Tortuga Bay Junior Suite Patio
Photo Courtesy of The Leading Hotels of the World
Located in the Dominican Republic, Puntacana Resort & Club is a 15,000-acre beachside playground, with several different styles of accommodations, from upscale hotels to entire villas.
You’ll be drawn in by the three miles of white sand beaches, two championship golf courses and many other attractions. Once you’re ensconced at the resort, a plethora of activities is on offer, including snorkeling and diving trips offered by the aquatic center, hiking and swimming at the 1,500-acre ecological park and shopping at boutiques in Puntacana Village.
Of course, a trip to Six Senses Spa or simply sunbathing by the pool is a must, too. Here are some of our favorite things about the resort.
Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club
Of all the options for accommodations, Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Tortuga Bay, made up of 13 luxurious Oscar de la Renta-designed beachfront villas, is the one we love best. Tucked away in its own area of the resort, Tortuga Bay gives you your own villa concierge, who will check up on you during your stay and attend to your every need, whether it’s dinner reservations or help crafting an itinerary. Bonus: The Dominican Republic hotel will lend you a cell phone with your villa concierge on speed dial so that he will be available to you 24/7.
Other perks at the one- or two-bedroom suites, or three- or four-bedroom villas include views of either the Caribbean Sea or the golf course; a personal golf cart to use during your stay; sunken Jacuzzi bathtubs; and breakfast at your villa, if you choose. The excellent Bamboo restaurant and the spa are also located within Tortuga Bay.
La Cana Golf Course, Photo Courtesy of The Leading Hotels of the World
45 Holes of Championship Golf
Even if you aren’t the most avid golfer, it’s hard to resist the appeal of Puntacana’s two oceanfront courses. The Corales Golf Club, designed by Tom Fazio, offers an 18-hole, par-72 course, with six holes located on bluffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Three holes are played on the Bay of Corales.
Changing elevations, strategically placed bunkers and massive elevated greens are among the course’s features, while the views encompass the water, the cliffs and the coral reefs.
The La Cana Golf Club, designed by P.B. Dye, is a 27-hole course, with four holes played on the Caribbean Sea and 10 additional holes featuring ocean views. Opt for packages like the Golf Experience Deluxe, perfect for serious golfers.
On the eight private clay tennis courts, three professional assistants stand by for private or semi-private sessions, camps, groups, singles and doubles strategy lessons and social tournaments for players of any level and age. There are also seven ball boy players for match playing and 14 ball boys to chase tennis balls (the resort has an innovative program for training budding tennis players).
Lighted tennis courts allow for nighttime play. Each day, there is an adults drill group, a clinic for children and other events throughout the week. Don’t be surprised to bump into big-name celebrities at the tennis club. De la Renta used to bring his friends here, and they still come to this day.
Six Senses Spa, Photo Courtesy of The Leading Hotels of the World
Whether you want to work out the kinks after a day of golf, rehydrate your skin after a day in the sun or simply keep up with your yoga, Six Senses Spa — the only outpost of the luxe spa in the Americas — is the place to do it. Treatments based on an Asian philosophy include Thai, foot acupressure and shiatsu methods.
There are seven treatment rooms, plus one suite equipped with a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and relaxation area. As part of the spa’s overall holistic focus, beauty and pampering services, yoga and meditation are also available.
VIP service at Punta Cana International Airport
Located less than 10 minutes from the resort, Punta Cana International Airport is designed to get you from your plane to your hotel and the beach as quickly as possible. There are direct flights from more than 28 countries and 96 cities, making it quite convenient to get to from destinations around the world. The airport accommodates private and executive aircrafts as well.
Guests staying at Tortuga Bay get VIP service, with staff waiting to expedite arrival procedures and ready to take you to your villa in no time. And when it’s time to leave, you’ll get exclusive access to an air-conditioned lounge (the rest of the open-air airport doesn’t have that luxury) with gratis snacks, drinks and WiFi.
