Every single year, the travel world waits to see which resorts will take the crown in the highly anticipated Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards. For the 2026 edition, nearly 800,000 passionate travelers cast their votes to rank the absolute best properties on the planet. While the Caribbean is packed with thousands of incredible hotels, the Dominican Republic stole the spotlight this year.
Two stunning Punta Cana properties absolutely dominated the list of the 40 Best Resorts in the Caribbean Islands. If you are looking to escape the massive, crowded mega resorts and want to experience the absolute pinnacle of tropical luxury, here is exactly what makes these two award winning hotels so amazing and what you can expect to pay for a stay.
Eden Roc Cap Cana
Coming in at number six with an incredibly high score of 99.07, Eden Roc Cap Cana is not your average beach hotel. Located inside the highly exclusive, gated community of Cap Cana, this property is actually the only Relais and Chateaux member hotel in the entire Dominican Republic. That prestigious title means the service, the food, and the attention to detail are literally world class.
Instead of cramming thousands of guests into concrete hotel blocks, Eden Roc features just 67 ultra luxurious accommodations. You can choose between independent beachfront suites, massive private villas with their own pools, and brand new oceanfront rooms designed for absolute privacy. The architectural styles blend perfectly with the lush Caribbean environment, making you feel like you are staying in a private tropical village.
Foodies will absolutely love this property, as it features four distinct dining spaces serving incredible gourmet meals. When you need to unwind, you can head to the Eden Roc Spa by Natura Bisse. This facility was recently crowned the best resort spa in the country at the 2026 World Spa Awards. You can book everything from deep tissue massages to specialized skin care therapies. If you are traveling with children, the staff goes completely out of their way to treat kids like royalty at the Koko Kids Club.
Since this is the absolute peak of Caribbean luxury, a stay here does not come cheap. Depending on the season and the room category, nightly rates typically start around $800 USD and easily climb well over $1,500 USD for the private villas. It is the ultimate splurge for a honeymoon, an anniversary, or a blowout family vacation.
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana
Taking the number seven spot on the list with a score of 96.59 is the stunning Zoetry Agua Punta Cana. This property is making its first ever appearance on the Readers Choice Awards list, and it is easy to see why travelers are completely obsessed with it. Unlike Eden Roc, Zoetry is a fully all inclusive, strictly adults only resort. It is designed entirely around romance, wellness, and total relaxation.
The vibe here is incredibly intimate. The resort features just 51 rooms divided between gorgeous two story buildings with authentic thatched roofs and independent villas. These rooms are perfectly distributed around two winding, crystal clear swimming pools and sit just a one minute walk from the powdery white sand beach. You never have to wake up early to fight for a pool chair at this property.
One of the biggest complaints travelers have about standard all inclusive resorts is mediocre buffet food. Zoetry completely shatters that stereotype. The restaurants in the complex are deeply inspired by traditional Dominican cuisine and bold international flavors. The chefs focus heavily on using organic and locally grown ingredients to craft healthy, gourmet meals that rival any top city restaurant.
For travelers looking to lock in an adults only escape without worrying about the final bill, Zoetry offers incredible value for the luxury tier. Nightly rates generally range from $500 to $800 USD depending on the time of year. Since all your premium food and drinks are included, it is a fantastic option for couples who want a high end, stress free getaway.
The Shift To Boutique Luxury
The massive success of these two Punta Cana properties highlights a growing trend in the travel industry. Vacationers are getting tired of the massive, impersonal mega resorts that hold three thousand guests. While those huge properties are great for a lively party atmosphere, travelers who want to truly relax are seeking out boutique properties with under one hundred rooms.
When a resort only has fifty or sixty suites, the staff can actually learn your name, remember your favorite morning coffee order, and provide a level of personalized service that is simply impossible at a larger property. Both Eden Roc and Zoetry have mastered this boutique approach. They offer the stunning Caribbean beaches that made Punta Cana famous, combined with a peaceful, highly curated atmosphere that guarantees a flawless holiday.
Top Caribbean Resorts
How To Choose Your Perfect Escape
If you are ready to book an award winning vacation to the Dominican Republic this winter, choosing between these two incredible properties comes down to your specific travel group. If you are traveling with your family or a large group of friends and want the ultimate privacy of a standalone villa, Eden Roc Cap Cana is the absolute best choice on the island. If you are planning a romantic couples trip and want the convenience of an adults only, premium all inclusive package, Zoetry Agua is your perfect match. Either way, you are guaranteed to experience the very best hospitality the Caribbean has to offer.
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