Onsite Review: 3 Melia Hotels & a Theme Park

SOAKER TUB3 Melia Hotels & a Theme ParkBy Lydia GregoryOver the past year, Melia Hotels International made a massive investment in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s premier tourism destination, that resulted in major upgrades and renovations to existing properties plus the addition of a cutting-edge theme park—the first of its kind in the Caribbean. So, when the invitation came to scope it out, we had our bags packed in less time than you can say “Katmandu.” Still fresh from its multimillion-dollar top-to-bottom refresh, our first stop was the 596-suite Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, made up of low-slung buildings that curve around nine different pools set on a privileged stretch of sand called Bavaro Beach. We stayed in The Reserve, the resort’s premium adults-only section; Paradisus also offers Nikte, a family-friendly counterpart. My spacious The Reserve Adults Only Suite Ocean View accommodation boasted a balcony with a view of all this tropical beauty, a sitting area, soaking tub, walk-in shower, king-sized bed and the upgraded amenities that are part of this premium category. Right below me I could see some of the newer swim-up suites added during the renovation. Of note for your VIP clients: Of the 58 new swim-up suites added during the renovation, only 14 are part of The Reserve, and there are only eight The Reserve oceanfront suites with direct access to the beach. COUPLE As a guest of The Reserve, your clients will have access to The Reserve Lounge, a quiet space with premium drinks and snacks where they can catch up on the outside world using the available iMacs; The Reserve pool; a private beach area with waiter service; a Destination Concierge; priority booking at YHI Spa; and kids-free dining at the Sante, where I had my first meal from the Mediterranean menu, served poolside with a cold glass of white wine. During my stay we also dined at Mina, where I enjoyed a beautifully cooked steak, and met for a fun wine-tasting experience at The Winery followed by dinner at Flora, their adults-only Dominican eatery with a delicious menu made with sustainable ingredients. Among the many perks of staying in premium accommodations at a Paradisus is access to the Destination Inclusive program included in one’s stay. At the Palma Real, this means a catamaran sail to a beach for a private yoga class. The day we went was sunny and breezy, the fruit snacks and beverages were fresh and cold, and the beach setup was just right. Mats were laid out with cold bottles of water and a towel, and we stretched under palm trees to the sound of the waves. The next day we visited the adults-only all-inclusive 465-suite Melia Punta Cana Beach, the brand’s “fully immersive wellness property” with its boho-chic vibe, all hanging plants, water features, wicker and earth tones. The resort offers a unique Wellbeing 360 Experience, which was expanded a little over a year ago to meet demand. This includes a collection of experiences and activities that touch every aspect of wellness—think superfood workshops, retreats, sound healing, bike tours, meditation and more. It also offers an upgraded experience called The Level, with 136 suites and exclusive access to the Quimera Rooftop Bar and restaurant. Among these are 32 The Level Wellness Suites by Stay Well. These premium accommodations have vitamin C shower infusers, dawn simulators for gradual wakeups, mood-enhancing aromatherapy, complimentary bikes, one spa treatment per day per person, a personal wellness concierge and more. At this resort I enjoyed a massage at YHI Spa followed by a sound bath meditation with Tibetan singing bowls and a gong—a soothing experience I highly recommend.GAME ROOM For the second half of our stay, we checked into the Paradisus Grand Cana (formerly Falcon’s Resort by Melia | All Suites Punta Cana), which opened a year ago and is literally steps from Katmandu Park | Punta Cana. Another collection of low-slung buildings set around three sparkling pools, this resort had a sleeker, more modern design. Though a great option for couples, it caters mainly to family groups, with 432 ample suites, a kids club, water park and that accessibility to the theme park. Of the accommodations, 108 are premium swim-up Katmandu Experience Suites, where we stayed. In addition to the pool, the suites have a whirlpool on the deck and a kitchenette with a dining and living space separate from the bedroom, a plus for families. Paradisus Grand Cana has nine restaurant concepts. On our first night we had Peruvian ceviche and sushi at Machu and on the second evening we enjoyed another fantastic steak dinner at Karnica. The hotel also has a beach club that is accessible by golf cart—the premium suites have their own area, with excellent F&B service, and thatched umbrellas and lounge chairs. There’s even an outpost of the spa where you can get a preview of the treatment menu. BALCONY CHAIRS And then...there’s Katmandu. As opposed to the usual Caribbean offer of splash slides and wave parks, this land-based theme park is all about immersion using 4D dark rides and interactive attractions tucked into a “small footprint/big experience” concept. Most of the rides are indoors and air-conditioned, with themes that are heavy on the Himalayan-explorer-meets-Yeti with some mermaid action thrown in (it works!). It’s super fun and has attractions for all ages. The park has several food outlets, as well as a shopping gallery selling upscale items. Standard room guests at the Melia properties get a complimentary 1-Use Pass they can use with one-time access to each attraction, while Katmandu Experience guests receive a unique Multi-Day Pass with one-time access to each ride every day of their stay. Of note: The “pass” is a bright rubber bracelet that gets encoded with your access, so there are no tickets to worry about losing. Contact Information Melia Hotels International: 2melia.com/meliaproCOVERHAL GATE 1HAL GATE 2 & 3HAL GATE 4Table of ContentsSANDALSSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesAMERICAN CRUISE LINESAdvisor Speak: Passion for Cruises Led Her Here— A $3 Million Travel AgencyIndustry Insights: Tour Operators are ‘Highly Confident’ About 2024Cruise: Swanky SailingsCruise: Multimillion-dollar Revamp for Windstar Sailing YachtsATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES SCATLAS OCEAN VOYAGESPRINCESS CRUISES SCPRINCESS CRUISESSCENIC SCSCENIC LUXURY CRUISES & TOURSSEABOURN SCSEABOURNDISNEY SCAlaska Cruise Season—Booking Options for 2024 & 2025DISNEY CRUISE LINEHOLLAND AMERICA LINE SCRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE ADALASKA RAILROAD SC ADOnboard Review: Discovery Princess—10 Reasons to Book for an Alaska VoyageOnboard Review: Celebrity Ascent Offers Elevated Experience for TravelersOnboard Review: Norwegian Viva—Cruising in Comfort and StyleMexico/Caribbean: Elevating Romance Through LuxuryPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP SPREADATLANTIS SCATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND BAHAMASINCLUSIVE COLLECTION SCINCLUSIVE COLLECTIONSANDALS SCOnsite Review: Impression Isla Mujeres by SecretsOnsite Review: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & SpaOnsite Review: Sandals Dunn’s River—Sandals 2.0 Looks Mighty FineOnsite Review: 3 Melia Hotels & a Theme ParkPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUPCUNARD