Are you dreaming of the perfect Caribbean escape? It's hard to choose from the many gorgeous locales and islands, and once you've settled on say, the Dominican Republic, you still have to figure out the best place to stay. Luckily, we have done the legwork for you (Someone had to do it!). We present to you the Chic Punta Cana, a luxurious, all-inclusive resort on the palm-lined beach of Uvero Alto, at the north end of the tourist mecca Punta Cana in the province of La Altagracia in the Dominican Republic.
To put this property into its proper perspective, we have compared it to a few similar resorts in the area, so you can see amenities and other adventures at a glance and feel prepared to book your ultimate Caribbean getaway.
Chic Punta Cana - All Inclusive Resort
Inspired by the vibrant and gregarious pool scenes and luxe amenities of hip hotels in Las Vegas and also Miami’s South Beach, Chic Punta Cana is an adult-only, all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. You can sip craft cocktails, nibble on exquisite cuisine, visit the on-site oxygen bar, make friends in the social atmosphere conducive to mingling with new acquaintances, or sequester yourself in one of the sultry private cabanas.
The atmosphere is social yet elegant and relaxed and the location is covetable --- a luxury resort situated on a palm-lined sand beach of Uvero Alto. Uvero Alto beach sits at the north end of the tourist mecca Punta Cana. Uvero Alto is an area that’s a little more secluded. The hotel is a member of Chic by Royalton Resorts, with properties in Antigua, Negril, St. Lucia, Cancun and more.
Sweet Suites
Chic Punta Cana’s 485 rooms are decorated in a light, airy and open décor motif with cream and pale gray tones, gorgeous floral art and tiled floors. Some feature orchids and offer beautiful ocean or tropical garden views. They are air-conditioned and come with either a king-size bed or two queen-size beds, with many rooms also containing an additional, convenient and comfy sofa bed.
Connecting Rooms adjoin two Luxury Rooms and are great for families and groups looking to have fun together. Among the most notable rooms are the Diamond Club Luxury Swim Out Room, the Swim Out Adults Only, and the Honeymoon Jacuzzi Suite.
En-suite amenities at Chic Punta Cana include hypoallergenic Dreambeds with pillow-top and Luxurious 250 thread count sheets, ceiling-mounted rain showers, a balcony or terrace (some with Jacuzzi and/or swim-out pools), free WiFi, Cable TV, Bluetooth audio station and USB recharge station. There’s also a mini bar and an electronic safe deposit box for your valuables. Need we mention coffee makers, hairdryer and ironing boards?
Feasting
Chic Punta Cana also features a vast variety of international dining options, from a buffet to a steakhouse sushi and ceviche to Middle Eater and South Asian. Our favorites are the Italian trattoria called C/X Culinary Experience, where in a scrumptious setting a personal chef takes you through sumptuous, even-course culinary journey with musical selections to match each dish, and the sleek and modern Pescari for sushi, local seafood and Japanese cuisine.
The buffet is perfect for kids and picky eaters. Vegetarians, gluten-free eaters or anyone else with dietary restrictions will find options at every single restaurant at CHIC. In case of specific culinary needs, you can personalize your food according to your preferences by notify the resort and /or your waiter in advance. Dining is unlimited and reservation-free 24/7.
Fun
The pool area of Chic Punta Cana features a swim-up bar with underwater stools and drinks all afternoon! There are six bars, so you’re never far from delicious cocktail. There’s also a fitness center with equipment, Zumba classes and even a personal trainer. For additional diversions and entertainment at Chic Punta Cana, there are themed pool and beach parties with a poolside DJ every week, non-motorized watersports, and the Sports Event Guarantee. The latter means that sports aficionados will not miss out on a single game while vacationing here since all major sporting events are aired at the hotel.
Why Chic Punta Cana?
A mermaid pool? Yes, Punta Cana has an above-ground pool fit with glass walls where you can swim alongside a “real” mermaid. You can also spend the day lounging by the poolside attraction and watch the elegant underwater antics of mermaids at play.
We’re also fans of the luxurious, 11,500-square-foot CHIC Mansion which has just six exclusive accommodations. You can book a luxe respite for just you and your loved one, or bring your 11 best friends or party partners and live it up with the Mansion’s exclusive private amenities and the resort’s Diamond Club privileges. This space is fantastic for planning a birthday party, baby shower abroad, or other social getaway. Among the many fantastic amenities and services, we also really appreciate this small (but huge) factor: You can make unlimited free in-room calls to North America and most of Europe!
Finally, we absolutely love the Swim Out suites. Picture getting into your bathing suite in your room and swimming right out into the swimming pool --- such luxurious decadence! Let’s not forget the swim-up pool bar with underwater bar stools --- it’s so much fun to sip a drink (cocktail or non-alcoholic) in the water and enjoy the vibrant see-and-be-seen scene.
Pricing
During high season, rates at Chic Punta Cana range from $500-$800 with $1,200 for the Swim Out suite.
How It Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
Excellence Punta Cana
Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort
Chic Punta Cana
Chic Punta Cana is a luxurious, all-inclusive resort experience in the Dominican Republic --- about 25 miles northwest of Punta Cana International Airport --- with excellent amenities from pools with swim-up bars and the option of swim-out suites to great, reservation-free dining, beautifully appointed rooms and so much more. It's a great spot for groups, special events, retreats, and even weddings. See above to get the whole scoop!
Price: $789
Room rates for Luxury suites range from $500-$800.
Rankings: 4.5 Stars
This luxury resort is on the high end of the spectrum but not top-of-the line, so it falls just a half star short of our highest ranking.
Pros
Cons
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
Enjoy the rock star treatment at Hard Rock's first all-inclusive hotel and casino in the Dominican Republic. Huge casino, golf course, 23 bars, oh my! --- where do we even describe this massive property that seems to have everything and then some? Staying here feels like being at a big Las Vegas resort, immersed in iconic music memorabilia, except that you’re actually at a beach in the Caribbean.
Yes, it boasts over 20 bars, 11 pools and lots of restaurants, a spa, the 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, 65,000 square feet of meeting space and the Dominican Republic's largest casino, where you can rock ‘n’ roll until you run out of steam --- or quarters. Favorites include the larger-than-life Vegas-style casino, four swim-up bars, a lazy river, a kids' pool and lots of fantastic eateries. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana sits at the northern end of the Punta Cana resort area along Bávaro Beach.
Price: $502
Based on average rates for a Standard Room, prices per night range from $294-$784.
Rankings: 4.5 Stars
This luxurious hotel has so very many fantastic amenities and features, but it's just an inch short of our penultimate 5 rating.
Pros
Cons
Excellence Punta Cana
The sprawling, adults-only Excellence Punta Cana excels at offering unforgettable stays for couples. They host hundreds of weddings a year and their wellness facility, the Miilé Spa, caters to lovebirds via a spa suite, six couples’ treatment rooms and a couple-specific menu, six couples treatment rooms and even a spa suite.
You don’t have to arrive à deux to enjoy this resort offering all suites with whirlpool tubs and balconies or patios, activities such as dance classes, tennis, beach volleyball, scuba lessons, mini golf, yoga, archery and air rifle shooting. You even get 30 minutes of complimentary horseback riding included per guest. But you don’t have to busy yourself; you can laze by the palapa-lined beach and enjoy towel service, lounge in a hammock by Two expansive pools or indulge at one of the nine restaurants and 10 bars.
Price: $378
Prices start at $239 and go up to $580, based on average rates for a standard room.
Rankings: 4.5 Stars
Here's yet another luxurious all-inclusive resort with all most everything you could ever want without having to leave the property.
Pros
Cons
Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort
Again, where do we even begin? The all-inclusive Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, on Playa de Bávaro, feels like a small village. That’s because its amenities and space are really something to write home --- or post to Instagram --- about. Just take a load of this: There’s a huge lagoon-style pool with a pool bar that overlooks the beach, plus hydro massage areas. Foodies will appreciate Passion by star chef Martín Berasategui, winner of eight Michelin stars.
Chill out at the Oriental Garden Spa, a gorgeous spa oasis inspired by Asian tranquility or play a few rounds on the 18-hole Cocotal golf course, designed by six-time Spanish Champion and architect Jose Gancedo. For more entertainment there are shows, including musicals. The Reserve at the Paradisus Palma Real has a complimentary Kids Zone Club and amenities for little ones and teens such as Xbox 360, Wii, a computer area, air hockey, table tennis, climbing walls, bouncy castle, trampoline, movie nights, puppet shows, karaoke, themed parties and more.
You can feast at a variety of international restaurants, try lady luck at the casino, sip pretty at several bars and divert yourself with free activities such as water aerobics, salsa lessons, beach volleyball, tennis, kayaking, windsurfing, beach snorkeling, pedal boats and catamarans. Among the restaurants is Passion by Martín Berasategui, winner of eight Michelin stars.
Price: $309 - $396
On the property's very own website you can find great rates starting at just a little over $200 per night.
Rankings: 4.5 Stars
Most visitors and our editors agree: This amenity-armed property deserves a near top-of-the-line rating.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
When we set out to compare hotels in the Punta Cana resort area, we didn't realize that all of our choices would receive the same rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. You may wonder why since they are all rather different from each other. Some feature golf courses, casinos and celeb chefs, while others have swim-up bars, swim-out suites, a pool with "mermaids" or great amenities for kids.
The key distinguishing factor is that all of them proffer their own highly unique amenities, and just because one resort is a mega village of a complex doesn't mean a smaller, more intimate property cannot compete with it. We're sure you'll find a top hotel here that will meet all of your personal requirements for a perfect Punta Cana escapade. Don't forget to toast your luck with a Mama Juana, a signature Dominican Republic cocktail. Salud!