From Best-Valued to Luxury: Top-7 La Romana All-Inclusive Resorts & Vacation Packages

The best word to describe your future vacation in La Romana is “breathtaking” (and no, I am not Keanu Reeves, unfortunately). This fabulous place on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic will welcome you with its clear turquoise waters and palm-fringed shores. And in all honesty, what can be better than that? Whether you are planning a family vacation, a luxury getaway with your friends, or a budget-friendly all-inclusive, La Romana has it all.

And that’s because all-inclusive resorts here are renowned for accommodating all types of tourists, but most importantly, they boast perfect beaches and elegant designs that reflect Dominican culture. This place is also a great choice if you are a fan of scuba diving and snorkelling. Among other activities you’ll definitely find here are golf, shopping, sightseeing, and of course, nightlife.

I will take a close look at the top 7 all-inclusive resorts in this beautiful Caribbean destination:

1. Catalonia Royal La Romana – Adults-Only
2. Casa de Campo – Luxury Golf Resort and More
3. Bahia Principe Grand La Romana – Expansive Beach Front
4. Sunscape Dominicus La Romana – Family-Focused, Budget-Friendly
5. HM Alma de Bayahibe – Adults Only, Budget-Friendly
6. Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa – Unlimited-Luxury®
7. Secrets La Romana Resort & Spa – Adults-Only

The three main reasons why you, as a grown-up, should choose this Catalonia’s all-inclusive hotel for your next vacation are:

1. High quality of your holidays, the way you want it.
Not everyone likes kids running around a resort, being loud, crying, or generally ruining the relaxed mood of the place. Especially if the night before you decided to dance a bit longer, drink a bit more than usual, and go to bed at 4 in the morning. Good thing adults-only all-inclusive hotels exist, and you can, for once, go as wild as you want. Or don’t, you decide!

The hotel got the AAA Four Diamond award. The AAA (American Automobile Association) gives a maximum of five diamonds in its rating system, where “approved” corresponds to a budget-friendly stay, three diamonds is great for a family travel, four is perfect for a romantic getaway, and five is your ultimate relaxation. And no, I didn’t make a mistake; there’s no one or two diamond ratings.

Among other things to mention about this hotel:

• it’s just 20 minutes away from the nearest international airport;
• it has swim-up rooms, where you can jump to the pool straight from your room;
• swim-up bar (well, you get how it works);
• only 141 rooms, so the place won’t feel too big or too crowded;
• Caribbean, Peruvian, Mediterranean, and Asian food to choose from, as well as international classics.

2. Meet new people, make new friends.
Sometimes it’s not easy to make new friends following your everyday routine. On this resort, you will meet young people, couples, groups of friends, maybe even someone from your hometown or a city you are currently living in. You never know where it would lead. It will be especially easy to meet new people if you join group activities or classes, which the resort has a few to offer. Who knows, you might even invite them to a pool party on your second-floor suite’s duplex swimming pool. And yes, this hotel has those. Just like Guam vacation packages, all-inclusive deals in La Romana have a lot to offer if you have a good budget.

3. There’s always something to do.
Be sure you’ll never get bored if you choose one of the all-inclusive vacation packages. After you are done sunbathing on a beautiful private beach, you might want to enjoy a relaxing massage or solarium with Balinese beds. If you ask me what the hell Balinese beds are, well, they are those nice outdoor beds by the pools or beaches that you’ve seen many times in your Instagram feed. Basically, the ultimate way of telling your friends your vacation was awesome!

You will be surprised, but just right next door, there’s another hotel, Hotel Catalonia Bayahibe, that belongs to the same group. As a Catalonia Royal La Romana all-inclusive resorts guest, you will be entitled to all the Privileged guest services of this hotel. That includes access to the private beach, restaurants, and discounts on spa. And if you think it’s time to take that dance class you were dreaming about, participate in a workshop, or finally play sports, you never have time to do, you’ve got covered too! You can always start with an aquagym or scuba diving. Lastly, enjoy weekly themed parties and live performances every night. For the golf players, there’s a course just 50 minutes away from the hotel. If you are about to get married, there are wedding and honeymoon all-inclusive packages available upon request, too.

If you want a unique & luxurious all-inclusive experience in La Romana, then Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is the place for you. This stunning 7,000-acre (28 square kilometres) place is the absolute beast among the resorts in the Dominican Republic, and there are many reasons for that. Can you imagine that it’s been around for over 50 years?!

Located just a 10-minute drive away from the La Romana International Airport, for your business trip, honeymoon, or just because, why not, Casa de Campo offers a private jet concierge service, designed to be an easy yet effective way to please your travel requirements. How come? Well, the resort and the airport have the same owners. Global coverage, by the way. So, if you can afford it, you can come here from almost any place on Earth. And, of course, they have a marina, duh! That’s in case you can’t yet afford a private jet, so you travel here by a private boat. One day… but not today 🙂

As you might have figured out, Casa de Campo has something a little special to offer to those playing golf. That little special is among the top-100 golf courses in the world, and the #1 golf course in the Caribbean. And its name is Teeth of the Dog®! It was designed by the famous American golf course designer Pete Dye, and you can tell by the trademark symbol in its name, the place is one of a kind. In total, there are 3 golf courses to enjoy during your stay.

Among other reasons why you should spend your vacation here:

1. Lots of sports to choose from:
   • authentic in the wild 245-acre shooting center;
   • prestigious Polo & Equestrian Club (hello horses);
   • tennis on one of the 13 courts;
   • water sports: fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, paddle surfing;
   • football school (I’m too European to call it soccer, sorry);
2. Health and wellness:
   • 2000 square meters spa, The Spa Casa de Campo®;
   • fitness center with yoga, pilates, high-intensity interval training, and personal trainers;
   • physical therapy;
   • full-service beauty salon;
3. Events of all kinds for every season and holiday. Be it Oktoberfest, Halloween, Christmas, NYE, or a special event, you will be entertained by professionals. Friday nights are generally reserved for night golf, where you can play with multi-colour LED balls.
4. The resort wouldn’t be complete without a movie theatre, a large nightclub (open from 10 pm Thursday-Saturday), specialised shopping at the hotel, and a variety of excursions to choose from. I’d recommend going to Altos de Chavón – the replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village. This place looks fantastic!

Whether you are traveling solo or in a large group, there are a few options for you to stay at the resort. For example, villas offer up to 10 bedrooms. All of those villas feature maid services, and the most expensive ones also include a personal butler. Be ready to pay up to $13’000 per night, though. More affordable options start from $750, but as per usual, the price depends on the season you choose for your vacation. By the way, every villa has a private pool for a little bit of privacy. The all-inclusive options will also vary in prices, but be ready to pay from $600 per night.

While all-inclusive hotels in Guatemala are heavy on the traditional cuisine, Casa de Campo is eager to feed you with delicious dishes from around the world. Fine dining or regular eats, you will find something that you like for sure, be it Italian pizza, Spanish tapas, fresh sushi, or French-inspired cuisine. Be aware that some restaurants have a limited capacity, so it’s advised to book a table with them in advance. But don’t worry, if you want to “just go and eat” without stressing about a reservation, you can always drive your golf cart to a different restaurant. Did I mention that every guest gets a golf cart to get to places due to the enormous size of the resort? Lastly, you know that this is a real deal luxury all-inclusive resort when they have their own food trucks with street food.

By the way, Casa de Campo has special offers for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Everything from one-day to multi-day and custom celebrations.

In all honesty, this place reminded me of my childhood, when my parents would bring me to an all-inclusive resort. You know what I mean: a family-friendly place that won’t ruin your budget. A place where everyone can find something for themselves. The father would enjoy an opportunity to grab a cold one whenever he wants, even for breakfast. The mother will get that nice tan and maybe grab an extra cocktail, be a little active in the pool, and try to push everyone to try something new. Which is a really good thing. And kids, hopefully, put away their screens and enjoy being young and careless, without thinking about how much their parents spend on this vacation to make it nice for everyone.

The main feature of the hotel is its huge beachfront. So, if you are like me, who enjoys open water swimming in the sea, you will appreciate the length you can swim in here. Because there’s only one pool in the hotel, you will probably spend some time “in the wild”. The rest of the resort is pretty much a standard all-inclusive experience with free pool accessories, food and local drinks, entertainment programs for kids and adults, and some water sports. Honorable mention:

• one free diving lesson (book in advance);
• kayak, catamaran, tennis, free for 1 hour per day;
• Mini-club for kids aged 4-12.

And then, of course, if you want to go to SPA, do advanced water sports, laundry, and other adding for an extra payment.

Rooms are pretty standard, even though all of them are called “junior suite”, but you will have to pay a premium for the ocean view. Maximum capacity is 4 people: 3 adults and 1 kid or 2 adults and 2 kids, but it’s possible to get a connecting room in case you have more guests. Prices start from around $200 per person but depend on the season. And that’s not a bad deal.

The resort has 5 restaurants and 4 bars. In your all-inclusive package, you will have 3 a la carte dinners per week included in the price, and that’s enough to try the three restaurants that require prior reservation and formal clothes. These restaurants offer Italian, gourmet, and Mediterranean cuisine, respectively. For everyone else, who, like me, doesn’t want to bother dressing up on a vacation, the other two restaurants will be happy to see you in your flip-flops and t-shirt. I don’t say I wouldn’t go to the nicer places for my three included meals, but I don’t think I would pay to eat there again when I can eat “for free” at the next place.

The good thing about those large hotel groups is that they can offer a bit more than regular hotels, and they try to accommodate as many different preferences as possible. This particular hotel is an absolute gem that, without doubt, will elevate your experience in the Dominican Republic. From an unforgettable dining show to an “a la carte” spa, and a perfectly planned wedding or a group event. Sunscape Dominicus is a family-focused resort, and they prove it by allowing small dogs in the hotel, since we all know dogs are part of the family! Just remember to book the right room for it. Depending on the season and room type, this all-inclusive will cost you around $250 per night. Which is not that bad for what you get, but about that in a moment.

This 5-star resort is a part of the World of Hyatt program, which gives you membership benefits at almost 1300 destinations worldwide. That means free upgrades, free nights, free dining, and other benefits. This particular hotel is located a bare 20-minute drive away from La Romana International Airport or 1 hour from Punta Cana International Airport. But what should you expect during your stay at Sunscape Dominicus?

• Family fun: volleyball, ping pong, tennis, foosball, archery. Golf comes at an additional cost.
• Club for kids aged 3-12. It is open from 9 in the morning to 9:30 at night, and it has indoor and outdoor playrooms, games, and a beach stage with a large screen.
• Teen club (13-17) with daily sport and game activities, which is open from 10 to 10.
• Standard for all-inclusive resorts: non-motorised water sports like kayaking, snorkelling, and paddleboarding are free, the rest are at an extra cost.
• Live performances, spa, fitness, entertainment, tours, and excursions. You name it.
• SMALL DOGS WELCOME! (I had to mention it again, hehe)

There are 854 rooms in the hotel, and they are divided into two categories: regular rooms and The Sun Club rooms. The latter ones are available for the members of the corresponding club, and cost a bit more. If you are planning on spending most of the day outside of your room, it should be totally fine to stay in a simple room. It will be good anyway, and you can “invest” a bit more in that nice SPA. But in case you are here for the honeymoon, villas are available, with a maximum capacity of 4 people each.

And since I mentioned, yes, it is possible to have your custom wedding or honeymoon on the premises of the hotel. There are multiple event packages, and a team of professionals will arrange everything the way you want it. It is also possible to order hair styling and makeup services for the bride.

What about the food? The food is good here! Asian, Italian, Mexican, International, gourmet, and even a food truck with grilled food. I am not even talking about pizza or burgers, which should be on every resort! What I want to mention is the two special places here:

• Floating on the sea restaurant La Cala. Just imagine, light sea breeze, sunset, a glass of good wine, and delicious seafood on your plate. With a panoramic view, it’s a perfect place for a romantic dinner.

• Le Petit Chef. This restaurant is more of an interactive show or experience. The concept involves the “world’s smallest chef”, who will be cooking specially for you right on your table. Well, those will be very funny projections, but you get the point. Expect to spend up to two hours at the table. And if you like it, you can always visit one of over a hundred locations worldwide.

Beware that often special places come at extra cost, which is also the case here. But hey, it’s your vacation, enjoy it!

This charming adults-only 4-star hotel is located close to the fishing village of Bayahibe and the beautiful Bayahibe beach. Well, maybe I should say relatively close, since it’s about a 9-minute drive or a scenic 40-minute hike. But that’s one of the places you should visit if you decide to stay at HM Alma de Bayahibe. Especially if you want to do local shopping and eat local cuisine.

Good news, everyone: the resort won’t break your budget. One all-inclusive day will cost you, on average, $130, but the price will vary from season to season and from day to day. On some days, it can go below $100, too. But here is a little secret for you: after checking all popular booking platforms, go and look at the price on the official site. HM Hotels will do a price-match on the best deal! For that, you need to book your stay with HM Hotels and contact them within 24 hours after your booking, so that they can verify it and give you a discount at the end of your stay. Sounds good, right? Especially if you have ever been in a situation where you booked a place and then saw it cheaper elsewhere the next day. True story!

With 290 rooms in this particular hotel, it can be considered a medium-sized establishment. The same company also owns 10 more hotels in Spain, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, so you can get into their loyalty program, My HM Club, if you decide to stay with them elsewhere. Another cool feature is that they have an interactive map of their rooms, so you can choose the exact location and exact room number that you want. In one room, you can have up to 3 guests, and those three can choose from an economy to a junior suite, with or without a sea view. Classic.

What about the food? For some people, including me, food brings joy, and I love trying something new all the time. I don’t like being overwhelmed with too many choices, but at the same time, I need a few eateries to choose from. The resort has:

• a standard buffet, which might feel repetitive after a while;
• a Japanese/sushi place, Tamashi, at an additional cost;
• an Italian restaurant with pasta-pizza, the good stuff;
• a Dominican restaurant, Alma, where you probably want to try the local food;
• snack bar and food truck for when you are hungry in between main meals;

Don’t forget to book a la carte restaurants in advance; they usually fill up pretty fast.

If you are not planning on lying by the 5 pools, 4 of which are with seawater, the whole day, there are some interesting activities HM Alma de Bayahibe has to offer. Among them:

• sushi making, local cuisine cooking classes, and cocktail making;
• guided Eco tours around the hotel;
• cigar and aloe vera cream making classes;
• dance classes (I should probably take one of those one day);
• live music, which will add to the romantic atmosphere at sunset;
• yoga, aqua gym, aerobics, zumba, functional gymnastics, you name it!

Of course, don’t forget about all the water activities. If you want to go to the local beach, Playa Dominicus, which is just one mile away from the hotel, you can get there with a free transfer from the hotel. It’s a perfect place for diving or snorkelling, especially if you want to see some cool fish. Don’t forget about kayaking or paddle serf, it’s always a fun and easy activity.

Verdict: Overall, it’s an okay place that won’t break your budget. However, if you are a seasoned traveler and have been to many places, it might feel a bit too simple. In that case, you can always enjoy excursions. And when you explore every corner of La Romana, you can move to other parts of the Dominican Republic or get vacation packages to El Salvador. All-inclusive holidays are good there!

Just next door to the number four in my list, Sunscape Dominicus, is another resort that belongs to the World of Hyatt group – Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa. And that means that you can benefit from their extensive loyalty program. But what’s so special about this particular resort? They have an amazing waterpark with slides! No matter how old you are, you should definitely try it and feel like a kid again. Being a cool uncle, I always do all these kinds of activities with my nieces and nephews. It brings me joy and reminds me of the good ol’ days when the trees were tall and food was magically appearing on the table without my input.

If you were wondering what Unlimited-Luxury® was, it’s an all-inclusive package by Hyatt that includes gourmet dining, top-shelf alcohol, 24-hour room service, and, the best of all, no wristband needed. Sounds good, right?! By the way, before booking your next stay, don’t forget to check the official site: often, they offer a 10% discount on stays and services when booking directly. And if you were wondering how much happiness costs, depending on the season and day of the week, be ready to pay $250-$400+ per person. That little discount can be really handy if you are vacationing with your whole family.

The hotel has 418 “oversized” rooms, either with a private balcony or a terrace, with or without a nice view. If you want to upgrade your experience, you can go for the Preferred rooms and suites, which come at an extra cost and include:

• VIP lounge access;
• private pool and beach area;
• separate restaurant for breakfast and lunch;
• better amenities in the rooms and more.

Even the basic options offer a decent room quality. Just remember that most of the time you will be spending outside, and coming back to the hotel only to rest in between your busy days.

What are your options regarding activities and entertainment? This resort has plenty to offer:

• water park with four rides, a lazy river, and a kids’ splash zone;
• water sports, including catamarans, snorkelling, kayaking, and pool games;
• on-land sports: ping pong, volleyball, pickleball, tennis;
• aerobic on the beach or in the pool;
• pool games and board games, a giant chessboard;
• Spanish language and merengue dance lessons;
• fitness center;
• theme parties, live music, shows, and entertainment.

If you come with your family, kids are welcome in the Kids Club, where they can dive into arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games, musical activities, treasure hunting, contests, storytelling, and more. There’s also a Teens Club with a baseball cage, video games (Xbox, Wii, PlayStation), foosball, bonfire, disco mixers, and more! Most importantly, your children will be in a safe environment under constant supervision, while you can enjoy your free time for real. Sounds like a dream, right? That’s because you are at… Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa!

For those willing to pay a little extra, you can go to a spa, a casino, choose one of many motorized sports, or go on an excursion exploring the natural and human-made beauty of this country. Cotubanamá National Park, with its caves, forests, and water springs, is one of them, and it’s pretty close to the resort.

Now my favourite part, food. Remember that Unlimited-Luxury® includes gourmet dining, and you don’t even have to book a table. Less stress, more calories, yes please! Choose between Italian, French, or South American cuisine. You will also have a pretty good buffet restaurant that organises themed nights and tries to keep it international regarding meals and flavours. Two grill eateries, for everyone to enjoy a smoky charcoal-grilled piece of meat or fish, and a pizzeria. On your way back from the beach, you can always grab something on the go at the food truck. Or stop by Tres Hermanas for snacks, desserts, and hot and cold coffee drinks.

Lastly, the resort offers a wide variety of customisable all-inclusive wedding packages, with a venue that can accommodate up to 200 guests. You can choose to have a small group of close friends and family, make it look like a South Asian wedding, or go full bananas with a luxury package that includes a three-course meal, cocktail hour, DJ, free room upgrade, and more. Since the resort is right next to its sister hotel, Secrets, and it offers pretty much the same packages, I will talk about it in more detail in the next place on the list.

Verdict: Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa is a place for everyone. Here you will get a lot for your money and have a good time.

Another place belonging to the World of Hyatt group, but this time an adults-only all-inclusive resort, especially for those who don’t like kids running around. As a professional uncle, I can totally understand why some people like it quiet.

Just like with the previous hotel, you can save a bit with offers and deals when booking directly with the resort. So, don’t focus on the big resellers only; sometimes, good prices are right there at the official site. Moreover, now and then it’s possible to win a free stay at the resort.

One thing you need to know about Secrets is that it’s pretty much the same as the next-door Dreams, but the key difference is that it’s an adults-only place. It has 365 rooms and suites and offers Preferred rooms upgrade for those who want a bit more space and amenities. You can literally go to Dreams and enjoy their restaurants in addition to what you have available here. It is also in the same price range, around $250-$400, depending on the season. And here you have a few places to choose from:

• Pan Asian a la carte restaurant that also serves fresh sushi;
• International buffet with themed days;
• Seafood gourmet grill, which is open for dinner only;
• Indo-Mediterranean restaurant;
• Latin American restaurant and more.

I really like the concept where you don’t need to book a restaurant in advance, and Secrets does it too. Take off so much unnecessary stress when you are on a vacation.

Let’s talk about weddings! Both Secrets and Dreams offer the same venue that can host up to 200 guests for reception, ceremony, and cocktails. and packages. You can fully customise your experience, but as a starting point, you have the following packages:

• Big Day Preview. For just $500, you will be able to closely inspect and preview your wedding day, and if you confirm with the resort, you will get that money as a credit toward your booking.
• Just For The Two of You. If you don’t want to have any guests, but still want your bouquet, cake, and “all the small things” ©, you can choose a package just for two.
• Intimate Elegance. In this package, you can invite up to 10 guests, and the rest will be arranged for a small a cozy experience of yours. A couple’s massage, including.
• Lavish & Opulent. Up to 20 guests with a private wedding reception, three-course meal, and cocktail hour. A couple’s massage and a sweat treat will add to your experience.
• Summer Love. Up to 28 guests and only available through the summer season.
• Luxury. Basically, just like Lavish & Opulent, but with a free room upgrade, a DJ, and a bit longer hours. Can accommodate up to 38 guests.
• South Asian Wedding. If you want to have an Indian wedding, without going to India, this is the best option for you!
• Honeymoons & Weddings Anniversary.

Verdict: Just like the Dream, this is a pretty decent resort that has a lot to offer.

La Romana has a lot of nice all-inclusive resorts for different budgets, for diverse travellers, and for divergent purposes. Whether you are planning to stay by the pool sipping on a nice cocktail or you want to explore the Dominican Republic, you will be able to find a place to stay and enjoy your stay. And remember to enjoy it to the fullest, the way you want it!