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IMPORTANT Update December 2007 - Vacationkids is pleased to report Sunscape The Beach Resort has undergone an $8 million dollar enhancement and has been upgraded to a six star luxury family resort. This resort has now been renamed Dreams Punta Cana. Please see our new webpage for Dreams Punta Cana for all the latest information, features and news.
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April 2005 - Vacationkids Sally Black and Jan McAuley were invited to attend the grand opening gala of the brand Sunscape The Beach resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Jan took photos as Sally congratulated AMresorts President Alex Zozoya, General Manager Jose Carrasco & Resident Manager Marco Soria. Vacationkids Terry Hoddinott had visited the resort in December 2005 for a sneak peak just as construction was being completed. As per her preview, Sally and Jan knew there would be much to celebrate. Since the grand gala opening, Jan returned in the fall of 2005 to vacation with her own family which speaks volumes of what we here at Vacationkids.com think about this resort!
Sunscape The Beach is the first Suncape property that AMresorts built from scratch. This time they were able to include all the wonderful features that families enjoy from all their other resorts namely
The Sunscape Casa Del Mar LaRomana in the Dominican Republic and Sunscape Puerto Aventuras in Mexico's Riviera Maya. Sunscape resorts are sister properties to the four luxury Dream resorts namely
Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa,
Dreams Tulum in Mexico's Riviera Maya
Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spaand last but not least Dreams Los Cabos Golf Suites and Resort and spa..
Sunscape The Beach is a property full of delightful surprises that families will enjoy for years to come.
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Sunscape The Beach is listed as being in Punta Cana but is is technically located in Playa Uvero Alto on the north east coast of the Dominican Republic, 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Punta Cana airport and 2 hours from the La Romana airport. Geographically if you look at a map of the Dominican Republic you'll see that the eastern side of the island comes to a point. Most of the Punta Cana resorts are located along the southern, bottom side of this point. The southern side of the island faces the Caribbean Sea. Sunscape The Beach resort is located just around the other side of this point and it's beach faces towards the east and the Atlantic ocean. This 616 room resort is not too big and not too small...it's just right! The entire resort if very easy to navigate and is stroller friendly. Once you get the lay of the land you can go from the front lobby and walk in the shade all the way down to the beach.
To begin this review, it must be said that there is a very good reason why this property is called Sunscape THE BEACH because OH, what a BEAUTIFUL beach it is!
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This is one of the most beautiful beaches we've ever seen. This sandy shore goes on for miles in either direction as far as the eyes can see.
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It is certainly a beach lovers paradise, plenty of room to kick back and relax under a shady palm or find a spot in the sand where you can dig a hole to China.
Sunscape The Beach has plenty of fun in the sun on their beach too for more active folks. There are all sorts of non motorized water sports to enjoy including snorkeling, hobie cats and introductory dive lessions. Please know these activities are free as part of the all inclusive program but guests are required to leave a minimal deposit to insure that all equipment is returned promptly and in good order. There is a dive shop located right on the beach with is independently run by Scuba Caribe. Here hotel guests can make arrangements for scuba and snorkeling excursions which are not part of the all inclusive program.
Sally met a new friend on the beach at Sunscape The Beach. She'd like to introduce you to CeCe. She and her pony pal Pedro are on the beach daily from 11am to 4pm offering pony rides to kids under 12. The pony rides for children are part of the all inclusive. Horseback Riding excursions can be arranged for adults and children for a fee.
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The focal point of this resort is it's massive pool called the Lazy River. Please know this is NOT a waterpark type ride with a current...it's just the name they have given to the pool because it winds through the entire property like a river. This 300 square yard pool starts at the far end of the property near the lobby exit and spa with a zero entry area, shallow splash area for kids including a fun iceburg that the little ones can climb and slide on. Along the way kids will enjoy talking to the parrots who always have something to say.
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It is a LONG swim in this pool. You can float along under bridges, past pool activity areas and shady palapas.
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Seriously, when you're swimming in this pool it just seems to go on and on forever!
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But at the end of the pool is the reward...the swim up pool bar where you can kick back, enjoy a nice refreshing drink and a little time in the jacuzzi while enjoying the view of the ocean.
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There is also a second kids pool area over in the Explorers club. Here kids from ages 3-12 can enjoy imaginative adventures in their own pirate ship waterslide, fantasy castle complete with a splash moat. Just a note...toddlers must be at least age 3 and potty trained to join in the fun at the Explorer's club.
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Sunscape The Beach has created a kids club that answers to a child's imagination. Parents will be pleased to know the area is gated and fully supervised. The kids club is open from 9am - 5pm daily. Children can enjoy their dinner at the Explorers club while staying to see a big screen movie under the stars. This affords moms and dads time for a romantic dinner or a bit of alone time. Beepers are available to call parents should your child need you but with all there is to do, this probably won't happen often.
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The pirate ship and castle are actually functioning, practical play areas that include a craft area, theater and rooms for indoor games. There is also a snack area and a sand pit but look closely, the floor here is all padded so no worries about being slippery and safe. Again surprises are around every corner at Sunscape The Beach. They have even included teepees and tents for evening camp out fun. Every night they show a family movie or cartoon on a big screen in this area. It's suppose to be for kids but we spotted a lot of parents joining in on the fun too...including Jan!
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While kids are at the explorer's club parents may choose to indulge themselves at the full service spa at Sunscape The Beach. Trust us...once you step foot in this beautiful spa you may never want to leave! The decor is restful and relaxing. Massages and many other treatments take place in private, peaceful palapas that are surrounded by gold fish ponds. There is a full menu of treatments to choose from (additional fee). There are even spa services for children. Kids can enjoy salon hair braiding and services, manicures and massages are available as long as they have a parent in tow.
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And as we said there are surprises around every turn. At the end of the spa is a complete hydro therapy circuit. Just follow the posted directions for timed sauna, steam, shower and whirlpool water therapy. Sally and Jan spent a lot of time in this secret corner of the resort recouperating from all their hotel inspections. They felt like this was their own little corner of paradise so sshhh...don't let anybody in on this secret spot ok!
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Just in case you're a bit more energetic, Sunscape The Beach has a The resort’s state-of-the-art, air conditioned fitness center includes free-weights, treadmills, stair climbers, Nordic-Trac/Universal, martial arts and exercise bikes. Aerobic classes, yoga classes, tennis lessons and more are available to get you up and moving!
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Jan says look forward to enjoying BOAT LOADS of food at Sunscape The Beach Resort...and she wasn't kidding!...Ok to explain the picture, this was taken at one of the Sunscape's famed themed dinner nights. The garden area was transformed with glowing tiki torches and delicious selections of international cuisine was served from ice filled canoes. Jan said the resort's beautiful Wedding gazebo was transformed into what she aptly named "The Dome of Decadence" which included all sorts of delicious, speciality deserts that tasted out of this world!
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At Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana there is no need to make dinner reservations like in other resorts. You can simply show up at your restuarant choice and enjoy a delicious dinner. Please know gentlemen are required to wear long pants and closed toe shoes for dinner. Women and children can wear casual sportswear but no beachwear is allowed in the evenings. During the day bathing suits and cover ups are the normal attire. At Sunscape the Beach you can enjoy six different dining choices...
El Patio - Mexican A la Carte cuisine. Air conditioned, Dinner served 6:30pm-10:30pm.
Sea Side Grill - Beach palapa offering grilled steaks, burgers, appetizer salad and desserts.
Bella Italia - À la carte fresh Italian specialties that are both innovative and traditional, with an antipasto, salad, and dessert bar. Serving dinner from 6:30 - 10:30 PM.
Himitsu - Japanese featuring Tepanyaki grill tables as well as Oriental specialties in the dining room in elegant atmosphere. Air conditioned, Dinner served 6:30pm-10:30pm. This one was Jan and Sally's favorite restuarant. They ate here twice and raved about their meals...as well as being entertained by the chefs
Dreams - Oceanfront restaurant featuring fine gourmet dining. Air conditioned, Dinner served 6:30pm-10:30pm.
Oceana - Seafood specialties served under open air palapa located at the beach. Lunch served 12:30pm-3:00pm, Informal dress. Dinner served 6:30pm-10:30pm.
World Cafe - Main casual restaurant offering international cuisine, buffet & a la carte.Breakfast served 6:30am-10:30am. Informal dress Lunch served 12:30pm-3:00pm. Informal dress for lunch; Casual elegance for Dinner served 6:30pm-10:30pm. Besides all the delicious choices here, Jan was impressed with the specialized kid's buffet which catered to little taste buds with food prepared in smaller portions for little size appetites.
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Sunscape The Beach features 7 bars, all serving a wide selection of both national and international premium brand drinks & cocktails. Visit the Lobby Bar which also serves awesome cappicinos in the morning and tea in the afternoon(10am–10pm), Theater Bar (7pm–1am), Pool Bar (10am–5pm), Swim Up Bar (10am–5pm), Wellness Bar (10am–5:30pm), Sport Bar (10am–8pm), and the Cigar Piano Bar (11pm–2am).
After dinner, enjoy the wide array of live, nightly entertainment. Dance the night away at Desire's Night Club (11pm–2am). Mix and mingle with other resort guests at the weekly Manger's Cocktail Party. You can even try your luck at the casino* (7pm–3am) where you'll find roulette, slot machines, poker, Caribbean poker and blackjack. (*Adults 18 & over only)
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All of the rooms at Sunscape The Beach are elegantly appointed. Room amenities include one King Size or two Queen Size beds, superior furnishings, balcony or terrace, Air conditioning and ceiling fan, direct telephone with data port, 27" satellite TV with remote control and international programs, hair dryers, vanity mirror, alarm clock, shower and bath tub with VIP amenities and in room safe. The in room Minibar is refilled daily with soft drinks, juice.
All rooms at Sunscape The Beach will allow either 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children age of 11 and younger. Kids age 12 and older do pay adult rates here. Cribs and cots are available and there are adjoining rooms on a request basis. This property offers several room upgrade categories.
DELUXE, mountain or gardenview
DELUXE OCEANVIEW PREMIUM,
PREMIUM PRIVATE GARDEN, mountain or gardenview
MASTER SUITE, oceanfront with 2 bedrooms and private
Jacuzzi on your porch.
There are certain category rooms at Sunscape The Beach that are designed specifically for couples only. Children are NOT allowed in these category rooms...
PREMIUM SWIM OUT, private garden and direct access to the
pool
HONEYMOON DELUXE, oceanfront with private garden
HONEYMOON SWIM OUT, oceanfront with private garden and
direct access to the pool
HONEYMOON SUITE, private outdoor Jacuzzi and private terrace
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It's no surprise at all that you and your family will enjoy the vacation of a lifetime at Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana resort. Vacationkids family travel experts can arrange complete packages departing from US aiports. We can also make Land only reservations for families wanting to use their frequent flyer miles or for international families that live outside of the US.
TRAVEL TIP- Please know this property is not really close to the rest of the Punta Cana resort area. At the moment the ride to the resort is at least an hour long and fairly
bumpy. Construction has already begun on a new highway
up to this new resort area so we expect this situation to improve in the short term. As we said, the Sunscape staff has thought of everything and one of the surprising new features of this resort is a brand new helipad. If you really want to get your vacation started right away, consider a helicopter tour and transfer! For $135.00 per adult and $70 per child you can catch a helitour right from Punta Cana airport, enjoy a bird's eye tour of the beautiful Dominican Republic and arrive at Sunscape The Beach in 1/2 hour. Now that's a vacation with style! Just tell your Vacationkids agent that you would like to add this option onto your family's vacation and we'll make all the arrangements.
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