Sensatori Resort Punta Cana

The hotel shares a location and almost every amenity with its sister property, the decidedly more family-friendly and rowdy Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana. Sensatori employs modern architecture that wouldn't look out of place in Miami. The wide curving facade of the front entrance is made from beige and white stones and accented by palm trees. Grounds are kept carefully manicured with trimmed lawns, rock paths, and hedged shaped into animals, like a butterfly.  

By day, the wide, semi-private beach and adult-only infinity pool host guests looking to unwind in peace. Two bars, including a swim-up bar and a beach bar, whip up alcoholic drinks from early morning. By late afternoon, the social scene moves to the Gourmet Village with its numerous restaurants, open-air village square with live music, and chic piano and wine lounge. The vibe is lively, and the alcohol flows freely, but it never rises to the level of an all-out Spring Break-style fiesta. The biggest guest complaint is that families from the Nickelodeon side of the resort move freely throughout the Sensatori side, with little no to staff intervention, and break up the serene vibe. 

As Punta Cana is still expanding northward into Uvero Alto, the surrounding area remains largely undeveloped. The lack of nearby restaurants, bars, or other resorts means the area is quiet day and night. However, it also means there's nothing within walking distance. Guests looking for additional dining or entertainment options will need to take a taxi. The area’s most popular outdoor activities -- zip-lining, windsurfing, wildlife safaris, and sportfishing charters -- are within a 10-minute drive. Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is 45 minutes away via a modern highway. The zone-based taxi rates are reasonable and comparable to most major U.S. cities.

Built in 2016, rooms and suites are decorated with Mid-Century Modern details and decor. Each unit is bright and modern with liberal use of frosted glass, mood lighting, and bold pops of Caribbean-inspired color. Copper pendant lights and gold circular art above padded headboards add a retro vibe. Room categories offer similar layouts and differ mostly in the level of amenities. Entry-level Luxury and Premium Double Rooms are generously sized with studio-style floor plans. Suites add separate living/dining rooms. All rooms are well-appointed with state-of-the-art conveniences like large, flat-screen TVs, bedside USB charging ports, and touchscreen climate control. Wi-Fi is fast, free, and reliable. Bathrooms are spacious and feature separate stalls for the shower and toilet. A large soaking tub sits behind a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the bedroom. Modest travelers can draw an electric shade for privacy. Hairdryers and Calais brand bath amenities are provided. Private, furnished balconies are found in every room with wraparound, ocean-view, and swim-up options available. 

The resort shares most of its amenities with the family-friendly Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana located on the same grounds. This can bring much more of a kid-friendly atmosphere in to the mix than many guests seeking an adult-centric experience might prefer. However, adult-only areas near the pool, on the beach, and at several restaurants keep things mostly segregated.

The beach is technically semi-private (all beaches in the D.R. are public), although it's rare to find non-guests on the sand. There's ample seating via long rows of lounge chairs and reservable beach beds. Like most beaches in northern Punta Cana, the Atlantic waters are often choppy. While this makes for great water sports like surfing and kitesurfing, it can be too dangerous to swim. 

The two pristine beachfront infinity pools offer sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Rows of lounge chairs and outdoor beds provide plenty of space for guests to relax without feeling crowded. A small adult-only section is provided to keep children from the adjacent Nickelodeon resort out, but past guests have complained about having to wait for a chair.

The restaurants and bars are concentrated in a small town square called Gourmet Village, which is shared with the Nickelodeon property. Here, guests will find the main buffet restaurant, Sugarcane, which offers well-reviewed menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Nine additional a la carte restaurants feature specialty cuisines including Italian, French, Asian fusion, and a gourmet burger bar. All are included in the base room rate, except K/23 -- the resort’s formal Dominican eatery. A single poolside restaurant, Lighthouse, is the only adults-only restaurant exclusive to Sensatori guests. Reservations are necessary at the a la carte restaurants and some of them book up quickly. 

The spa is chic and ultra-modern with a long list of traditional and specialty massages, plus beauty treatments. Open-air sessions are available in an intimate outdoor area, along with couples treatments. There's a gift shop that sells overpriced toiletries and medicine. Wi-Fi is fast and free throughout the property. Free self-parking is provided in a secure lot.