Hotel Paradisus Palma Real

Situated in Punta Cana, the country's epicentre of tourism with its 24 mi of beaches, between the Caribbean sea and the Atlantic ocean, on the South East coast of the Dominican Republic, the Paradisus Palma Real is located on the Bavaro beach, 37 mi from the bustling town of Higüey (30 mins), and 3 hrs 30 mins by road from the capital Saint-Domingue. The Punta Cana International Airport is 12 mi south of the hotel (25 mins).

A member of the Leading Hotels of The World, the Paradisus Palma Real is an upscale, all inclusive hotel, like nearly all the hotels in Punta Cana. Apart from the fact that the Paradisus pushes the concept of 'inclusive' to its limit: diving, horse-riding excursions, golf at the nearby Cocotal Golf & Country Club and even sampling Dominican cigars are all included! It is perfect for honeymoons and has a pavilion specifically built for wedding ceremonies in an idyllic setting by a pond. This hotel offers its guests peace and quiet: there is no loud techno music played at full volume around the swimming pool or on the beach, but there is soft and relaxing music which can be heard around the complex. Children are well taken care of: They have a collection of mini-slippers and mini-bathrobes at their disposal. Relaxation continues at the YHI Spa situated opposite the main swimming pool. Open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, it has a wooden terrace with big double-seated deckchairs fitted with mattresses, a hydro-massage shower pool beneath a large palapa (a large thatched roof, open-sided structure), sensation showers, a run over icy or hot pebbles, a beauty and hairdressing salon and 7 massage huts, situated in a remote spot near to the mangrove swamp.

The over-sized buildings which characterise the large majority of the Punta Cana hotels are not a characteristic of The Paradisus Palma Real: it is 'comfortably-sized' and it feels good like that! Opened in December 2005, the Paradisus Palma Real is an extremely upscale establishment, and member of the prestigious Luxury Hotels of The World group. It belongs to the Paradisus resort, which is part of the Spanish hotel chain Sol Melia: phew! It's all pretty complicated! The hotel is made up of 30 2-storey buildings of a light beige colour, which house 554 suites, and the buildings are spread out in a pleasant tropical garden. It is necessary to take a staircase to reach the lobby, which is raised and panoramic with an exceptional view of the sea. Design can be seen everywhere in the hotel, through its works of art, sculptures and other statues. Facing the ocean, the swimming pool prides itself on being the biggest in the Dominican Republic with a view giving on to the sea. There is also a swimming pool for families and a third one for more affluent guests of the Royal Service, without forgetting a small pool for children. The main swimming pool is crossed by a wooden footbridge in the middle of which sits enthroned the pavilion for wedding ceremonies. There are no less than 7 whirlpool baths framed by pillars and fitted with aquatic deckchairs. The swimming pool for Royal Service guests is fitted with frog statues from which water flows. You can relax on the big double-seated deckchairs fitted with mattresses. A concierge takes care of everything and brings your drinks to you. The main swimming pool has an aquatic bar.

Bright and luminous, the 554 rooms of the Paradisus Palma Real are spacious (581 sq ft) and very nicely decorated with fine silk white curtains, elegant wooden furniture, a majestic pillar and Taino native art paintings. Fitted with marble flooring, the rooms have a desk, a wooden coffee table, a wooden round table and 2 armchairs, a sofa, air conditioning (which doubles as a ceiling ventilator), a telephone, wireless Internet access (payable), an all-inclusive fridge-bar (water, sodas and beers restocked everyday), tea and coffee facilities, a flat screen satellite television set (with 33 channels), a hi-fi system with a CD and DVD player, an ironing kit, a (free) safe with an electronic code and a balcony fitted with a round glass table and two chairs. Very clean and well decorated, the bathroom has a big whirlpool bath for two, from where you can watch the television, and, fitted with wooden shutters, a big tropical and flexible hydro-massage jet shower, a separate toilet, hospitality products, a hairdryer, a magnifying mirror, scales, bathrobes, slippers and tissues. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

The Paradisus Palma Real offers 6 restaurants, 4 of which are a la carte and 2 of which are buffets. Ideally located near to the beach and the swimming pool, the main buffet separates the area which is full of food from the circular area where you can sit and eat the varied and tasty dishes. To tantilise the tastebuds, try the stylishly decorated à la carte restaurants which serve a Mediterranean, mixed or even Asian cuisine at dinnertime (from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm). Remember to reserve in advance. You can sip your favourite cocktails in one of the 8 bars of the complex and notably at the Gaby lounge bar which has the chilled out atmosphere of the beach.

Bavaro beach is truly exceptional and it is protected by a natural coral reef. A turquoise blue lagoon, transparent water at 28°C and fine and soft sand as white as flour with coconut trees serving as natural parasols; it is difficult not to be seduced by it all! At a distance from the water's edge and placed in an orderly manner, the deckchairs (with their large mattresses) are wide enough for two people. As are the palm tree leaf parasols, which blend in with the landscape: no blue or yellow fluorescent ones like in other hotels on the coast, where deckchairs are carelessly placed up to the water's edge, and sometimes in the water! The water sports centre, which is on the beach, offers numerous activities from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. A space is marked out for swimmers to prevent them from mixing with the water sports activities. You can have a bite to eat at the steakhouse, which offers a buffet, and the bar serves a variety of cocktails in a chilled out atmosphere. You can play beach soccer. Massage huts, with roofs made of palm tree leaves, are available on the beach.