Punta Cana Hotels, Resorts, Accommodations Guide: Luxury, Mid-Range, Budget Hotels in Punta Cana

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Punta Cana

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In keeping with the desire to upgrade its image, Punta Cana now boasts several top-notch properties. But don't fear if you need an affordable vacation – there are plenty of properties at very reasonable prices. The majority of resorts still operate on the all-inclusive model, and choosing to stay at one means you can do as much or as little as you wish – most resorts offer a daily calendar with activities that start at sunrise and go well into the evening hours. But if you want to spend your days relaxing on the beach, feel free to laze your days away. If all-inclusives aren't your thing, your choices are limited to very high-end properties with expensive a la carte options or beach-bungalow type budget digs. You're not going to find a Holiday Inn in Punta Cana – but wait a few years, and you probably will. Tip: The term a la carte has different meanings depending on where you stay. At the majority of all-inclusive resorts it means that you can dine at a restaurant with a menu and order what you wish (as opposed to a buffet) and still pay no additional charge. The term can also mean there is an additional charge associated with the restaurant; this information is very clearly stated on the hotel/resort website.

For luxury accommodations, privacy seekers and design aficionados alike love the Oscar de la Renta-decorated villas at Tortuga Bay (Puntacana Resort and Club; 888/442-2262; www.puntacana.com), a boutique property of 15 spacious villas owned and operated by the Puntacana Resort and Club. Along with de la Renta, Julio Iglesias and Mikhail Baryshnikov keep residences in this gated community. The one- to four-bedroom villas are clean and plush, and all guests get a golf cart to explore the vast resort. Other than breakfast, everything you eat or drink here will be added to your bill. Guests have use of the adjacent Puntacana Hotel's facilities, which include an on-site golf course (La Cana boasts four oceanfront holes and views of the Caribbean from 14 holes), a marina, and a Six Senses spa. You'll know you've "arrived" when you land on the beach at Sivory Punta Cana (Sivory Beach; 809/552-0500; www.sivorypuntacana.com) via helicopter ($300/couple each way) from the airport. The all-suite hotel has just 50 oversized rooms, some with private plunge pools, and is a popular destination for honeymooners seeking solitude. While you can opt for one of two plans – one that includes meals and drinks and one that doesn't (save for your in-room minibar stocked with water and beer) – note that you'll have to take the majority of your meals at the resort anyway, as there are no nearby dining options.

There are many, many mid-range properties in Punta Cana. Though resorts with quality a la carte options have not arrived in this category yet, all-inclusive properties are plentiful. The Puntacana Hotel (Puntacana Resort & Club; 809/959-2262; www.puntacana.com) is the area's original resort and includes a variety of accommodations ranging from basic rooms to family-style villas. Included with the price of your room is the option to dine at no additional charge at several casual eateries, but alcohol is not included. Guests can also opt to dine at the more upscale restaurants on the property and pay menu prices. The hotel offers guests on a budget the opportunity to pay less for their accommodations and pick and choose what else they want to pay for among the resort's vast offerings. You'll want to pony up some extra bucks for boat rentals on the marina, horseback riding on the beach, and scuba diving. Tennis and non-motorized water sports have no additional charge. The Paradisus Palma Real (Playa del Bavaro; 866/436-3542; www.paradisuspalmareal.travel) opened in 2005 on a spectacular stretch of Punta Cana sand and offers guests an excellent value with its luxury accommodations, six restaurants, eight bars, and three swimming pools. There are also many add-ons: Spa treatments and tee times, of course, but also the "Royal Service" plan, which gives you access to a personal butler, a private pool with bed-like seating, a private stretch of beach with beach concierge, preferential reservations, customizable in-room minibar, and much more. Keep in mind, however, that you'll be making the leap from mid-range to luxe prices when you opt for this service.

Travelers on a budget will have no problem finding a resort to suit their wallets. For families, we can't think of a better place for the price than the Ocean Blue Golf and Beach Resort (Playa Arena Gorda; 888/403-2603; www.oceanhotels.net) where kids and adults alike get a kick out of the beach, the pool, the wide selection of activities, and the vast array of dining options – nine in all – including seven a la carte restaurants (no additional cost) decorated by theme and positioned around a large courtyard. There's a 1950s diner with hamburgers and milkshakes on the menu and Elvis memorabilia on the walls, a Starbucks-type café offering designer coffees and pastries, and an authentic Dominican restaurant designed to look like an elegant Dominican home. There are 10 bars and a casino to keep the adults entertained, and a game room and bowling alley for the kids. The Hotel Carabela Beach Resort and Casino (809/221-2728; www.vistasolhotels.com) offers basic accommodations and direct access to the town of El Cortecito – perfect for guests who want an all-inclusive with the option to easily venture outside their resort. For those who want to stay put, there are three swimming pools, eight bars, a casino, several restaurants (both buffet and a la carte), tennis courts, and a variety of water sports on the beach. In El Cortecito itself, there are also a few small hotels for independent travelers – check out the El Cortecito Inn (Playa El Cortecito; 809/552-0639) or the La Posada de Piedra (Playa El Cortecito; 809/221-0754; www.laposadadepiedra.com).