Among Caribbean resorts, Club Med Punta Cana achieves almost mythical status for families. It’s an easy win with its big-hearted kids clubs for children between the ages of 4 months and 17 years (broken down by age so each baby, toddler, kid, and teen gets attention and activities sized just right for them), nightly family-friendly entertainment, and its daily Circus School that gives kids and adults the chance to fly through the air on the trapeze, bounce high on the trampoline, and play on the other elements scattered around the brightly colored open-air space.
Recently I went and checked out the resort’s new and updated spaces including a reimagined food hall that replaces its more traditional buffet space; new deluxe rooms in the Costa del Coco section of the resort; a reinvented main bar, Joia, which feels like the welcoming heart of the property day and night; a new coffee shop for all-day drinks and snacks (and all-day access to the brand’s signature white chocolate bread, more on that below); and changes to the lobby/reception area that I mention because I want to show you the focal point of the new space, which is a beautiful celestial-navigation-inspired sculpture (photo above).
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Come with me to see what’s new at Club Med Punta Cana. I took plenty of photos while I was there to capture all the details.
El Mundo Food Club: the new main restaurant
In what I hope is a Club Med trend that will sweep its resorts worldwide, the main restaurant has ditched the traditional buffet format for a much more interesting food hall vibe.
El Mundo is broken up into individual restaurant spaces, each with a menu that changes by meal and day. It’s the perfect format for mixing and matching, and though it’s not so very different from a buffet (there’s very little waiting, and food is mostly at the ready), it feels so much more creative and elevated.
Included in the mix is French-focused Lulu, Central- and South-American inspired Chula, pan-Asian restaurant Kyo, American Smokey’s, and Mediterranean Olea with its mix of Greek, Middle Eastern, and Italian offerings. Outside, there’s also a dessert counter serving homemade gelato.
Costa del Coco rooms: new rooms
There are many room types across the expansive resort, but the newest are those in Costa Del Coco, which are the buildings set straight back behind the Hispanola restaurant (my favorite spot for a waterfront breakfast).
The rooms are said to be inspired by coconuts, a fun design point reflected in the arches between spaces and the attention to texture and color. While not large, these rooms are beautifully designed to offer what feel like distinct spaces, including a lounge area with seating and a TV that opens out onto a balcony, a closet and dressing area that’s shielded from the rest of the room, separate shower and sink areas (great for multiple people are sharing a space), and a main bedroom space that lets in light from different angles. Bonus: This area’s central location makes it an easy walk to most of the resort.
Joia: the new main bar
The new main bar, which replaces Cielo, is steps from the resort’s main pool, El Mundo, Circus School, and both the main outdoor stage and the theater. During the day, it feels both connected to the landscapes around it and lively, hosting dance classes and other activities. In the evening, it’s a natural gathering place, with plenty of comfortable seating for couples, families, and groups.
Late-night (after 10), it’s a party, with dancing and drinks. Its design melds a relaxed island atmosphere with more elegant touches that hint at the brand’s French roots. Drinks–all free since Club Med is all-inclusive–include cocktails, mocktails, sodas, wine and beer, and sparkling water.
Coffee Shop: a new space for coffee, pastries, and snacks
Full disclosure, I wish they had named it something more exciting than Coffee Shop, but that’s a minor quibble for what you get here: all-day Dominican-sourced coffee, coffee drinks, smoothies, and snacks.
Large jars offer self-serve cookies and other treats, and a pastry case is packed with house-made baked goods including little croissants and Club Med’s signature white chocolate bread (it comes in a few forms, including little buns and sliced bread; trust me, even if you’re not a white chocolate person, there’s something about the lightly sweet, perfectly textured bread that will hook you).
There are also sandwiches and fruit, which is a real good-to-know, especially if you’re at the pool next door and want a light lunch or a snack. And maybe the most important thing: This is one of the few air conditioned spaces beyond the guest rooms, which on hot days is such a treat.
