Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

Guide to Dominican Republic Gay Friendly Resorts (2024 Updated)

 

The Dominican Republic Islands along with the capital Punta Cana  are considered a safe destination for LGBT tourists. LGBT people tend to face no discrimination issues in resorts and very touristic areas. Most Dominicans  inhabitants are quite tolerant of same-sex relationships and in the islands we can find some gay friendly hotels Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Although homosexuality is not technically legal in the D.R., a staunchly Catholic country, it is more prevalent in the D.R. than anywhere else in the Caribbean, with the possible exception of Cuba, where many young men and women have turned to prostitution, especially in Havana.

Although same-sex sexual relations are legal in the Dominican Republic, same-sex marriages are not legally recognised. LGBT travellers should be mindful of local attitudes and be aware that public displays of affection may attract unwanted and negative attention but still there are a few Dominican Republic Gay Friendly Resorts

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Dominican Republic do not enjoy the same rights as non-LGBT residents, and face legal and social challenges that are not experienced by other people. While the Dominican Criminal Code does not expressly prohibit homosexuality or cross-dressing, it also does not address discrimination or harassment on the account of sexual orientation or gender identity, nor does it recognize same sex unions in any form, whether it be marriage or partnerships. Household headed by same-sex couples are also not eligible for any of the same rights given to opposite-sex married couples, as same sex marriage is constitutionally banned in the country.

Punta Cana, the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, abuts the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a region known for its 32 km stretch of beaches and clear waters. The Bávaro area and Punta Cana combine to form what’s known as La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast, an area of lavish, all-inclusive resorts. It’s popular for zip-lining, windsurfing, kayaking and sailing.

Top attractions to visit in Punta Cana

 

 Best Day Trips in Punta Cana

 

See all Day Trips in Punta Cana on GetYourGuide.

 

1. Tortuga Bay 5* – Dominican Republic Gay Friendly Resorts

gay punta cana resorts
gay punta cana resorts

Featuring a private beach area in Punta Cana, a swimming pool and rooms with hot tub, this luxury & gay friendly hotels Punta Cana is  exclusive resort is located 800 m from the beach and just 5 km from Punta Cana International Airport.

The rooms at this AAA Five Diamond Award winner have minimalist style and include a fan, seating area, flat-screen TV and balcony. The kitchens have a coffee maker and microwave, while the bathrooms are private and come with bath, shower and bathrobes.

The Tortuga Bay features the Bamboo restaurant with decoration from an international designer and serves a fusion of Caribbean and Asian cuisine. The American breakfast is free.

Set on a private beach within Punta Cana Ecological Reserve, this Oscar de la Renta-designed luxury resort is 2 km from La Cana Golf Club and 7 km from Punta Cana International Airport.

Chic, island-style suites feature flat-screen TVs and whirlpool tubs, as well as kitchenettes, sitting areas and balconies. All offer sea or golf course views. The 2- to 4-bedroom villas add separate lounges; some have direct beach access. Room service is available 24/7.

Continental breakfast and an airport shuttle are free. Other amenities include 6 refined restaurants, a bar and a spa, plus an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a gym and a private beach.

Find yourself in the jewel of the Caribbean. The only AAA Five Diamond Awarded property of the luxury Dominican republic hotels, Tortuga Bay offers responsible luxury, impeccable service and villas with interiors designed by the world-famous Oscar de la Renta. As a Tortuga Bay guest, our friendly, professional staff has every detail taken care of from the moment you touch down at our own Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
Our VIP Service will whisk you through customs to a private car that has been awaiting your arrival. After a brief ride through the lush and vibrant Dominican scenery, your personal concierge will welcome you, check you in at your villa and provide you with your own golf cart for convenient travel throughout the resort. Located in a private enclave within the resort, this hotel includes 13 luxurious beachfront Dominican Republic villas offering unrivaled luxury, privacy, security and five-star service.
A small boutique resort with amazing service, beautiful rooms fantastic food, the most hospitable staff and the most gorgeous views of the Caribbean sea from each Villa. Drink pina coladas on the beach, dine al fresco at the Club or venture out 10 minutes from the hotel with the Resort driver to the Marina Restaurant for the best food (ceviche) ever! A sophisticated place for the most discriminating traveler. We especially liked the low key atmosphere and this part of Punta Cana – no large resorts and crowds.
From the moment you step off the plane until you board the plane for home you are treated extra special! Whisking you through customs upon arrival without waiting in lines and waiting for your departure in the VIP lounge at the airport, complete with food/beverages. The grounds, staff, accommodations and service at this 5 star hotel are impeccable. We had a stunning villa with a view of the Caribbean Sea. The room was clean, spacious and as comfortable as home.
The beach was steps away, where we spent most of our time. There are golf courses very close by, which we played everyday. We have stayed at several of the LHW as well as 5 star hotels and this hotel is on the top of our list! We always interact with the staff as to us, they are one of the most important pieces of our vacation. The staff at Tortuga Bay definitely go above and beyond all expectations.
From the beach attendants to the pool staff to the housekeeping staff to the dining servers to the lobby clerks to the villa managers, everyone is polite, courteous, helpful, accommodating, quick to meet our needs and some that practically read our minds!
Dominican Republic Gay Friendly Resorts
Dominican Republic Gay Friendly Resorts

How much does a room costs at Tortuga Bay ?

Prices start 750 $/night for Ocean View Junior Suite. The Beach Front Junior Suite
is 820$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples. double room features air conditioning.

This suite features free Wi-Fi, hot tub, fan, flat-screen TV and a balcony. The bathroom is private and has shower, bath, bathrobes and slippers. The kitchen has a coffee maker and microwave. It has a seating area.

Where to book onlineTortuga Bay – Dominican Republic Gay Friendly Resorts – you can find the best hotels deals in Punta Cana during Meet Festival which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Punta Cana on  Booking.com or Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

1. Karibo Punta Cana 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

Karibo Punta Cana
Karibo Punta Cana

Set within White Sands Golf Course, Karibo Punta Cana offers outdoor pools, gardens and free transport to Arena Blanca Beach, just 900 m away. Apartments have a terrace with a spa bath.

Each air-conditioned apartment is decorated in stylish white, and offers views of the pool and gardens. All apartments have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with international cable channels and a bathroom with free toiletries.

You can prepare meals in your fully equipped kitchen, which includes a dining area, coffee maker, oven and ceramic hob. You can also enjoy international cuisine in the Karibo’s restaurant. A lobby bar and terrace can also be found on site.

The location is excellent close to great beaches and golf courses. The Apartments are spacious and all have large outside terraces to enjoy the great view’s also the apartment’s are exceptional clean and they allow pets. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful.

The food, the service, the employees, the pool, the cleanliness, the proximity to all of Bavaro and Punta Cana, in short, everything about Karibo is first class.

It is quiet, quaint and the apartments are awesome. I never had a problem though I am pretty easy going. I stayed in a 2 br 3 bath condo both times. Great balcony and terrace. It is not on the beach but they offer shuttles. I personally rent a car and the beaches and supermarkets are very easy to get to. Management is helpful too. It is a nice way to be near the fun punta cana nightlife but not in a crazy circus like all inclusive.

The pool is calm and relaxing and open 24 hours which is fun for night swimming. I highly recommend if you are not into the all inclusive circus.

The condo itself is large enough for two couples that want to share the space. Some of the furnishings and cabinetry are showing signs of wear but for the most part the accommodations are very good. The bed was comfortable, there was plenty of hot water and if the front and back sliders are open there is a wonderful breeze through the main living area. We cooked several meals on site. Once you figure out the stove and oven cooking there is not a problem.

Wifi was decent although in the early evening we tended to lose it as many folks were no doubt trying to get on.

Pool was wonderful, just the right temp, not overly chlorinate and always chairs available.

The onsite restaurant is quite good for what it is. Don’t expect 5-star but be prepared for very good local dishes that are probably served in every household around the Dominican. It is a little pricey but we enjoyed eating outside next to the pool and enjoyed the landscape lighting. We have great memories dining there.

Be sure to consider the tap water is not potable. Be prepared to cook and brush your teeth with bottled water that is purchased at Karibo. It was only 200 pesos (less than $5 American) for 5 gallon jug.

Kario offers a regular shuttle to the beach and they provide lounge chairs. Bavaro beach is nice.

There is also a regular shuttle to the shopping center. There is a grocery store as well as clothing and souvenirs shops. There are a few restaurants around the mall as well.

A review of Karibo wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to our waiter, bartender, pool attendant and all around good guy, Nazario. He was super friendly, courteous and attentive during our stay. We wished we could bring him home with us.

Karibo is very good and we would consider it on our next trip to Punta Cana.

Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana
Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

How much does a room costs at Karibo Punta Cana ?

Prices start 70 $/night for Deluxe Superior Room. The Deluxe One-Bedroom Apartment – Free Wifi is 125$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples. double room features air conditioning.

This stylish air-conditioned apartment offers a private terrace with a spa bath and views of the golf course, pool and gardens. All apartments have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with international cable channels, a dressing area and a bathroom with free toiletries. The fully equipped kitchen includes a dining area, coffee maker, oven and ceramic hob.

Where to book onlineKaribo Punta Cana – Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana – you can find the best hotels deals in Punta Cana during Meet Festival which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Punta Cana on  Booking.com or Hotels.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

2. Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa – Adults Only 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa

The beach front Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa – Adults Only offers 6 swimming pools, 2 outdoor hot tubs, spa treatments and free WiFi throughout. This party resort has a nightclub.

Offering a private balcony, hot tub, air conditioning, flat-screen cable TV and coffee maker, these suites include private bathrooms with free toiletries.

Guests at this property can enjoy 24-hour room service, 9 restaurants, a cafeteria and 8 bar & lounges.

Opened in November 15, 2013, Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa, Adults-Only, a perfectly situated all-suite resort in the Uvero Alto region of Punta Cana is a vibrant, chic and modern experience for sophisticated singles, couples and friends. Featuring 750 ultra-contemporary suites with private and scenic terraces. We’re committed to redefining your travel journey with our best-in-class CleanComplete Verification™ practices.

While health and safety have always been our top priorities, these new protocols further elevate our standards of quality and cleanliness, enabling you to vacation at any AMResorts® property with the ultimate peace of mind. Our 360-degree quality, safety and hygiene system takes into account every aspect of resort operations, backed by the highest-level third-party certification.

Had a valentines and birthday vacation and was very happy with the surprises with the VIP service: Romantic rose petals on the bed and personal hot tub on the balcony, and highly recommended for couples looking for an adults-only getaway. We especially appreciated the personal attention of our VIP representative, JOEL, who was always ready to assist with any and all issues. And by the, for whom it may concern, the resort is very gay friendly.

The beach is awesome and not nearly as busy as you would think. Always plenty of lounge chairs on the beach. Many people get up early and “claim” the huts by placing their belongings there. It is first come, first served. It can be irritating because you are not supposed to leave your space unattended for more than 30 minutes but people will monopolize the space by just leaving there stuff there and coming and going as they please. Pretty much the same by all of the pools.

Food varied from good to great. Beef (hamburgers, steaks) are not very good (dry/tough) but chicken, seafood and pork is excellent. Room service food is good as is the breakfast buffet. Silk City (Japanese Hibachi) was okay. But since you are there, experience it. Spumante (Italian restaurant) was very good. Picante (Mexican restaurant) was also very good.

The pools were very nice. All staff were very helpful. Most of the staff understand English and many speak it fluently. Elis (pronounced Elise) was our VIP Hostess for the X-Hale Upgrade Club. She was absolutely wonderful. She checked in everyday to see if had any needs at all. Need something booked (spa treatment, etc.), she is your gal.

Robertime (also a VIP host) was very helpful as well. All they want you to do is have a good time and relax. We came back to our room one night with a note from Elis stating that she ran us a bath/hot tub for our relaxation. There was a rose petal path to the hot tub with rose petals sprinkled in the tub. It was very nice and very relaxing. We tipped our VIP hosts well because the service was unprecedented.

This is a party resort (but no one under age 18). Yes, there are many places to find peace and solace but if DJ’s and loud music aren’t your thing, this may not be the resort for you. However, we saw all types of folks. Young, middle aged, retired, thin, overweight, gay, straight, all nationalities, etc. Not one ounce of pretension.

The resort is very much a party resort with foam parties in the pool and lots of music and it seems like lots of people were hooking up. So if that’s what you’re looking for then this is a great Resort for you. The drinks were good and plentiful and there was a ton of Staff everywhere you looked. I was there with a friend, and everybody at the resort seem to be very friendly and we were able to make some friends at the pool during the day and then enjoy dinner with them later on almost every day, which was nice. So the feel at the hotel the week we were there was very friendly and easy going, and it was a very comfortable place to get drunk and messy, nobody was particularly aggressive at all. Everybody was just having a good time.

We had a room with a swimming pool, which was a little bit cold and there was what look like a hot tub at the end of the pool except the water was never hot and when I asked if they could turn the heat on they said it was not possible. I love hot tubs and there were quite a few around the resort, but they were never really hot, and often they were kind of cool which was a bit disappointing, especially since the water in the pools was a few degrees colder than I would have preferred.

My friend and I are both gay men, and I have been to the Dominican before at high-end resorts, and found the staff could be not quite so comfortable with the whole gay thing though I never had any major problems. But Breathless was great, people were comfortable asking us if we were a couple even though we weren’t, and one day we asked the butler to draw us a bubble bath, and not only did he draw up a bubble bath but there were rose petals in the bubbles when we came out. If you have a butler I recommend asking them to prepare you a bubble bath, it’s the only time you’ll actually get into a nice hot hot tub!

Gay Friendly Hotels Dominican Republic
Gay Friendly Hotels Dominican Republic

The lounge / bar for the XL Club was quite nice, but our rooms in a different building so we found it a little bit inconvenient. The lounge is very close to the beach which meant it was very far from the party pool, so if you want it to be social and many people in the main pools you couldn’t get the fancy drinks with brand names, we felt that there should have been a VIP bar closer to the party pool. Though once you got your self over to the lounge there was a ton of staff and the liquor was good and they had lots of great brand names, and this is where I often the butler’s were hanging out so our Butler would always check in with us whenever we showed up in that Lounge to make sure everything was okay.

Overall, we had a great time, but we found the room itself did not justify the price of the hotel, though the level of service was excellent and I cannot say anything negative at all about how great the service was, all of the staff was friendly and polite and you never had to wait for anything really.

The facilities, food and drinks at this resort were generally excellent. My favourite restaurant which we got to try was the Culinaria international restaurant. We divided our time between the main party pool, the second pool and the beach. We upgraded to the Xhale club and negotiated a price in advance via Facebook messenger. Was it worth the upgrade? I’m still not really sure. It was great to use the Xhale lounge and to have a private, VIP concierge. Emmanuel was our butler and he was good when we needed him, but honestly it felt like we didn’t need him very much. I think Xhale Club is good to have, but at the same time, I wouldn’t have really missed it if we had not upgraded.

The room was probably the least impressive out of all the AM Resorts I have stayed at, and this was an Xhale Club room. It was still perfectly nice, but it was a bit lacking compared to some of the other resorts. There are no tablets controlling the room, many lighting schemes or USB charging ports here. The hot tub on the balcony takes a very long time to fill up, so just be aware of that. There is also no “Secrets box” to put empty glasses and dishes.

The daytime entertainment was excellent and there are always plenty of things going on. The foam party we attended was extremely good fun and the highlight of the entire trip. The atmosphere was fantastic! The drinks service around the pool and on the beach was very good. The same was generally true both at the bars and in the restaurants.

One small observation I did make, being a member of the LGBT community, is that there were a surprisingly high number of LGBT couples at this resort. This came as a big surprise to me as you don’t hear about the Dominican Republic being a particularly gay-friendly place. So it was nice to not feel out of place and we didn’t feel at all discriminated against for being LGBT. The clientele at this resort are generally younger and sexier than at a Secrets, and there were many more nationalities here than just USA, Canada and UK. But there were people of all adult ages.

I mentioned above that I was traveling with my boyfriend. As a gay couple we felt extremely welcomed by the staff and guests. Never once did we notice a negative look or comment. We walked hand in hand through the property, hugged and kissed in public and had nothing but support from the staff. It was incredible. There was never a sense of judgement or discomfort.

Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana
Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

How much does a room costs at Resort Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa ?

Prices start 347 $/night for Allure – King Junior Suite Tropical View. The Xhale Club Junior Suite with Pool View is 500$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples. double room features air conditioning.

The Xhale Club Junior Suite with Pool View features a furnished balcony or terrace with a hot tub and a nightly turndown service, in addition to views of the tropical gardens. The elegant décor and luxurious amenities set the mood.

Where to book onlineResort Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa – Adults Only  – Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana – you can find the best hotels deals in Punta Cana during Meet Festival which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Punta Cana on  Booking.com or Expedia.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

3. Eden Roc At Cap Cana 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Dominican Republic

Eden Roc At Cap Cana
Eden Roc At Cap Cana

Eden Roc at Cap Cana is a five-star Relais & Châteaux resort nestled in Cap Cana, a gated beachfront community of the Dominican Republic.

The 30,000-acre community is home to beaches, cliffs, tropical forests, a marina and the No. 1 golf course in the Caribbean, a Jack Nicklaus signature course.

Blending the standards of the French and Italian Rivieras with the warmth and charms of the Caribbean, Eden Roc at Cap Cana presents 60 all-suite accommodations – Boutique Suites and two multi-bedroom villas, all with private pools and 26 two-bedroom beachfront suites revealed in Spring 2017.

Redefining luxury in the Dominican Republic, Eden Roc at Cap Cana, the only Relais & Chateaux hotel in the island, consists of 34 freestanding suites with private pools and stunning views. Eden Roc at Cap Cana offers extravagant amenities such as a full service spa, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course (Punta Espada) located nearby, private Beach Club, Koko Kids Club, five diverse culinary selections, 753 square feet of meeting space at Corallina Conference Room and various multi-purpose spaces ideal for destination weddings.

We had a wonderful, relaxing time at this gorgeous Relais and Chateaux property. While we were originally a little apprehensive about traveling to the Dominican given the recent news and traveller crimes, Eden Roc set all our concerns at ease and we felt totally safe. The property, villas, and service were outstanding. We stayed in a one bedroom villa with our own private pool. I recommend that option over a beachfront room because the value is better and you have much more privacy. You get your own golf cart to use during your stay to quickly drive ~2 minutes to the beach.

As part of Relais Châteaux, Eden Roc lived to our expectations as always. The amenities are 5 stars! The rooms were impeccable and very clean. Housekeeping is very good. I think the heart of this place is the staff. I can only praise the service which has been so warm and friendly. We felt at home and as part of a family.

We chose this Relais Chateaux in this gated community type enclave in the Dominican Republic and didn’t regret it. It had all the ingredients we wanted, 3 restaurants, pools, access to a beautiful beach and a kids club so adults can grab some R and R. It’s about 20 minutes away from the airport. The hotel is a bit sprawling as it almost has 2 campuses, “upper” and “lower”, each with its own gym, pools, spas, kids clubs and restaurants. We opted for a suite in the upper section which is not located near the beach but is a bit less expensive.

LGBT Friendly Hotels Punta Cana
LGBT Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

The room was absolutely stunning and situated perfectly on the beach with a gorgeous view. The restaurants at the hotel were all incredible – this is the Relais Chateaux experience you pay for and they sure did deliver. The staff were wonderful throughout the hotel and made our stay comfortable and memorable. Everything you need is on property or in the gated Cap Cana area. Everything was very high end and luxurious. We don’t golf but it was the most gorgeous golf course I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend and cannot wait to go back.

Resort layout – The hotel has two areas – the main hotel lobby, Mediterraneo restaurant, a bar, a pool, the spa, and the pool villas are in the main area of the resort, which is not on the beach. The beach club, Blue restaurant, La Palapa restaurant, a pool, and the beach suites are actually at the beach. We stayed in a one-bedroom pool villa, which included a golf cart. It was maybe a five minute drive from our room to the beach club.

Room – The one-bedroom pool villa was a great stand-alone unit, with a living/sitting room, a king bed, a huge bathroom, an outdoor shower area, and a closet. Outside there was a pool, a covered sitting area, and two loungers. The A/C worked great. Bottled water and coffee pods (complementary) were replaced daily, and the room has a mini bar (not complementary). Upon arrival we got a “welcome” bottle of prosecco, which we enjoyed – though we would rather have gotten a good bottle of rum instead. Oddly, the mini bar does not include any Dominican rum, so if you want rum I recommend picking up a bottle at the airport or stopping on the way.

Food – I had a great experience with Eden Roc’s various restaurants. When researching potential hotels for this vacation, I noticed multiple negative comments about Eden Roc’s food – I am happy that we took those reviews with a grain of salt. Each morning we had breakfast at Mediterraneo – there is a well-stocked buffet and also an option to order omelets, eggs, waffles, etc. from the menu (I particularly enjoyed the Dominicano breakfast). We went to Mediterraneo one night and really enjoyed the chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings. We ate at Blue (at the beach club) a few times – pizza was great at lunch, and we liked the cocktails and Japanese food for dinner. La Palapa was also good, but both times we ate there we were almost the only diners – good seafood and pasta. All in all, I thought that the food was indicative of what you expect from a Relais & Chateaux property. All that being said, the food is quite pricey.

Spa – We had two fantastic couples treatments. The spa menu is small, but my experience was that they will pretty much customize anything to exactly what you want. The spa prices are reasonable for what you would expect to find somewhere like Eden Roc.

Santo Domingo – The concierge booked a day trip to Santo Domingo for a Zona Colonial tour, which I highly recommend (this was our first trip to the Dominican Republic, so we wanted to take in a little culture). We had a nice and knowledgeable driver and a new Suburban. In Santo Domingo we picked up our tour guide, who was a wealth of knowledge.

Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana
Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

How much does a room costs at Eden Roc At Cap Cana ?

Prices start 950 $/night for Luxury Pool Junior Suite. The Beachfront One-Bedroom Suite
is 1501$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples. double room features air conditioning.

This suite has a balcony, kitchen and microwave.

Where to book onlineEden Roc At Cap Cana  – Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana – you can find the best hotels deals in Punta Cana during Meet Festival which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Punta Cana on  Booking.com or Expedia.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

4. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana 5* – LGBT Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

Overlooking one of Dominican Republic’s beaches, the family-friendly Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana All Inclusive resort boasts the best casino around; nightlife entertainment, a Nicklaus designed golf course, and an astonishing full-service spa are also available.

Luxurious and spacious guest suites include free wired and wireless internet, free streaming music channels and cable TV. All of the suites at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana feature Hydro spa tubs, private balconies or patios, dual showers, plush bathrobes and slippers. A minibar fully stocked with soft drinks, bottled water, domestic beer and in-room liquor dispensers are some of the included amenities. The suites also include flat-screen TVs and 24-hour room service is available.

The 1,775 room Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is situated on pristine sugar white sands stretching 121-acres along Macao Beach in the Dominican Republic. Hard Rock’s first all-inclusive hotel and casino exudes lavish five-star amenities and personal service to create the ultimate rock star getaway. Among the resort’s many offerings are luxe accommodations, the signature Rock Spa(R), 18-hole Nicklaus designed golf course, iconic music memorabilia and a larger-than-life Vegas-style casino – the largest in the Dominican Republic, featuring Oro nightclub. Guests also enjoy 11 expansive pools, four swim-up bars, a kids pool and lazy river. A variety of gourmet dining options is available through the resort’s nine restaurants.

The service here was generally 5-star. The food is above mainland china restaurant quality (ie Zen is better than Benihana, Los Gallos is better than Chi-Chi’s etc.) and on par with mid-range cruise-line fare. The variety beats cruises hands down. There is a specialty restaurant that is reasonably priced that we chose not to visit this trip simply because we found the resort food acceptable. The food is not gourmet, but it is good.

The rooms were huge. The spa was fantastic. The beach is gorgeous. The resort is massive and well maintained. If you get tired of walking, trams stop near your building every 10 minutes or so (only a problem if there’s a storm and everyone decides to use the trams at the same time). The casino is very nice, but smoky – and they have a different player rewards program that isn’t affiliated with other Hard Rock Casinos. After 6pm, $25 minimum at BJ tables.

The theater is great (too bad they leave the doors open though as it wastes air conditioning and makes the room a bit humid). The entertainment was very good, but not on par with what we’re accustomed to on cruises. We did see Joss Stone and her concert was awesome ($50pp, great seats). We bought tickets for her concert from a promoter kiosk. Pablito, the promoter, offered us great seats, free admission to Oro Nightclub (at the resort) and 2 free drinks each (it’s one of two cash bars on the resort).

When we arrived at Oro, the wristbands were the wrong color, so it took some time for them to sort this out. Then when we ordered our drinks at the bar, the bartender had no knowledge of any free drink promotion. She finally said, take the drinks (that we had ordered) but this is a cash bar! We told the kiosk staff about this later. They apologized for the miscommunication and offered us another try, but frankly we didn’t find Oro all that special, so we passed. Still glad we went to the Joss Stone concert. Really nice venue.

The wine included in the all-inclusive is simply awful. We used resort credits to upgrade our wine selection. With resort credits you pay 20% cash at the end of your visit for every credit used. So an 80 point bottle of wine is costing you credits plus $16. Gotta’ say, we didn’t have a single bottle of wine that we would have paid $16 for at the local grocery. They need to address this IMO. As one sommelier friend told us when we returned, well you should have just enjoyed the vodka! He’s right. They had Stoli as the well vodka. The cocktails at all the bars were superb.

(Pro-tip: take a large thermos mug for the pool. Keeps your pina colada from melting, they’ll fill it saving you 4 trips to the bar! I know, it sounds very cheesy, but everyone in the know was doing it, and you can drink in the pool – even swim up to your bar in some pools!)

One last note, we’re an older gay, married couple. The staff was obviously well trained to make us feel welcome. That said, unlike cruises there is not a “Friends of Dorothy” type place for gay people to meet up. Perhaps this is just in the Dominican as someone we met at the resort told us the resort in Cancun is having a gay week around July 4. We had read online that in the DR outside of the resorts there is a great deal of homophobia, and to avoid public displays of affection. Inside the resort we never felt out of place, but if you’re the type who like living around other gay people and going on gay cruises, I can see how this place might not be your style. We prefer a more integrated experience, so for us it wasn’t a problem. It was pretty much like being in Miami Beach where we’re accepted, but we don’t have a gay ghetto.

Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana
Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

How much does a room costs at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana ?

Prices start 375 $/night for Caribbean Suite Double. The RR Caribbean Sand Suite King is 420$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples. double room features air conditioning.

This suite has a balcony, kitchen and microwave.

Where to book onlineHard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana  – Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana – you can find the best hotels deals in Punta Cana during Meet Festival which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Punta Cana on  Booking.com or Trip.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

5. whala!urban punta cana  4* – LGBT Friendly Hotels Dominican Republic

whala!urban punta cana
whala!urban punta cana

Set in Punta Cana, 2.6 km from Bavaro Beach, whala!urban punta cana offers accommodation with a fitness centre, free private parking, a bar and a terrace. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with an outdoor pool. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, room service and currency exchange for guests.

At the hotel, rooms come with a wardrobe. At whala!urban punta cana all rooms have a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.

The accommodation offers a continental or buffet breakfast.

Whala!Urban Punta Cana is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Punta Cana, offering a family-friendly environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay.

You’ll enjoy relaxing rooms that offer air conditioning and a refrigerator, and you can stay connected during your stay as Whala!Urban Punta Cana offers guests free wifi.

The lodge features a 24 hour front desk, a concierge, and baggage storage. Plus, Whala!Urban Punta Cana offers a pool and free breakfast, providing a pleasant respite from your busy day. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available.

Travelers looking to enjoy some tapas can head to Passion by Martin Berasategui at Paradisus Palma Real or Onno’s Bavaro. Otherwise, you may want to check out a French restaurant such as Chez Mon Ami, Le Chanterelle, or Mi Cantina.

What a beautiful experience at Whala Urban hotel in Punta Cana. The check in/out process was smooth thanks to Rosa and co-worker. The security Don Luis G is so pleasant and always have a smile. The bar/snack open until late and the drinks and snack was delicious. The server Veronica n Jean Carlos always make sure we are fine. The swimming pool is big enough to swim several laps the pool furniture is so beautiful and comfortable.

The maintenance guy make sure the pool is always clean. Our room was huge and super comfortable and quiet with a balcony facing the swimming pool. Also include small fridge, sink and a living room. The air conditioning work perfect and the room decor was nice including two chair and table in our balcony to enjoy the wine at night. The hotel provides transportation to the hotel brother Whala Bávaro for free and the driver Franklin was very helpful. The Whala Bavaro is by the beach so you can spend all day there. The breakfast was so delicious thanks to chef Jordan. The hotel was always clean.

Whala Urban is a very relaxing hotel with an excellent service and very warming staff. If you looking a hotel to be relax this is the right hotel. If you looking a hotel facing the ocean I recommend to look for a different hotel, but keep it in mind the Whala Urban provides transportation to Whala Bávaro next to the ocean.

The rooms are spacious and modern and the bathroom is great. The pool is clean and no fighting for beds. Breakfast is superb and the pool bar has a great selection of food options. The bar staff become your friends and can’t do enough for you.

Our room was beautiful, spacious and with a balcony overlooking the pool. You have to request that when booking. The complimentary breakfast was awesome and they will cook what you want if it’s not readily available. Milagros and Xiomara were amazing!

They were funny, welcoming and attentive. The location wasn’t great but if you do your proper research you will see it’s not on the beach and it’s priced appropriately so. I would definitely recommend this hotel to friends or gay couples looking to stay somewhere awesome and save $$ and I would stay here again in a heartbeat.

Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana
Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana

How much does a room costs at whala!urban punta cana ?

Prices start 80 $/night for Double Room. The Junior Suite with Pool View is 95$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples. double room features air conditioning.

This suite features a balcony, view and satellite TV.

Where to book onlinewhala!urban punta cana  – Gay Friendly Hotels Punta Cana – you can find the best hotels deals in Punta Cana during Meet Festival which  is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Punta Cana on  Booking.com or Trip.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 


by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.