Where to find the perfect adults-only escape
Boarding a plane and heading westwards towards the Caribbean Sea, moving slowly down from 30,000 feet towards a rainbow of blues and greens – there's no descent so demanding of a smile. You have arrived in holiday land.
Three resorts at the top of the Caribbean and Mexico wish-list for couples wanting a relaxing adults-only romantic break are Melia Punta Cana Beach, and Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, both in the Dominican Republic, and Paradisus La Perla - Adults Only - at Playa del Carmen on Mexico's Riviera Maya. With a heady mix of natural beauty, golden sands, cultural highlights and friendly local people, these three are as good as anywhere on Earth for a seaside escape.
Choosing the right hotel is vital, of course, as is travelling with a tour operator with impeccable taste and reputation. Book with British Airways Holidays and you'll have peace of mind from start to finish thanks to a 24/7 holiday helpline, Atol protection, regular direct flights to choose from and the choice of the very best hotels.
Melia Punta Cana Beach – A Wellness Inclusive Resort
If you consider a holiday to be a time to focus wholeheartedly on your wellbeing, away from the rigours of daily life, this all-inclusive five-star hotel in Playa Bavaro is the place to stay. Melia Punta Cana Beach, which sits in a serene setting of lush gardens, specialises in offering a collection of wellness experiences and rituals designed to guide each guest into a conscious and personalised wellbeing journey. Wellbeing spaces – social, silent, sensorial, culinary and personal – have been specifically created to stimulate physical, mental and even spiritual development.
The Wellness Inclusive experience feeds into all aspects of the stay: expect to meet nutritionists, a naturopathic doctor, an ancestral guru, yoga experts and even a sound healer. The spa is, as you'd expect, a central pillar of a stay here and offers a mix of traditional and modern healing therapies. Plus there's a wellness events calendar with unique programmes each month and a well-equipped gym.
For guests wanting something a little extra special, The Level is Melia's premium service offering exclusive facilities, personalised service and a range of additional benefits. Plus the best rooms, reserved areas in the resort, access to a private pool, an exclusive beach area, private check in and a private breakfast area. The Level guests also get access to Wellness Rooms powered by Delos with Deepak Chopra meditations and spa included.
Dining at the hotel is a journey around the world for the palate from Mediterranean fare at Mar de Sal to Asian cuisine at Muoi to international flavours at the likes of Serendipia and Mosaico. And as if that's all not enough guests also have access to a world-class golf course.
Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa resort, Punta Cana
This glorious hotel, set within a vibrant tropical garden and overlooking a sensational white powder beach twins an elegant colonial-style with Dominican-inspired decor. The five-star property offers a luxury all-inclusive experience in the heart of Punta Cana with high-end suites offering direct pool access or sea views.
For a truly exceptional stay the hotel boasts The Reserve: an adults-only area, a cut above the rest of the already impressive hotel, where the most sophisticated and exclusive premium service is on offer. The suites are spacious, guests have VIP access to private areas within the resort (including pool and beach sections), a destination concierge is on hand to help with anything and everything – plus there's private check in and check out and snacks and drinks on offer throughout the day.
The Reserve guests also enjoy priority booking at the peaceful YHI spa and the eclectic restaurants such as Flora that serves Dominican fare created by Dominican chef Leandro Diaz, Italian eaterie Mascalzone and Blue Agave plating up the flavours of Mexico. Guests can also look forward to destination inclusive experiences that offer the chance to explore the sights, sounds and tastes of the local area as well as a range of events throughout the year such as The Epicure by Paradisus and fashion shows.
Paradisus La Perla - Adults Only - Riviera Maya
Within 45 minutes of leaving Cancun airport you'll find yourself in a beautiful adults-only retreat in the calming surroundings of mangrove forests and white sands. This laid-back yet elegant all-inclusive hotel in Playa del Carmen prides itself on the warmth of its Mexican hospitality and its ability to provide the perfect break, both in and out of the hotel grounds.
The pools, beach, restaurants, spa and other facilities ensure you can spend two weeks enjoying the ultimate in relaxation. But the opportunities to explore and discover life outside the resort are in place thanks to the hotel's destination inclusive experiences such as a visit to a private cenote (a natural and rather beautiful sinkhole) with yoga, or taking part in a Mayan shaman ritual. These extra-special experiences are available to guests who choose a suite in The Reserve where they will get a superior room, privileged access to various parts of the hotel and a concierge service.
Deciding where to eat is likely to be the toughest test for guests given there are six restaurants to choose from (plus eight more at nearby sister hotel Paradisus Playa del Carmen where guests at this hotel are welcome). But choose they must, so consider sitting for steak at Sal Steak Cave (charges apply), Italian fare at Cappella or perhaps fusion cuisine at Lemon Fish. And if the stress of choosing where to eat gets too much, treat yourself to a session at the YHI Spa where a water ritual awaits, alongside a serene collection of treatments and massages inspired by Mayan culture.
British Airways Holidays packages include a generous baggage allowance for each customer and come with full Atol protection for complete peace of mind. Secure your Melia holiday to Mexico or Dominican Republic with a low deposit and enjoy flexible payments until you fly*.
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