December in Dominican Republic

Caroline Piccaver on 15 December 2014
Sometimes when taking a trip you’re not looking for that adventure of a lifetime, you’re just looking for much needed R&R. You don’t want to trek up hill and down dale, you don’t want to visit temples or ancient ruins, sometimes you just want to flop on a sun lounger, feel warmth and sun on your skin and have some quality time with your loved one in a place where the world is happy.

This was what my recent trip to the Dominican Republic was all about. It was a gorgeous week of pure indulgence and relaxation. We ate beautifully prepared local cuisine in a la carte restaurants, drank cosmopolitans prepared by cheery Dominican bar staff and we dozed in the midday sun under pool side cabanas.

Early December is such a great time to get away, not only because the prices are favourable but because you can postpone that mad Christmas panic for a little bit longer and then on the way home you can top up on the Duty Free for Christmas. We flew from Gatwick North Terminal with British Airways after starting the day in the Number 1 Lounge where I had a spot of breakfast followed by a manicure in the Spa.

The flight with BA was up to its usual standard and we arrived in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic just slightly behind schedule just as the sun was going down. Our All Inclusive resort was just half an hour by transfer on the Atlantic coast. We stayed at Majestic Elegance Resort which was along a stretch of the coast with a number of other hotels such as the Hard Rock and Barcelo Bavaro. All hotels in this area are all inclusive and pretty much all are of a 5* standard. Small boutique, intimate hotels though they are not! Many of these hotels have 500+ rooms usually built in half a dozen or so 3 or 4 storey blocks. The Punta Cana area is relatively new to be developed so the architecture is attractive and well laid out with lots of palm trees and freeform swimming pools. Majestic Elegance, along with its sister hotel next door, Majestic Colonial, were built about 9 years ago. I’m no expert but they were in excellent order and of a pretty high spec and beautifully laid out. We opted for the “Elegance Club” because we quite fancied the designated adult only pools and lounge areas and a smaller dining room for breakfast.

Mealtimes were a real treat at Majestic! Catering very much for the American market, the breakfast buffet was frighteningly humongous! If you wanted eggs, bacon, pancakes, maple syrup, Danish pastries and fresh mango and pineapple all on the same plate you could. No! Of course I didn't although some did……I just went round twice!

The a la carte restaurants were lovely, elegant and sophisticated. I wouldn’t say it was gourmet cuisine but there was certainly plenty of choice, service excellent and the wine quite drinkable.

Daytime entertainment consisted of the usual dance classes, pool games, beach volleyball, non-motorised water sports or a trip to the gym, spa or the 18 hole golf course behind. Personally my favourite pastime was being lazy, reading a book by the pool with the occasion swim to the swim up bar for liquid refreshment and the occasional walk along the 20 mile beach. Come the evenings, there’s nightly entertainment with live music and dancing and a show at 10pm every night in the theatre. If you’re still awake after that, nip into the casino or the night club.

If you want to get out and about there are some brilliant trips which include swimming with dolphins, zip line adventures, outback safari, reef exploring or a day trip to the capital of Santo Domingo. We only had a week but you could find plenty to do if you were there for 10 days or 2 weeks.

Other highly recommended resorts in this area are Secrets and Zoetry (adults only) and Dreams (couples with children), and for a livelier holiday the new Breathless with its guest DJs and foam parties or for a slightly smaller Adult Only, Excellence Punta Cana is beautiful.

So if you're after good value luxury with sun, sea and sand, nothing too cultural, I dare you to give Punta Cana a try.