Pros

  • Intimate all-inclusive resort with access to sister property next door
  • All rooms have sea views and two balconies, front and back
  • Seaside restaurant and bar (for Cayena guests only)
  • Good restaurant options next door; no reservations needed
  • Two pools to choose from: one quieter, one more lively
  • Rooms have stocked mini-fridges, jetted tubs, and DVD players
  • Beautiful and private beach area with padded lounge chairs and palapas
  • A spa, fitness center, non-motorized water sports, and tennis courts
  • Loyal repeat guests from Europe and South America
  • Special nightly events and romantic evening ambiance
  • Eco-conscious company with LED lighting and unique electrical system
  • Free Wi-Fi
See More Pros

Cons

  • Decor needs updating
  • Toilet positioning in the bathrooms can be a bit awkward
  • The spa and fitness center have seen better days
See More Cons

Bottom Line

Bavaro Beach is known for megaresorts, but the upper-middle-range VIK Hotel Cayena Beach has mere 47 rooms -- all with guaranteed sea views -- and delivers an intimate, peaceful setting. This property is newer than the VIK Hotel Arena Blanca next door, and guests here get access to both properties' features, including restaurants, bars, two pools, nightly entertainment, a fitness center, and spa. Most guests, though, choose to stick to the Cayena's area of the beautiful beach, and eat lunch at the seaside restaurant, which is reserved for Cayena guests only. The property is due for some renovations.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pets Allowed
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

VIK Hotel Cayena Beach

Scene

A quieter crowd of mostly couples who prefer a simple routine

While VIK's sister property next door is quiet in comparison to other megaresorts in Punta Cana, those looking for something even more intimate will find a truly peaceful setting at the boutique section called Cayena (guests here wear different bracelets to distinguish them). There's a separate and more compact reception area here along with a pool, bar, restaurant and even a separate VIP beach area with hammocks.

The seaside restaurant is reserved for Cayena guests only, and though it normally serves just breakfast and lunch, about once a week it does have special buffet nights with live entertainment (guests can always attend the disco next door, too). Otherwise, many guests stick to a pretty simple routine: hit the beach, congregate for a gourmet lunch (usually with wine), hit the beach again until dinnertime, and then head to one of the restaurants at VIK Hotel Arena Blanca next door. Reservations are not necessary. The pool complex is dazzling when lit up at night and provides a romantic ambiance pre- and post-dinner. Many guests hail from Europe, South America, and Canada, and the resort draws many repeat visitors.

See More Scene

Location

A beautiful and slightly more compact area of Bavaro Beach

The long stretch of white sand and beautiful turquoise waves that makes up Bavaro Beach is about a 30-minute drive from Punta Cana airport. Visitors here at Cayena –- as is the case at all resorts in the area -- typically stay on the premises, as there isn’t much else to do in the immediate area (and nothing within walking distance). Walking to and from the property next door is easy, though some amenities such as the fitness center and spa are a bit farther away.

See More Location

Rooms

Great views but interiors could use renovations

The 47 units include both regular suites (which can fix two adults, or one adult and two children) and larger suite option with separate living area (which can fit three adults or two adults and two children). These take up three floors of one building, which is within easy walking distance of the lobby, pool, restaurant, and beach. Along with the obvious peace and quiet that this smaller property affords, another major plus that helps keep guests coming back year after year is the fact that every room has a balcony and sea view.

Rooms, on the other hand -- though comfortable and clean -- are pretty outdated with dark woods and yellow tones, including patterned comforters. Guests also report some maintenance issues. Honeymooners may not want to have to push their beds together, as rooms come with two full beds or two twin beds. Bathrooms have nice counter space, jetted tubs, and possibly some rather awkward toilet positioning. 

See More Rooms

Features

A private beach area and seaside restaurant exclusive to Cayena guests

A special aspect of this smaller property -- other than the private VIP beach area with comfortable lounge chairs, shaded palapas, and hammocks –- is the fact that guests not only have access to the features here, but also the larger sister resort next door (and not the other way around).

Therefore, typical all-inclusive amenities are accessible, if desired, such as evening entertainment from the animation team, a late-night disco, and casino. In the daytime, guests can use the spa and fitness center -- though both need some renovations. Guests at Cayena tend to take full advantage of their area of beach or one of two pools: the smaller one on-site or the larger one next door, which is romantic when lit up at night.

Eating and drinking takes place in the open-air seaside restaurant, mere steps from both the beach and pool, making it the natural hub of the resort. It is open daily for breakfast and lunch, and the bartender serves drinks until the late afternoon. Lunch is not buffet-style, but a la carte, and many guests stay for long, leisurely meals with wine.

Once a week this restaurant (normally closed for dinner) serves an impressive buffet dinner with live entertainment. On all nights, guests can head to the restaurants next door, including the main buffet as well as the a la carte options, which include Mexican, Italian, and seafood. Reservations are not necessary.

The private VIP beach area is smaller than the Arena's beach (because this entire property is smaller) and has cushioned lounge chairs, palapas, and hammocks. Still, guests can head next door for more sand and walk for miles in either direction. A number of water sports can be arranged and non-motorized water sports are free of charge.

See More Features

Our Favorite Gear and Outfits for Punta Cana

For info on these editor-selected items, click to visit the seller’s site. Things you buy may earn us a commission.

Oyster Hotel Review

VIK Hotel Cayena Beach

Scene

A quieter crowd of mostly couples who prefer a simple routine

While VIK's sister property next door is quiet in comparison to other megaresorts in Punta Cana, those looking for something even more intimate will find a truly peaceful setting at the boutique section called Cayena (guests here wear different bracelets to distinguish them). There's a separate and more compact reception area here along with a pool, bar, restaurant and even a separate VIP beach area with hammocks.

The seaside restaurant is reserved for Cayena guests only, and though it normally serves just breakfast and lunch, about once a week it does have special buffet nights with live entertainment (guests can always attend the disco next door, too). Otherwise, many guests stick to a pretty simple routine: hit the beach, congregate for a gourmet lunch (usually with wine), hit the beach again until dinnertime, and then head to one of the restaurants at VIK Hotel Arena Blanca next door. Reservations are not necessary. The pool complex is dazzling when lit up at night and provides a romantic ambiance pre- and post-dinner. Many guests hail from Europe, South America, and Canada, and the resort draws many repeat visitors.

See More Scene

Location

A beautiful and slightly more compact area of Bavaro Beach

The long stretch of white sand and beautiful turquoise waves that makes up Bavaro Beach is about a 30-minute drive from Punta Cana airport. Visitors here at Cayena –- as is the case at all resorts in the area -- typically stay on the premises, as there isn’t much else to do in the immediate area (and nothing within walking distance). Walking to and from the property next door is easy, though some amenities such as the fitness center and spa are a bit farther away.

See More Location

Rooms

Great views but interiors could use renovations

The 47 units include both regular suites (which can fix two adults, or one adult and two children) and larger suite option with separate living area (which can fit three adults or two adults and two children). These take up three floors of one building, which is within easy walking distance of the lobby, pool, restaurant, and beach. Along with the obvious peace and quiet that this smaller property affords, another major plus that helps keep guests coming back year after year is the fact that every room has a balcony and sea view.

Rooms, on the other hand -- though comfortable and clean -- are pretty outdated with dark woods and yellow tones, including patterned comforters. Guests also report some maintenance issues. Honeymooners may not want to have to push their beds together, as rooms come with two full beds or two twin beds. Bathrooms have nice counter space, jetted tubs, and possibly some rather awkward toilet positioning. 

See More Rooms

Features

A private beach area and seaside restaurant exclusive to Cayena guests

A special aspect of this smaller property -- other than the private VIP beach area with comfortable lounge chairs, shaded palapas, and hammocks –- is the fact that guests not only have access to the features here, but also the larger sister resort next door (and not the other way around).

Therefore, typical all-inclusive amenities are accessible, if desired, such as evening entertainment from the animation team, a late-night disco, and casino. In the daytime, guests can use the spa and fitness center -- though both need some renovations. Guests at Cayena tend to take full advantage of their area of beach or one of two pools: the smaller one on-site or the larger one next door, which is romantic when lit up at night.

Eating and drinking takes place in the open-air seaside restaurant, mere steps from both the beach and pool, making it the natural hub of the resort. It is open daily for breakfast and lunch, and the bartender serves drinks until the late afternoon. Lunch is not buffet-style, but a la carte, and many guests stay for long, leisurely meals with wine.

Once a week this restaurant (normally closed for dinner) serves an impressive buffet dinner with live entertainment. On all nights, guests can head to the restaurants next door, including the main buffet as well as the a la carte options, which include Mexican, Italian, and seafood. Reservations are not necessary.

The private VIP beach area is smaller than the Arena's beach (because this entire property is smaller) and has cushioned lounge chairs, palapas, and hammocks. Still, guests can head next door for more sand and walk for miles in either direction. A number of water sports can be arranged and non-motorized water sports are free of charge.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Pets Allowed

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.