Finest Punta Cana is a terrific luxury Caribbean all-inclusive resort that opened in October 2021. Ideal for all age groups, the latest resort from The Excellence Collection overlooks the Atlantic in Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic.
This property is so special because it caters separately to both adults and families — very naturally and successfully — using thoughtful design and eco-friendly features. For example, all 455 modern suites are connected by shaded walkways for those times when the delicious Dominican sun gets too hot. (The year-round climate averages 82°F and sunny.) The gardens are not a riot of colorful hibiscus and bougainvillea. Instead, the landscaping relies on indigenous plants such as the dark purple heart, banana trees and towering palms.
How are Finest Punta Cana’s Adult and Family Facilities Different?
The resort features a romantic, adults-only area and a well separated area for kids and families. Each side has a choice of suites with upgraded amenities at the Excellence Club and Finest Club level categories, respectively. Excellence Club members may use the restaurants and recreation throughout the resort, but children are not allowed in the adult wing’s facilities. Grandparents, however, will love The Excellence Club’s gourmet a la carte restaurants, private beach area and ‘members only’ lounges. This tranquil property has its own swimming pools with islands of daybeds and shaded cabanas.
The family wing, designed for all ages on the livelier eastern side of the complex, is the finest choice for families. The young and the young at heart flock to the family pools with their large waterslide and a gigantic, innovative bounce feature.
This luxury Caribbean all-inclusive has the best trained staff we’ve come across. The multicultural team, all fully vaccinated and wearing anti-Covid clear face shields, are efficient, smart and genuinely attentive. The friendly low-key ambiance attracts a very diverse crowd ranging from sports and music celebrities to same-sex couples, the Dominican and Latin American diaspora, new parents and honeymooners.
Different Suites for Different Folks
The proximity of adult and family suites makes Finest Punta Cana a great choice for multi-generational families and destination weddings. Handicap accessible, ground floor or centrally located suites accommodate mobility issues. No matter a guest’s interests, tolerance for relatives, or budget, there’s a suite style for them.
The pricier Excellence Club Suites come with benefits such as top-shelf liquor, premium room service menus and a complimentary hydrotherapy spa treatment. They also include members-only areas such as private lounges and a private beach. For an upgrade worth Instagramming, check out the Club suites with patios and private plunge pools.
Among the many different configurations, Finest suites for families can fit up to five guests in two rooms: the main suite and a connecting room with two single beds. Finest Punta Cana provides cribs, highchairs and other gear for babies, who stay at no charge. Children ages 4-12 pay half the adult rate, which was $309 per person at our November 2021 visit. Keep in mind that, while gratuities are included in your all-inclusive plan, any additional tip is highly appreciated by the staff.
The Finest Family and Kids Facilities at Luxury Caribbean All-Inclusives
Take advantage of the cheerful Imagine Kids Club. The very large facility, brand new and spotless, handles 35 children in soft play areas indoors. Outdoors, there’s a supervised pool and playground. Seven multilingual counselors lead sessions for ages zero to 2 and 3-11 and provide in-room childcare for a fee. The club is open from 10am-5pm daily and, again, 6pm-9pm.
There are many free play areas. The preschool-oriented Flamingo playground has a small splash zone with bouncy rubber mounds and a zero-entry pool for toddlers. It’s ideal for family together time and the place to take pictures with the fun costumed characters who stroll around.
The Finest Luxury Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort After Dark
Parents, take advantage of another thoughtful perk from Finest Punta Cana. There’s are two supervised children’s playrooms shared by all the restaurants. If you don’t want to check the kids into the evening Kids Club, order another cocktail while they party nearby. By the way, the drinking age is 18 in the DR, warranting a pre-arrival conversation with your teens about drinking responsibly.
The resort theatre is a terrific open-air venue for our pandemic times. Under a large roof, there’s one wall open to the fresh air and movable lounge chairs that the staff arranges into socially distanced clusters. Seven different musical shows such as a Mark Anthony tribute band alternate nightly.
Excellent Ways to Allay Covid-19 Concerns
Covid-19 had a huge impact on the Dominican Republic. The DR reopened to vaccinated foreign visitors only after more than 70% of the local population had at least one vaccine. Recently, they changed Public Health requirements and instead of requiring proof of vaccination, will do random PCR testing on up to 15% of arriving passengers.
The resort’s contactless services are environmentally friendly and here to stay. Your resort day is guided by an app. No more paper menus and thankfully, no more QR codes. At check-in, the staff coaches you how to download The Excellence Collection app. On it, you can see every restaurant, photos, the menu and specials.
Book an afternoon Salsa Dance class poolside on your app, or a dawn yoga session by the beach. Check the hours of the world-class fitness center. Book your complimentary Covid-19 antigen tests on the app, so that you can return to the US with the required negative Covid test within a day of departure.
Do all the things you might have done in the past with a concierge.
Treat Yourself and the Kids to a One of a Kind Family Spa
Finest Punta Cana offers several facilities to spoil kids and adults on vacation. Crave a Latte? Ice Cream? How about taco trucks in the garden? Indulge yourselves even more at The Excellence Collection’s ONE Spa, another special amenity.
Visit the full-service facility to enjoy the complimentary hydrotherapy circuit included with upgraded Finest and Excellence Club level suites. Put on your swimsuit and stroll from hot to cold water, plunge pool to shower, from steam to sauna and end up on bubble loungers. The final massage is done by jets of warm water, all guided by a therapist.
No need to feel guilty about booking a solo massage. Instead, include everyone in a family wellness day. At The Excellence Collection all-ages resorts, even preschoolers can have mini-massages, manicures and mini-pedicures in a special family spa suite. Alternatively, check the kids into the ONE Spa supervised kids lounge while you relax.
The Finest Dining and Excellent Cuisine
The food and wine list were surprisingly good, even for a sophisticated, luxury Caribbean all-inclusive. At the a la carte restaurants and bountiful buffet, dishes were crafted from fresh ingredients and artistically plated. At breakfast, coffee arrives in a French Press, delivered with locally roasted coffee and an hourglass to time your preferred brew strength.
In addition to 10 restaurants, there’s 24/7 room service. Each suite has a secret cabinet opening to the corridor so orders can be delivered without disturbing guests. Once you’re done, put the dishes back inside and a motion detector alerts the dining staff.
One of our most memorable among the typical Dominican specialties was mamajuana. Try a shot of this rum tonic fermented with herbs and spices, said to be an aphrodisiac. Pair it with asopao, a Dominican seafood soup with rice in a tomato base. Order a side of mangu, a mashed green plantain fried with onions and garlic. It’s what I had topped with grilled shrimp for breakfast and it changed my world.
You’ll see. The music, the cuisine, and the diverse crowd infuse these luxury Caribbean all-inclusive resorts with a Latin energy that is infectious. That’s why we say Finest Punta Cana is the most excellent luxury Caribbean all-inclusive for families.
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