. The A La Carte choices are, Italian, Steakhouse, Indian, Asian, Caribbean, and a Pizzeria as well as the restaurants located at the Hyatt Ziva next door such as the coffee shop, food truck, and healthy restaurant. There is also 24 hr. room service.
Activities are varied at the resort with your choice of 3 infinity pools, a fantastic beach with non-motorized water sports, there is a 14,000 sq. ft. fitness center, a 29,000 sq. ft. Spa (treatments at an additional cost), daily activities and games by the pool, learn to cook, speak another language, dance, use the water park next door, nightly entertainment. This resort is a great resort for weddings with a fantastic wedding dept. and is next door to the family all-inclusive the Hyatt Ziva, this will allow the bride to invite guests with children and also adults to participate in that special day. Also, nearby, play a round of golf, scuba dive, and participate in a number of off-site tours. These are at an additional cost.
This resort is for adults or couples looking for a nice upscale adult only all inclusive resort at a price that won’t break the bank.
The next resort and the last in the Cap Cana area is the Sanctuary Cap Cana. This is an old, remodeled Secrets Resort not to be confused with the new Secrets Cap Cana resort. This resort is unique in that it resembles an old Ocean Front Castle and village. The only drawback of this resort is that it is more about the pool areas than the beach. The beach is not as nice as the other Playa Resorts in Cap Cana and a bit smaller. This is an adult’s only all-inclusive resort and does sit in the upscale gated community of Cap Cana.
Accommodations at this resort are made up of, Beach Front Jr. Suite King, Jr. Suite Ocean View King or 2 Queens, Luxury Jr. Suite King, Castle Jr. Suite King with Butler Service, Castle Jr. Suite Ocean Front King with Butler Service, Castle Suite Ocean Front King with Butler Service, Castle Jr. Suite Swim-out King with Butler Service, Castle 2 level 1,800 sq. ft Suite with Butler Service and private plunge pool, Castle Island 2 Bedroom 5,500 sq. ft Suite with Butler Service and 3 plunge pools. In a whole different section, there is the Premium Jr. Suite Ocean View King, Premium Luxury Jr. Suite Ocean View King, Terrace Tower 2 bedroom 1,800 sq. ft. Suite with 2 King beds, the 2,500 sq. ft. Penthouse 2 king bedroom Suite with private butler, this category is perfect for small private event with a large patio area, the 2,600 sq. ft. Honeymoon Suite king with private pool. They then have the Villa Section with 4 private Villas ranging from 1 bedroom to 2 bedrooms with King beds and from 1,000 sq. ft to 3,100 sq. ft. You need a score card to keep track of all the accommodations. They all come with free WIFI, upgraded amenities, and 24 hr. room service.
Dining also offers a wide variety of choices. There is an International Buffet and 4 A La Carte restaurants. The A La Carte choices are, Italian, steakhouse, Asian, and Seafood. As far as bars there is a Lobby Bar, a Swim-Up Pool bar, an Ocean Club bar, a Beach Bar, a Snack bar, and a Coffee bar. There are other dining and drinking options in the Sanctuary Town area. This area is closed at this time because of the COVID Virus. There is also 24. Hr. room service.
Activities consist of 6 swimming pools, a beach, daily activities and games, Tennis, a large Spa, a fitness center, a shopping pavilion at the fishing lodge with 90 retail spaces, Golf at an additional cost, and of course nightly entertainment.
This resort is for those adults or couples looking for a unique upscale adult only all-inclusive experience at a reasonable cost.
Now we will move to the Caribbean side of the island to look at the last Playa Resorts in the Dominican, the Hilton La Romana Adult Resort and the Hilton La Romana Resort. These used to be part of the old Dreams La Romana and sits on a beautiful beach overlooking the Caribbean. Here the water is a little calmer and a little bluer. La Romana sits about 1 hr. from the airport in a different area than the other resort areas of the Dominican. A little slower pace and calmer atmosphere. This first is an Adults only Resort sharing the grounds with the Hilton La Romana Family Resort
Accommodations at this resort consist of Garden View King or 2 queens, Deluxe Garden View King or 2 Queens, Deluxe partial Ocean View King or 2 Queens, Premium Garden View King or 2 Queens, Premium Pool View King, Premium Ocean View King or 2 Queens, Premium Swim-out Garden View King, Premium 1 Bedroom Garden View Suite King
Dining offers one Buffet and 4 A La Carte Restaurants. The restaurants are Asian, Seafood, Mediterranean, and Dominican as well as 24 hr. room service. As far as bars there are a coffee bar, a Swim-up bar, a Lobby bar, and an Entertainment bar.
There are a wide variety of activities available. There are 2 main pools and the swim–up pools. There is a watersports center on property with non-motorized watersports, snorkeling, and scuba diving (extra cost). There is golf nearby (extra cost), and you can use the new waterpark on the property. There are games by the pool and the beach is an eco-friendly beach. They have a fitness center as well as a great spa, and nightly entertainment. They even have a Casino on the property.
This resort is for those looking for a genuinely nice adult only resort in a little quieter section of the Dominican Republic on a very nice beach.
The last resort we will look at is the Hilton La Romana a family friendly All-Inclusive resort which is the other half of the Hilton La Romana Adult resort. This also used to be the old Dreams La Romana. They split the resort into two resorts. It also has a beautiful turquoise beach with calm water. The water on the Caribbean side of the Island tends to be calmer than the water on the Atlantic side of the Island.
Accommodations here range from Deluxe Garden View King or 2 Queens, Deluxe Partial Ocean View King or 2 Queens, Premium Garden View King or 2 Queens, Premium Partial Ocean View King or 2 Queens, Premium Swim-out King or 2 Queens, Premium 1 Bedroom Suite King or 2 Queens, Premium Family Suite with King and pull out sofa, 2 adults and 2 kids, Premium Suite Ocean Front king, Premium Master Suite King with plunge pool. All Accommodations come with free WIFI, upgraded Amenities, and 24 hr. room service.
Activities include 2 pools as well a large water park, a watersports center with sailing, kayaks, snorkeling and windsurfing, a variety of pool and beach games, a fitness center, and a great Spa. For the kids there is the Kid’s Club for kids 3-12 with a variety of indoor and outdoor supervised activities including a campout on the beach. This is a great resort for weddings with a fantastic wedding dept and because it has both a family side and adult only side there are accommodations for everyone on the client’s guestlist.
This also would be a great resort for clients who are looking for a little quieter side of the Dominican, great beach with calm water and a place to hold a wedding with guests of all ages.
This concludes our tour of the Playa Resorts located on the Island of the Dominican Republic. Next month we will move to Jamaica and take a look at the Playa Resorts located there.
Until then stay safe and good selling.