The Punta Cana Hotel ****

The Punta Cana Hotel stretches along a 5km strand of Caribbean beach with an ecological reserve, 18-hole oceanfront golf course and horse-riding ranch. The resort is located in the Dominican Republic village of Higuey.

This tropical property is commended for developing a 105-acre ecological reserve with a biodiversity/sustainability research centre located across the road. The resort's outdoor pools are available 24 hours a day, where the main pool features an adjacent children's pool, a "quiet" pool includes a waterfall and children's section, and a third pool provides sea views. Non-motorized water-sports gear is complimentary, and reef, wreck, freshwater-cave and underground-river dives are offered for a fee. Complimentary eco-tours navigate the ecological reserve.

La Cana golf course features panoramic vistas with four holes located on island greens on the Caribbean Sea. The resort features 6 restaurants that cater to most every palate. Complimentary supervised children's activities are provided for ages 4-12, and complimentary family activities include dance, Spanish lessons, games and sports. An Internet centre contains computers with high-speed connections, and complimentary wireless Internet access is available in the lobby, pool area, and even on the beach.