Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is a great destination for your vacation. With its 32 kilometers of pristine beaches and gorgeous clear waters, this popular destination offers something for everyone.
Known for its all-inclusive resorts, ziplining, windsurfing, kayaking, and sailing, Punta Cana makes for a perfect romantic getaway or family vacation.
In Punta Cana, you will find many all-inclusive resorts to choose from. Two popular choices are the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana and Ocean Blue and Sand.
This article will compare these hotels and tell you everything you need to know in order to know which one to choose.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana
If you are looking for luxurious accommodations in an all-inclusive resort, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is a great choice.
With 1775 rooms and 121 acres of beachfront property, this bustling resort offers five-star amenities and a variety of accommodations.
The property includes 13 luxurious pools with swim-up bars and water slides, a kids’ only splash pool, and a lazy river.
A lounge, a fitness center and rock spa, an 18-hole golf course, a mini-golf course, nine restaurants, and free parking and WiFi are also available.
Parents will appreciate the availability of babysitting, children’s programs, cribs, and kids’ meals.
The casino, with over 400 slot machines and 40 game tables, is the largest in the Dominican Republic.
Suites are spacious and have air conditioning, mini-bars that are restocked daily, hot tubs, walk-in showers, bathrobes and slippers, and private balconies or terraces with lounge chairs and a table; suites, family rooms, and accessible rooms are available.
140 of the guestrooms are ocean view.
The hotel’s location, in Bavaro on the east coast, receives high marks; it is also highly rated for its cleanliness and service.
Ocean Blue and Sand
If you prefer a hotel that is luxurious, but with a little less glitz, and you are on a tighter budget, Ocean Blue & Sand might be perfect for you.
This 708-room hotel is also an all-inclusive resort that features suites, two pools, a casino, a spa and fitness center, a dive center, and activities for all ages.
There is even a bowling alley, a sports bar, a theater, a video arcade, and a piano bar. Free WiFi, eight restaurants, room service, and free parking are available.
Suites are air-conditioned and have private balconies or terraces, desks, whirlpool tubs, well-stocked minibars, and flat-screen TVs. Accessible rooms are available.
For updated rooms, butler service, and access to an exclusive beach and lounge with a self-serve bar, you can choose a Privilege suite, but you will have to pay more.
These comfortable and nicely furnished rooms have large bathrooms, separate living rooms, and big terraces.
The colorful property is charming and gives you the sensation of a small Caribbean town, with the rooms scattered in three-story buildings throughout.
The venues are located in an open area and a lake with tables and chairs surrounds the restaurants.
Mexican, Italian, Japanese, French, and Italian are among the cuisine available. Route 66 is an all-American diner with life-size figures of Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and others.
This hotel is highly rated for its cleanliness and its location, on the beaches of Bavaro, which are known for their tropical foliage, warm and shallow waters, and beautiful white sand.
It is close to the White Sands golf course. Guests appreciate the hotel’s grounds and delicious food, but some find the small size of the beach disappointing.
The Bottom Line
Now that you have some basic information about these two hotels, let’s see how they stack up against each other.
Both hotels are great choices and highly rated, so either way, you can’t go wrong. Also, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy at both resorts.
Both have a variety of restaurants to choose from offering an array of culinary options; both have casinos, pools, spas, and entertainment options, and both are great for adults or for families.
However, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana is a larger resort and has more amenities and features.
An adult-only Eden pool area, the area’s best and largest casino, and the New York style ORO nightclub are some of its special attractions.
Ocean Blue & Sand is smaller and more affordable, which is important if you are on a budget. The beach is small and surf conditions are calm.
Vendor huts next to the property are available if you like to shop for souvenirs. The PADI diving center is a great feature if you want to give SCUBA diving a try.
In the end, your choice will come down to one of personal preference. Punta Cana’s many resorts make it possible to find the one that is perfect for your needs.
Once you choose your hotel, get ready for the vacation of a lifetime.
