Le Sivory Punta Cana By PortBlue Boutique

Le Sivory Punta Cana By PortBlue Boutique is a small, quiet, remote escape that's on the opposite end of the spectrum from the party-hearty mega-resort found elsewhere in Punta Cana. The guests here, mostly French and American, tend to be well-heeled couples in their 30s and up. This all-inclusive resort is quiet, so much so that around the pool or in the restaurants, you may feel guilty for speaking above a whisper, even when the lounge chairs or dinner seats are full. At the beach, conversations are drowned out by the gentle whoosh of the ocean waves. The Edenic feel is only reinforced by the gorgeous, lush greenery that fills in the spaces between the pathways of the hotel. The landscaping is beautifully adapted to the area, with water-sustainable plants such as palms, succulents, and native grasses. Interiors are equally lovely, with a chic contemporary feel that complements the tropical atmosphere.

The hotel is considered the farthest-flung of the Punta Cana area resorts; it's so far north, in fact, that it's only found on some area maps. It's about a 50-minute (bumpy) drive to the airport, which might not suit all travelers, and there's little in the area beyond the quiet beach and one other luxury resort -- the Zoetry Agua Punta Cana -- plus a handful of restaurants within a 10-minute drive of the property. Bavaro -- the most famous spot in the area -- takes 35 minutes to reach by car, while the Blue Hole, a cenote with gorgeous turquoise water, is about an hour's drive away. For an authentic Dominican town, the hamlet of Higuey, which has a famous cathedral, local market, and lots of shops, also takes about an hour to reach by car.

Rooms here feel more like studio apartments than hotel rooms, as they start at around 600 square feet (56 square meters). Decor is crisp and contemporary, consisting of beige marble floors, sleek dark-wood and wicker furniture, and terraces, patios, or even gardens with private pools (in Luxury Junior Suites) or outdoor whirlpool tubs (in Deluxe Suites Terrace Jacuzzi units). All rooms have sitting areas or separate living rooms with sofas and writing desks. Rooms have views out over the ocean or of the hotel's succulent-filled gardens and some have direct access to the beach. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, free minibars restocked daily, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, but past guests have reported weak signals. Bathrooms are big and clad in marble and some feature couple-friendly showers with two showerheads.

Features across this hotel are elegant and geared toward relaxation. The beach isn't huge, but it's adequate given the small size of the resort and blissfully uncrowded, without the throngs of tourists or vendors found elsewhere in Punta Cana. However, waves due get strong here due to wind, especially in the winter, though the water tends to be calmer in other months and when it's not choppy, it's possible to snorkel right offshore. There are also lots of palm trees, so grabbing some shade isn't usually a problem. Alternatively, the hotel has a large, pretty outdoor pool that's skirted in palm trees and surrounded by umbrella-shaded padded loungers. A poolside bar, Blue Bar, serves drinks and snacks during the day (there's also a second bar, Laguna Bar, which opens in the evening). A second plunge pool is in the spa area, along with a sauna and whirlpool tub. The fitness center is small but clean, with big windows that look out on a grassy area, but equipment here is limited to a couple of cardio and weight-training machines. There's also a tennis court.

Other features include free on-site parking and free Wi-Fi. Event space holds up to 150 guests, with conference rooms and wedding planning services available.

On-site dining options include a main restaurant, La Veranda, which offers Mediterranean fare served buffet-style, with both indoor and alfresco seating. It's open for all three meals. GastroAtelier is the hotel's fine-dining a la carte restaurant, which serves gourmet international fare, while ÖMI specializes in Asian cuisine; note that both are only open for dinner. For something more casual, Palapa Beach Restaurant is open during the day and serves buffet fare overlooking the beach. Food receives positive reviews across the board.

This is an all-inclusive hotel, meaning all meals are part of the room rate. Additionally, the package includes room service, activities such as yoga, nightly entertainment, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.