Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa

Out of the five Princess properties in the area, the 270-room Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa is the pricier, adults-only option. It is also smaller than the others and the more romantic option because it doesn’t allow children under 18. But with the lively afternoon pool scene, lobby entertainment, and 24-hour beach bar, it doesn't offer peace and quiet all the time. The lobby does in fact feel relaxing during the day, but it becomes louder at night with evening performances.

The grounds are sprawling and beautiful, with huge lawns peppered by palm trees, stone sculptures, and rows of colorful buildings in bright blue, yellow, and red. Interiors are beachy and simple, housing dark wicker seating decorated with neutral throw pillows, tiled floors throughout, and a few pops of color. Though the property is spread out, it’s not too far of a walk to get to the pool and beach, or back to the lobby and main restaurant area. However, guests can request golf cart service to move around or to go to the adjacent sister properties, Caribe Club Princess Beach Resort & Spa and Tropical Princess Beach Resort & Spa, to which guests get full access.

Without a kids' club or a big theater, the property feels more intimate and relaxed than the Caribe or Tropical resorts. The pool, however, especially in the presence of the animation team, can get quite rowdy. Adults holding extra-large mugs filled with beer can be found here dancing to the loud music. For relaxation, the beach with cushy lounge areas and drink service is a few steps away.

At night, guests can take part in the pre-dinner lobby scene before wandering to one of the five restaurants. After dinner, the vibe is quieter, as most guests head to the Caribe or Tropical theaters to catch a performance. Overall, the resort is a good place for adults, especially groups, but newlyweds expecting peace and quiet may want to look elsewhere.

The resort, like all Princess properties, is on the coast east of Bavaro in Punta Cana -- about a 25-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport. There's not much to see and do outside the resort, making it a great all-inclusive option for those who want to relax. The main draw here is the beach, which is slightly smaller than its neighbors’ but has fine, white sand, turquoise waters, and palm trees for shade. All resorts in this area face east for spectacular sunrises. The gorgeous Hoyo Azul (or Blue Hole) is about a 40-minute drive away, as is Scape Park, a popular theme park with zip lines, swimming holes, and a beach club.

A number of identical three-story buildings hold 256 Deluxe Suites and 14 Honeymoon Suites. Rooms (which are considered suites here) are airy and clean but not particularly luxurious. Decor is contemporary, consisting of dark-wood furniture with clean lines, crisp white linens, and pops of red. However, beige tiles and white walls are a tad generic, as are plain burgundy vinyl chairs placed around basic round tables in dark hues. Honeymoon Suites are more modern and stylish, thanks to exposed stone walls, all-white furniture with neutral accents, and cute artwork with leaf motifs.

Each suite includes two double beds or one king-size bed, living area with a sofa, two chairs, a small table, and big windows and glass doors that open to a small balcony outfitted with plastic patio furniture. Most terraces offer pleasant views of the gardens, and about 30 units have spectacular sea views.

Standard amenities include air-conditioning, large flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and coffeemakers. Minibars are stocked with water, sodas, and beer and refilled daily free of charge. Wi-Fi, however, is an extra fee. Honeymoon Suites come with a few additional perks, including a welcome fruit basket, a bottle of rum, two free 20-minute massages, and a dinner at one of sister property Caribe Club’s gourmet options per week.

Bathrooms are clean and in good shape, with jetted tubs, single sinks over marble-like counters, and separate toilet cabins with frosted-glass doors. Hairdryers and a small range of toiletries are provided in all suites.

The Punta Cana Princess All Suites Resort & Spa offers a variety of cuisine types, all well-reviewed by past guests. There are five restaurants in a few different areas of the resort -- all walking distance from each other. The main buffet, closer to the lobby, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there's another buffet restaurant on the beach for breakfast, lunch, and 24-hour snacks (this space becomes a romantic a la carte Mediterranean restaurant at night). There are also a Tex-Mex steakhouse, an Italian a la carte eatery, and a fondue restaurant in a Swiss chalet setting. Reservations are not required at any of the restaurants. Guests can also dine at any of the restaurants located at sister properties Caribe Club and Tropical Princess.

Drinks are never a problem at the Punta Cana Princess: there is a 24-hour bar on-site, as well as poolside and lobby bars with extended hours. All of them serve local and standard international liquor brands.

The Punta Cana Princess all-suites adults-only all-inclusive package covers 24-hour food and drinks in all five restaurants and three bars, plus use of the sauna, introductory scuba lessons in the pool (one per person, per stay), non-motorized water sports, and free shuttle to the casino located at sister property Bavaro Princess Resort, Spa & Casino. Additionally, the package includes free daily minibar refills, plus basic Wi-Fi in the lobby and use of the tennis courts.

Travelers wanting to stay on budget may want to know that a few things are not included: in-room internet access, room service, premium liquor brands, and drinks at the nightclub after the first hour.

The hotel is set along a beautiful white-sand beach with lots of loungers, thatched umbrellas, and wooden daybeds. The vibe is quiet and mellow, and drink service is available right on the sand. For something livelier, guests can head to the large zero-entry pool, where the entertainment team organizes competitions, water aerobics classes, and sports several times per day. Punta Cana Princess guests can also use any of the pools found at other Princess properties in the area. Introductory scuba diving lessons are available in the pool free of charge.

For evening entertainment, guests have access to the on-site nightclub and to the casino and theater at the other Princess properties from a shuttle that leaves from the lobby.

While the main spa is located next door at Tropical Princess, there is an outdoor mini spa at Punta Cana Princess, complete with treatment tents, a sauna, and a whirlpool. There is also a small gym adjacent to the main spa, offering a decent array of cardio and strength-training machines. Guests can also use the hotel’s three tennis courts free of charge.