In early August, I joined 30 other Macaroni KID publishers from around the U.S. for our annual Boondoggle trip. This year, we were hosted by Meliá Caribe Beach, an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This was my first visit to Punta Cana and I came home with so many wonderful memories of not only the place but of the people and culture of the Dominican Republic.
After over a year of this COVID pandemic, don't we all need a break from reality for a little while? While the pandemic is ongoing, getting away with your partner or your family can be so good for the soul.
Worried about traveling right now? Rest assured, Meliá Caribe Beach has taken all necessary precautions to ensure you feel safe while at their resort. All of their staff have had the COVID vaccine and all of them wear masks at all times. Staff are very diligent at cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces and hand sanitizer and gloves are dispensed to each guest of the buffet restaurants. I felt very comfortable there, more so than I do in many places here in Arkansas. Meliá Caribe Beach also offers free travel insurance and an antigen test that is administered by independent laboratories that come to the resort to administer the test. You can learn more about the COVID protocols here.
I flew from Northwest Arkansas to Dallas and from Dallas into Punta Cana. Immediately upon arriving at the resort, I was welcomed by employees and the wonderful manager of the resort. All of the employees are friendly and kind and it is always easy to find assistance if you need it.
Meliá Caribe Beach sits along the beautiful white sandy Bávaro Beach and we enjoyed a delicious dinner and entertainment our first night. With an all-inclusive resort like this, you can enjoy wonderful food and drink with no extra cost and it's a great way to try new foods as well.
Melia has several resorts along this stretch of beach and Meliá Caribe Beach is family-friendly. It is located next to the Meliá adult-only resort. Meliá Caribe Beach has SIX amazing swimming pools, including a fenced area that holds a beautiful children's splash pad and pool area designed with families in mind. They even have cotton candy and kids activities throughout the day.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable and they even have rooms that can accommodate families of 5-6 people. With bunk beds and adjoining rooms, there are several options perfect for a group trip with family.
Meliá Caribe Beach has 13 different restaurants, so you can swim, eat, drink and repeat as much as you want. Savor the Mediterranean, Spanish, Tex-Mex, Italian or Asian cuisine. Enjoy endless options at an international buffet and kid-friendly choices like pancakes and grilled cheese as well. The fresh fruit from the area — including pineapples, mangoes, and bananas — is better than any you will find at your local grocery store.
The resort is huge, but that doesn't mean you will have to walk 20,000 steps a day. There are trams and golf carts available to offer you complimentary rides to the pool, gift shop, restaurant or beach. There are plenty of cabanas near the swimming pools and chairs with umbrellas on the beach, so it's not difficult to find a place to set up with your sunscreen and relax for the day.
From the beautiful scenery and the welcoming atmosphere to the staff who truly care and treat you like family, Meliá Caribe Beach is a perfect destination for your family. I have already started checking on flights to travel back there and take my family this time. I love to visit a place and leave feeling like I can't wait to come back, and that's how Meliá Caribe Beachmade me feel. Our trip there was a much-needed respite in this difficult time and was good for my mental and physical health. The resort uses the hashtag #soulmatters, and more than ever, it does.
I was hosted at Meliá Caribe Beach Resort for purposes of a review. All opinions, photos and statements are my own.
