Royalton Bavaro, Dominican Republic

The expansive Royalton Bavaro, Dominican Republic is a new-build property recently opened late last year in Punta Cana. A large luxury property, I was surprised how well it balanced adults-only amenities and experiences with kid-friendly perks, perfect for the family vacation that caters to any age.

Upon arrival at the large, open-air lobby, guests receive a warm welcome and assistance with check-in and bags. I upgraded to Diamond Club status ahead of my stay to take advantage of a few extras and was glad I did. My private concierge treated me to a glass of Champagne before my personal butler took me on a brief tour of the resort, leading me to my guestroom, where we discussed dinner reservations for the next few days.

The room itself was spacious, with a king bed, plenty of storage, desk, chair, sofa and coffee table. A private balcony offered ocean views. The vanity area was hidden by a decorative wall and contained side-by-side sinks and lighted mirrors, a huge soaking tub and a walk-in rain shower with seating. More expansive suites are available for families, as are adjoining suites. Many families I spoke with during my stay also chose to book a room with a private plunge pool for additional outside space and a spot for the kids to swim with easy supervision.

The resort features several pools, a lazy river and, of course, the private beach. Several pools catered more to the adult crowd, but the main pool catered to the kiddos pretty well with water activities throughout the day and even a kid-friendly foam party. I was personally surprised to find the lazy river was my favorite of the options, as it wasn’t crowded at any point during my stay; couples, families, adults and packs of kids all had plenty of space to play without bothering one another. Several slides attracted the kids while, on the other side of the river, adults hovered around the grotto swim-up bar.

Royalton All-inclusive Resort © Zhukovsky | Dreamstime.com

On the beach, it was a similar story, where everyone had plenty of space to play or relax at their leisure. Other family-friendly areas around the resort included a miniature golf course, a playground and a teen’s club, with age-appropriate programming and amenities like a basketball court and foosball table.

During the evenings, a balance of children’s and adult entertainment ensured everyone was pleased. In the early evening hours, for example, families with small children could attend a kid-friendly dance party with a light-up floor and fun songs; once the younger children headed to bed, the party switched to a 70s-themed disco with all your favorite hits and the type of dancing that only occurs after several martinis. However, even if a few older kids stuck around, the resort’s entertainment staff kept things PG-13.

The dining options always offered something both kid-friendly and palatable to the adult crowds. Options ranged from an upscale steakhouse to a hibachi bar, a sports bar to an Italian eatery.

For a Caribbean stay that perfectly caters to everyone in your family, the Royalton Bavaro is a safe bet.