Sunscape Dominicus La Romana

Unlike the monstrous water parks at other hotels, everything here is practical and flows well . The design allows kids to move around freely and you won’t waste half your morning queuing.

• Speed slides: it has 2 main slides suitable for all ages. Watch out because they’re faster than they look and, since it’s not crowded, you can go again and again.
• The “Lighthouse” for the little ones: the kids’ area is beautiful and themed, with a central lighthouse in a shallow pool. It has mini slides and water jets perfect for the youngest ones to splash around safely.
• Explorer’s Club: the kids’ club has a garden and a fairly large outdoor playground. We saw that the staff actually works with them and organises activities that go beyond just watching them.
• A 10/10 entertainment team: Another thing we noticed is that the entertainment team is extremely attentive and fun ; they encourage you to join dance classes, aqua gym or beach volleyball tournaments without being pushy.

If there’s one thing that sets this hotel apart from the Punta Cana resorts, it’s its location on Playa Dominicus .

If Playa Dominicus convinces you but you’re still exploring other areas, check out our guide on where to stay in the Dominican Republic to weigh up regions before booking.

• Pool-like sea: the water is crystal clear, very calm with barely any waves, allowing kids to play at the shore in complete safety.
• Goodbye sargassum: even in low season, during my stay, the beach stayed clean and seaweed-free , which is hugely appreciated.
• Romantic sunsets: without a doubt, the star moment of the day. The sun sets over the sea, creating a spectacular atmosphere for both families and couples.
• Beach services: the beach has plenty of sun loungers and there’s a bar nearby so you don’t have to walk too far with your drink.
• Pool layout: the family pools are very well positioned; you have two large ones that are deep enough to swim in, one with a swim-up bar and the other near the water park area , allowing for comfortable supervision.

Although it’s a simple hotel, the real magic of the Sunscape lies in its outdoor areas and the wildlife that inhabits them.

• Functional rooms: clean, with comfortable beds and pillows and a small terrace — even I, who booked the cheapest room on a deal.
• The space challenge: the room can feel a bit small if you’re travelling as a family and add an extra bed, however, for sleeping it’s more than enough. For much larger rooms with super comfortable sofa beds fully designed for families, check out the Nickelodeon .
• The terrace steals the show: what the interior lacks in space, the terrace makes up for — it’s quite large.
• Tropical gardens: the complex is full of well-kept green spaces that are a pleasure to walk through.
• Local wildlife: on your walks you’ll see woodpeckers, herons and a pond with fish and turtles; watch out for mosquitoes, without spray they bite a lot .

Considering we paid about 126€ per night , the food at this resort positively surprises you with its flavour and simplicity, though without the luxures of higher-end hotels.

• The Buffet: a well-decorated space that stands out for a central area with plenty of healthy options and preparations that look like haute cuisine.
• Show cooking: they have several live cooking stations where they prepare meats and fish on the spot.
• The kids’ corner: they have a specific stand geared towards the little ones with their favourite dishes: hot dogs, chips, ice cream and desserts.
• The best part: the homemade pizzas at the buffet are “very, very, very good”, being one of the highlights of the daily food.
• The queue “drama”: the hotel doesn’t use a reservation system for the à la carte restaurants, which leads to 30-minute waits at peak times or simply not getting a table for that night. 💡 Golden tip: go to dinner very early (around 6:30 or 7:00 pm) to avoid waiting with kids.
• Snacks and café: whilst the hotel bar sandwiches are underwhelming with “too much bread and too little filling”, the snack café offers pretty good coffee and food that saves you between meals.
• FoodTrack: they have a food truck with fast food; I only tried the chips and didn’t like them at all , left half of them.