Dominican Republic - recommended luxury resorts?
Discussion
October is smack in the middle of hurricane season but you should know that.
Luxury resort & Dominican Republic seldom go hand in hand, but I’m also interested in others experience.
I went there in 1997 as the first all inclusive Caribbean holiday I’ve been to. I had a fantastic time but it was a long time ago.
Looking for ‘holiday value’ next year also.
Luxury resort & Dominican Republic seldom go hand in hand, but I’m also interested in others experience.
I went there in 1997 as the first all inclusive Caribbean holiday I’ve been to. I had a fantastic time but it was a long time ago.
Looking for ‘holiday value’ next year also.
Edited by dirty doug on Monday 5th September 12:30
Edited by dirty doug on Monday 5th September 12:30
I'm surprised more people haven't been. 
There are quite a few luxury resorts these days (Secrets, Ibero, Excellence, Hyatt, etc.) but first-hand experience would be really useful.
I had expected the Resorts to be great value for money - but it looks like you need to spend £350 per night for something decent, all-inclusive.
There are quite a few luxury resorts these days (Secrets, Ibero, Excellence, Hyatt, etc.) but first-hand experience would be really useful. I had expected the Resorts to be great value for money - but it looks like you need to spend £350 per night for something decent, all-inclusive.
My top 3 preference would be
Excellence PC
Excellence Cap cana
Secrets Royal Beach
I would only stay in "club" though just FYI.
I tried to book all 3 recently and struggling to find availability - I think its gone very busy this year - so ended up booking somewhere in Cancun.
Re hurricanes you should just about be ok although you are at the end of the season so still possible. Season runs to 30th November. Peak season is Sept.
The new Hyatt is getting good reviews but upwards of $900 a night some weeks.
There is a youtuber called "coolist" who did a thorough review of about 15 adults only hotels in PC recently. Did about 20 videos I think.
Just google coolist punta cana.
If you do decide to book one of the Hyatt owned brands then I would advise you get a World of Hyatt account first to make sure you get the points as they could come in handy in the future.
Excellence PC
Excellence Cap cana
Secrets Royal Beach
I would only stay in "club" though just FYI.
I tried to book all 3 recently and struggling to find availability - I think its gone very busy this year - so ended up booking somewhere in Cancun.
Re hurricanes you should just about be ok although you are at the end of the season so still possible. Season runs to 30th November. Peak season is Sept.
The new Hyatt is getting good reviews but upwards of $900 a night some weeks.
There is a youtuber called "coolist" who did a thorough review of about 15 adults only hotels in PC recently. Did about 20 videos I think.
Just google coolist punta cana.
If you do decide to book one of the Hyatt owned brands then I would advise you get a World of Hyatt account first to make sure you get the points as they could come in handy in the future.
Just on price, the cheapest club rooms I have seen at most of the top 5 are around $500/night unless you book in June or something. I think they now all charge roughly the same. Even the Iberostar is about that. The days of getting $99 a night are gone IMHO.
I was toying with EPC in mid November because they had EC rooms but $800+ a night.
It does seem prices have gone up a lot recently. It was possible to spend a lot less than that.
Tui had some good deals but they seem to have gone now. Should have booked a few months ago really but I left it a bit late.
The main issue is you are competing with Americans who go for short 3-4 night trips. So they can charge $700 a night to them as its not too pricey as they are only doing a few nights but do 14 nights at that price and you start to question the value of what you are getting really. The hotels were all offering free 30 day cancellation earlier this year too, with no payment up front. So a lot of people just reserved rooms with literally no risk for this winter.
FWIW I am going to the Majestic Elegance in a club plunge pool room for a week for $3700 so about $520 a night.
I have not booked any onward travel yet and part of me is tempted to hang on and see if a room comes up and maybe look at going from Cancun over to Punta Cana.
I was toying with EPC in mid November because they had EC rooms but $800+ a night.
It does seem prices have gone up a lot recently. It was possible to spend a lot less than that.
Tui had some good deals but they seem to have gone now. Should have booked a few months ago really but I left it a bit late.
The main issue is you are competing with Americans who go for short 3-4 night trips. So they can charge $700 a night to them as its not too pricey as they are only doing a few nights but do 14 nights at that price and you start to question the value of what you are getting really. The hotels were all offering free 30 day cancellation earlier this year too, with no payment up front. So a lot of people just reserved rooms with literally no risk for this winter.
FWIW I am going to the Majestic Elegance in a club plunge pool room for a week for $3700 so about $520 a night.
I have not booked any onward travel yet and part of me is tempted to hang on and see if a room comes up and maybe look at going from Cancun over to Punta Cana.
Boom78 said:
I’ve been to the DR many times, it’s a great place to just go, chill, eat, tan etc.
The dreams La romana (now Hilton) is very nice .....
Great to read it's a good place; tried to go there twice, first time they closed it when Hilton took it over (2019), following year bloody covid.The dreams La romana (now Hilton) is very nice .....
Thanks for all your input. Much appreciated.
As it happens, I've managed to book the Secrets Royal Beach (Preferred Club) - Junior Suite ('Tropical view - everything else now gone) for 9 nights at £450 per night. So not too bad under the circumstances.
As it happens, I've managed to book the Secrets Royal Beach (Preferred Club) - Junior Suite ('Tropical view - everything else now gone) for 9 nights at £450 per night. So not too bad under the circumstances.
gotoPzero said:
My top 3 preference would be
Excellence PC
Excellence Cap cana
Secrets Royal Beach
I would only stay in "club" though just FYI.
I tried to book all 3 recently and struggling to find availability - I think its gone very busy this year - so ended up booking somewhere in Cancun.
Re hurricanes you should just about be ok although you are at the end of the season so still possible. Season runs to 30th November. Peak season is Sept.
The new Hyatt is getting good reviews but upwards of $900 a night some weeks.
There is a youtuber called "coolist" who did a thorough review of about 15 adults only hotels in PC recently. Did about 20 videos I think.
Just google coolist punta cana.
If you do decide to book one of the Hyatt owned brands then I would advise you get a World of Hyatt account first to make sure you get the points as they could come in handy in the future.
Excellence PC
Excellence Cap cana
Secrets Royal Beach
I would only stay in "club" though just FYI.
I tried to book all 3 recently and struggling to find availability - I think its gone very busy this year - so ended up booking somewhere in Cancun.
Re hurricanes you should just about be ok although you are at the end of the season so still possible. Season runs to 30th November. Peak season is Sept.
The new Hyatt is getting good reviews but upwards of $900 a night some weeks.
There is a youtuber called "coolist" who did a thorough review of about 15 adults only hotels in PC recently. Did about 20 videos I think.
Just google coolist punta cana.
If you do decide to book one of the Hyatt owned brands then I would advise you get a World of Hyatt account first to make sure you get the points as they could come in handy in the future.
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