All-Inclusive Hotels. All-inclusive hotels provide an atmosphere such that visitors never need to leave the resort. Generally, their price includes the room, meals, drinks, and non-motorized water sports. Boca Chica has 3 all-inclusive hotels, located at each end of the beach and one in the middle. The 3 big hotels in Boca Chica are the Hamaca, the Don Juan, and Dominican Bay (formerly Boca Chica Resort). A fourth hotel, Playa Esmeralda is just down the road in an area known as Guayacanes.
Most of the larger properties across the Dominican Republic display their "star rating". Note that star ratings in the Dominican Republic are best used for comparisons between properties across the Dominican Republic rather than for comparing to similarly star rated properties in the USA, Canada, or Europe, but don't be completely fooled by bargain prices, as many of these properties offer an astounding value. All-inclusive hotels offer unlimited food and drink, thus they are restricted to registered guests only. Deals for the
below
hotels can be found at the below links. Check prices
there as well. Hamaca.
The Hamaca is generally regarded as the best and most expensive property in Boca Chica. This is a large high-rise hotel, with multiple restaurants, a disco, casino, multiple shops, two pools, and a private beach that is off-limits to anybody not staying at the hotel. It is a full-service all-inclusive fortress and I usually recommend this hotel to first-time visitors to Boca Chica. The Hamaca hotel is split into two areas. The older high-rise section is located on the beach and the newer section is set up like a condominium complex across the road. The best pool is located at the new section. The "new" side of the Hamaca is even more fabulous than than the original and "beach" side of the hotel. Dining at the Hamaca has vastly improved over the years and the food is very good to excellent. The pool on the "new" side of the hotel is massive with a swim-up bar and warm jacuzzi. There is a new workout room with lots of equipment, a children's playground with supervision, putt-putt holes spread around the walk-ways, and a new modern auditorium where shows are performed. The Hamaca is the largest of the 3 hotels and can be the most expensive, sometimes by more than double, depending on how the hotel is booked. Note that their prices fluctuate a lot depending on whether you are a walk-in, call direct, use a travel agent, or book a package through a tour operator. Prices of course vary by season and room type. High season in Boca Chica is generally December - April. Don Juan Beach Resort.
The Don Juan is the oldest and smallest of the 3 large all-inclusive hotels in Boca Chica, but it has the best location, layout, and gardens. It is located right on the beach in the center. There are no buildings over 4 stories tall, but there are no elevators either. Request a room on one of the lower floors if stairs are a problem. The Don Juan has only two restaurants (Italian a-la-carte and a buffet), although they often are listed as having more, if you consider the poolside grill, snacks at the beach bar, the grill at the end of the pier, etc. There is a single medium-sized pool, but it is a nice beach-side pool with plenty of deck space.The disco is small and for hotel guests only. It usually opens at about 11:30p, just after the nightly "show", which is the hotel entertainment such as a skit, musical, comedy, or other variety show typical of any all-inclusive resort anywhere in the Caribbean. The disco closes after about 1 ½ hours, or when the last guest leaves. In my opinion, it is worth entering to escape the hot humid air (it is air conditioned) and to get a couple free drinks (this is an all-inclusive resort, drinks too). If you are up for a bit of fun after the nightly show but aren't up for a stroll into town, this is your best option. This hotel, being smaller, will offer you more personalized service just about all the way around when compared to a larger hotel, but it is a smaller property and lacks much of the luxuries of a giant property. The Don Juan has a beachfront that is arguably the best stretch of sand on the beach, and the beachfront is public. The layout and landscaping is a little more tropical than the Hamaca, with lush tropical plants along the sides of the walkways and a lobby area that is open on two sides. For a long time, this was my favorite hotel in Boca Chica. My favorite room is 7236, which overlooks the center courtyard. It is located in the Club de Capitanes section, although there is also a new building along the beach that also carries that name. The rooms in the new building are much like standard hotel rooms. The older Club de Capitanes building, which only has 6 rooms, lacks a beach view but it makes up for it in layout, as the rooms in this section are literally 1-bedroom apartments and very private. Dominican Bay (formerly Boca Chica Resort).
Hoteur Dominican Bay Resort is the
only one of the 3
big ones not located directly on the beach, however they do have their
own private section on the beach that is connected to the main property
via a private walkway and bridge. It is the most affordable
of the 3 big all-inclusive hotels. Hoteur Dominican Bay Resort has a
private area on the beach a couple doors down from the Don Juan that is
accessible via a short courtyard trail walk followed by a skywalk.
Their beach area consists of a disco, bar, restaurant, and sun area.
There is no pool on the beach. Playa Esmeralda. RATES tax and
service included (depending on the season). Contact: Playa.Esmeralda@BocaChicaBeach.net Are you sure Boca Chica is the
right destination for you? |