Zoetry Agua Punta Cana

Upon arriving at the Zoetry Agua Punta Cana all-inclusive resort, guests are immediately greeted with a fruity drink, a cold towel, and a smile. Thanks to the spa music, live flower wall, and distant sound of waves crashing, you might think you're at a wellness resort, but Zoetry is a luxury all-inclusive beach resort. The resort accepts guests of all ages, but non-discounted rates for children and a lack of kid-friendly amenities -- such as a kids’ club and a children’s pool -- means that almost all guests are couples. As a result, the property has an extremely tranquil vibe. The lush grounds, contemporary common spaces, and pristine pools are rarely crowded, and the private beach is equally peaceful -- lacking the loud music, pushy vendors, and activities of many all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic.

The property has beautiful grounds that manage to combine a rustic look with a luxury feel. A long pool divides the lawns peppered with palm trees, flower beds, and the occasional wooden swing or hammock. Guest rooms are housed in two-story palapa-topped buildings with exposed wooden stairways and some pedestrian bridges, for an overall treehouse-like effect. The property ends down at the private beach. Four lovely restaurants as well as bars by the pool, beach, and in the lobby, are decidedly calm. The Zoetry Agua does not offer the nightly entertainment that some nearby resorts do -- though there is low-key live music on some nights. The all-inclusive package, called “Endless Privileges” is excellent, covering unlimited dining, top-shelf liquor, and a host of high-end activities, including 20-minute wellness treatments and 45-minute horseback riding sessions. Those looking for a slightly livelier -- but still luxurious -- scene may consider the Exellence El Carmen, which has a disco and nightly shows.

The Zoetry Agua Punta Cana's remote location makes it extremely peaceful and relaxing -- once you've arrived. However, Zoetry Agua is far from the airport, as it's a 45-minute drive from the Punta Cana International Airport, along an occasionally bumpy road. Apart from the beach, there’s nothing in the surrounding area but gleaming resorts like Le Sivory Punta Cana by PortBlue Boutique. Guests will have to rely on cabs or car rentals should they want to explore outside of the resort.

There’s a small shopping strip within a 15-minute drive, while Bavaro -- the most famous spot in the area -- takes 25 to 30 minutes to reach by car. The Blue Hole, a cenote with gorgeous turquoise water, is around a 40-minute drive from the property. For an authentic Dominican town, the hamlet of Higuey is home to a famous cathedral, local market, and shops, and takes around an hour to reach by car. For those that truly don't want to deal with the drive to Zoetry, a helicopter landing can be arranged.

Suites at Zoetry Agua Punta Cana are absolutely gorgeous, and feature upscale beach decor. Picture dark-wood furniture, bright local artwork, and pretty bamboo and straw accents. Plush beds (some of them are four-poster) with crisp white linens sit in the center of the bedroom and face the French doors, which in turn open up to furnished patios or balconies with views of either the lush grounds or the ocean. Some suites have swim-up access to the communal pool. Bedrooms have large desks or dining tables where guests will find their welcome bottle of rum and bowl of fresh fruit. Modern amenities include large flat-screen TVs with DVD players, iPod docks, laptop-sized safes, irons, ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. Luxurious touches include 300 thread count linens, free minibars refreshed twice daily, daily free sparkling wine and fresh fruit, and locally made beach bags to take home.

Bathrooms are equally sleek and sexy. Deep stone soaking tubs, double vanities, rainfall showerheads, Bvlgari toiletries, and plush robes and slippers can be found in all units. All suites come with a personal butler, reachable by text. Butlers can make dinner reservations, provide packing services, and arrange special treats like private dining or rose petals in the bathtubs. Note that maid service is provided an unbelievable three times a day.

Since Zoetry has just 96 suites, guests won't find the rush for dinner tables and long buffet lines that's typical at mega-resorts in the area. Instead, Zoetry offers relaxed and upscale a la carte restaurants that are completely included in the rates and don't require reservations. Room service is available 24/7 and room butlers can prepare private dining almost anywhere on the property on request. Each of the restaurants incorporates organic ingredients and can cater to dietary restrictions.

Olena is a European-inspired dinner restaurant with a menu that focuses on Italian dishes like lasagna and chicken with red wine. This is the most romantic restaurant at the resort. It has a casual elegance dress code of long pants for men, and no sneakers allowed. The dining room has a palapa roof and white furnishings with leather club chairs. Candles hang overhead for romantic lighting.

Amaya is open for breakfast, dinner, and a late-night menu from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. The dress code is casual for breakfast and late-night, and formal for dinner. The semi open-air dining room overlooks a large fountain and garden. The menu combines Dominican flavors and international fare.

Piragua (the name of a traditional fishing canoe) provides Caribbean and Dominican food for breakfast and dinner. The dining room has a nautical theme with ropes and a canoe overhead. The breakfast menu includes an egg burrito, Belgian waffles, and tropical fruit crepes. Everything is made-to-order.

Indigo is open from early morning until late afternoon and serves international fare overlooking the beach. It's the most casual restaurant and the dress code requires little more than a beach cover-up and shoes. The breakfast menu is the same at Piragua and lunch items offer ceviche and tuna steaks.

Coco Cafe is a cute coffee shop offering specialty coffees and a pastry case filled with croissants, coconut eclairs, and fruits. The resort doesn't offer a snack bar or buffet, so those that want to graze all day may be disappointed. However, there is an afternoon tea with light fare and live plant tea infusions.

All-inclusive at Zoetry means unlimited top-shelf drinks, no exceptions. There are three bars spread across the property. Canoa is the refined lobby bar, right by the front entrance and it stays open late, but not 24/7. It's under a palapa roof and decorated with lanterns and wooden canoe sculptures. Indigo is down by the beach, and closes around sunset. Caicu is the swim-up bar, and it closes an hour before Indigo. There's also a sommelier on-site and a large wine cellar with vintage offerings. Guests also have free liquor and mixers in their rooms.

The Zoetry Agua Punta Cana Dominican Republic resort may be in a remote location, but it offers plenty of activities and features so that guests rarely run out of things to do. Despite a long list of offerings, however, most guests seem content to lounge by the pristine pool -- complete with a swim-up bar and views of the ocean -- or relax on the gorgeous private beach, where white sands meet turquoise waters. The beach is smaller than those at neighboring properties and there aren’t many shady spaces, but it is rarely crowded and the hotel provides comfy lounge chairs and umbrellas.

The property also features a walking path, yoga, biking, snorkeling, kayaking, and many other non-motorized water sports activities. Each guest can also go on a 45-minute horseback riding tour and receive a 20-minute massage for no additional fee. More horseback riding sessions and longer massages do require a fee. There's live music at night, but it's mostly mellow. For some local culture, look out for cigar-rolling demonstrations and Spanish classes. There are no golf courses within the immediate vicinity, but several quality courses can be found within an hour’s drive of the resort.

Zoetry Agua Punta Cana wedding packages are available, as are honeymoon and anniversary packages. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There's a small staffed business center with computers and printers next to the cafe.

Every guest receives a free 20-minute massage, and that's probably enough of a tease to bring most guests to the spa for the full treatment. It's one of the best facilities in Punta Cana and includes a free-to-use hydrotherapy circuit in a partially open-air thatched-roof room featuring an indoor pool with hydro jets, a steam room, sauna, and sensation showers. Lovely treatment rooms are designed for couples or singles. Some of the offerings include body wraps, hot stone massages, diamond energy facials, and citrus scrubs. Full salon services for men and women are provided.

Free yoga classes are held on the beach (weather permitting) every morning. The 24-hour gym includes modern Cybex equipment, free weights, and yoga balls.