Article repost from The Telegraph
By Meera Dattani, travel writer
Crowd-free and in a world of its own. This luxurious Relais & Châteaux beach resort on Punta Cana’s less developed coastline is one of the most indulgent spots in the area, and comes with gourmet restaurants, beach-side massages and a Jack Nicklaus signature championship golf course all within its lush grounds.
Location
8 / 10
It may feel a world away from touristy Punta Cana, but Eden Rock is only nine miles from Punta Cana International Airport; complimentary transfers included. Golf carts get you around the property; the beach is five minutes from the villas, or on your doorstep at the Eden Roc Beach Club. Don’t miss Scape Park, two-and-a-half miles away — a nature park renowned for its spectacular Blue Hole/Hoyo Azul cave pool.
Style & character
7 / 10
Set in lovely grounds around a winding man-made lagoon, there’s no doubt this is a picturesque spot along a beautiful stretch of coast. At times, there’s something a little disjointed about the sprawling nature of this property (from the villas, it’s a golf cart trip to the beach along a paved road) but that doesn’t stop you feeling instantly relaxed. All areas from the lobby to the breakfast room are beautifully designed with tropical prints, cool calm colours and plenty of light.
Service & facilities
8 / 10
Service is warm and friendly, and staff can help arrange trips to the capital Santo Domingo, countryside trips and excursions to outlying islands. It’s hard to fault the facilities: The Beach Club has butlers, sparkling-blue infinity pool, two restaurants and a beach bar and an excellent kids’ club. Highlights include the Solaya Fitness and Wellness Spa — the one-hour massage in a beach palapa comes highly recommended — and the Punta Espada championship 18-hole golf course.
- Bar
- Fitness centre
- Golf course
- Kids’ club
- Laundry
- Parking
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Spa
- Wi-Fi
Rooms
9 / 10
Each of the 34 suites and villas comes with its own pool, private garden and rechargeable golf cart. The Luxury Pool Junior Suites are beautifully laid out with floor-to-ceiling windows, Italian-inspired interiors, Caribbean colours and Dominican art. Bathrooms have marble floors, stone tub and outdoor rain shower, and you can control light, television and sound via the in-room iPad.
Food & drink
9 / 10
There are three restaurants and two bars, and quality is high from breakfast through to dinner. Try fine-dining European cuisine at Mediterraneo with dishes such as red tuna tartare with almond cream, sesame seeds and Jerez vinegar, and open ravioli with river prawns. At the Beach Club, enjoy seafood and Dominican dishes at La Palapa: think fresh sushi rolls and BocaChica fish with fried plantain. A favourite is Blue Grill + Bar, where Japanese and Peruvian flavours combine. For a pre-dinner drink, try the marine-inspired Riva Bar with its aqua-blue and mahogany décor.
Value for money
7 / 10
Luxury Pool Junior Suites from $960 (£708) in low season; and from $1,472 (£1,086) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.
Access for guests with disabilities?
The majority of villas are on one floor, while beachfront suites have lifts. There’s golf cart access around the resort.
Family-friendly?
The treehouse-style Koko Kids Club caters for four- to 12-year-olds with scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, video games and a mini spa. There’s an artificial beach and children can paddle in the lagoon in mini-kayaks. Other facilities include a lifeguard-supervised children’s pool at the Beach Club, children’s menus and babysitting. Accommodation-wise, consider the Luxury Pool Family Suite with a second bunk-bed room or the Two-bedroom Family Residence. Children aged three and under stay free; cots/beds provided.
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