The best Punta Cana 5-star resorts – all-inclusive and adults-only (high-end & luxury)

If you’re looking for your ultimate Punta Cana vacation with adults-only all-inclusive, here we have the top choices for you: the best 5-star luxury resorts according to our experiences and hotel visits, exclusively for adults. This is not a generic list made by ChatGPT or Bart, the following high-end adults-only hotels are all hand-picked by us according to our dozens of hotel visits and endless all-inclusive stays.This article is about the best high-end 5-star adults-only resorts in Punta Cana. If you rather like to spend a bit less, you can also check out the other adults-only suggestions and recommendations in the Dominican Republic:–The best cheap all-inclusive adults-only resorts in Punta Cana–The best mid-price Punta Cana adults-only resorts with all-inclusiveThere is also a full overview of all adults-only resorts in Punta Cana here (incl. list and map)For further recommendation about adults-only resorts in the Dominican Republic, you can check out–The best honeymoon resorts in Punta Cana–The best couple-friendly resorts in Punta Cana–The best party hotels in Punta Cana-The best Cap Cana all-inclusive adults-only resortsHow to determine the best Punta Cana all-inclusive adults-only 5-star resortsIf you’re checking our adults-only resort recommendations for Punta Cana carefully, you might have seen that we have already two other lists, depending on what budget you’re looking to spend for your Punta Cana vacation:– The best cheap Punta Cana all-inclusive adults-only resorts (for those traveling on a budget)– The best mid-price all-inclusive adults resorts in Punta Cana (for those looking for some affordable luxury)For the following recommendations, we have disregarded the financial aspect and are only recommending the best of the best – the top adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, hence we have only considered the most luxurious and best-reviewed hotels in Punta Cana. To filter them, we have applied the following criteria:– Booking.com rating of at least 8.5/10– Expedia.com rating of at least 9.0/10– Tripadvisor reviews of at least 4.5/5– Excellent services and amenities– 5-star luxury resorts– Adults-only resortAll of the luxury adults-only resorts in Punta Cana recommended below meet all of those criteria.The best luxury 5-star all-inclusive adults-only resorts in Punta CanaHyatt Zilara Cap CanaIf we had to choose just ONE ultimate best adults-only resort in Punta Cana, it would probably be Hyatt Zilara Punta Cana. Out of more than 100.000 reviews, Hyatt Zilara is:– The No. 1 rated all-inclusive hotel among ALL resorts in Punta Cana on booking.com (9.4/10)– The No. 1 rated all-inclusive hotel among ALL resorts in Punta Cana on expedia.com (9.6/10)– The No. 2 rated all-inclusive hotel among ALL resorts in Punta Cana on Tripadvisor (4.89/5)– The No. 1 rated all-inclusive hotel among all adults-only resorts in Punta Cana on Tripadvisor (4.89/5)Are there any questions left?But what makes Hyatt Zilara the best 5-star adults-only all-inclusive in Punta Cana?If a resort receives these top ratings, it must be (and it is as I can confirm) a combination of many different factors.The service is top-notch. Hyatt Zilara (incl. its sister resort Hyatt Ziva) has implemented new service standards in Punta Cana. Just one example is that all the employers will always greet you with a smile and put their hand on their heart while passing you – it doesn’t matter in which department they’re working.TOP 12 Punta Cana ExcursionsIsla Saona: Saona Info | Book it*Private Saona Island Tour: Private Tour Info | Book it*Dune buggy and ATV excursion: Buggy Info | Book it*Punta Cana Ziplining: Zipline Info | Book it*Party boat & booze cruise: Party Boat Info | Book it*Best Nightlife Show: Coco Bongo Info | Book it*Scape Park Cap Cana & Blue Lagoon: Blue Lagoon Info | Book it*Los Haitises National Park: Los Haitises Info | Book it* Santo Domingo: Santo Domingo Info | Book it*Samaná (Salto El Limón & Cayo Levantado): Samaná Info | Book it*Helicopter & airplane tours: Helicopter Info | Book it*Whale watching (Jan-Mar only): Whale watching Info | Book it*Looking for more inspiration? Check out the 40+ best Punta Cana tours!While the rooms are not overly impressive, the restaurants and food in general are top-notch. There is a total of 4 à-la-carte restaurants, 1 buffet and a pizzeria. You can choose among some exotic restaurants, among them Peruvian-Caribbean fusion or a French-Polynesian restaurant – unique among Punta Canas’ all-inclusive resorts. For more choices, 5 more restaurants on the family resort Hyatt Ziva can be used as well.With these reviews and top rankings, Hyatt Zilara is also one of the best Cap Cana adults-only resorts. This is not so much of a surprise if you consider the amazing Juanillo Beach Hyatt Zilara is located at.All in all, you can expect one of the best luxury all-adult resorts in Punta Cana here. The only negative point is the price tag. Of course, you have to pay for this nearly flawless experience – and depending on the season the price might be pretty high. Rates of 600-1000 USD per night are pretty common – check the prices for Hyatt Zilara here* to see the current rates for your travel period.Pros:– Fantastic overall experience with hardly any flaws– Unique restaurants and top-notch cuisine– Fantastic white sandy beachCons:– Even though it offers the best services, sometimes Hyatt Zilara Adults Only is overpriced– The rooms are sparkling clean and well-equipped, but the design is rather uninspired– Super safe location in Cap Cana, but there is nothing around you can explore on your ownWhat makes this Punta Cana luxury adults-only resort unique: the best of the best – if money is not an issue, you will find one of the best resort experiences hereTripadvisor rating (as of January 2024): 5/5 (check reviews*)Booking.com rating (as of January 2024): 9.4/10 (check prices and reviews*)Expedia rating (as of January 2024): 9.6/10 (check prices and reviews*)Secrets Cap CanaNumber 2 on our list is a Cap Cana adults-only resort as well: Secrets Cap Cana. Similarly to Hyatt Zilara, it receives top ratings among all all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana:– No. 4 on Booking.com (9.1/10)– No. 5 on Expedia (9.2/10)– No. 3 on Tripadvisor (4.83/5)And Secrets Cap Cana is not less interesting than Hyatt Zilara. The beach is very similar (shiny and white + very wide and with a turquoise ocean), the suites are more spacious, elegant and cozy. With 7 restaurants you even have more choices than at Hyatt Zilara (but fewer than at Hyatt Zilara + Hyatt Ziva combined), even though they are not as exotic as at Hyatt. Hence where are the differences?Get your free e-book now – “17 amazing things-to-do for free in Punta Cana”!To be honest, there aren’t many. Both, Hyatt Zilara and Secrets Cap Cana are top-notch luxury adults-only all-inclusive resorts on a fantastic beach. If I had to choose between both, I would probably first check for major price differences, as Secrets Cap Cana also easily costs between 600 and 1000 USD per night.The major difference might be that Secrets Cap Cana is a stand-alone resort. There is no family side and you don’t have access to any other hotel (except at night with the not-really popular Sip, Savor, and See program).Pros:– Fantastic overall experience with hardly any flaws– Wonderful suites with swim-up rooms, ocean views and private pools (depending on the category)– Fantastic white sandy beachCons:– Even though it offers the best services, sometimes Secrets Cap Cana Adults Only is overpriced– Restaurant themes could be a bit more creative– Super safe location in Cap Cana, but there is nothing around you can explore on your ownWhat makes this Punta Cana luxury adults-only resort unique: outstanding customer reviews and some of the best swim-out suites and ocean-view rooms in Cap CanaTripadvisor rating (as of January 2024): 5/5 (check reviews*)Booking.com rating (as of January 2024): 9/10 (check prices and reviews*)Expedia rating (as of January 2024): 9.2/10 (check prices and reviews*)Iberostar Grand BavaroOur No. 3 of the best luxury Punta Cana adults-only resorts is Iberostar Grand Bavaro, a hotel that is much different from the other modern 5-star adult hotels mentioned here, particularly in terms of design. It is one of those classy hotels, where the elegance mostly comes from old colonial architecture, specific art elements and a design with darker but high-quality materials. While this is not everyone’s cup of tea, the hotel does a great job attracting a specific clientele, which is mostly a bit on the older side.Another specific characteristic of Iberostar Grand Bavaro Adults Only is the selection of food and drinks. Besides having one of the most extensive menus of complimentary wines among all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, you can enjoy unique and top-notch restaurants such as Surf & Turf, Haute Cuisine or Heritage Cuisine.Editor’s Choice: the best experiences 2024Most unique experience in a small group: Authentic rum tasting* (rating 4.78/5)Best Rated Punta Cana excursion: Isla Saona Premium in small groups* (rating 4.95/5)Most booked through Punta Cana Travel Blog: Small-Group Snorkeling* (rating 4.91/5)Best off-the-beaten-track excursion: Montana Redonda & Costa Esmeralda* (rating 4.79/5)Best excursion for family fun: Jungle Buggies + Zipline Combo* (rating 4.91/5)New and trending for 2024: Evening Buggy Tour with Water Cave and Dancing*Not the right tour for you?Check out the 45 best Punta Cana excursions here at Punta Cana Travel Blog!The beach at Iberostar Grand Bavaro is different from those Cap Cana adults-only resorts mentioned above, but not less attractive. While it is more on the golden side, it is perfect for those who love to walk on the beach, as its location right at Arena Gorda Beach allows walks of up to 12 miles right along the beach.Last but not least, the service here is professional, leaving nothing to be desired – 5-star service in a 5-star all-inclusive adults-only resort in Punta Cana. If you love golf, this is also a perfect choice as you can play right on the property on a 18-hole golf course, designed by P.B. Dye.Pros:– Top-notch cuisine with elegant à-la-carte restaurants– Extensive complimentary wine menu + unique bar on a reproduction of a sailing ship– Classy architecture and fine art throughout the propertyCons:– Even though the rooms are top-notch, they might seem outdated, especially for younger people– Not many offers for younger travelers– Slightly overpriced compared to other adults-only resorts in Punta CanaWhat makes this Punta Cana luxury adults-only resort unique: classy, elegant and quiet in combination with top-notch culinary offers and an extensive wine menuTripadvisor rating (as of January 2024): 5/5 (check reviews*)Booking.com rating (as of January 2024): 8.8/10 (check prices and reviews*)Expedia rating (as of January 2024): 9.4/10 (check prices and reviews*)Sanctuary Cap CanaCap Cana is not without a reason the most exclusive community in Punta Cana as it nearly only consists of luxury resorts and high-end villas. One of those – the third Cap Cana all-inclusive adults-only resort in our list – is Sanctuary Cap Cana, which is, similar to Secrets Cap Cana, another stand-alone resort in Punta Cana.Sanctuary Cap Cana offers an outstanding vacation experience, which is not only proved by our visits but also by the excellent reviews from thousands of guests. Particularly on Expedia this luxury adults-only resort in Punta Cana is highly ranked, scoring a 9.4/10, the second-best result of all All-Inclusive resorts in Punta Cana. Booking.com also sees it on position 6 (out of over 80 resorts) with an 8.9/10. On Tripadvisor, Sanctuary Cap Cana Adults Only is at least in the Top 10 with a score of 4.67/5.00, making it the 5th best all-inclusive adults-only resort in Punta Cana.What sets Sanctuary Cap Cana apart is the design of the property, as you have different sections that all have their different vibe. There is a castle with various room categories, ocean-view suites are plentiful (and usually not much more expensive than the standard room category) and the entire property doesn’t feel like a typical resort. There are many different lounges, various types of pools and courses, bars all over the resort with premium spirits and international brands.TRAVEL COACHINGSave money and time! Do you need help planning a customized vacation in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic? Is it difficult for you to decide what and where to book? Would you like to take advantage of someone with years of experience in the tourism industry (knowing all the travel hacks 😉 ) and living right in the place where you would like to spend your holiday?That’s what my personal travel coaching is for. I will design your tailor-made itinerary, tell you how to save money on your trip and send you the best insider tips and recommendations. All the information I send you are crafted with love and passion – and are coming with a money-back guarantee. Let me know how I can help you (check my packages here) and send me a request here!What all these places at Sanctuary Cap Cana have in common is the relaxed vibe. You won’t find any loud entertainment or hustle and bustle here. Relaxation, wellness and elegance are the main focus points – just one point why Sanctuary Cap Cana is not only the perfect Punta Cana 5-star all-inclusive adults-only resort but also one of the most popular honeymoon resorts in the Dominican Republic for those couples looking for a romantic getaway.Two more important things we want to share according to our experiences:– The beach at Sanctuary Cap Cana adults only is very prone to sargassum during the seaweed season in Punta Cana, hence if the beach is very important for you I would only book this adults-only hotel in Punta Cana during the months of November to February/March– There is a section of restaurants at Sanctuary Village which is also included in your all-inclusive adults-only vacation at Sanctuary Cap Cana and which is a nice change from the typical restaurant resort vibePros:– Outstanding resort focusing on wellness, relaxing atmosphere and elegance– Multiple restaurants at Sanctuary Village with an area to stroll– Plenty of creative room categories including affordable (compared to the standard room category) ocean-view suitesCons:– The beach is pretty prone to seaweed during the sargassum season– Isolated location and not much to walk toWhat makes this Punta Cana luxury adults-only resort unique: elegant hotel with a different resort vibe, perfect for honeymooners and couplesTripadvisor rating (as of January 2024): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)Booking.com rating (as of January 2024): 8.9/10 (check prices and reviews*)Expedia rating (as of January 2024): 9.4/10 (check prices and reviews*)Secrets Royal BeachWith Secrets Royal Beach, we have another Secrets Resort among our top 5-star adults-only resorts in Punta Cana – which isn’t that much of a surprise considering the excellent quality the Secrets brand usually delivers. And with Secrets Tides* in Uvero Alto and Secrets Playa Esmeralda close to Miches there are two more newly-built adults-only all-inclusives in the Dominican Republic which will soon start to attract (and hopefully enchant) guests.But let’s talk about Secrets Royal Beach, which is located right at the famous and fantastic Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana’s prime beach with 12 miles of white-to-golden powdery sand and innumerable gorgeous ocean views. Secrets Royal Beach is even located at one of the best spots of Bavaro Beach as it is one of the widest (an impressive 350 feet!) and most palm-fringed stretches. Obviously, with this excellent location, Secrets Royal Beach is also one of the Punta Cana all-inclusive adults-only resorts with the best beach.– Most Popular Posts on Punta Cana Travel Blog – But also the hotel itself resembles pure adults-only luxury at the highest level, especially if you’re booking a Preferred Club room (which comes highly recommended from us if you’re looking for a luxury and top-notch experience). Since its most recent renovation in 2020, the Secrets Royal Beach Preferred Club features a fantastic beachfront Preferred Club Lounge, a two-story infinity pool, a wonderful Preferred Club swim-up bar and several cozy and comfortable Bali Beds (included) along the pool and the beach.If we would search for one thing we could criticize at Secrets Royal Beach Adults Only it would be the food. It is delicious, it is all well cooked and you have the choice between 5 à-la-carte restaurants and a buffet with a stunning outdoor area, but there wasn’t any food during our visit which stayed in our memory as the WOW meal.Pros:– Fantastic premium location at one of the best beaches in Punta Cana– Many public areas with bars and restaurants within walking distance + accessibility with Uber and public transport– Amazing Preferred Club beachfront lounge with innovative and spectacular two-storey infinity poolCons:– The food is delicious, but there aren’t many spectacular or unique dishes on the menu– Without a Preferred Club upgrade, Secrets Royal Beach might not be the most spectacular resortWhat makes this Punta Cana luxury adults-only resort unique: one of the adults-only resorts with the best beach location in the Dominican RepublicTripadvisor rating (as of January 2024): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)Booking.com rating (as of January 2024): 8.9/10 (check prices and reviews*)Expedia rating (as of January 2024): 9.4/10 (check prices and reviews*)Live Aqua Punta CanaOne of the resorts that definitely won’t be an adult-only resort in Punta Cana with the best beach will be Live Aqua Punta Cana. But, this is also not necessary, as the hotel features a wonderful property with plenty of pools, some of the best suites in entire Punta Cana and a high level of service – a spot on our list with the best 5-star luxury adults-only all-inclusives in Punta Cana is well deserved.Live Aqua Adults Only Beach Resort is located in Uvero Alto, an area that is known for a bit rougher beaches. However, most people will book this resort anyway because of their stunning pools, among them the large social pool with a roofed swim-up bar and some other quiet pools with plenty of Bali Beds and time to relax, as some of them are super quiet and mostly empty.Furthermore, the culinary experience is one of the focus points of Live Aqua Punta Cana Adults Only. It is one of the few resorts where you can have an à-la-carte beachfront lunch without booking a superior room category – and it is not just a random quick lunch snack, it is an incredibly delicious meal at the Miraflores restaurant, which specializes in Caribbean cuisine and Ceviches (with at least a dozen of different ceviches on their menu). But also dinner doesn’t fall short at Live Aqua Beach Resort, as you can choose among 4 top-notch à-la-carte restaurants. A buffet is usually not offered for lunch and dinner to emphasize the exceptional culinary quality Live Aqua is offering.The suites are another point to rave about. Well thought of, attention to detail, spacious, elegant and with a jacuzzi on the balcony and many amenities such as branded flip flops, a large beach bag or distinct jacuzzi essences, there isn’t much more you can ask for at this relaxed and easy-going all-inclusive adults-only resort in Punta Cana.Pros:– One of the best à-la-carte beachfront lunches (incl. to-die-for ceviche) among all Punta Cana resorts– Elegant and well-thought-of suites– Perfect property for pool lovers and those looking for a couple-friendly resort in Punta CanaCons:– The beach is ok, but far away from being spectacular– Entertainment is more on the quiet side (which is perfect if looking for a relaxed resort)What makes this Punta Cana luxury adults-only resort unique: some of the best suites in Punta Cana combined with an extraordinary culinary varietyTripadvisor rating (as of January 2024): 5/5 (check reviews*)Booking.com rating (as of January 2024): 9/10 (check prices and reviews*)Expedia rating (as of January 2024): 9/10 (check prices and reviews*)Excellence El Carmen and Excellence Punta CanaTo finish this list with the best 5-star resorts in Punta Cana, we’ll have a look at the Excellence Group. They have three resorts in the Dominican Republic: Excellence El Carmen, Excellence Punta Cana and Finest Punta Cana. While the latter one is not an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Excellence El Carmen and Excellence Punta Cana qualify for our list here, as they offer top-notch quality, which is also backed by outstanding customer reviews on Expedia (9.2/10 for both hotels) and Tripadvisor (slightly over 4.5/5 for both).Even though they are not neighbors, both Excellence Resorts in Punta Cana are located in Uvero Alto, just around 1.5 miles apart from each other. While the quality of the beach is pretty similar, the one at Excellence Punta Cana is much more pristine compared to the one at Excellence El Carmen.If you compare the quality of food, both 5-star adults-only all-inclusive resorts are similar and are also on par with other adults-only hotels presented here, such as Live Aqua Punta Cana and Sanctuary Cap Cana. Drinks are also excellent at both hotels. It is noteworthy that they even include coconuts (subject to change) and many different international branded beers, which are both not that common in other all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana.Travel resourcesPunta Cana Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*Santo Domingo Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*All-Inclusive Resorts: Info | Book It*Apartments & Villas: Info | Book It*Excursions: Info | Book It*Rental Car: Info | Book It*Road-Trips & Self-Drive Tours: Info | Plan ItIf you can’t decide whether you should book Excellence Punta Cana or Excellence El Carmen as your preferred adults-only option, you should consider that Excellence Punta Cana has a more tropical feeling and is arranged along the beach, while Excellence El Carmen is more modern and has more buildings a little further away from the beach. While a lot of happenings are centered around Excellence Punta Cana’s main pool, Excellence El Carmen has nearly 2 dozen smaller pools scattered throughout the resort, along with a smaller beachfront pool. Furthermore, Excellence El Carmen’s theater is air-conditioned, while Excellence Punta Cana’s lobby and theater are open-air. Hence it depends on your personal preferences if Excellence El Carmen or Excellence Punta Cana is the better option for you.Pros:– Large selection of drinks and international brands incl. coconuts– Lots of creative restaurants and juice bars– Probably the best price-value ratio among the top 5-star luxury adults-only resorts in Punta CanaCons:– Uvero Alto is not the most attractive of Punta Canas’ destinationsWhat makes this Punta Cana luxury adults-only resort unique: outstanding price-value ratio and hardly any flawsExcellence Punta Cana:Tripadvisor rating (as of January 2024): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)Expedia rating (as of January 2024): 9.2/10 (check prices and reviews*)Excellence El Carmen:Tripadvisor rating (as of January 2024): 4.5/5 (check reviews*)Expedia rating (as of January 2024): 9.2/10 (check prices and reviews*)Further options and recommendable adults-only resortsWe have presented 7 top 5-star adults-only resorts in Punta Cana with all-inclusive now – and it depends on your preferences which one you choose. However, to be honest, I think you can’t go wrong with any of those, as all of these adults-only hotels in Punta Cana offer excellent quality, delicious meals and outstanding service.You only have to pick the right resort according to your preferences. If you’re more active and social I would lean towards Secrets Cap Cana, Secrets Royal Beach or one of the Excellence Resorts, while your romantic honeymoon in Punta Cana with a lot of quality time is best spent at Sanctuary Cap Cana or Live Aqua Punta Cana.If those choices aren’t enough for you or if they’re maybe a bit too expensive (yes, some of these ultra-luxury adults-only resorts are quite pricey), you might also check out our list of the best mid-price adults-only all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana, where you find some options with more affordable luxury. You can also have a look at our other recommendations, such as the best adults-only resorts for couples.In case of any doubt, make sure to also check back at our big overview with all the all-inclusive adults-only resorts in Punta Cana, where you can find a lot more of our experiences and recommendations.SHARING IS CARING! IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS – I WOULD APPRECIATE IT A LOT.CHRISAuthor, Travel Coach & Punta Cana based digital nomad Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean Soul. Since 2011 I have been living in the Caribbean, among them 5 years in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is my home-base here in the country and I’d love to tell you more about how to experience Punta Cana off-the-beaten-track and give you all the advice you want to know for your vacation in Punta Cana.

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