Now Onyx Punta Cana

Now Onyx Punta Cana opened in late 2016 and it's one of the fresher properties in the area, with sleek interiors that feel bright, breezy, and just a touch rustic. Little accents like exposed wood and earthy green give everything a tropical touch, which makes sense as the overall vibe here is beachy and relaxed. The resort’s grounds are full of grassy fields, palm tree, and flowers, but during our 2017 visit, they were still a bit too immature to be called lush. Coralina-tile pathways that crisscross the grounds and an arched water fountain lead to an outdoor chapel with ocean views, making destination weddings an option here. The gorgeous beach is situated at the resort’s far end and has lots of room to relax, play around, or party between dips in the turquoise sea. There are also lots of scheduled activities, like Spanish classes, circus shows, belly dancers, and live bands. This is definitely a family-friendly getaway and when kids aren't hanging out in the kids' and teen clubs, they're running around the pool and beach. In general, guests are families from the United States, though the property sees quite a few honeymooners as well. 

Now Onyx is located in Uvero Alto, a sleepy town situated on a long, wide stretch of gorgeous beach. There’s a mini-market, pharmacy, and local restaurant within a five-minute walk. Most of Punta Cana’s main destinations will require a healthy drive to reach. Taina Cave, with cave diving and swimming in turquoise water, is a 30-minute drive from Now Onyx, as are the nearest grocery store and first-run cinema. An adventure park with mountain bike trails, Zorbing, zip lines, a paintball field, and Segway rides is a 30-minute drive away. Hoyo Azul, a cenote with gorgeous turquoise water, is located at another adventure park and takes about an hour to reach by car. Soana Island, a minimally developed island with waters teeming with starfish is nearly two hours away by combining car and boat rides. Punta Cana International Airport is a 40-minute drive from Now Onyx Punta Cana.  

The resort's rooms are bright and modern, with tropical touches like bamboo-trunk room dividers, and king (or two double) beds with leaf-patterned headboards. Shimmery white, bright green, and wood make up the wall accents and complement the fold-out love seats, coffee tables, bed runners, and honeycombed wall murals. The angular lines of funky trapezoidal desks plus wooden tripod lamps add to the overall modern vibe. In-room tech ranges from flat-screen Smart TVs to MP3 docks, free Wi-Fi, and wall-integrated USB plugs. Other standard features include irons and ironing boards, safes, minibars stocked with free beer, soda, water, and snacks like chips and candy bars, plus coffeemakers. Bathrooms are tricked out in marble and feature double sinks, though the sink area is located right next to the entryway door and separated from the main room by a pocket door. Rainfall showers, hairdryers, and beauty mirrors come standard as well, though the bathrooms are a little challenging to navigate due to their layouts. Balconies are a nice perk -- especially ones with ocean views -- and all have outdoor whirlpool tubs. Some balconies are better than others and -- for a splurge -- rooms with private plunge pools or shared, walk-out pools are available. Preferred Club rooms come with a host of in-resort extras including private check-in, plus in-room extras like pillow menus and better bath products. Mosquitos can be bad, so all rooms also include mosquito spray.

Like many resorts in the Punta Cana region, the features here are almost too numerous to list, and the all-inclusive rates provide access to almost all of them. First and foremost, the beach is wide and gorgeous. There are lots of lounge chairs and some thatched umbrellas plus a beachfront bocce court, beach darts, volleyball, and even baseball. Non-motorized water sports are free with all stays and include kayaks, Hobie Cat catamarans, stand-up paddle boards, and wind surfing boards. Like much of the Caribbean, seaweed can be an issue, even though the resort's staff does its best to keep the sand clean.

The resort’s sprawling freshwater pools are a great alternative for swimming, though keep in mind that some -- including an adult-only option -- are reserved only for Preferred Club members. Two are infinity pools and two pools have swim-up pool bars. The saltwater kids pool is a nice, family-friendly plus. Pools do close a bit early relative to other properties. A free introductory scuba class is included with all stays. Relax by Pevonia is the resort's full-service spa offering services like massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, and a salon. There’s also a kids' spa for parents and children to have a shared spa experience with services including manicures, pedicures, facials, and hair braiding. Parent’s looking for some rest-and-relaxation can drop their children off at Explorer’s Club for Kids -- which stays open late. It includes video-game systems, toys, a jungle gym, and activities like arts and crafts, movies, and excursions inside the resort. Teenagers can post up in the Core Zone Teen Club with air hockey, foosball, billiards, climbing wall, and video-game consoles. Babysitters can be arranged for a fee.

Now Onyx's 24-hour gym is stocked with Life Fitness treadmills, elliptical machines, cycles, weight machines, and a weight bench. Free personal training sessions are included with all stays, and free yoga, Zumba, and water aerobics are regularly scheduled. There are two Astroturf tennis courts and one asphalt court. Free racket rentals and tennis clinics are a nice plus, and private lessons are available for a fee. Basketball courts and paddleball courts are also available. The resort’s activity desk can arrange tours, car rentals, tour guides, and airport transfers (fee). Laundry service is also available. 

Other on-site amenities include a life-size chess board, free valet and self parking, an ATM, a 24-hour medical office, and access to Breathless, their adult-only sister property next door. Like other AMResorts properties, Now Onyx has Preferred Club rooms and packages. Some of the benefits of this pricy upgrade include private check-in area, additional snacks and lounges, plus the perks detailed above and below. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.

The resort’s seven restaurants (four a la carte, two buffet, and one snack spot) get mixed reviews, but offer lots of options. There are also no dress codes and reservations aren't generally needed. Carnival is the open-air buffet, while Mercure serves French cuisine and Spice is the Asian-fusion restaurant with a sushi bar and teppanyaki tables (keep in mind that reservations are required for the teppanyaki). Other options range from Italian to grill fare, though one restaurant and two bars are reserved for Preferred Club members. All restaurants have a kids' menu, and there's an ice cream shop as well. All-inclusive rates include all food and drink, though some guests have found things like the included wine to be pretty terrible. Unfortunately, none of the 10 bars are open around the clock, but room service is available 24/7.