The Dominican Republic is famous for its beautiful all-inclusive resorts. With so many options, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. I spent hours researching hotels in the lower and mid-price range, reading reviews, and watching videos. I finally chose Hilton La Romana, and it didn’t disappoint. Most of my expectations were met, and some aspects even exceeded them. In this post, I’ll share my review of our 8-night stay in November 2024 with my partner. In this post I’ll review all key aspect —pools, beach, rooms, dining, activities, and more—to help you decide if Hilton La Romana is right for you.
About Hilton La Romana
Despite the name, Hilton La Romana is located about a 30-minute drive from La Romana. The closest town is Bayahibe, which can be reached by walking along the beach for around 20 minutes. While there isn’t a large town nearby, the hotel’s peaceful setting surrounded by nature more than makes up for it.
The resort sits on the stunning Bayahibe Beach along the Caribbean Sea, offering a more serene alternative to the Atlantic-facing beaches of Punta Cana. Hilton La Romana is split into two sections: the Family Side and the Adults Only Side for guests over 18. Although technically separate hotels, adult guests have access to both sides. This gives them double the options for pools, restaurants, bars, and the entire private beach.
Families with children must stay on the family side. However, they can visit the adult section if the children are supervised by another adult. The two sections are located next to each other, making it easy to move between them. The all-inclusive package includes meals, snacks, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), activities, and access to sports facilities. Guests can enjoy the gym, tennis courts, and non-motorized water sports as part of the offering.
To learn more about what’s on offer, visit the hotel’s dedicated websites: water sports as part of the offering. To find out more what’s on offer you can visit dedicated hotels website: Hilton La Romana Home and Hilton La Romana Adults Home. There, you’ll find details such as opening times, restaurant menus, activity and entertainment schedules, and more. It’s helpful to keep these sites handy during your stay.
Location: 8/10
The location of this hotel offers both pros and cons. On the positive side, it’s situated in a peaceful area along a stunning beach with the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea—perfect for those seeking relaxation. However, if you prefer a more lively atmosphere, another hotel might be a better fit. While Bayahibe village, just a 20-minute walk along the beach, has some bars and restaurants, it’s relatively small and quiet.
In terms of access to key locations in the Dominican Republic, the hotel is less than an hour’s drive from Punta Cana airport—longer than the drive to Punta Cana hotels. A major advantage is the hotel’s proximity to Isla Saona, one of the most popular excursions in the region. Many tours depart directly from Bayahibe beach, so no transfer is needed if you’re planning this trip.
For other activities, you’ll find more options closer to Punta Cana, although nearby beach buggy excursions offer a bit of adventure. I rated the location 8/10 because, while I appreciated the tranquillity and beautiful surroundings, the lack of a larger town nearby might not appeal to everyone. It’s not the hotel’s strongest feature, but it’s still a solid choice depending on your preferences.
Beach: 10/10
The hotel’s beach is stunning—a true paradise with soft white sand, clear blue water, and palm trees. Though I worried it might feel small due to rocky sections, it turned out to be quite spacious.
The beach is divided into Family and Adults Only areas, each with its own Enclave Beach and a general section. The Family Beach is lively with activities like Zumba and volleyball, while the Adults Beach offers a quieter vibe. Quick lunch options on the beach are a nice touch, and while sunbeds can fill up quickly, there’s usually space at the far end of the Adults Beach.
I rated the beach 10/10 for its beauty, warm sea, and relaxing atmosphere—it became my favourite spot, even as someone who usually prefers pools!
Pools: 8.5/10
The hotel offers one general access pool and one Enclave pool on each side. The general pools are larger, centrally located, and closer to the beach, while the Enclave pools are quieter and more intimate. The adults’ section features two stunning infinity pools, one with a swim-up bar. The family section has a lake-shaped pool, a large hot tub, and a shallow pool for small children, making it ideal for families. The family pool also has more sunbeds, making it convenient for those arriving later in the day.
Both pools offer fitness classes and music for a lively atmosphere. Bali beds are available for purchase but were often empty due to their high cost (over $100/day). While visually stunning, I rated the pools 8.5/10 because the water felt a little too cold, and I preferred the warmer sea during my stay.
Dining – 9/10
Dining at Hilton La Romana far exceeded my expectations. The variety on offer was exceptional. Each side of the hotel features a buffet restaurant and four à la carte options. Since adult guests can dine on both sides, the choices far outnumber the dinner nights we had available. I often find dining in all-inclusive resorts repetitive after a few days. That wasn’t the case here—we dined at a different venue every night. For breakfast, we opted for the adults-only buffet due to its brighter, more inviting décor. Although Enclave guests have access to an additional à la carte breakfast option, we found the buffet selection more than sufficient. It’s worth noting the adults-only buffet is closed for dinner, so buffet fans must visit the family section in the evening. However, we chose to explore the à la carte options instead.
Adults-Only À La Carte Restaurants
Chinola (Latin American Fusion on the adults-only side) was our top pick. Its unique outdoor seating by the beach, complemented by live music and dancing, created an unforgettable experience. The food was outstanding, with a grill serving a selection of meats directly to your table, allowing us to sample various dishes in one meal. The signature cocktails were the best we had at the resort.
Sakura (Pan-Asian specialties, also on the adults-only side) deserves a special mention. Guests can choose from a classic à la carte experience, a live-cooking show, or a sushi bar. We booked the live-cooking experience and also dined in the main restaurant. The interactive cooking was a highlight, and the ambiance matched the restaurant’s theme beautifully. The dishes were flavourful, though the cocktails didn’t quite rival Chinola’s.
Other adults-side options include Noor (Mediterranean grill), where Enclave guests can have breakfast, and Mare, a seafood and grill restaurant that we didn’t get a chance to try.
Family À La Carte Restaurants
Overall, most dishes were delicious, with a few misses that didn’t detract from the overall experience, thanks to the vast variety. We often ordered multiple starters and soups in addition to our mains, ensuring we always found something we loved. Note that restaurants typically close one night a week, so it’s wise to check the app for opening schedules. Apart from Sakura’s special experiences, no reservations were needed, which provided flexibility, though dining after 7 PM sometimes resulted in a short wait. To avoid waiting, we often chose to dine earlier.
Among the family-side restaurants, La Moustache (French cuisine) stood out, with its delicious vegetable ratatouille and solid selection of mains. Azzurri (Italian) was worth trying, though the pasta didn’t fully meet our expectations as fans of Italian cuisine. Ausangate (Peruvian) offered tasty dishes, but its proximity to the family buffet detracted from its ambiance. The Grill, located by the sea, was pleasant but not particularly memorable.
Lunch Options
For lunch, there were two buffets and a couple à la carte restaurants including Mare and The Grill, but we preferred the beach options. On the family side, a pizzeria served pizza by the slice, and a beachside spot offered burgers, tacos, and nachos. On the adults-only side, a daily stand featured rotating dishes like paella, focaccia, or poke bowls. This variety made a sit-down lunch unnecessary.
I rated dining a solid 9/10 for its impressive variety and quality. Across a week’s stay, the options kept meals interesting, with some dishes standing out as exceptional, most being very good, and only a few falling short. For an all-inclusive resort, it was an excellent culinary experience.
Bars & Beverages – 8.5/10
Hilton La Romana offers a variety of bars conveniently located throughout the resort, ensuring you’re never far from a drink. Each side of the hotel features a lobby bar open from 10 AM to midnight. For evening drinks, On The Rocks, located on the family side near the à la carte restaurants, is a popular spot.
During the day, you can enjoy beverages at the beach bar or one of the poolside bars, most of which are swim-up for added convenience. The quality of the cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, was impressive. Frozen options like piña coladas and coco locos were especially refreshing in the tropical heat.
A standout feature is the coffee shops on both sides of the resort, offering the best coffee options available. They serve a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks alongside sweets and sandwiches. I particularly enjoyed grabbing an iced coffee to enjoy on the beach or while exploring the resort.
I rated the bars and beverages an 8.5/10. The accessibility and variety of drinks were excellent, and the quality exceeded expectations for a resort. However, the seating availability in the evenings was limited, leading to a slightly crowded experience at peak times.
Activities – 8/10
Hilton La Romana offers an impressive array of activities throughout the day, ensuring there’s always something to do. Mornings start with relaxing yoga and stretching classes, providing the perfect way to ease into the day. As the morning progresses, pool-based fitness classes such as aqua boxing, aqua biking, and paddleboard yoga take centre stage. Each class is offered twice daily, giving you the flexibility to join at a time that works best for you.
Midday brings the highly popular aqua dance sessions in the sea—a lively and enjoyable way to stay active during your vacation. Afternoons are filled with engaging options like beach volleyball, soccer, and Zumba or dance classes, all held on the family side of the resort. The Zumba sessions on the beach were a personal highlight, combining fun with a good workout.
I rated activities an 8/10 due to the extensive variety, but some aspects left room for improvement. While the activities were enjoyable, they occasionally felt under-planned, with delays in start times being a minor inconvenience. Additionally, most classes were only 30 minutes long, but the sheer number of options made it easy to explore a wide range of experiences throughout my stay.
Water Park – 10/10
One of the highlights of Hilton La Romana is the water park, offering a fun and refreshing way to spend your time. True to the resort’s style, the water park is surrounded by lush greenery, creating a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere.
The main attractions are the four slides, two of which are designed for use with inflatables, adding a touch of comfort and extra fun to the experience. The lazy river is another standout feature, winding around the park and featuring small waterfalls that add an element of playful challenge as you float along.
Practicality is also a strong point. A food and drinks stand within the park ensures you don’t need to leave when hungry or thirsty, and the availability of towels on-site is especially convenient given the park’s distance from the beach. For those looking to take a break, there are plenty of sun loungers to relax on between activities.
I rated the water park a 10/10. The slides were exhilarating, the lazy river was a delightful addition, and the overall design and landscaping made it a perfect spot to combine fun and relaxation.
Evening Entertainment – 7/10
The evening entertainment at Hilton La Romana provided a nice way to relax after a day of activities, though it didn’t stand out as a highlight. Adjusting to the time zone meant I missed a few shows, but the ones I attended were enjoyable overall.
The performances included typical all-inclusive staples like a Michael Jackson tribute, a retro show, and a Dominican cultural performance. While they were visually engaging, they didn’t feel particularly unique. The magician show, however, was a standout for me—it featured familiar tricks but was well-executed and genuinely entertaining.
It was disappointing that the acrobatics show was cancelled, as I was looking forward to it, but the animation team quickly stepped in and replaced it with their own performance, which helped make up for the disappointment.
I rated the entertainment 7/10. While not the strongest feature of the resort, the shows added a pleasant touch to the evenings, and a few were definitely worth watching to round out the holiday
Rooms – 9/10
The garden view room I stayed in at Hilton La Romana was spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped. The king-size bed provided a restful night’s sleep, and there was ample storage space, including two wardrobes. One of the wardrobes also contained a safe for storing valuables.
The room also featured a mini bar stocked with water, Coca-Cola, Sprite, and beer, and it was regularly replenished, so we never ran out of. For entertainment, the room had a large TV with many channels, many of which were in English. However, given all the activities the resort offered, we didn’t find much time to watch TV.
I appreciated the presence of several electrical outlets by the bed, including USB charging stations—particularly useful for European visitors who may not brought adapters with them. The tropical-themed décor was tasteful, adding a touch of vacation flair without being overwhelming.
The bathroom was functional, with a large shower and a sizable mirror. A small downside was that the sink was a bit far out, causing some water to spill around the countertop, which was a little inconvenient. That said, there were plenty of towels, all the essential toiletries, and extras like bathrobes and slippers. Additionally, an ironing board and umbrella were provided, which was a nice touch, especially considering the frequent rain during certain seasons in the Dominican Republic.
I rated the room 9/10. It was comfortable, functional, and well-equipped for a relaxing stay.
Sports Facilities – 9/10
For those who enjoy staying active during their holiday, Hilton La Romana offers a range of excellent options. The gym is well-equipped and available throughout the day, though the treadmills can get busy in the early mornings. If you prefer a quieter experience, the gym tends to be much emptier during the rest of the day. Inside, you’ll find towels, water, and small snacks to keep your energy up.
The resort also features newly built sports courts, including two clay tennis courts and four pickleball courts, open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations are required a day in advance and can be made at the towel centre. Guests receive rackets, balls, towels, and an ice bucket with chilled water. The friendly staff are attentive and even helped retrieve a few stray balls during our game.
For water sport enthusiasts, the resort offers non-motorized water sports such as kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats, snorkel gear, and mini catamarans. Equipment can be reserved a day in advance for one-hour slots, but same-day rentals are often available. Catamarans require prior experience unless booking a guided tour for an additional fee. The water sports centre is located at the end of the adults-only beach. Guests are required to stay within the designated hotel beach area, but this still offers a fantastic way to enjoy the water and admire the resort from a unique perspective.
The sports facilities at Hilton La Romana are impressive, with a diverse range of well-maintained options included in the stay. The addition of tennis and pickleball courts enhances the experience, and I’d confidently rate the facilities a 9/10.
Landscaping – 10/10
The landscaping at this resort was absolutely breath-taking from the moment we arrived. On our first morning, we took a walk around the entire property and were in awe of its beauty. With its abundance of trees and plants, the resort seamlessly blends into the natural surroundings. The buildings are low-rise and spread out across the grounds, making the size of the property almost unnoticeable.
Being surrounded by so much greenery was incredibly relaxing. If you venture to the far end of the family section of the resort, you’ll discover a serene spot with hammocks. It’s a hidden gem where few people go, so the only sounds you’ll hear are the gentle chirping of birds—a phenomenal place to unwind.
I particularly loved the design of the corridors between the buildings. They have roofs but no walls, allowing you to feel connected to nature as you move around. The grounds are impeccably maintained, and we often saw staff trimming the grass or bushes, ensuring everything stayed pristine. At night, the resort transforms with soft, elegant lighting that creates a magical atmosphere.
This incredible attention to detail was a standout feature of my stay, and I rated the experience a perfect 10/10. The care and effort put into maintaining such a beautiful space truly deserve high praise.
Overall Rating: Would I Recommend It?
If you’ve read any part of my review above, it should come as no surprise that I wholeheartedly recommend booking Hilton La Romana if you’re planning a trip to the Dominican Republic. This stunning resort is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and leave your stress behind. Its remote and peaceful location, paired with breathtaking landscaping and lush greenery, creates a serene and inviting atmosphere.
The golden-sand beach is gorgeous, with calm and warm waters that are ideal for swimming. As part of the all-inclusive package, the resort offers a variety of high-quality dining options, numerous activities, excellent sports facilities, a water park, and lively evening entertainment. There’s something for everyone, making it easy to enjoy every moment of your stay.
Considering the quality of its offerings, I believe this resort provides exceptional value for money. I was heartbroken to leave, and I sincerely hope to visit again in the future. Hilton La Romana truly delivers an unforgettable experience!
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