Best hotels & resorts in the Dominican Republic

Eden Roc Cap Cana, Punta Cana

Eden Roc Cap Cana is an ultra-exclusive, five-star hideaway tucked inside a massive 30,000-acre gated community in Punta Cana. As the only Relais & Châteaux property in the Dominican Republic, it feels less like a typical mega-resort and more like a private, upscale seaside village, balancing high-end luxury with a relaxed island flow.

“Within Cap Cana, the most luxurious resort is unquestionably this all-suite boutique hotel with interior decor straight from the mid-century French Riviera. The glamorous interiors juxtapose French classicism with sleek modern accessories.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Dominican Republic.

Casas del XVI, Santo Domingo

Right in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonia, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Casas del XVI offers a spectacular trip back in time. Rather than a single traditional building, this ultra-chic boutique hotel is a collection of individual, beautifully preserved 16th-century manorial houses scattered across a historic two-block radius.

“A stay in one of these six impeccably restored colonial-era homes means toggling between the 16th and 21st centuries. Imagine archways, terracotta floors and courtyards evocative of a medieval monastery crossed with Sub Zero refrigerators, iPhones to contact your personal assistant and heated plunge pools.”

Casa de Campo, La Romana

Spread across 7,000 acres on the sun-drenched southeastern coast of La Romana, Casa de Campo is a legendary paradise that pioneered luxury tourism in the Dominican Republic. It first opened in 1974 on the sprawling grounds of a massive sugarcane mill. The resort's initial look and timeless tropical interior elegance were crafted by none other than world-famous, native Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.

“Located in the Dominican Republic’s historic sugar mill town La Romana, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has lured a long line of A-listers (Bill and Hillary Clinton, Julio Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z and Beyoncé) to its sprawling, 7,000-acre resort. Here, peace, quiet and privacy are important tenets and you’ll find a professional, discreet staff.”

Tortuga Bay Hotel & Resort, Punta Cana

Tortuga Bay Hotel & Resort is a masterclass in Caribbean elegance, located within a private, gated enclave of the larger Puntacana Resort & Club. The most notable fact about this property is that it was designed by none other than the legendary fashion icon Oscar de la Renta. His influence is unmistakable, blending chic, plantation-style luxury with airy, light-filled spaces that honor the Dominican heritage.

“These 13 Oscar de la Renta–designed villas on the vast (26 square miles!) resort feature suites with kitchenettes—the one-bedroom junior suites are upstairs; the two-bedroom suites below open directly onto the private beach—and villas with three to five bedrooms each.”

Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Punta Cana.

Cayo Levantado Resort, Samaná

Perched on a private island in Samaná Bay, Cayo Levantado Resort is a luxury wellness retreat with a cheeky history. Its name means "to rise up," a nod to a 17th-century pirate rebellion here. Decades later, it earned global fame as "Bacardi Island" after a 1970s rum commercial put its white sands on the map.

“Few images evoke paradise like an untouched island of white-sand beaches lined with palm trees swaying in a tropical breeze and lapped by a crystal-clear sea. Cayo Levantado, in Samaná Bay in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic, is exactly that sort of place—well, except for the “untouched” part.”

Zoëtry Agua, Punta Cana

Set along the untouched, palm-fringed coast of Uvero Alto, Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana is a luxury boutique sanctuary that feels worlds away from the typical mega-resorts of the Dominican Republic. The property features 96 exclusive suites designed with eco-friendly architecture that respects the environment. High cathedral ceilings, rich hardwoods, natural stone accents, and classic *palapa* (cane-thatched) roofs create a striking tribute to both Spanish Colonial history and native Taino Indian culture.

“The moment you walk into the intimate Zoetry, relaxation befalls you. Wooden accents and Balinese touches abound at this small property, with 96 suites that radiate out from the dramatic, cathedral-style lobby forged from bamboo and palm leaves.”

The Bannister Hotel, Samaná

Perched between the lush hills and the turquoise waters of the Samaná Peninsula, The Bannister Hotel & Yacht Club offers a distinct blend of relaxed luxury and pristine nature. Opened in late 2010, this boutique property features 30 to 33 elegantly appointed suites, all built with refreshing marble floors and private balconies overlooking the marina or the expansive Samaná Bay.

“This stylish marina complex smack on the Bay of Samaná has changed the face of tourism in this area and become the social center for the upscale residents, a safe harbor for visiting yacht owners, and a deluxe, yet reasonably priced option for international visitors.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in the Dominican Republic.

Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando, Santo Domingo

If you want to sleep inside actual history, Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando in Santo Domingo is hard to beat. Built in 1502, this breathtaking five-star property is made up of three massive stone residences, including the original home of the city's founder, Governor Nicolás de Ovando. It sits proudly within the UNESCO-listed Colonial City and was lovingly converted into a luxury boutique hotel in 2003.

“This historic boutique hotel now owned by Hodelpa Hotels was sculpted from the residence of the first governor of the Americas, and it just might be the best thing to happen in the Zona Colonial since Diego Columbus’s palace was finished in 1517. Colonial-style rooms have tall ceilings, original stone window benches, and shutters.”

Billini Hotel, Santo Domingo

Housed inside a beautifully repurposed 16th-century complex, Billini Hotel sits in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial—the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. The structure originally served as a colonial guesthouse and sanctuary for the neighboring Regina Angelorum Convent. Over the centuries, it took on wildly different identities, operating as a military arsenal for Napoleon’s army during the 1804 French occupation, and later as the historic San Luis Gonzaga School in the late 1800s.

“A wonderful addition to this charmed neighborhood, this boutique hotel was created from a collection of buildings that date back to the 1700s; in its former lives, it has been an ecclesiastical library, an ammunitions depot, and a private school, but its identity as Padre Billini’s library was the inspiration for the hotel today.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Dominican Republic.

Mahona Boutique Hotel, Las Terrenas

Hidden just a short three-minute stroll from the vibrant sands of Playa Las Terrenas, Mahona Boutique Hotel offers a tranquil, design-forward escape on the Samaná Peninsula. The hotel’s distinct design aesthetic gracefully bridges two entirely different tropical worlds. Upon arriving, guests step through a majestic, hand-carved Balinese gate into a hidden sanctuary, seamlessly blending Indonesian-inspired architecture with casual Caribbean elegance.

“Perfectly coiffed and manicured, much like the warm and stylish French couple behind this small collection of whitewashed bungalows surrounding a small pool, Mahona does everything right, especially the fabulous multicourse breakfast served up in a sunny space.”