Punta Cana: Catalonia Resort Review
If you’re going to travel to the Dominican Republic for a true vacation, chances are you’re looking at Punta Cana.
Grand entrances greeted us one after another as we made our way toward Catalonia, an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. Driving down Punta Cana was a unique experience in itself, since there are so many resorts compared to other parts of the Dominican Republic!
If you’re considering an all-inclusive in Punta Cana, read on for my experience at Catalonia in Punta Cana. This isn’t a sponsored review, simply my experience!
Punta Cana: Catalonia Resort Review
By the time Cristina and I stayed at Catalonia, we had been traveling for over a week and were beginning to hit a bit of exhaustion. Since we are travel bloggers, doing freelance work, and also preparing for future semesters with Global Degree, our trip was more of a work-ation than a vacation.
That being said, while it was super fun and adventurous I was very happy with my decision to do a mini-splurge and book a one-night stay at the luxurious Catalonia Resort in Punta Cana!
What’s Included:
Everything! The breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets, one ticket for an on-site restaurant dinner, unlimited juices from the juice bar, drinks and cocktails, crepes from a crepe station, 24-hour room service, a gym, water sport activities, and more!
The Room:
Since it was last-minute, we booked a junior suite, which is definitely on the affordable side! It was available for only $267/night and included everything I mentioned above with the booking.
The room had a large bed facing a balcony that overlooked the pool and had the ocean in the distance, a sofa and coffee table, desk, and bathroom with a large tub and soft, fresh towels.
One thing I will say about the room is that it only had a couple of outlets, and two of them didn’t work. If you’re there to unplug, no big deal, but since we were also working while traveling we had to be a little more strategic about charging our devices (camera/GoPro/drone, phones, etc.)!
Since it was only one night we didn’t mind, but I probably would have requested a room with all working outlets had we stayed longer, which I assume they’d accommodate if available since they were so kind and accommodating!
The Service:
That said, the service was great! The staff is well-trained and very polite and helpful. We enjoyed chatting with Eliseo at the juice bar, who could speak three languages (and was working on a fourth!).
The Facilities:
A large pool with a swim-up bar and snack bar, a nice regular bar, a large stretch of private beach with long chairs and umbrella “huts,” two large buffet restaurants, four regular restaurants, a coffee shop, casino, grand theater with entertainment events, shops, gym, and many lounge chairs around the resort to relax.
They also offer airport shuttles if you fly in or out of the Punta Cana airport.
Oh, and there’s a golf course! Yup, this resort could be a small town. So put some golf shoes on and let the game begin!
“Privileged” or Not?
I wasn’t sure what “Privileged” rooms meant when I was booking (it was last-minute and I didn’t have time to look into it), but it is basically an upgrade!
If you book a privileged room, you’ll have access to a “Privilege-only” beach area and other perks.
How to book:
You can view the listing here on booking.com. I prefer going through Booking.com because it included all the taxes, fees, and tips. I got to read the reviews from other people who had stayed there and determined it was “the one!”
*EDIT, October 2022: While checking this article for updates, I’ve noticed that both Catalonia Resort and Capri Beach House have gone down in rating below my usual 8/10 or higher standard on booking.com, though Catalonia is close at 7.7/10. Capri Beach House has also since been remodeled and renamed The Greek Resort Punta Cana.
More Places to Stay in Punta Cana
Punta Cana has no shortage of stunning properties to stay at on the more affordable side and the spluge-worthy spectrum. Below are a few places I’d consider staying if I were to return to Punta Cana.
All properties are located along the coast and not downtown - Punta Cana was made for beach vacations!
Budget
Luxury Condo in Cap Cana - This apartment stay looks super nice and affordable! It is located right by Cap Cana beach and has the amenities you need. If you prefer something more home-y and less like a massive resort, a condo like this or something similar is a great (and affordable) option for Punta Cana.
Tanama Lodge, Areia 206 - This is another self-catered apartment with a gorgeous pool, and is near a golf club. It is closest to Cap Cana beach and most dates show it is under $100 USD/night. A steal for Punta Cana.
Mid-Range
Boutique Hotel Las Flores - This boutique hotel looks incredibly charming. This property offers an airport shuttle, parking, room service, and has a bar on-site. Despite not being right on the beach, this property has exceptional reviews.
Luxury
Eden Roc Cap Cana - Eden Roc resorts are world-renowned and this property located in a gated, beachfront community is no exception. Everything from the decor, villas, amenities, and service all seem heavenly.
TRS Turquesa Hotel (Adults Only) - Anything you can expect from a resort, you’ll find it here. The reviews are fantastic and it is in a great location.
Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa (Adults Only) - Secrets Cap Cana is made for those looking for ultra-luxury and a splurge-worthy vacation or honeymoon. One review said they felt like they were treated like A-list celebrities, which shows the level of customer service.
Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort - These resorts are all so nice, that I am running out of unique things to say about them! What is nice about Lopesan is that they have a playground, family rooms, and amenities for both kids and adults, so if you are looking for a luxury family all-inclusive, this could be a nice option.
Not fully sure what you are looking for? Click here to find other hotels in Punta Cana. I recommend filtering by 8+ rating and also looking via the map to find the best properties in the best location!
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