Punta Cana Beach Resort, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

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                     Since 1993

The Punta Cana Beach Resort combines the Caribbean's natural beauty with top-notch amenities

Wherever visitors stand on Punta Cana Beach Resort's three-mile, white-sand beach--the longest stretch for any single resort in the Caribbean--they feel as if they are walking through a dream. With the signature palm trees swaying overhead and the sapphire sea crashing gently against the shore, total calm and serenity will sweep over them, leaving them with the memory of perfection. And that's just the beach.

The Punta Cana Beach Resort is located five minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, allowing guests to land and get to the beach quickly. While sprawled among 105 acres of lush gardens, the property sits within 15,000 acres of tropical reserve, thus ensuring that clients can find many spots for some much-sought-after Caribbean calm. However, when it is time to be active and party, the resort also is ready to deliver. With this balance of activity and relaxation, the property is top-notch. The following inspection is from a visit in July.

Target Clientele: Golfers, couples and families will all feel at home at the resort. Although there are a number of singles, the property feels more suited to guests with partners.

Accommodations: There are 432 rooms at this resort, available in a wide range of styles and sizes. For example, there are the Cocotal rooms, found in three-story buildings that are right on the beach. Each room has an ocean view and a balcony, and features two queen beds, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, minibar, cable TV, direct-dial telephones, a safe and Dominican-marble bathrooms. The Superior-Deluxe Golf rooms are located just off the beach in three-and four-story buildings. Similar to the Cocotal rooms, these are tastefully done in a bright Caribbean decor and feature one queen or two full-size beds, a minibar, air conditioning, a hair dryer, direct-dial phones, a television, safe and furnished balcony.

For those who want to kick their vacation up a notch, the resort offers a range of villas from which to choose. There are regular villas featuring three or four bedrooms located directly on the beach. Clients can rent a bedroom or two, but they share the common areas--living room, dining room, kitchen, and garden or terrace--with other guests. Each villa bedroom features one queen or two single beds, a private bathroom with full amenities, direct-dial phones, a color TV and a safe.

The Golf Villas Grande Luxe, with interiors decorated by Oscar de la Renta, combine simple elegance with stunning Caribbean vistas. Located in a private beach area near the golf course, each two-level villa offers two or three bedrooms, a living room, kitchenette, refrigerator, hot tub and golf carts. All rooms are equipped with one king-or two queen-size beds.

Public Areas: The sweeping lobby area serves as an impressive welcome to the resort. Leading down a path from the lobby is the resort's large pool area, which features a bar, daily entertainment and deck chairs. The resort boasts a PB, Dye-designed golf course that has amazing views of the ocean, a ranch for horseback riding, dive center, sports and activities areas, La Tortuga Theater for nightly shows and La Proa Discotheque for international dancing. There also is a marina with a restaurant. Even if guests do not have a boat to dock there, they they should head over to the restaurant, which features delicious food and a stunning view.

One of the most unusual areas is the ecological reserve near the edge of the resort. The Punta Cana Nature Reserve contains 11 freshwater springs surrounded by a subtropical forest where many species of flora and fauna live in their natural state. Wandering the nature path that winds its way through the reserve and taking a dip in the refreshing lagoons found there are great ways to spend an afternoon.

Dining: There is no shortage of dining options at the resort. La Tortuga is the main restaurant, serving buffet breakfasts and dinners. La Choza is a casual luncheon located on the beach, and Franco's Pizzeria offers snacks and desserts by the pool. For more formal dinners, diners can choose from the Mamma Venezia Italian restaurant and La Cana for international cuisine. At the marina, La Yola specializes in seafood and pasta.

Could Be Improved: For a resort that has so much going for it, it is unfortunate that the service was not always satisfactory. There were some issues with the housekeeping staff and communications problems with the front-desk staff. The wait staff, however, were extremely attentive and pleasant. Reliable maps or signage could help guests navigate the large property.

Strongest Selling Point: There may not be a better beach in the Caribbean. Punta Cana's trademark tall palm trees scattered down the three miles of pristine sand are particularly alluring.

EMCO Travel LLC DBA E&M Travel is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration No. ST36902
California Travel Seller # 2079011-40
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