The Seagrape Suites at Palm Island have some of the best views, with plenty of amenities.
About those Seagrape Suites: Each offers king-sized beds and bathrooms with showers for two, plus large soaking bathtubs. Pull-out couches in the sitting areas allow clans to spread out.
Beachfront rooms at Palm Island Resort are the most popular; they have king-sized beds, furnished terraces with views of the Caribbean and Union Island, and small sitting areas. Recommended for romantic travelers, they are situated in 10 single-story buildings set side-by-side along the beach.
Southern Cross Villa, which sleeps up to four adults, has its own 10-by-10-foot infinity pool, a tiled dining terrace, an arbor patio and two master bedrooms, each with a king-sized bed and a flat-screen television. The marble bathroom has a step-in shower complete with a large door that opens to reveal a lovely sea view. Sea Feather Villa is situated on the island’s northern shore. The villa has three bedrooms, a living room and a covered deck right next to the water.
Inter-island transfers are available for your A-listers who stay seven nights or longer. They fly into Barbados, then to Union Island (UNI) on Grenadines Airlines. (Note: Union Island airport also has a helipad.) After the 45-minute flight, they’re met at the airport and whisked away by golf carts to the resort’s private boat, where they are greeted with bottled water and chilled face cloths for their eight-minute boat ride to the resort. Nice Touch: An electric golf cart is available for transporting guests.
Pictured: The villa suites at the Zoetry Agua Punta Cana are great options for large groups.
Although intimate in size, the Tranquility Body & Soul Spa offers an extensive menu of massage and beauty treatments. Treatments should be reserved in advance, but can be booked at the resort when space is available. The couple’s Swedish massage is a popular request and can take place in either the air-conditioned treatment room or on the beach. Hint: We were told Veronica is the most requested therapist.
The restaurant is open to guests only. We were told the weekly Management Cocktail Party and Caribbean buffet are not to be missed. Be sure to make reservations seven days in advance for any dinner reservation or activity.
Nice Touch: For an additional charge, the resort can arrange a hilltop private dinner, a champagne lunch picnic or private dining under a heart-shaped, decorated tree. Off-property excursions are also available, such as boat charters, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and snorkeling with sea turtles in the Tobago Cays.
Golf is limited at the resort. In fact, the only option for VIPs is a rustic nine-hole course on the island. The closest shopping is available on Union Island.
For weddings, venue options include an open-air gazebo, the beachfront restaurant or nearly anywhere outdoors. Palm Island recommends that couples choose their locations once they have arrived so they can see it up close for themselves. A free wedding package (valued at $1,199) is included for couples staying seven nights or more in a beachfront accommodation. For weddings, contact Cecelia Durrant, front desk manager ([email protected]).
Luxury travel advisors should contact Cathleen Londre, Elite Island Vacations’ reservations manager ([email protected]; 800-858-4618, ext. 161), to make special arrangements for their clients.
The recently upgraded Zoetry Agua Punta Cana has an “Endless Privileges” program, which is basically a fancy way of describing over-the-top amenities, such as no check-in or check-out time; suites with terraces (most with direct access to the beach or private pools); a welcome bottle of rum; and one 20-minute spa treatment per stay.
For weddings, advisors should contact Xiomara Faulkner, weddings department manager ([email protected]).
Set on the Dominican Republic’s northeast coast, Zoetry Agua Punta Cana’s 51 suites range from one to three bedrooms in size and each has a private terrace.
The Junior Suite Ocean Front Deluxe here is considered tops, while the best option for families or larger groups is either the Villa Dominicana or the Villa Caney.
Luxury travel advisors should contact Yeimi De Los Santos, chief concierge ([email protected]; 809-468-0000) or Yina Javier, director of sales ([email protected]), to make special arrangements for their VIPs.
Antonia Martinez ([email protected]; 809-468-0000) runs the spa here, which has Finnish and steam saunas and a large indoor pool with a Jacuzzi. Nice Touch: Body treatments use local fruits and flowers. Note: Spa treatments should be reserved roughly three weeks in advance.
The resort also includes a complimentary wedding package for those booking eight rooms at the group rate for a minimum of three nights each. The package includes the service itself, the services of a wedding coordinator, a room upgrade for the couple, the bride’s bouquet and groom’s boutonniere, a cake, and sparkling wine for up to 20 guests. Tip: Arrange for your couple to prepare in the Wedding Spa Suite, which has a manicure, pedicure, facial, make-up and styling station.
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana has three restaurants; be sure to arrange a romantic dinner on the beach for your clients. Luxury travel advisors can contact the resort’s general manager Leonel Gomez ([email protected]) directly for special arrangements.