Club Med Punta Cana

Club Med Punta Cana was the Dominican Republic’s first all-inclusive resort, opening in 1981. It was last renovated in 2008, but over the years, the resort’s been well maintained and is still in great shape. The open-air lobby sets the resort’s laid-back scene with its vaulted thatch ceiling, wicker chandeliers, lots of natural-toned wood and beams, and gorgeous Haitian ironwork sculptures. Club Med’s sprawling, oceanfront grounds are tropical and stately in an old-Caribbean sort of way. They're filled with blossoming flowers, manicured hedges, grassy fields, palm trees, and three-story pastel orange, yellow, pink, and red buildings with wooden balconies. It’s worth noting though that the resort feels more corporate than other Punta Cana properties with its co-branded content (L’Occitaine spa spa, Cirque du Soleil Circus School) all over the place. That aside, the overall vibe is warm and friendly. There are lots of kids and families, and it can get crowded, even with adult-only spaces. Couples looking for a quiet stay might want to book elsewhere (like at the adult-only Excellence El Carmen). Resort guests are mostly from France, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.

Club Med Punta Cana’s located along a gorgeous sandy beach in central Punta Cana, the original development that led to the town becoming a top Dominican Republic tourist destination. There's nothing walkable from the resort, but Punta Cana Village, with its restaurants, shops, fast food eateries, a pharmacy, doctor’s office, and supermarket are a nine-minute drive away. An adventure park with paintball, zip lines, Zorbing (rolling downhill in an orb), and a turquoise swimming hole with a waterfall is a 15-minute drive from Club Med. Dolphin Discovery, where guests can watch, interact, and swim with dolphins in the ocean is a 20-minute drive from the resort. The nearest golf course, with stunning Jack Nicklaus-designed oceanfront holes, is a 20-minute drive from the property. Monkeyland Punta Cana, a reserve with spider monkeys, is a 21-minute drive from Club Med. A bit further afield, Saona Island has pristine beaches teeming with starfish that are an hour and 15-minute drive and boat ride away. Santo Domingo’s UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone, the oldest permanent settlement in the New World and where Christopher Columbus once lived, is about a two- and a half-hour drive from the resort, depending on traffic. Punta Cana International Airport is a 10-minute drive from Club Med Punta Cana.

Club Med’s rooms are comfortable and modern. They come in a variety of bed setups: singular king, double queen, or two twin beds. Standard Rooms have one king bed with woven vinyl headboards, tan day beds with orange, swirly patterned pillows, and small flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Interiors are minimal with white and gray walls, prints of fan coral, and modish orange desk lamps with cylindrical lamp shades. Rooms in the adult-only Zen area blend hip and rustic elements like live-edge wood slab nightstands with metal legs, live-edge tree trunk headboards, and bright red hibiscus flower floor rugs. They get great light and the open floor-plan and swish interiors make them a prime offering. All rooms have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safes, irons, ironing boards, and coffeemakers with free coffee. Upgraded rooms also have minibars with soda and water (but no alcohol). Fold-away beds and cribs are available

In general, bathrooms have orange- and red-tiled stand-up showers, tan granite vanities with double sinks, magnifying mirrors, and hairdryers. All bathrooms include bar soap, body wash, body lotion, and shampoo. The upgraded bathrooms are definitely more luxe and include stand-up showers with rainfall shower heads, soaking tubs, and upgraded toiletries. Expect L'Occitane en Provence bar soap, shower gel, shampoo, body lotion, shaving kits, bath sugar, shower caps, shoe-shine kits, vanity kits, and sewing kits. Balconies or terraces are also standard and rooms have ocean or garden views; a filtered view of the ocean is visible in some garden-view rooms.

Without a doubt Club Med Punta Cana’s beach is the top draw. It's lined with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and there’s an adults-only section -- a big plus at this otherwise mostly family-friendly property. All stays include free non-motorized water sports including kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, windsurfing boards, snorkeling equipment, and small sailboats. Kite surfing equipment and lessons are available for free. Surfboards are also available to borrow for free, but there’s a fee for lessons. There’s a PADI-certified dive shop with classes up to Advanced Diver.

The resort’s expansive freshwater pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and thatch umbrellas. It’s probably the property's liveliest spot with all the splashing and laughing kids. There's a shallow area for young children and lifeguards are on duty. The resort’s second oceanfront infinity pool is only for upgraded guests and is much smaller, but calmer.

Club Med’s huge kids' club area is like a children’s village. The Mini Club is for children aged 3 months to 17-years old divided into age-appropriate activities like treasure hunts, archery, arts and crafts, cooking, and kids-only nightly entertainment. It also has three kids' pools, a basketball court, and two tennis courts.

Where Club Med really stands out from the all-inclusive competition is with its delicious restaurants. Hispanola is the oceanfront buffet restaurant with a towering thatch roof ceiling, that serves an international breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s a baby food preparation area and the hotel also provides baby food. Samana is the indoor international buffet that also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s an adult-only section and imported Italian ice cream available for dessert. Indigo is the oceanfront lounge with an a la carte menu that also serves international cuisine. Bars and lounges are also scattered throughout the resort for alcohol and soft drinks.

The property’s gym is stocked with Life Fitness treadmills, stationary bicycles, rowing machines, TRX equipment, dumbbells, weight machines, free weights, and kettlebells. Free fitness classes are offered and include spin, Zumba, and oceanfront yoga. There are six tennis courts with free rackets, balls, and tennis lessons. There’s an archery range, mini-golf course, and a driving range with free golf lessons included with all stays. Creactive is Club Med’s Cirque du Soleil circus school with a trapeze and other circus-esque equipment for guests 4-years and older.

Club Med Spa by L'Occitane offers standard services like massages, facials, body scrubs, manicures, pedicures, and haircuts. The theater has nightly entertainment and multiple table tennis are located nearby. There’s an on-site doctor’s office (fee to use) and shops include a cigar store, clothing boutique, arts and crafts shop, liquor store, and a kids' store. Upgraded Tiara room packages are available with extras like a private infinity pool, private lounge, and all-day room service. The Zen Oasis adults-only area with a huge pool, private beach, and Wellness bar that serves alcohol and healthier drinks and snacks. The resort can arrange tours, taxis, airport transfers, car rentals, and babysitters. Laundry service is available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.