Finest Punta Cana – a comprehensive review of this luxury all-inclusive resort | Punta Cana Travel Blog

 Finest Punta Cana is by far not a cheap all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, but their prices are reasonable and in line with other similar upscale hotels in Punta Cana. With rates starting from around 360 USD per room per night in the low season (May – before Christmas) and 500-650 USD per room per night in the high season (January to April), prices are still lower than at some of the ultimate high-end resorts in Punta Cana, such as Zoetry Agua Punta Cana, Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana or Iberostar Grand.

 Kids up to 12 usually pay 50% and all older teens or additional adults get a 15% discount on the double rate.

 When checking about the best option to book your stay at Punta Cana’s Finest, you might also consider booking the flight and hotel together as part of a holiday package – obviously only, if you haven’t booked your flights to the Dominican Republic yet. Sometimes these combinations are cheaper, but sometimes not – therefore it is worth comparing the prices.

 If you’re looking for the best Finest Punta Cana deals, it can also help to know when is the best time to go to Punta Cana. While the peak season usually lasts from Christmas to the Easter holidays, the rest of the year can be considered shoulder and low season. Especially from April to June and from mid-November to just before Christmas you can find some great deals while enjoying very good and usually stable weather in Punta Cana.

 To help you find the best deals and promotions for Finest Punta Cana, here is an overview of the current prices per month for this unique family all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana:

 As you can see, especially the prices for Finest Punta Cana by the Excellence Collection from August to October are amazing, particularly considering the superb quality you can expect here.

Restaurants and bars at Finest Punta Cana

 During our stay at The Finest Punta Cana by the Excellence Collection, we noticed three particular areas which were extremely outstanding compared to other all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana: the attention to detail, the family amenities and the culinary options.

My personal travel hack: don’t forget your health insurance*! It only costs a few bucks, but it can save you a fortune as doctors and hospitals in Punta Cana usually charge hundreds or thousands, even for simple treatments. Compare prices here* (Trustpilot review score 4.8/5.0)

Considering Finest Punta Cana is a pretty small Punta Cana resort with less than 500 rooms, they offer an amazing array of 15 bars and 11 restaurants (+ beach snack, Grab and Go stations, coffee shop and more). That’s an extremely large selection, even though not all restaurants are open every day.

In total, Finest Resort Punta Cana offers the following restaurant options:

• International buffet “The Market Kitchen”
• Snack buffet “Las Dunas Beach House” (with a wonderful location – see the next photo of Finest Punta Cana)
• Mexican à-la-carte restaurant “Lizo” (incl. show cooking)
• Pan-Asian à-la-carte restaurant “Melting Pot” (incl. Teppanyaki show cooking + interactive Yakiniku tables)
• À-la-carte restaurant steakhouse “Brass”
• À-la-carte restaurant “Duke’s Lobster & Seafood” (incl. different lobster dishes)
• Italian à-la-carte restaurant “Insieme Trattoria”
• French à-la-carte restaurant “Le Petit Plaisir” (adults only)
• Japanese à-la-carte restaurant “Shoji” (adults-only; incl. Teppanyaki show cooking + sushi menu)
• International à-la-carte restaurant “Gusto” (for Finest Club and Excellence Club only)
• International à-la-carte restaurant “Dommo” (adults-only, for Finest Club and Excellence Club only)

 Besides those main restaurants, you have the following additional food options during different hours of the day:

• Food Truck “La Cocinita”
• Food Truck “La Playita”
• Sports bar “Legends” (with a super extensive snack menu, which is a hidden à-la-carte restaurant 😉
• Grab&Go stations in different areas of Finest Resort
• Coffee shop “The Sweet Corner” (incl. snacks)
• Self-service soft ice cream machine right at the pool bar (kids will love it!)

 During breakfast, you only have the option between the main buffet and an à-la-carte breakfast in one of the Club restaurants, if you have booked a Finest Club room or an Excellence Club room. This was probably the weakest part of Finest Punta Cana, but this is complaining on a very high level, even though the Excellence Club breakfast was indeed very subpar.

For lunch, you can choose between the beach snack (with marvelous views – see the next photo from Las Dunas Beach House), the international buffet and the fantastic à-la-carte lunch at Brass.

 Finally, for dinner, you have the full choice among the à-la-carte restaurants. Usually, 4 to 5 of those are open each night on a rotating schedule. Plus, you can order the very recommendable room service throughout the day and night, as you can read below in this Finest Punta Cana review.

 All à-la-carte restaurants at Finest Resort Punta Cana can be visited without reservations as often as you want, except for the show and live cookings, where you need a previous reservation, which can be made during the day in the accordant restaurant.

 In case the restaurant is full when you visit, you register via the Excellence App and get an email once your table is ready. In the meantime, you can enjoy a drink at the bar.

The Excellence App is also worth checking before you decide where to eat, as it shows the menus for every restaurant at the resort. The information is refreshed every Sunday, so if you’re staying more than a week, it’s worth taking a look again partway through your trip in case anything has changed.

 It’s not only the quantity which is outstanding, but it is also the quality. Without a few exceptions – namely the Excellence Club restaurant Dommo (super slow and inadequate service for breakfast + a limited breakfast menu) and the beach buffet Las Dunas for lunch (amazing location with great beach views, but very limited choice and average quality) – the food was extraordinary.

À-la-carte lunch at Brass was a 3-course delicacy with a selection of fine meats, tender fish and vegetarian dishes, including some of the best bread we have ever had at an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. It was definitely freshly baked right in the hotel.

The Mexican cooking show was interesting and focused more on food than on entertainment – which was a welcoming change compared to all those loud Teppanyaki shows in other Punta Cana hotels. And, another important detail: the show cooking, both in the Mexican and the Asian restaurant, was located in separate closed sections, so the other guests à-la-carte dining wasn’t disturbed by the sounds or the (often very intense) smells.

The Asian dinner was amazing as well, with super delicious Asian fusion cuisine and some solid and tasty sushi (+ a nice honeymoon surprise for us from the kitchen).

 The buffet at Finest Punta Cana offered a bit of everything, with well-selected food, plenty of space, and an adequate presentation. However, it still couldn’t fully compete with the amazing à-la-carte experience we had at Finest Punta Cana.

 Besides our own experiences at Finest Punta Cana described above, one has to say that the menus at this resort are amazing as well. There is so much choice, it definitely can compete with any public restaurant. Not even that, each and every (!) restaurant (even the sports and snack bars) has their own kids menu and their either vegetarian and/or WFPB (whole-food plant-based) menu. So far, Finest Punta Cana is the best Punta Cana resort for vegans and vegetarians we have seen throughout our stays. You could easily dine here for around two weeks without getting bored with the food and the variety.

 Furthermore, they had all your dietary restrictions present during the restaurant visits. As you check-in for dinner with your room number, any allergies or preferences are automatically popping up – and the staff is immediately informed. What a great way to use digital technology!

By the way, besides the sumptuous family menus, each (!) à-la-carte restaurant (on the family side) and the buffet restaurant are offering kids’ care right beside the restaurant. This being said, the adults can eat relaxed at the restaurant while the kids enjoy some additional playtime right next to it – what a perfect combination and an interesting detail for families.

 And if this wouldn’t have been enough, the room service menu at Finest Resort Punta Cana was also one of the best we have seen so far. Among the possible options are fresh fruits, tofu, green juices, different kind of breakfasts (British, traditional, healthy, Dominican), smoothies, seafood soup, grilled salmon, chicken wings, hummus, classic and vegetarian sandwiches and burgers, Mexican burritos or fajitas, different pizzas, pasta, Asian dishes, pork ribs and different desserts – simply amazing.

 Room service is available 24 hours a day. There is a regular room service menu and a Finest Club/Excellence Club room service. Interestingly enough, the Finest Club/Excellence Club room service menu is much more limited, so make sure to order from the regular one even you are in an Excellence Club room or a Finest Club room. You can choose between both.

As you can see, we were more than pleased with the culinary experience at Finest Punta Cana by the Excellence Collection. But it wasn’t only the food which was extraordinary, we were also very happy with the drinks. 15 bars sounds like a high quantity – but they also offered high quality.

 Besides the typical array of pool bars, sports bar, swim-up bar, club bar, lobby bar and beach bar, there aren’t many surprises among these 15 bars. It simply says that there is never a bar far away. Just note that 3 of those bars are excusive for Finest Punta Cana Excellence Club guests and 3 more only for the Finest Club guests. One which was particularly interesting was the juice bar, as you indeed got freshly squeezed or mixed juices there.

 What probably amazed us most when it comes to drinks at Finest Punta Cana was the fact that coconuts were included in the all-inclusive program. While in most Punta Cana resorts coconuts are sold for 5 USD or sometimes even 10 USD, we could enjoy as much as we wanted from the natural and delicious tropical water.

 Furthermore, the selection of beers was amazing. Besides the Dominican beers, they had Sol, Dos Equis, Bitburger 0.0, Coors, Miller, Heineken and Budweiser – one of the biggest selections I have seen so far in Punta Canas’ all-inclusive resorts.

 Regarding drinks, every bar had a full stock of premium liquor brands and there wasn’t anything you could have asked more for: Baileys, Campari, Martini, Malibu, Bacardi, Barcelo Imperial, Absolut Vodka, Bombay Sapphire, Johnny Walker and many more. They also made some good drinks (except the mojitos), definitely according to the luxury standard of this all-inclusive resort. And, importantly, their house wine was super delicious, so far the best one we had in all the different hotels in Punta Cana.

Entertainment and service at Finest Punta Cana

Entertainment, service and activities at Finest Punta Cana – there are also some special things here that are worth mentioning.

Obviously, you have all the typical activities such as pool games, beach sports and nightly performances (either in the theatre or live open-air, usually both) which are pretty common in all the all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana.

However, there have been some pretty cool activities as well where you could learn something new. Take for example their Aloe Vera workshop or a mud therapy, which is done in very small groups at the beach – something different than the typical entertainment.

Furthermore, there are a lot of options for sports. Besides the typical kayaks and Hobie Cats for the ocean, Finest Punta Cana by the Excellence Collection also counts with a brand-new paddle court, a tennis court and a basketball area. Additionally, there are opportunities for table tennis, table soccer and pool billiard at various places throughout the resort.

For families traveling to Finest Punta Cana, there are additional areas the kids will love. First of all, there is the water park already shown above. It is part of the kids and the mini club, which are offering an extraordinary playground, indoor and outdoor. The water park at this Punta Cana resort is also divided into a section for kids and one for toddlers (open both from 10 am to 5 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm, subject to change). It’s a pretty cool world where the children will have lots of fun. It is one of the better kids clubs among the all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana.

The Kids Club is also divided into age groups to offer more suitable activities for each stage.

Ages 0 to 2: parent supervision required.

Ages 3 to 6: supervised activities.

Ages 7 to 11: separate program.

Every day of the week also follows its own theme, so kids get a different lineup of activities rather than the same routine on repeat. Exact themes may rotate over time, but expect a different focus each day.

Furthermore, there is also a playground in the middle of the resort. Right next to it, you can find a unique water bubble, which I have never seen before anywhere in the Dominican Republic. It is a super cool thing to play and splash around, even the adults had a lot of fun here.

During our latest stay, we also discovered a small children’s spa offering mini manicures and pedicures, a fun extra that’s rarely found at Caribbean all-inclusive resorts.

 Furthermore, everyone was very attentive, always smiling and helping to make our stay at Finest Resort Punta Cana unforgettable. Additionally, room service was very quick, which should not be taken for granted in Punta Canas resorts.

Excellence Club and Finest Club (VIP Level) at Finest Punta Cana

 The Finest Punta Cana has two clubs that grant Preferred Club status to its clients: Finest Club and Excellence Club.

In the beginning, this double VIP tier system seems a bit complicated but in the end, it is pretty simple: both VIP clubs have access to each others amenities as long as you are only adults. If you are traveling with kids and book Finest Club, you don’t have access to Excellence Club as this is adults-only. However, services and amenities and both clubs are pretty similar.

 In other words:
– if you are traveling as a family, you can only book Finest Club and have access to Finest Club only (+ all the general areas of the hotel), not to Excellence Club (even though the adults could use any Excellence Club areas without their kids)
– if you are only adults traveling to Punta Cana, you can choose between Finest Club and Excellence Club and you can use the areas and amenities of both clubs (+ all the general areas of Finest Hotel), even though you probably spend more time at the Excellence Club areas, as this is an adults-only section

 When booking your room, make sure to check the room offers and prices carefully. For our booking, for example, Excellence Club was cheaper than any other room category, so obviously we chose Excellence Club.

 But what amenities you can expect when booking an Excellence Club room at Finest Punta Cana?

 Let’s have a look at the details for these kinds of Finest Punta Cana rooms. The following services are included when booking Excellence Club:

• Private check-in & check-out in the Excellence Club Lounge
• Late check-out & early check-in (subject to availability)
• Private lounge (7 am to 11 pm) with concierge desk, snacks and bar
• Access to Excellence Club restaurant (Dommo)
• Excellence Club pool area with large pool, sun deck, pool bar, swim-up bar and entertainment
• Excellence Club beach area with private beach section, large beach beds, concierge service, bar service, towel service and repellent/sunblock service
• Bvlgari toiletries and upgraded minibar in the room
• Nespresso machine and daily fruit & petit fours in-suite
• Fresh flowers and sparkling wine in suite upon arrival
• Complimentary beach bag for use during the stay
• One Aqua hydrotherapy treatment per person per stay
• Access to all areas of Finest Club

 The most important feature of the Excellence Club at Finest Punta Cana is the separate pool area with activities and a swim-up bar. According to our impression, most of the happening was there, even though there are activities and a swim-up pool at the main pool as well. Furthermore, you have the very comfortable and exclusive Excellence Club Lounge with bar and concierge service, even though, you mainly have the same drinks as at the regular bars. While in other all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana there is a certain difference between the brands you get in the regular area and the Preferred Club area, this is not the case at Finest Punta Cana (with a few exceptions) as the quality of premium alcohol is already very high in the entire resort.

 The beach area of the Excellence Club is also worth the upgrade if you enjoy upgraded services.

 The 2 additional restaurants you get with your Excellence Club booking are nice-to-have, especially for longer stays. However, they are not 100% necessary, thanks to the outstanding quality and culinary diversity Finest Punta Cana is offering in general.

 In total, we enjoyed the perks of the Excellence Club. Especially when the surcharge is not that high, it is worth the money and very recommended. You can check the price difference here, everything less than 30 USD per night per person can be considered a very reasonable price for an upgrade.

 As mentioned above, with an Excellence Club room booking, you can use all the perks of Finest Club as well.

 Finest Club amenities at Finest Resort Punta Cana include:

• Private check-in & check-out in the Finest Club Lounge
• Late check-out & early check-in (subject to availability)
• Private lounge (7 am to 11 pm) with concierge desk, snacks and bar
• Access to Finest Club restaurant (Gusto)
• Finest Club pool area with a smaller pool, sun deck, pool bar and swim-up bar
• Finest Club beach area with private beach section, large beach beds, concierge service, bar service, towel service and repellent/sunblock service
• Bvlgari toiletries and upgraded minibar in the room
• Nespresso machine and daily fruit & petit fours in-suite
• Fresh flowers and sparkling wine in suite upon arrival
• Complimentary beach bag for use during your stay
• One Aqua hydrotherapy treatment per person per stay
• Access to all areas of Excellence Club for adults

Interchanging facilities between Finest Punta Cana and Excellence El Carmen

 Finest Punta Cana by the Excellence Collection is located right adjacent to Excellence El Carmen. Both hotels share the main entrance and belong to the same hotel group.

 Therefore, one could think that both hotels share some amenities, especially as Finest Punta Cana has an Excellence Club area.

 However, this is not the case. Both hotels are completely independent all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and don’t share amenities. The only exception is the water sports center, which is located right in the middle of both resorts and therefore provides service to guests of Finest Punta Cana and Excellence El Carmen.

 Therefore, you don’t have access to Excellence El Carmen as a guest of Punta Cana’s Finest. Obviously, you can walk along the beach of Excellence El Carmen as all beaches in the Dominican Republic are public.

Excursions from Finest Punta Cana

 Even though it might be hard because the hotel offers so many amazing services, you should leave your resort to explore more of the beauties and wonders the Dominican Republic has to offer.

Particularly as Finest Punta Cana is located pretty far north along the coast of Punta Cana, it offers a perfect starting point for excursions from Punta Cana to the north, such as Montaña Redonda, Whalewatching or trips to the Samaná peninsula.

Montaña Redonda is a stunning mountain just 45 minutes away from Finest Punta Cana by the Excellence Collection and allows full family fun and unique photo opportunities you won’t find anywhere else in the Dominican Republic.

 Whale watching from Punta Cana is a must-do excursion if you are visiting the Dominican Republic from January to March. A Samaná excursion from Finest Punta Cana often combines the picturesque waterfall Salto El Limón and the famous island of Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island.

 Of course, you can also check out some of the most popular excursions right in Punta Cana, such as ziplining, buggy adventures or catamaran tours. And if you want to see the most beautiful island of the Dominican Republic, you shouldn’t miss a trip to Isla Saona, even it is pretty far from Uvero Alto and Finest Resort Punta Cana.

  Do you need more ideas of what to do during your vacation in the Dominican Republic? Then check out this list of the best things to do in Punta Cana.

 Of course, there are so many Finest Punta Cana excursions to choose from. Just think of these wild dune buggy adventures you can have in Punta Cana, an amazing catamaran excursion along the shores of the Dominican Republic (which is perfect if you just want to leave your resort for a half-day) or some of the most amazing and thrilling ziplines Punta Cana has to offer.

 To help you with your choice, I have compiled a list of the best activities and excursions starting from Finest Punta Cana. Have a look at the following table.

 If you ask me, among those 10 choices, the small group Saona trip (if you can spare a full day) or the luxury snorkeling tour (if you prefer a half-day trip) are my favorite Finest Punta Cana excursions.

Finest Punta Cana vs. other Excellence Resorts

Finest Punta Cana vs. Excellence Punta Cana

 The main difference when comparing Finest vs. Excellence Punta Cana is that Finest is open for everyone while Excellence Punta Cana is an adults-only resort in Punta Cana. However, please note that Finest also has adults-only areas as explained further above in this review.

 Of course, there are some more differences between Finest Punta Cana and Excellence Punta Cana. One of them is the beach, which is much wider and longer at Excellence Punta Cana, but also a bit wilder. In fact, Excellence Punta Cana doesn’t have any neighboring resort hence the resort is located along a pristine and untouched beach – a beautiful setting. In terms of the design of Finest and Excellence Punta Cana, the latter one features a more tropical vibe while Finest Resort Punta Cana was built with a more modern appearance. 

 However, what’s very similar among Excellence and Finest Punta Cana is the quality of food and the dedication to service. Furthermore, both resorts are pretty compact and feature a beachfront location. Food lovers will love both resorts in our comparison Finest Punta Cana vs. Excellence Punta Cana as they offer many more full-service restaurants than the average all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana – 11 for Finest, 8 for Excellence. Elegant beachfront snacks and lunches are also possible in both resorts.

Finest Punta Cana vs. Excellence El Carmen

 Finest Punta Cana and Excellence El Carmen are neighboring resorts but still, there are a fair amount of differences. Similar to Excellence Punta Cana, Excellence El Carmen is an adults-only resort in the Dominican Republic which sets it apart from Finest Punta Cana, which is suitable for families looking for a resort in Punta Cana.

 However, that’s about it regarding the major differences as the quality of food, the dedication to service and also the very modern design and contemporary rooms are pretty similar when looking at Excellence El Carmen vs. Finest Punta Cana. Both upscale resorts also feature around 11 restaurants, which is a massive selection for your all-inclusive vacation in Punta Cana.

 Please note that even though Excellence El Carmen and Finest Punta Cana are located next to each other, you don’t have access to the other resort when staying in either one of them. Each one is a stand-alone resort with no interchanging facilities.

Finest Punta Cana vs. Finest Playa Mujeres

 Obviously, there are some more differences between Finest Punta Cana and Finest Playa Mujeres, particularly regarding the location. While Finest Punta Cana is located in the Dominican Republic, Finest Playa Mujeres is in Mexico. This means different flights, different food, different people – but the resorts themselves are surprisingly similar. Both resorts in this comparison, Finest Punta Cana vs. Finest Playa Mujeres, feature plenty of pools, excellent restaurants and very spacious and contemporary rooms. Both are located at the beach, even though the beach at Finest Playa Mujeres is a bit more ample and beautiful compared to the one at Finest Punta Cana.

 However, the main difference between Finest Playa Mujeres and Finest Punta Cana might be the price. On many dates, Finest Playa Mujeres is around 15-25% more expensive, which means you can score much better deals at Finest Punta Cana.

Summary

 Finest Punta Cana is an amazing all-inclusive resort, both, for families, adults and honeymooners in Punta Cana. In our opinion, it creates the perfect symbiosis between a family resort and an adequate adults-only experience. There are various family amenities such as the huge kids club world, the kids care services next to the restaurants or the kids’ menu in every restaurant which makes it a very recommendable family resort in Punta Cana, especially for those looking for a luxury experience.

However, due to it being one of the more upscale Punta Cana resorts, Finest Hotel Punta Cana will never be a place with tons of screaming and yelling kids. In combination with the adults-only Excellence Club, all those on honeymoon or seeking peace and relaxation will have enough opportunities to do so, as an entire part of the beach, a large pool with swim-up bar and pool bar and a couple of restaurants are exclusively for adults.

With this combination, The Finest Punta Cana by the Excellence Collection manages to offer the best of both worlds. We were really happy that we stayed here (on our honeymoon 😉 ) and enjoyed our stay to the fullest, particularly due to the enormous culinary diversity, the free coconuts, the additional service amenities described in this Finest Punta Cana review, the outstanding room service and the beautiful grounds, to name just a few reasons.

If you are looking for a similar experience, Finest Resort Punta Cana definitely is a top choice when planning your holiday in Punta Cana for 2026.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Finest Punta Cana from the airport?

When arriving at Punta Cana International Airport, expect a 40-minute drive to Finest Punta Cana. The distance from the airport is around 26 miles. For airport transfer options and suggestions, check the extensive Finest Resort Punta Cana review above.

When did Finest Punta Cana open?

Finest Punta Cana opened in October 2021 and has since then become one of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana. It was built between Excellence El Carmen and the Secret Tides in Punta Cana.

Finest Club is a perfect addition with its services and amenities if you’re looking for a little extra. Particularly the fact that it is open for kids and not adults-only makes it a great choice for families who are looking for some extra perks and special treatment.

How many guests can stay in a Junior Suite?

Most Junior Suites sleep up to four guests thanks to the sofa bed, making them suitable for families with children.

Are baby cribs available?

Yes. Complimentary baby cribs can be requested before arrival, and the resort also offers baby amenities for families traveling with infants.

Does the resort have a kids spa?

Yes. One unique feature is the children’s spa, where kids can enjoy mini manicures and pedicures, a rare find at Caribbean all-inclusive resorts.

How much does it cost to stay at Finest Punta Cana?

Rates vary significantly by season, room category and how far in advance you book. Expect the highest prices around March and the best value in late summer and early fall. For an accurate, up to date quote on your specific dates, use the price comparison tool linked above rather than relying on a fixed price list, since rates shift daily.

SHARING IS CARING! IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS – I WOULD APPRECIATE IT A LOT.

Ewa

Travel Blogger & Punta Cana Expert

Hey, I am Ewa. Originally from Poland, I lived in the Netherlands for 15 years before deciding to start a new chapter of my life in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Now I explore Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic full-time with my family, sharing honest resort reviews, excursion recommendations, travel tips, and local insights. Having visited numerous resorts and attractions across the region, I focus on providing practical, first-hand information travelers can actually use. Living here allows me to experience destinations from a local perspective and provide information that goes far beyond what you can find in a typical brochure.
My goal is simple: to help you plan an unforgettable Punta Cana vacation with trustworthy, up-to-date, and experience-based advice.
Do you need more information? Read more at my About Me Page or Contact Me here.