Last week we headed to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to learn a little about how travel is being treated and to visit a few of our most popular all-inclusive resorts. While we can’t visit every resort we send clients to, we sure like to try. One of the focuses of this trip was family friendly resorts. There are so many options in the Caribbean. We are only going to discuss some of the highlights of the ones we visited last week.

Hyatt Ziva

Hyatt Zilara and Hyatt Ziva might have been my favorite property I visited. This property can work for adults only (Zilara) and family friendly (Ziva). These two are side by side in two U shapes. The layout allows for 85% ocean view rooms.

15 minutes from the airport
Aqua blue water
6 restaurants + 7 bars and lounges (Zilara) plus 6 restaurants + 7 bars and lounges (Ziva)
Swim up Suites
Waterpark
Spa
All guests from Hyatt Zilara have have full access to Hyatt Ziva

I love this brand of resorts found in Dominican Republic, Mexico or Jamaica. The luxury, service and inspired cuisine is top notch!

Royalton Bavaro

My favorite family friendly resort from last week was Royalton Bávaro Resort & Spa. While you didn't get an ocean view until you got a bit farther into the resort, it had all the amenities a family would love.

30 minutes from the airport
Great for families, couples and singles
4 Pools
Lazy River (with hidden bar on the river)
9 Restaurants and 10 bars
Lots of Swim up suites plus connecting rooms
Flowrider
Kids and Teen Club
Private Cabana rentals at the pool
Diamond Club get 1 hr a day of Hydrotherapy
Diamond Club guests get access to the nearby Royalton Splash water park

I have stayed at the Royalton Riviera Cancun a few months ago and really enjoyed it. The entertainment staff was great, the food was pretty good throughout the resort, and the pools were a good time!

Dreams Macao

This resort opened in March 2020 for one week before Covid hit. You can't get much newer than this resort. The brown sugar sand and aqua blue water is beautiful. The water can be a bit wavy making it a great place to learn out to surf.

40 minutes from the airport
10 restaurants and 7 bars
Located at Macao Beach, labeled one of the Caribbean’s top beaches by UNESCO
4 swimming pools include an infinity pool, a relaxation pool, a family fun pool with splash zone and a Preferred adults-only pool A water park for an aqua-fun experience, including slides, a lazy river, a splash zone and rock climbing wall and zipline
Surf Shop if you want to take surfing lessons
Majority of the ground floor accommodations are swim-out suites.
Private Villa room options

I really like the Dreams brand of resorts. Service is usually great, amenities are plentiful, and there is always lots to do. Have you ever stayed at a Dreams resort?

Hard Rock Punta Cana

The Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana is the LARGEST family friendly resort I have ever seen. It is so big that they have a trolley system that picks up and drops of guests throughout. You will get your steps in here even with the trolley.

30 minutes from the airport
13 restaurants and 23 bars and lounges
13 pools including a lazy river
Limitless Resort credits- you pay 25% for spa services and excursions
Music lab
Kids Club
Casino
Nightclub at an extra cost

This resort is full of activities day and night. If you have a large group of friends that love plenty of options, this is the place for you.

Now Onyx

When we conduct site inspections I like to get a range of resort types; luxury, midrange, and budget. This resort is in the budget friendly category. It has many of the amenities you see at an all-inclusive resort but with less fan fare. They just recently added on a new family section.

35 minutes from the airport
11 restaurants and 11 bars
New family section with Premium Junior Suites with connecting room options
All ground floor suites are swim up suites offering access to a pool directly from their terrace
Adults at Now Onyx have full access to Breathless Punta Cana next door
6 pools including an infinity pool, a children’s pool, a saltwater pool, two private Preferred Club pools (including one Preferred Club pool for adults only) and the new Family Fun pool 
4 Water slides in new family pool including: One Kamikaze slide, 2 Black hole slides, open slide in a crescent moon shape
Core Zone Teen’s Club with indoor area and an exterior area featuring Rock-climbing wall, a baseball cage, a basketball court and archery. Plus, a pool table, stage with a DJ Cabin and a set of drums, dance Floor, a bar and pinball & guitar games NEW 
Explorer’s Club for Kids including cooking contests, a playground, painting room, splash zone, small stage, and indoor zipline

This would be a great resort for a first time all-inclusive family trip. There is something for everyone in the family, plus plenty of adult only areas.