One of the most consistently popular all-inclusives in Punta Cana, with palapa-shaded beach chairs under the palm trees on the pristine white sand beach, the Paradisus is part of the Mélia chain. The Spanish influence peeks through some of the decor—the airy loggias around a pond off reception, the decorative archways in the rooms, and the odd little wooden window screens between the bedroom and bathroom sections of the suites. 
 
Overall, though, the nice-but-cookie-cutter chain nature does show in the cluttered—if fancy—furnishings and the dizzying rules regarding levels of service and access, all denoted by color-coded arm bands. In addition to differing types of rooms and views, some guests are Mélia Club members, and there are two exclusive levels of service (for an exclusive extra fee, of course). The first is the adults-only Royal Service, which gets a reserved pool and section of the beach, butler service, restaurant, lounge, and preferential treatment when it comes to reservations at the a la carte restaurants.
 
Behind the main resort is an even more exclusive hotel-within-the-hotel, the 190-room The Reserve. It features some private pools and restaurants not open to other guests and has some other perks, however it seems odd to charge a premium for a set of rooms that set so far back from the beach that most guests opt to take the shuttle rather than the walk.
 
The Paradisus is an all-inclusive, with activities ranging from yoga to salsa lessons to non-motorized watersports, and a stay here also covers the green’s fees at the nearby Cocotal Golf & Country Club.
 
It is a very family-friendly resort—kids stay free, there’s a family concierge, kids’ program and adventure park (climbing wall, carnival-like super jumper), teens games room with the latest video game consoles.