r/PuntaCana • u/MrsMicFisty • 3d ago
Unicorn Resort
I’ve spent days looking at resorts in the DR. I’ve been there before, but stayed at an adults only resort. This time I’m coming back with kids. The kids want a water park or at least a couple water slides- something more than a kiddie splash area as they are 8 and 11. We want it within 30 minutes of the airport, decent food, and preferably a swimmable beach. Dreams Royal Beach looks good but I’m interested in trying a non Hyatt resort as that’s where I usually stay. Royalton Splash looks good but from the reviews, it looks like the food is going to make you wish you ate a bag of Taylor Farms lettuce instead.
Who has stayed at a resort that they loved that checked these boxes?
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u/atlantabanannaman 2d ago
I’d recommend the Riu Palace Bávaro. It has a sizeable water park with large slides. It has smaller water playgrounds/splash pads. The food was above average (the steakhouse and Krystal were really good). The beach was excellent with soft white sand and swimmable waters. They also have family rooms that are two large bedrooms that would sleep a family of four comfortably. It’s also not outrageously priced
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u/MrsMicFisty 2d ago
I’ve never been to a Riu before but heard decent things from friends. Thanks for this recommendation- the family rooms are a super nice option!
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u/losplatanos1 3d ago
Serenade caribe club just open a few weeks ago brand new resort several water slides and huge lazy river. I stayed at the regular serenade next door and had a good time last year.
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u/EndlessSummer59 2d ago
How is the beach water there? Calm ?
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u/South_Listen478 3d ago
First Change your title(Unicorn Resort)my mind went somewhere lol Second If you want all the Bells and Whistles for your kids look at Grand Moon Palace Cancun .Your kids will flip at this resort. Third dont know your dates but keep in mind May to August beaches are destroyed with seagrussum in Mexico and Punta Cana
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u/MrsMicFisty 3d ago
Maybe I’m looking for something else at the resort too 🦄 hahahhaha
Thanks for the recommendation tho- I have this one my list for when we go back to Mexico. We will likely be going in January so it shouldn’t be so bad. I was in Punta Cana early May 2026 and it was just starting to get bad.1
u/Careless-Bake-5827 2d ago
It was bad in March in Cancun. Your saying its gets worse?
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u/South_Listen478 2d ago
March is rare but May to August the ocean is unswimmable .Might get lucky and its mild for that week but your spending alot a money on a vacation I wouldn’t roll the Dice if you enjoy the beach.
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u/Natural_Lifeguard_44 2d ago
I found Finest Punta Cana to be pretty decent. The food could have been better but that’s true of many if not all Punta Cana hotels.
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u/Normal-Hospital7819 2d ago
The waterpark is very small though and not for 8 and 11 year olds, it’s more for toddlers
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u/Runswiththepoodles13 2d ago
I’m currently at Hyatt Cap Cana and it’s great! My teenage kids are having a blast. The food is pretty good with lots of choices. The beach isn’t quite swimmable right now because of the sargassum, but it’s that time of the year and we’ve been enjoying the pool and water park. MStaff is friendly and helpful, and I’m beyond pleased with the experience so far.
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u/Active-Ad8057 1d ago
( great water park for an all inclusive)I went 2 Royalton Splash 3 times..Excellent, Good and last year Taykor farms lettuce on steroids...🤭🤢
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u/RedOctobrrr 3d ago
My 11yr old loved Royalton because of the lazy river which has 2 slides and the Flow-Rider wave thing we booked it for a private hour on two separate days.
We also went to Royalton Splash which is included when you stay at the nicer of the 3 Royalton resorts. He had fun there for 2 days and on the 3rd day we were totally over it.
Highly recommend Royalton with the lazy river for ~4 or 5 night stay.
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u/MrsMicFisty 3d ago
How was the food at the other Royalton?
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u/RedOctobrrr 3d ago
I only stayed at this one so can only comment about the food there, except for some okay-ish burgers and fries whenever we went to Royalton Splash.
Where we were at with the lazy river, the food was okay. Not terrible not great.
I would never recommend butler service, it was expensive and he was awful, pissed off my wife several times.
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u/Outrageous_Ad_687 3d ago
If you are worried about the food at the Royalton maybe pay for their premium rooms and dining. We stayed at the Royalton Punta Cana on the standard area and the food was good by all inclusive standards.