The best all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana

The oceanfront Nickelodeon Hotel & Resorts Punta Cana puts a zany spin on the classic all-inclusive Punta Cana beach vacation. From the onsite Aqua Nick waterpark to Nickelodeon-themed events featuring characters, including Sponge Bob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Paw Patrol, entertainment is at every turn. There’s even a one-of-a-kind Pineapple accommodation inspired by Sponge Bob’s famed “pineapple under the sea” dwelling featuring a private patio and garden with an infinity pool. With over a dozen onsite restaurants and bars, meals take on whacky Nickelodeon quality, from Pajama Jam breakfasts featuring Sponge Bob characters to special Turtle Power dinners. The resort is also home to multiple swimming pools and an expansive beach.

The mood? Pineapple under the sea zaniness at this subtropical paradise for Nickelodeon fans.

Location perks? Home to the Aqua Nick waterpark with water slides, a lazy river and live entertainment, the Nickelodeon Hotel & Resorts Punta Cana is where resort meets theme park.

Budget range? Budget-friendly to mid-range.

With a lagoon-style swimming pool that meanders along the oceanfront, Excellence Punta Cana is an adults-only all-inclusive resort that makes for a breezy, romantic vacation. Set on a palm tree grove, this all-suite resort is designed in a tropical modern aesthetic where most suites boast spacious balconies and some have private plunge pools. It’s home to 10 restaurants and 12 bars offering a wide range of global cuisine. For a little extra pampering, the Miilé Spa is surrounded by lush gardens facing the mountains with a hydrotherapy circuit, including pools, a Swedish sauana, aromatherapy steam room and more. 

The mood? Barefoot luxury in a romantic tropical-modern setting.

Location perks? Set on a lush oceanfront palm tree grove, this resort flaunts the very best of a Dominican Republic beach vacation.

Budget range? On the higher end.

An all-inclusive, adults-only luxury resort, Secrets Tides Punta Cana encompasses nearly 700 suites in a condo-like footprint where white stucco buildings flank criss-crossing infinity pools. Part of the World of Hyatt resort collection, accommodations are modern and sun-kissed with sliding glass doors leading to balconies and, in some cases, patios with swim-out pools. The resort is home to over a dozen restaurants and bars, ranging from the beachside Barefoot Grill to the upscale Oceana seafood restaurant and the Market Café buffet. Onsite activities range from snorkeling to sailing, beach volleyball, yoga, pickleball and the spa.

The mood? You might just feel like you’ve checked into your new Dominican home away from home at this resort with its chic residential appeal.

Location perks? Debuting in January 2024, Secrets Tides is one of Punta Cana’s newest all-inclusive resorts with all the shiny bells and whistles.

Budget range? Upper.

If it's adults-only that you're after, Live Aqua Beach Resort Punta Cana is a winner. You've got all you need right here. We're talking swimming pools, bars and gardens. Found in the Uvero Alto district, this resort has its very own private beach area for sun tanning before having a splash around in the sea. Once you're back on dry land, you've got access to a 24-hour front desk, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. Rooms are neat and come in calming coastal hues, with extras like hot tubs and private pools.  

Offering five-star accommodation in Cap Cana, the Hyatt is a swish place to stay on your holidays. Featuring an on-site swimming pool, fitness centre and garden, the hotel tops everything off with a buffet, à la carte or continental breakfast available each morning. Get a taste of the high life with sunset drinks on the terrace before retreating to a plush room with large, comfortable beds, sizeable bathrooms and all the mod-cons you could possibly need.

Promoting itself as the ultimate place for a luxury escape in Punta Cana, Breathless is giving you high-energy happenings with a Caribbean feel. As well as offering a wide range of attractive rooms, the resort provides its guests with fitness classes under palm trees, a variety of watersports and poolside happenings. Craving a little party energy? You've got masquerade parties, white parties, Gatsby parties and black light pool parties alongside all kinds of other fabulous happenings. 

Hotel Riu Republica is perfectly perched on the Arena Gorda beach, making it perfect for a coastal escape. You've got eight swimming pools to do laps in, nine restaurants offering a globe-spanning variety of cuisines and the Renova Spa to help you reach peak relaxation mode. The all-inclusive hotel is exclusive to adults, features its own Splash Water World waterpark, and hosts regular theme parties, and even romantic open-air dinners for those seeking a little extra romance. 

Here’s one for water sports fans (and golfers). The Catalonia Royal Bavaro is an adults-only resort that will have guests feeling as giddy as the kids they don’t allow on the premises. Along with an assortment of (all gorgeous) outdoor pools, this little haven also caters for kayaking, windsurfing and other splishy-splashy pastimes. Alternately, you can play a few rounds on one of their two golf courses, tuck into sushi at the beach bar or party the nights away in the casino, nightclub and six (six!) bars. Basically, you will want for nothing.

This all-inclusive resort is the perfect getaway location for adults and families alike, with child-friendly activities, experiences and services all available. It doesn't matter if you're looking for something chilled or high-octane, it offers beachside events and daily live entertainment alongside top-tier food and drink options. This includes the Gourmet Village (which the resort says is its social heartbeat) which has multiple venues, restaurants and bars. You've also got over 500 suites and 40 luxury villas that will leave you swooning. 

Dreams Flora Resort & Spa is a luxury hotel with dozens of top-tier suites and rooms, eight dining options, and top-shelf drinks and cocktails. You've also got a plethora of water sports and swimming pools, plus tennis, volleyball, big-screen movies, scuba diving, and water aerobics among many other perks. Need a little R&R after a day of action? There's a spa offering all kinds of treatments. Meanwhile, rooms come with all you could need, including a mini-bar, free bath products and flat-screen TVs with cable access.

A go-to for responsible luxury, Tortuga Bay Hotel is a stylish escape (Oscar De La Renta designed the rooms) with lush Dominican scenery adding extra drama to your stay. You'll get your own concierge service and your own golf cart while you're there. There are 13 luxurious villas offering unrivalled luxury, privacy and security, with beaches just a short walk away. The hotel champions sustainability, with a golf course watering preservation system, commitments to conservation efforts in the local area, and initiatives to support preventative medicine programs. 

Taking its name from its home on Bavaro Beach, Grand Bavaro Princess is renowned for its pretty surroundings, white sands and crystal-clear waters. The hotel itself has 1290 fully-equipped rooms (including Family Club Suites for larger groups), ten themed restaurants and a full entertainment programme. You can stay active with tennis courts, a gym, French boules, golf, archery and a variety of classes. After all of that, cool off with a dip in one of the pools.

This beachfront resort comes stacked with fun opportunities. We're talking about high-end restaurants, sandy white beaches, a massive lagoon pool (with a Jacuzzi) and all kinds of activities to get you moving. Be entertained by tennis, golf, beach parties and Dominican dance lessons, with a luxurious spa available to help you unwind afterwards. It's a particularly popular spot for families, as it's got a tropical location, large rooms and a fantastic selection of dining options, catering to all kinds of fussy little eaters. 

Escape to the beach by booking this all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. Thanks to its coastal location, you can enjoy the charm of crystal-clear waters and lush tropical landscapes, while being just 25 minutes from the airport. You've got over 355 rooms, spanning the honeymoon suite to deluxe family suites, so something for everyone. Furthermore, you've got multiple swimming pools, water sports on the beach, an aqua-gym, two tennis courts and the Avalon Casino if you fancy spicing things up a little.