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All-inclusive resorts are a good option if you want a restful vacation with little to no planning once you get there. The choices are countless, and they each have a unique experience to offer you. In this article I will share our experience at Dreams Onyx, a Dominican Republic all-inclusive family resort.
Why an all-inclusive resort?
Our family enjoys a wide variety of vacation styles. All-inclusive resorts are a good option for us in a few instances. They are great for people who want zero stress once they arrive at their destination. Other than deciding which restaurant to eat at, you have little to be concerned with.
They are also a great option if traveling with a larger group or one with varied interests. Our party included four children between 9 and 16 and 7 adults. Some people in the group wanted more relaxation, while others preferred distractions. All-inclusive resorts can please most personality types.
Some of our selection criteria included:
- Plenty of activities for the kids
- Several restaurant options
- Good beach
- Well rated
We decided on Dreams Onyx in Punta Cana.
Why we picked Dreams Onyx?
Things to do
This Dominican Republic all-inclusive family resort offers many activity options for kids of all ages. It has one main large pool with a lazy river in the middle of the resort. It also has a zero-entry pool right in front of the ocean for people with toddlers. The beach is beautiful with plenty of chairs and umbrellas. The resort also has a few other pools if you book preferred club rooms.
Our kids’ favorite spot was the water park. It has a lazy river (not so lazy with buckets of water falling on your head throughout), three tall water slides, and a large pool area with a swim-up bar.
The children also visited the kids club, which is divided into two sections. The teenage side has video games, a rock climbing wall, and a basketball court. The children’s side offers a small water park, crafts, and different games.
The resort also has a spa, a gym, and tennis and volleyball courts. Like most all-inclusive, you can also enjoy entertainment each night.
Food and drinks
You have seven dinner restaurant options to choose from, which is great for an all-inclusive. One of them is the traditional buffet restaurant where you can also eat for lunch and breakfast. Our favorite was the Italian restaurant and the steakhouse.
We ate breakfast most mornings at the preferred club buffet restaurant. It is the same buffet as the non-preferred club. However, you are seated in an air-conditioned section and have a-la-carte options. A cafe near the lobby also offers pastries and coffee drinks all day.
We alternated between the preferred club buffet restaurant and the barefoot grill for lunch. As the name suggests, the grill is right off of the beach and offers burgers, hotdogs, and other similar options.
It is important to note that restaurants don’t allow reservations. If you book preferred club rooms, you will get access to a concierge who can help get you in at dinner time. For this reason alone, the preferred club upgrade was worth it to us.
Lastly, the resort also has an ice cream parlor and a burger restaurant. We did not try the burger place, but the kids enjoyed getting an ice cream most days.
Other things to do or know
We chose to do one off-resort excursion to go snorkeling during our 7-day trip. We booked after arriving in Punta Cana, using one of the vendors in the lobby. We were happy with the quality of the boat, the snorkeling equipment, and the staff’s friendliness.
The resort felt very safe. We allowed our teenagers to be on their own during the day and even return to their rooms at night without us.
Finally, know that all adults in your group have access to the adults-only resort next door. Breathless has several bars, a nightclub, restaurants, and pools that are all available to you, even if your room is at Dreams Onyx.
Is the preferred club worth it?
In our opinion, yes.
Starting when you first arrive, you will receive personalized check-in and, as I mentioned earlier, concierge service for your entire stay. The concierge can help you get into restaurants more easily and assist with anything you need. For example, one of the rooms had air conditioning problems, and our concierge sent someone over almost immediately.
As a preferred club member, you can access separate bars and lounge areas. Each offers light breakfast options and hot appetizers in the late afternoon. These bars have a premium alcohol selection as well.
The rooms are in better locations and have an upgraded mini fridge. Lastly, you have access to two private pools, one for families and one for adults only.
In conclusion
We enjoyed our stay at Dreams Onyx in Punta Cana. I absolutely would recommend this resort to others and would not hesitate to stay there again if we return to Punta Cana. I hope this review will help you select your Dominican Republic all-inclusive family resort.
Bon voyage!
Cat xx