Travel

Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort Is the Ultimate Wellness Retreat

We're trading the trapeze for yoga, sweet daiquiris for freshly squeezed juices and water slides for a skin treatment.

by : Sophie Banford- Mar 9th, 2023

Meliá Punta Cana Beach

Located on the white sandy beach of Bavaro, this recently renovated resort offers a new concept aimed at immersive wellness. Here, we are far from the animators with rallying cries to take us to the aqua gym in a super club atmosphere… at 10 am. It is by bike -the site is large- to the sound of birds, that we move in the green spaces of the Meliá site to go from the sea to the spa. Everything has been designed to create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation: islands of relaxation, reading areas, lounge music or the sound of chimes, meditation areas, private areas.

Everyone at their own pace

You can decide to follow a program or go with the activities of your choice: pilates, Hatha or Vinyasa Yoga – taught by quality teachers -, meditation session with Tibetan bowls, mud wrap on the beach, juice therapy with a nutritionist, step class. There is also an air-conditioned gym for those who prefer treadmills. To fully embrace the experience, one can attend culinary workshops on superfoods, learn how to make a (good) ceviche or participate in wine tasting workshops. The offer is large and flexible, so if you travel with a significant other who is less inclined towards Buddhist rituals and incense, she will also find something to enjoy.

Sophie Banford

Eat healthy… or not

The six restaurants offer a variety of cuisine, often organic, with vegan options. The menus have been redesigned by nutritionists. Those who follow the Mediterranean diet will be delighted, as fish, meat and grilled vegetables are featured. Although some people follow a detoxification program or a juice cure, the more gourmet ones are not left out with the classic buffets, the ice cream counters and the dessert stalls. Not to mention access to the six restaurants of Meliá Caribe Beach, right next door.

Meliá Punta Cana Beach

Private Oasis

The well-decorated and comfortable rooms are large enough to practice yoga in. The immersive experience continues as they include a welcome meditation guided by Deepak Chopra, a strong advocate of alternative medicine and one of Oprah’s collaborators; aromatherapy that’s supposed to improve mood; a sunrise dial that simulates a gentle wake-up call; a shower with a Vitamin C infuser that reduces chlorine to leave skin and hair softer; there’s even coconut water in the fridge.

Meliá Punta Cana Beach

Ultra-relaxation

The YHI Spa is almost worth a visit on its own because of the beauty of the place. Surrounded by water, the space with a steam bath, sauna and whirlpool is littered with plants, birds and small wooden bridges that lead to the treatment rooms. It’s like being in Bali. The quality of the treatments is up to the standard of the place, in any case, the massages I received during my stay helped my tense shoulders.

Meliá Punta Cana Beach

Another level

As with many of the hotels in the Melia group, a VIP experience with little extra luxuries is also available. The LEVEL space comes with a dedicated concierge service, an exclusive pool, private areas like the rooftop Quimera restaurant and its health bar offering natural detox drinks. This option also comes with a spa treatment included every day.

We came back extremely relaxed!