Grand Memories Splash

The crown jewel at the Memories
Splash is the water park, which staff will repeatedly
remind you is the largest at any resort in the Caribbean. Kids
of all ages (and their parents) slide down water tubes into shallow
pools, get soaked by enormous, suspended buckets of water, and brave
the refreshing buffeting of a wave pool. There's also a contraption
that spins folks around like a ball circling down a funnel, then
deposits them in a dizzy, wet mess at the bottom of a pool. Outside of the water park, families (mostly from Canada and the U.S.) might salsa to a
merengue band in an open-air plaza, pop into the American-style coffee shop or a break from the sun, or sunbathe in pools of the non-spinning variety. (The designated quiet pool almost
hidden behind one of the pool bars is somewhat quieter and much less
crowded.) There's no beach, but the hotel reserves space just for
Memories guests on the beach by the Royalton -- on our visit, it was
nearly empty, though. Our best guess is that the water park was simply a bigger draw than the ocean. Free shuttles to Royalton and the beach run regularly.  Families who dig the water slides but not the crowds may want to explore the Cadaques Caribe, about an hour away from the Punta Cana region. Couples, especially honeymooners, will almost certainly be happier next door at the Royalton Punta Cana.

About 15 minutes from the Punta Cana
airport, the hotel sits on a stretch off the highway just shy of the
Hard Rock. Guests will have to pull off the highway and drive a few
minutes on a curvy local road before getting to the property,
which is shared with the Royalton. Past the initial security gate,
there's no signage telling drivers where to go -- Memories guests should
check in immediately to the left, where there's a small parking lot and the
rather small, dark lobby. Go any farther, and they'll check into the
Royalton by mistake. The Memories Splash is not directly on the
beach -- guests have to walk through the Royalton resort to get to
their little stretch on the sand, and free shuttles are available. (They're welcome to use the
non-Diamond Club Royalton beach as well.)

Rooms at the Memories are all modern, though the Premium Rooms are significantly more stylish. They're well-lit and have light tile floors and dark-wood furniture; most rooms have accents in blues and greens, and some furniture incorporates natural fiber or whicker. Wall art typically includes pieces crafted from natural wood. All rooms have balconies with views of the pool or garden (the one in the Premium Room we viewed was large, with chairs, a small table, and an ashtray). Arguably the best feature, especially for the Dominican Republic, is the strong (and free!) Wi-Fi signal in the rooms. Amenities also include tea- and coffee-making facilities, free stocked minibars, and Bluetooth music stations. Room service is available from morning 'til night. Buildings 7 and 8 are near the pools, and are recommended for convenience, though they're not necessarily the quietest. Building 9 is closest to the Royalton and the beach. The Deluxe Room is the entry-level category and can sleep up to four; Connecting Deluxe Rooms can sleep up to eight. Many of the upgraded room types include whirlpool tubs. The Deluxe Family Jacuzzi Suite sleeps four but has bunk beds in a separate den for families that want more space. The Presidential Suite includes a pull-out couch.

The Memories Splash is all about the
water park, the biggest at any resort in the Caribbean (but still small by U.S.
standards). There are multiple water slides (children must be 48 inches tall for the larger slides), a wave pool, and a pool with smaller slides for younger children. The park evidently outshines the ocean itself, if you judge
by the number of people at the park versus the beach (reached by the free, frequent shuttle service to the next door Royalton). Entry is
free for guests of the Memories or the Royalton (it's an expensive
day pass for non-guests). And don't feel guilty about the water
usage: The water park recycles and reuses almost all of it, according to staff.Guests
who need space for events can book the outdoor area in the ecological
park between the Memories and the Royalton, a sequestered, hut-filled
clearing amid a thick tropical jungle. Nature lovers who don't need
a party space might instead amuse themselves with the several
peacocks and ducks that roam the grounds. Parents of children of
a certain age will be pleased to know that there are both a kids' club
for the younger ones, and a teens' club for older ones, conveniently
located close to each other without getting in each other's way. Parents themselves can use the free time to avail themselves of the nearby coffee shop.This all-inclusive resort has a buffet restaurant as well as a Mexican, Italian, and marine-themed international restaurant. No reservations are required, but those who show up during peak dining hours can expect a bit of a wait. There are plenty of spots to grab a drink, including swim-up bars at the two main pools. (One pool has lots of activities, and the other does not and is a bit less crowded). Guests get access to some bars at the Royalton as well, as well as its Italian trattoria (during lunch hours only). Wrist bands are required. Diamond Club guests get extra perks like a reserved section of beach.