TRS Turquesa Hotel

The Royal Turquesa –- named for the unmistakable turquoise waves along its prime location on Bavaro Beach -– is the more upscale resort option among the four Palladium properties in Punta Cana. The entrance and lobby receives nice natural light and white seating areas give off a chic vibe upon arrival. Since there are fewer rooms than at neighboring properties, check-in is usually prompt. If guests do have a wait, there's a bar for coffee and pastries in the morning, which turns into cocktails and snacks throughout the day. Once situated, guests have separate butler service (one butler per building) that can help with restaurant reservations and other arrangements. Honeymooners and couples celebrating anniversaries can expect some special surprises, but that's where the special surprises for the resort seem to end.

Newer buildings behind the lobby are accessed via bright yellow covered walkways that provide a splash of color against the lush green plants and manicured grounds. These buildings have soft pink and white or beige exteriors -- a little spartan looking -- and are attached to separate pool areas (the bottom floors make up the notable swim-up suites). These areas, because they are a hike to the beach, stay quiet during the day, though some guests stay behind and take advantage of the practically near empty pool surroundings.

Rooms in the front buildings surround the main pool (swim-up pool bar and snack area) and enjoy closer proximity to the beach. Not to be missed are the morning sunrises and great conditions for walking and jogging along the shore. Also, guests will have first dibs on the daybeds and lounge chairs closest to the water. There is drink service at the beach throughout the day, and this area of sand is private for Turquesa guests, so neither neighboring guests nor outside vendors have access here. What guests might find are staff members trying to sell excursions or spa treatments.

A shuttle service that is meant to look like a train picks up guests from the lobby and delivers them to other key areas of the three sister resorts. It tends to fill up quickly though, and guests might find it easier to walk through the pretty pathways. Royal Turquesa guests -- distinguished by the gold bracelets they wear -- seem to get quick service at the neighboring resorts' bars and restaurants, though service can be spotty, overall.

Palladium is a 30-minute taxi ride from Punta Cana International Airport. Like all resorts in Punta Cana (there are many!), there is not much to do outside of the resort, so once they're here, most guests are content to stay on resort premises. Not many choose to rent a car. The Royal Turquesa is one of four resorts on a single complex that consists of nearly 2,000 rooms. The spacious grounds -- expect to walk or use the train trolley service -- is a bit like its own city, with a long beach (though guests here have a private area), several large pools, numerous restaurants, buffets and bars, a casino, spa, and sports complex.

There are 372 adults-only rooms in this section of Palladium with seven types to choose from: 180 Deluxe Junior Suites, 124 Royal Junior Suites, 24 Deluxe Suites, 12 Romance Suites, 15 Royal Honeymoon Suites, 16 Cabana Suites and 1 Royal Presidential Suite. Decor is most rooms is modern with mostly neutral tones of white and beige.

All rooms have either one king or two double beds with white and beige linens as well as canopies draped in white mosquito netting. Rooms are spacious with sofa beds, jetted tubs, minibars (stocked with water, soda, beer, and liquor -– specifically, whiskey, rum, vodka and gin), DVD players, iPod docks, and balconies with two wood chairs, and a table. Guests can order 24-hour room service that can be delivered via hidden delivery areas in the closets (accessed from the outside by the staff) for more privacy.

Deluxe Suites, Deluxe Junior Suites and Romance Suites have swim-up options on the first floor, and the swim-up pools feel like individual private pools for how little they are used. Royal Junior Suites have either one king bed or two double beds, sea, pool, or garden views. Royal Honeymoon Suites have a larger outdoor balcony with an outdoor jetted tub, sea and/or pool views.

Cabana Suites are located in bungalow-style buildings with two floors and four units each. There is a separate lounge area with sofa bed. There is also a swim-up option on the ground floor.

There is one Royal Presidential Suite on the property with more romantic amenities in a two-floor layout overlooking the sea.

Guests at the Royal Turquesa have private access to five on-site bars, snack areas at the pool and lobby, a buffet, and two a la carte restaurants including a romantic French option. There are numerous other dining and drinking areas (eight a la carte options, five buffets, and 17 bars) around the complex, and reservations can be made via the butler, who essentially acts as a concierge for each block of rooms.

To get around the massive resort grounds, a train trolley picks up and delivers guests at key points around the four properties (usually every 15 to 20 minutes). Most guests, though, choose to walk; it can be a 10- to 20-minute walk , depending on where you need to go and how fast. There is free Wi-Fi for Royal Turquesa guests, while others have to pay.

The property has a private area of the beach free of kids and vendors, and several pools both by the beach and in the back of the property. Again, guests have access to the rest of the sister resorts, including four large pools, all with swim-up bars. The beach is very walkable. Certain sections of the sand are pretty narrow, with too few chairs and palapas.

The spa and spacious fitness center can be accessed in the same building. There are a number of treatment rooms for couples massages and the usual menu of body and facial treatments. The sports center includes tennis courts, a soccer field, archery, basketball court, and mini-golf course. There's also beach volleyball on the beach and free use of snorkel gear, kayaks, and windsurfing equipment.