The Best Cheap Hotels to Book in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The Meliá Caribe Beach Resort has gone all out to nurture a tropical paradise: the grounds are a delight to wander, past exotic plants, over a pretty bridge and towards the central water display. This is the Caribbean on steroids – in a very good way. Unfussy rooms are clad in expanses of practical dark wood, in whitewashed buildings that top out at three stories. All give you a pool or garden view – specify on booking. Adults can always get a spot to sunbathe around the pools, while the Splash Island Water Park keeps the little ones occupied for hours.

Modeled, unbelievably enough, after a medieval castle, the Occidental Caribe by Barceló is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for families and groups of friends. The lush grounds burst with tropical plants and mango trees, and the long, flour-soft sandy beach is as good as it gets. After a hard day’s tanning, join the other sun-kissed bodies clad in party gear as the volume rises for the pool and foam parties. They’re not for early-to-bed types: DJs entertain merry revelers until the early hours.