Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana

The Hideaway is the adult-only boutique hotel tucked discreetly inside the Royalton complex, which also includes Royalton Punta Cana and Grand Memories Punta Cana. The main Royalton lobby is an impressive two-level affair, and it's where you'll be dropped off. But tell the bellman that you're checking into the Hideaway and you'll be whisked off to the private entrance via a golf cart. Registration takes place in an intimate lobby with stylish art, pink club chairs, and comfy sofas. Guests help themselves to sparkling wine and a spread of snacks while staff organizes their luggage and room arrival. Wristbands are a requirement, but they're made of lightweight and comfortable satin ribbon and feature a small waterproof tab that unlocks the guest rooms and pool door. Overall, the vibe is upscale and intimate. The swimming pool (located just outside of the lobby building) is a truly private affair, hidden behind a low wall topped with green hedges, and accessible via a large wooden door. At night, white furniture and the water fountain are lit by neon. Guests are exclusively adults, and most of them are couples on vacation from the U.S. and Canada. They spend their days lounging by the beach, sipping cocktails by the pool, or dabbling in the entertainment and pools at the sister resorts. While Hideaway guests can use the sister resort's facilities for free, the sister resorts can't access the Hideaway's pool, beach, bars, and restaurant. Note that the sister resorts do allow kids, and you'll see (and hear) them throughout the other properties. 

This location has two distinct advantages: It's 15 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport and it's directly on gorgeous Bavaro Beach. The Royalton is two minutes past the front security gate it shares with the Memories Splash. (If you pull into the first parking lot you see, you'll waste 15 minutes of your time trying to check into the Memories by mistake.) Unlike the Memories, the Hideaway Royalton is directly on the beach. It's about a 40-minute drive to restaurants and shopping at Cap Cana and a 45-minute drive to Scape Park. 

The standard room category is the Luxury Room, which has a king-size bed and sitting area with a sofa. The Diamond Club Luxury Room is no different aside from placement on the property, though Diamond Club guests get a variety of other perks and a butler. The rooms are decorated with contemporary style and upscale finishes -- cream walls, white bedding with sea-foam green accents, and modern dark wood furniture. Art consists of framed wooden abstract textiles and huge photographs of orchids that hang over the beds. All rooms have free minibars with beer and soft drinks, as well as coffeemakers. Flat-screen TVs are provided. Wi-Fi is both free and strong throughout the resort and in the guest rooms. Guests also get unlimited free in-room calls to the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe. There is a furnished terrace or balcony in every unit, with views of the gardens, pool, or ocean. Some rooms on the ground floor have swim-up pool access. Bathrooms feature vessel sinks and walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Some higher-tier rooms have separate whirlpool tubs. 

The beach at the Hideaway is a wide expanse of white sand. It offers a convenient beach bar, lots of quality lounge chairs and palapas, and a sandy entry to the turquoise water (no coral). Just note that chairs are placed close together and the beach can get crowded. There's a dedicated area for Diamond Club guests with its own bar, though it's not adult-only.  Water sports equipment such as kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available, as well as Hobie Cats (these require a paid lesson to use). An external water sports company sells snorkeling and diving excursions. The intimate pool has an adjacent bar and small yard area with hammocks, plus lots of sun loungers. All-inclusive rates cover meals at El Dorado, an upscale seafood restaurant open for three meals a day (no reservations required). Dinner includes access to a self-serve raw bar with sushi, crab claws, and cheeses. Hideaway guests can also dine all-inclusive at the neighboring resorts six restaurants -- including a buffet, Italian, Mediterranean, tapas, steakhouse, and Japanese options -- and nine bars. Diamond Club guests can have their butler make reservations, and get top-shelf liquor at the bars. Other features include a full spa with a hydrotherapy suite, fitness center, nightly entertainment, daily games and activities, a water park, and a large gift shop. These features are part of the sister resorts, and some of them require a ride in a golf cart to reach.