Designed by Oscar de la Renta, the 30-room Tortuga Bay hotel offers amazing service (including preferential treatment at Punta Cana Airport), an on-site nature reserve, several superb restaurants, and three world-class golf courses. You can find a comparable room and setting at the Sivory resort at a more down-to-earth price, but its beach isn't nearly as nice.

The 1,600-room Palace Deluxe is the main resort at the Barcelo Bavaro complex, and features tons of on-site features including an attractive spa, a 24-hour casino, four pools, and 11 restaurants. But aside from substantial lines at the front desk, the guest capacity of the resort rarely shows: Guests do not have to search for spots at the pools and beach, and reservation requirements keep restaurants well organized. Couples, families, and partiers all mingle seamlessly at the property. Though the adults-only sister property has a slightly more romantic vibe, plenty of couples opt to stay here as it is where most of the features are located. The hotel's rooms feature iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and attractive, sleek decor.

The Puntacana Hotel's 170 suites are steps away from the beach, on a giant property that includes three golf courses, including La Cana, Six Senses spa, a nature preserve, eight restaurants, horse stables, and more. La Romana's Casa de Campo is nearly identical, unless you're a pro golfer -- Casa de Campo's Teeth of the Dog beats La Cana.

The all-inclusive Riu Palace, opened in December 2011, is a luxe option in Punta Cana. It's part of the massive complex of Riu resorts, which are all located on a beautiful, white-sand beach. Rooms are some of the best in the area, with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and liquor dispensers. Their sexy look (picture sleek lines, a pink, purple, and black color scheme, and spacious open bathrooms) seems designed with couples in mind, but the hotel does provide a kids' club as well as numerous on-site activities. With 610 rooms, its a mid-size resort for the area: Getting around the property does not require a shuttle but some amenities (such as the casino) are located farther away at sister properties in the Riu complex.

Opened in late 2008, the 600-room Majestic is newer, cleaner, and more modern than most all-inclusives. Its giant pool, soft-sand beach, great beds, Jacuzzis in every room, and brand-name liquor make it a cut above most D.R. resorts. But the buffet, like anywhere, isn't great -- a bit disappointing for the price.

The D.R.’s fanciest and most expensive all-inclusive, Palma Real has quality restaurants, a less-crowded beach, an enormous pool, free horseback riding, personalized service, beautiful grounds, and in-room Jacuzzis. You get a lot more for your money. But it’s still a 554-room mega-resort. Expect a crowd, albeit a well-behaved, mature one.

A giant pool, a wide selection of quality food, name-brand liquor, and a crowded but beautiful stretch of white-sand beach draw families, retirees, and young partiers alike. With 659 rooms, this kid-friendly resort is not intimate, and service is impersonal.

The Riu Palace Macao is an adults-only, all-inclusive property on the northern end of Punta Cana. Rooms have white color palettes and pops of bright colors, plus up-to-date amenities -- such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs -- and balconies or small patios. The hotel features a great beach and a ton of all-inclusive features, including a free scuba diving lesson in the pool. The Riu has a group of loyal followers who come to drink the brand-name booze and party by the pool, but there are other similar options nearby worth checking out, including the Majestic Elegance and Barcelo Bavaro Palace.

Opened in late '08, the sleeker, quieter, more modern 450-room Bavaro Suites all-inclusive offers comfortable rooms and 4 quiet pools. There's only one high-quality buffet on-site, but it shares four restaurants, and the beach, pool, and bars with the Be Live Grand Punta Cana. It's pricey, but worth it.

Rooms are a little worn, but the superb (though crowded) beach, free-form pools, high-quality food, and packed activities schedule draws families and couples alike. It's not quiet or intimate -- it's among 1,825 rooms in a four-resort complex -- but it's a great value. Better buffet service and a closer proximity to the beach make this resort pricier than its sisters.