Coming Soon to the Dominican Republic: New Points Hotels Opening in 2025

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Tl;dr—2025 will be a big year for Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton in the Dominican Republic, as all three chains will significantly expand their portfolios. 

If you’ve ever planned a vacation for fun and sun, chances are you’ve come across some offers for a trip to the Dominican Republic, and with good reason. The country was the most visited destination in the Caribbean in the last few years. With a wide array of terrains, from lush jungles to sandy beaches, the DR prioritizes tourism as the lifeblood of its economy. As such, the country also boasts the highest number of hotel rooms in the Caribbean region, totaling over 80,000. As several exciting points, hotels are coming online in the coming months: four from Marriott, eleven (!!!) from Hyatt, and one from Hilton – we’ll see the number of hotel rooms increase shortly. Let’s jump into the details. 

Wait. As a thank you for reading through this long article, I’m going to drop some helpful knowledge on you. Did you know there are seven Dominican Republic airports offering helpful international service? I’d encourage you to try out flight combinations if you’re flexible on departure locations or if you’re wild like me and enjoy stringing together trips to other nearby countries and islands. The first few airports on this list are likely ones you already know. But how about direct service from Ontario and Quebec to Samana (AZS) for all you Canadians out there?

• Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
• Las Américas International Airport (SDQ)
• Banreservas Aeropuerto Gregorio Luperón (POP)
• La Romana International Airport (LRM)
• Cibao International Airport (STI)
• Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS)
• La Isabela International Airport (JBQ)

Want to visit the DR and either Aruba, Curacao, or Anguilla on one Caribbean adventure? Fly out of JBQ in Santo Domingo, and you can do just that.

Ok, now let’s jump into it.

Marriott

Marriott will be busy in the DR this year, opening several new properties to bring its total number of hotels in the country to 24. On the luxury beachfront, Marriott currently has the Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection Resort, and The Ocean Club, a Luxury Collection Resort.

W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive

This April, we’ll see the debut of the W Punta Cana, a new adults-only addition to Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. Punta Cana is, of course, a touristy beach destination that’s popular with the all-inclusive crowd. It makes sense then that this will be the first-ever W all-inclusive property as the too-hip-for-you brand dips into the ‘yes-I’ll-have-three-more’ arena. As hotel openings are notoriously delayed, there is always the chance the W doesn’t open up in April as scheduled. However, it’s a promising sign that the property is already listed and available for booking on the Marriott website. As expected, rates ebb and flow with the peak and shoulder seasons, and you can expect to pay as low as $616 per night on the low end and $1425 on the high end. Points rates are not available at this hotel as now.

The W will be a large property – 340 guestrooms and suites, some of which will be swim-ups or equipped with private balconies and plunge pools. There are fifteen dining outlets, yes, fifteen places to eat and drink (which doesn’t include room service), including a dedicated rum and cigar bar. Suppose you’re looking to stay active and or indulge in some self-care. In that case, there will be a full-service AWAY spa, offering a passive wet zone, active wet zone, relaxation area, ten treatment Rooms, a beauty salon, and a 1500 sqft fitness center. 

So what does it all look like? Let’s take a peek.

Honestly, not bad. I tend to shy away from all-inclusive, as well as the W brand (though my recent stay at the W Conchal might have changed my mind). So, at first blush, this one is not for me. With the right expectations, this property has promise, particularly for folks looking for a comfortable, easy beach drop vacation, where you don’t leave the resort.

Side note: I’ve noticed a weird quirk here with Marriott. Unlike some brands on this list, Marriott isn’t as loud about its W openings. Just a few weeks ago, I had to go into super-sleuth mode to confirm whether or not the W Sao Paolo was actually opening (it did). Anyway, consider yourself informed!

St. Regis Cap Cana

Not to be upstaged by the W plebians with no taste for ‘old world luxury’, the St. Regis brand is also laying stake to claim in the Punta Cana region, specifically the ultra-luxe Cap Cana beachfront neighborhood. Home to the ‘best resort in the Caribbean’ – Eden Roc and, as mentioned earlier, an existing Luxury Collection hotel, Sanctuary Cap Cana, the St. Regis Cap Cana, scheduled for an April 2025 debut, will seek to sway its share of luxury travelers and brand loyalists. As far as luxury hotel brands are concerned, I’m a fan of St. Regis, and in the past, I’ve written about my favorite traditions. If I visit this new property, I’ll be front and center for the sabrage. 

So, what are we dealing with here? The St. Regis Cap Cana is a 200-key outlet with accommodation options, including luxury suites and swim-out rooms. Nine food and beverage outlets span various themes, with the flagship being Nina, a restaurant by chef Diego Muñoz. Similar to the W, you’ll also find a cigar bar. If the two pools (one for children) and the ocean don’t do the trick, a fitness center will keep you active. Spa services are at your fingertips, courtesy of the St. Regis Spa. 

Golfers can rejoice as the resort is surrounded by the 7,396-yard Punta Espada golf course, rated as the best course in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Rates range from $881 per night to $1567 throughout the year, and it can cost as few as 104,000 and as many as 180,000 points to redeem for a night. 

My take? Larger luxury resorts in popular ‘destinations’ are also tough to predict—whether they be tropical and beachy or snowy and prime for alpine activities. It’s not always easy to translate brand standards and service, though it’s also not impossible. I’d be willing to give the St. Regis Cap Cana a try, and if nothing else, it’s a points-ready alternative to the lofty prices of Eden Roc, particularly if you’re realistic about your expectations and not expecting the same product.

Donoma Las Terrenas Beach Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection

This one is for all the value seekers. The Donoma Las Terrenas Beach Hotel is located on Playa Las Ballenas in the not-quite-fully-blown-up area of Las Terrenas. In addition to stellar beaches, travelers can enjoy lush excursions to sights like Salto de Limon, a stunning waterfall 30 minutes away. Las Terrenas is located in the Samaná Province, and Samaná Bay is a famed spot for whale watching.

A family-friendly hotel, this property is nestled within Marriott’s Autograph Collection. However, it’s worth distinguishing this property from the rest of the Autograph Collection hotels in the DR. Most of the current Autograph Collection properties are through deals with Royalton Resorts, a line of all-inclusive hotels spread across various Caribbean Islands. As the Donoma is an independent resort – not a part of a larger chain – I see the property’s service and quality being a notch higher than those from Royalton.

With only 93 rooms, this property should offer a more intimate experience. There’s only one true restaurant on site, a pool bar being the other only eatery, so this might be a good place for travelers who don’t mind exploring the surrounding area to sample local cuisine.

Donoma will come fully equipped with a gym, spa, outdoor pools, and the ocean at your door (though from the photos it may be across the street?)

As this isn’t a luxury brand (by Marriott’s delineation, not me saying this), rates aren’t as high at this property. Guests can expect to pay $303 per night on the low end and $411 for peak. Points are a steal—19,000 Bonvoy points are all you need for the cheapest rate in 2025, and you’ll need to cough up 27,000 during high season. 

For specific travelers—families or couples who enjoy a mix of adventure and pure lounging, with smatterings of luxury sprinkled in—this could very well be a diamond in the rough.

Marriott Miches Beach, An All-Inclusive Resort

In March 2024, Marriott acquired the Sunrise Miches Resort and promptly shuttered the property to rebrand and transition it into the Marriott portfolio. Admittedly, I’m cheating here as Marriott Miches Beach is already open as of November of 2024. Like Las Terrenas, Miches is not as noisy as Punta Cana and is lauded for its diverse landscapes. The area boasts largely unspoiled beaches, mangroves, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, caves, and tropical forests. While it’s still under the radar, the region has recently seen more commercial lodging development. A Club Med opened in 2019, the Viva Miches by Wyndham may be half-open?, the Four Seasons has a residence property planned, and, as you’ll read later, a Hilton is headed to the region this year. Notably, the Marriott Miches arrives right as a very spicy property, the Temptation Miches closes its doors. Billed as a ‘playground for grown-ups,’ Temptation Miches regulars must now travel to Mexico for adult jungle gyms and monkey bars. I imagine Big J.W. and Co. did not send a farewell card. 

So, what are we dealing with when it comes to the Marriott Miches? Well – 398 rooms, a mashup of standard dwellings, suites with jacuzzis, swimups, and lavish duplexes. As far as dining, there are seven dining outlets across the property. 

There’s a full-service spa, and a fitness center – though maybe not. The website says there isn’t one, but one is pictured in the photos. 😄 Guests can enjoy two pools and, of course, the gorgeous ocean.

Rates can get pretty competitive—$241 on the low end and $426 on the high end. Keep in mind that’s for double occupancy and includes tax for all-inclusive. Points pricing is a bit wonky—61,000 – 106,000 points per night.

My take? I would do it for the location. Honestly, the way the DR is shaping up with so many points hotels, it’s ripe for a road trip where you can ride the points hotel circuit, sampling properties at both ends of the luxury spectrum while you enjoy some good fun and sun. There aren’t many Miches hotel options, so if you’re not planning a long stay, this Marriott might hit the sweet spot between cost and convenience.

Hilton

Let’s move on to Hilton now, but stick around Miches for a bit. Reservations are now open for stays on June 30 and after at the Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, an addition to Hilton’s Curio Collection. Boasting 500 rooms (wild), this property is a resort in every way possible. There’s a waterpark on-site, a kids club, a teens club, a fitness center, a spa, and the beach. There’s a whole host of room types ranging from the standard to swim up to larger bungalows. Within the resort is Club Azure, a premium offering of private check-in, access to a lounge and rooftop pool, and upgraded rooms, including suites with plunge pools. Ten bars and restaurants are accessible to all guests, and another three are reserved for Club Azure and Bungalow room residents. Here’s a look at the resort.

With tons of room types, pricing is, as you would expect, all over the place, but I found base-level rooms as low as $350 or 100,000 points per night in early September, just after Labor Day.

My take? This one is too busy for me, though it’s located on the best beach in the region, Playa Esmeralda, which is compelling. For Hilton loyalists and families, this might be quite enticing. 

Hyatt

Hyatt’s 2025 Dominican Republic’ openings’ are existing properties that will enter its portfolio courtesy of the deals Hyatt inked with Bahia Principe and Playa Resorts. Bahia Principe and Playa Resorts are both chains of all-inclusive resorts, similar to the Royalton Resorts referenced earlier and the Apple Leisure Group all-inclusive brands that Hyatt acquired a few years ago. This partnership further expands Hyatt’s offering in all-inclusive. I won’t go through each property individually, but here are the DR properties listed inline:

• Cayo Levantado Resort
• Bahia Principe Grand Samana
• Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo
• Bahia Principe Luxury Bouganville
• Bahia Principe Grand La Romana
• Bahia Principe Fantasia Punta Cana
• Bahia Principe Luxury Ambar 
• Bahia Principe Grand Aquamarine 
• Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda
• Bahia Principe Grand Turquesa
• Bahia Principe Grand Punta Cana

My take? Some of these options are super intriguing – I’ve long heard good things about Cayo Levantado Resort. As I mentioned, all-inclusive is not typically my cup of tea, but travelers who enjoy such experiences will likely enjoy these new options. Similar to Dreams, Secrets, Sunscape Resorts, etc., Bahia Principe also has properties outside of the DR. The company is headquartered in Spain and has locations in Mallorca and Tenerife, Mexico, and Jamaica. Bahia Principe resorts seem to rate higher than those Hyatt acquired from Apple Leisure Group, closer to the echelon of Hyatt’s homegrown all-inclusive brands, Ziva and Zilara. 

As evidenced by the newness of this partnership, searching for these properties on Hyatt’s website will produce a result that clicks through to Bahia Principe’s site—as opposed to showing the property on Hyatt.com. This integration isn’t fully baked yet. As such, to get an idea of pricing, I had to run a search on Bahia Principe’s site. Here’s the price of two (all-inclusive) nights at the Bahia Principe Grand Samana in February. 

I can see many folks, particularly families, getting a lot of value out of point redemptions at Bahia Principe locations.

Playa Resorts

Hyatt recently finalized its purchase of Playa Resorts, meaning that we should see all of Playa’s properties transition to Hyatt at some point in the near-ish future. As Playa operated hotels under a number of other hotel chains, its likely these hotels will need to be sold to management familiar with the Hyatt ecosystem. As I’ve already written a piece detailing this, I’ll just list the current Playa hotels you can expect to become Hyatts this year or next.

• Hilton La Romana
• Hilton La Romana Adult Resort
• Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection Resort
• Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana
• Wyndham Alltra Samana

Royal Beach Hotel Punta Cana

The Royal Beach Hotel Punta Cana seems to be the non all-inclusive sister property to the existing both the Dreams. As both of these properties have been in the Hyatt portfolio for a while, I’d imagine the Royal Beach Hotel Punta Cana will have a similar vibe. https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/dominican-republic/dreams-royal-beach/drrpc

Dreams Cap Cana Resort & Spa

By now you’re familiar with Cap Cana, no doubt. Well the Dreams Cap Cana Resort & Spa will join the existing Secrets Cap Cana and leaving Jimmy Buffet fans everywhere devastated.

Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa

The Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa is interesting in that it’s another big chain hotel in the lesser frequented Miches area. I covered the up-and-comingness of Miches in the Marriott section of this post. Along side the Dreams Playa Esmeralda below, I imagine good value could be had before the secret is out on this place. Sorry.

Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa

The Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa will be the family-friendly sister property to the Secrets Playa Esmeralda described above.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Hopefully, you’ve learned about a few more properties that can factor into your next trip to the most popular destination in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic.