Where to Stay in Punta Cana?

Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa in Dominican Republic

It’s the month of December, and I’m already missing the summer! So, I planned my next vacation; this time, the destination was to be someplace hot, somewhere close to Philadelphia, and a place I haven’t been to before. Since it’s the end of the year, it also had to be low-budget. With that in mind, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic topped the list.

Once we reached the resort, I was amazed by how huge it was! The resort exceeded our expectations; it was truly wonderful. In the lobby, there were plenty of seating areas, including fancy chairs, couches, beds for lounging, hanging egg chairs, tables, and sofas.

We were welcomed with a refreshing mixed fruit drink. Checking into the resort took about 15-20 minutes as there were others checking in at the same time. Once we got our key band, we were free to explore and do whatever our hearts and stomachs desired. Since it was an all-inclusive resort, we could eat and drink for free throughout our stay. Yes, alcoholic beverages were also free, all day, every day! It was exciting and also a bit strange to order food and then walk out without having to pay the first time.

When we got our key activated, we headed to our room, which was also very spacious. We were delighted to find a private pool right outside, and there was even a jacuzzi! Pretty fancy, right? Trust me, it wasn’t that expensive compared to all the other hotels in the US. We usually pay double the price for a tiny compartment in NYC.

Returning to the room description at the resort, it was equipped with all the usual amenities you’d find in any other hotel room. Numerous drawers provided ample storage, and there was also a wardrobe for hanging clothes. The room featured a TV, a mini refrigerator stocked with drinks, sodas, chips, and chocolates. There was a two-seater sofa and a writing desk with a chair in the room. Additionally, there was a wash area with two wash basins, and the bathroom was separate from the toilet. So, yeah, the room was quite comfortable.

Now, let’s explore the rest of the resort and talk about the pools. The resort must have had like a hundred pools, I did not count. Swimming pools were almost everywhere. There was one right outside our room, and then there was a children’s pool that periodically released a huge bucket full of water into the pool. A lazy river offered a place to spend a considerable amount of time lazing around, but napping wasn’t an option due to interrupting fountains, jets, and not-so-gentle overhead waterfalls. While I’m not particularly a water person and don’t enjoy spending time in pools, I’m sure many swimming enthusiasts would appreciate these features.

There were also huge jacuzzis with warm water, an infinity pool with a pool bar, another kid’s pool right next to it, and a sizable swimming pool for adults with “Royalton” engraved at the bottom of the pool. This one was probably the largest pool, often hosting various activities like water games and exercises. Lastly, there were more private infinity pools with jacuzzis.

The beach was just a five-minute walk from our room. The water was pleasantly warm and had a pristine blue color. The beach was clean and provided plenty of beach beds for lying down and enjoying the ocean breeze.

Every evening, the resort offered activities for both kids and adults. Some of the shows for adults included a Michael Jackson stage performance, a Retro party, a white beach dance party, and a silent disco. These shows typically started after 9 PM. For kids, the shows usually started around 7 PM or 8 PM and ended by 9 PM.

Additionally, the resort provided numerous group tours for those interested in exploring places outside the resort. These tours offered adventurous activities such as hiking, wildlife safaris, visits to Monkeyland, zip lining, and more. The resort also boasted a fitness center, spa, and casino.

For those looking for a more exclusive experience, the resort had a Diamond Club catering to guests seeking premium services and amenities.

Time to talk about the food! The resort offers numerous options, including a massive buffet space, food trucks, and upscale dine-in restaurants. During our five-day stay, we tried almost all of them, except one.

1. Rio Brazilian Grill House: We loved dining here and kept going back as it offered delicious grilled meats and desserts. The view of the ocean from the restaurant enhanced our culinary experience and the beef steak was exceptional!
2. Ocean Side: This restaurant provides a buffet in the afternoon and a dine-in experience in the evening. I particularly enjoyed the goat stew here.
3. Grazie Italian Restaurant: This was also pretty good. We tried zucchini soup, pepperoni pizza, risotto, grilled fish, tiramisu, and panna cotta for dessert. Everything tasted great!
4. Zen: Another sit-down restaurant, but it was so-so. The food took a long time to come, and when it did, it wasn’t hot, and the flavors were lacking.
5. Food Truck by the Infinity Pool: Serving burgers, hot dogs, french fries, gyros, and more. The food was a bit bland, but it worked when we wanted to chill by the pool and felt lazy to walk to a restaurant.
6. Gourmet Marché: We frequented this place as it was the only breakfast option and it also served dinner buffets. There were many options, including Asian, Mexican, American, grilled meats, a bakery section, salad bar, crepe counter, omelet counter, spaghetti counter, and numerous desserts. It’s an easy go-to option when you don’t feel like deciding where to eat. However, the food quality here is not as flavorful as in the above-mentioned restaurants.
7. American Burger Restaurant : We went here once on the first day of our arrival and ate American food, but the name escapes me.
8. Hunter Steakhouse: Unfortunately, we couldn’t try this one as it was always full and reserved.
9. Cafe Lounge/Scoop Gelato: This place offers hot/cold beverages, pastries, cookies, and gelato.

The reason for the detailed description of the restaurants is because once you have explored the resort and enjoyed time chilling in the pool and by the ocean, there isn’t much else to focus on except for food. Since we stayed in the resort for five days, it felt like a groundhog day for my busy body and restless mind: wake up, eat breakfast, read books in the lobby, go to the pool, have cocktails, eat lunch, go back to the pool, shower, afternoon nap, dinner, and sleep. While this routine may sound amazing, and I am grateful for this beautiful experience, by the fifth day, I was feeling a bit done with it because the resort seemed to cater more to outgoing individuals. I wished there were more cozy corners and creative activities for introverts too!

By the last day, the loud Christmas songs repeated in the lobby were kind of getting to me. If you have noticed, the initial excitement is fading towards the end of the blog, which was the same experience I had while being in Punta Cana. 

Overall, I would rate this vacation a 7/10 and the resort a solid 10/10. It’s perfect for a 3-day getaway, whether you’re traveling alone or with your partner. All-inclusive resorts tend to be even more enjoyable with a large group of friends or family. I have no complaints about the resort; it was clean, safe, had excellent customer service, and was undeniably beautiful.

Things to pay attention to while in Punta Cana:

1. Airport Arrival: Land in PUJ international airport.

2. Pre-book Transportation: Pre-book a taxi. We used booking.com, and our private cab was provided by WayBus Tours and Travels. (Highly recommended)

3. Tipping Etiquette: Since it is an all-inclusive resort, you don’t need to pay for food, but tipping the service providers is appreciated. Carry single dollars and tip a dollar or two each time you sit down to eat or drink.

4. Sun Protection: The weather is hot, and since you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors in the pool or at the beach, make sure to bring and apply sunscreen to protect your skin.

5. Water Safety: Don’t drink tap water. Always opt for bottled water, duh! 

6. Key Band Security: *Most important* Don’t remove your key band. You will be given a tag/band with the key when you check-in. Keep it on at all times, even when showering or sleeping. If you lose it, it can unnecessarily complicate your trip, and you might have to pay a significant fee.

7. Learn Basic Spanish Terminology: Not mandatory, but it’s fun to be greeted by the locals and it’s more fun to respond in their local language. It was too cute, the way everyone kept saying, Hola! Gracias! De Nada!

Alrighty then folks, that’s all about my warm escape to Punta Cana. If you are planning a trip, then I hope you found this information helpful. If you wish to get more details, please comment below and I will get back to you.