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.

Built in 2009, the 176-room Sanctuary Cap Cana looks like a small Spanish village perched on a cliff by the ocean -- note the breathtaking views. Its beautifully decorated pools, spa, golf course, and restaurants are all among the D.R.'s best, though they don't quite match those at the Casa de Campo. But the Sanctuary does have more mordern rooms, some with private pools.

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.

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.

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.

After a complete overhaul in 2012, the Riu Palace Macao reopened as an adults-only, all-inclusive property. Rooms, public areas, the pools, and restaurants all got a facelift, introducing a more modern, sleek aesthetic to the Riu. Spaces -- rooms, in particular -- feel brighter and much more comfortable, with white color palates and pops of bright colors that keep the vibe playful. The hotel boasts a great beach and a ton of all-inclusive features -- including a free scuba diving lesson in the pool -- but still lags a bit in service. 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.

At 700 rooms, the Catalonia is one of the D.R.'s largest mega-resorts. It's fun, and roomy enough that guests can party at the big pool or lounge quietly at the beach. Rooms are big, too, each with a Jacuzzi tub, but food options, as at so many Dominican all-inclusives, are not great.

A quieter, less crowded alternative to its Iberostar sisters (the Dominicana and Punta Cana resorts), the Bavaro has 598 rooms that are all inside stand-alone cottages, each with more space for kids to sleep. Better food, closer proximity to the kids' club, gym, and spa, and a tamer stretch of beach can make the price jump well worth it.

An 877-room all-inclusive, the Occidental draws mostly young families with its massive, lagoon-shaped pool (one of Punta Cana's best), popular beachside activities, lively entertainment, many restaurants, and all-night pizzeria. Rooms are well-decorated, and even include spa robes and slippers. Reasonably priced, this all-inclusive has bang for the buck.

Quiet, adults-only Catalonia Royal has 255 clean, modern rooms, 3 restaurants, 4 bars, a spa, gym, and small pool, as well as a private beach five minutes from the property along with beachside drink service. Neighboring sister property Catalonia Bavaro Beach has entertainment, additional dining, and amenities. The larger, livelier adults-only resort Excellence Punta Cana offers more, but Catalonia's quiet is a rare treat.