Millennium Resort & Spa

Millennium Resort & Spa makes a good first impression. From the modern grey, white, and blue color palette, to the white stone accents, to the stunning ocean views, to the prominent Grey Goose bar in the center of the lobby, it's obvious that Millennium is more upscale than its neighbors. Many hotels in the area are bare-bones, but Millennium is more than just a place for kite surfers to eat and sleep. While there is certainly plenty of kiting on the beach, Millennium sees more couples and families with young children than its competitors. The clientele is fairly mixed between Europeans and Americans, and is a bit more well-heeled, as nightly prices here are usually higher than at competitors such as Velero Beach Resort.

Right on the periphery of downtown Cabarete, Millennium Resort & Spa is within walking distance of all the area’s shopping, dining, and nightlife. It’s a beachfront property with the windy conditions necessary for great kiteboarding and windsurfing. However, it’s not the best for anyone looking to just relax in the sun. During the afternoon, when the wind is at its prime, sand whips across the beach at high speeds and empty cups and napkins don’t stand a chance against the blustery conditions. The hotel is about a 25-minute drive from Gregorio Luperon international Airport, and about a 45-minute drive from downtown Puerto Plata. 

Rooms at Millennium are large, bright, and modern. The trendy all-white decor might not be for everyone, but rooms here are certainly a lot more stylish than many others in the area. Junior Suites (the entry-level category) have white, walls, shiny white tile floors, white bedding, and even white furniture. The space age-y beds in the center of the room are a little strange, but have convenient built-in nightstands with multiple outlets. Large canvas photographs of kiteboarders and windsurfers add pops of color to the room and give the space a little local flavor. Each Junior Suite is also equipped with a fully stocked kitchenette, a desk and chair, a white chaise lounge, and a small armoire with several drawers and a flat-screen TV. All-white bathrooms are accented by a shimmery, mosaic-tile feature walls and have large walk-in showers, but no tubs. Millennium also offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites, which come equipped with multiple bathrooms, full kitchens, and separate living areas. Most also have large balconies or patios with ocean views. 

Like its name implies, Millennium has an on-site spa, a rare amenity in most Cabarete hotels. Though small, the spa focuses on wellness. Several spa packages offer massages, combined with yoga classes, and personal training sessions in the on-site gym. The fitness center is cramped, with just a few machines and free weights. Millennium’s infinity pool is one of the nicest around, and has a beautiful view of the beach, even if it’s a bit obstructed by palm trees. The pool’s one flaw is its lack of lounge chairs -- there are only a handful, and only a few have umbrellas. The beach, as mentioned earlier, is windy, with prime conditions for kiting. The on-site kite school is a great place for first timers to learn the skill, or for old pros to learn new tricks. However, anyone on the beach or in the pool is subject to the constant solicitation of beach vendors selling everything from rope bracelets to massages. Millennium also has an annoying towel card program, which allows one beach towel per card holder. A lost towel or card can result in an exorbitant fee. As far as freebies go, the hotel offers free parking and free Wi-Fi, but breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant is not included in the room rate. 

There’s a common saying amongst pizza lovers that pizza, even when it’s bad, is still pretty good. Clearly, whoever came up with this phrase has never dined at Aqua, Millennium’s on-site restaurant. With a beachfront setting, and a cool, clubby vibe, Aqua’s looks alone give it the potential to be one of Cabarete’s most happening restaurants. It’s a shame, however, that Aqua’s food is subpar. In a town with loads of Italian expats it’s even more shameful that Aqua can’t make a good pizza. With a soggy, under cooked crust, over-generous heaps of cheese, and a weirdly tangy sauce, the pizza at Aqua is blatantly bad. Customers are better off coming for drinks and appetizers -- the focaccia and olive tapenade starter is actually surprisingly good.