Majestic Mirage Punta Cana

The towering marble and wood lobby is clearly designed to impress. The long, open-concept courtyard leading from the lobby, down the length of the property to the beach is likewise a statement of grandeur. There’s a distinct sense of sophistication and elegance throughout the resort, but it’s never stuffy or pretentious. Likewise, the atmosphere is lively, but not raucous. It’s a property well-suited to honeymooners and families seeking a more relaxed, upscale vacation experience in contrast to Punta Cana’s notorious hard-partying, booze-fueled resorts (though there's plenty of included booze on offer here, too). While the beach overcrowds quickly, the massive pools collectively provide more than enough space for guests to carve out their own piece of resort real estate without ever feeling cramped.

The surrounding Playa Bavaro district is among the busiest and most tourist-friendly in Punta Cana. The resort is situated in a gated, multi-resort compound adjacent two other Mirage-branded resorts. The area is technically walkable, however, there isn’t much to see on foot and safety is a concern, especially after dark. Most guests will need to hail a cab for access to numerous shopping centers, casinos, and golf courses within a 10-minute drive. Punta Cana’s PUJ International Airport is 30 minutes south along a modern highway. The hotel offers paid shuttle service, but area taxis are often the cheapest way to get around. Uber is not available in the Dominican Republic. 

The soft creme and brown color palette in each room evokes a feeling of life aboard a stately cruise ship. Subtle pops of blue and organically curved lamps and accent panels add tasteful dashes of elegance. Every room is spacious with nearly 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) of floor space -- enough for separate living and sleeping quarters. The list of standard amenities is excellent: free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and Nespresso machines. Free minibars include bottled water, Coke, Sprite, and assorted beer. There are also bottles of liquor and a few packages of chips. Bathrooms are spacious and elegantly designed with dual sinks, wall-mounted hairdryers, and frosted glass shower stalls, plus large soaking tubs. Private balconies or terraces are standard, and many offer ocean views and/or swim-up access. Guests note moisture and smell issues in some rooms, although the hotel can provide free dehumidifiers to combat both. 

As expected, features here are designed to appeal to vacationers. The long, lazy-river-style pool runs most of the length of the property from the lobby to the beach. Along with similar pools at the two Mirage sister properties, it’s among the largest in the Dominican Republic. A similar, though smaller, Club Pool runs parallel and is available exclusively for Mirage Club guests seeking a more relaxed, adult-centric experience. Several hot tubs are located along the path of both pools. Poolside food and drink service are available throughout the property. The entertainment team organizes events like foam parties and games. The hotel’s main restaurant, Marketplace, serves an all-inclusive buffet menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Several a la carte restaurants serve specialty Italian, seafood, Argentinian steakhouse, and Japanese cuisine, and the food is well-reviewed. Guests also have access to a handful of buffet and themed restaurants at neighboring Mirage properties. Free 24-hour room service is included in rates. Late-night snacks and drinks are also available at the snack shack and a 24-hour sports bar. For drinking, there are indoor and outdoor bar options, plus swim-up bars. Premium alcohol is included. The Lobby Bar has live piano music in the evenings. The beach is wide and well-maintained. However, because the sand is shared with two adjacent Mirage properties, the space overcrowds quickly. When the hotel is at or near capacity, it’s easy to feel like guests are jockeying for elbow room. A long list of free water sports is available, along with plenty of cabanas, sun beds, and private palapas. The spa features the same elegant design found throughout the hotel, with dashes of Bali and Zen-inspired accents. The multi-story building includes hydrotherapy areas, steam rooms, a dedicated pool, and a full beauty salon. Guests can purchase day passes to the hydrotherapy circuit, and treatments also cost extra. A variety of theater entertainment is provided day and night at several spots throughout the three-resort Mirage compound. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout. Self-parking is provided in a secure, staffed lot.