The Dominican Republic is officially writing its next chapter in luxury travel, and developers are going all in. For years, the spotlight has been firmly fixed on the eastern beaches of Punta Cana. While that coastline is still absolutely booming, the country’s tourism board and massive hospitality brands are currently unlocking two entirely brand-new coastal destinations: Punta Bergantín in Puerto Plata on the northern coast, and Cabo Rojo in Pedernales down in the deep southwest.
What makes these upcoming projects so incredibly exciting is that they are not just rebrands, simple renovations, or new wings being tacked onto older hotels. These are massive, from-the-ground-up, independent anchor resorts being built from scratch on untouched land. They require entirely new infrastructure, new roads, and a massive vision. If you love stepping into a completely brand-new luxury hotel where the paint is fresh and the design is highly modern, you need to put these upcoming developments on your radar.
Here are the five biggest foundational mega-resorts being built to anchor the Dominican Republic’s newest tourist hubs, ranked counting down from five to one by their massive room counts.
5. Meliá Bergantín Beach
Coming in at number five is a massive foundational project that is going to help completely revitalize the northern coast of the country. Meliá Bergantín Beach is a highly anticipated joint venture between Meliá Hotels International and Grupo Puntacana. Set to anchor the new Punta Bergantín development in Puerto Plata, this stunning five-star independent resort is being built entirely from the ground up to offer 400 luxury rooms.
This is not a small boutique project. It is a massive undertaking designed to bring high-end travelers back to the Puerto Plata region. Construction was officially announced to break ground in late 2025, which puts its grand opening right in the 2027 to 2028 window given the sheer scale of the build. By partnering with Grupo Puntacana, Meliá is ensuring this property will feature world-class amenities, stunning beach access, and the kind of high-end service that will immediately put the northern coast back on the luxury travel map.
4. Dreams Cabo Rojo
Taking the fourth spot on the list brings us down to the deep southwest of the country, specifically the breathtaking untouched beaches of Pedernales. The massive Cabo Rojo development is currently underway, and Dreams Cabo Rojo is one of its primary anchors. Slated to open in late 2027, this family-friendly powerhouse from Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection is bringing 504 rooms to a region that previously had zero mega-resorts.
What is vital to understand about this property is that it is a highly specific, standalone construction project. It is not just a family-friendly wing attached to a bigger hotel; it is its own distinct plot with its own massive footprint. Families traveling to Cabo Rojo will have an absolute paradise built just for them, featuring massive pools, endless dining options, and the signature luxury experience that Dreams is famous for.
3. Secrets Cabo Rojo
Just beating out its sister property by a handful of keys, Secrets Cabo Rojo takes the third spot with exactly 507 rooms. Being built completely concurrently with the Dreams resort and also targeting a late 2027 launch, this property is designed to be the ultimate adults-only escape in the new Pedernales tourist hub.
Structural work on this massive ground-up build is already well underway. The developers are carving out a high-end, kid-free sanctuary on one of the most stunning, raw stretches of coastline in the entire Caribbean. Because it is being built entirely from scratch, the architects are able to perfectly integrate modern luxury with the surrounding natural beauty of the southwest. When it opens, it will offer couples and adult groups an unmatched level of privacy, top-shelf dining, and premium beachfront access in a completely fresh destination.
2. Iberostar Cabo Rojo
The runner-up for the biggest foundational resort is a property that is making history right now. Iberostar Cabo Rojo is officially the absolute first operational property to anchor the massive Pedernales development. Coming in at an impressive 588 rooms, this resort is currently in its final construction phases and is pushing hard for a late 2026 or early 2027 grand opening.
Because it is the pioneer property in this brand-new region, Iberostar has been leading the charge on all the heavy lifting. They have had to navigate the greenfield infrastructure challenges, like bringing in massive new water and power systems to an untouched area. When this property finally cuts the ribbon in the upcoming months, it will officially open Cabo Rojo to the world, offering almost six hundred rooms of premium, sustainable luxury right on the pristine sand.
1. Hyatt Zilara And Ziva Punta Bergantín
Taking the absolute top spot on our countdown is a colossal project heading to the northern coast. The Hyatt Zilara and Ziva Punta Bergantín is a massive dual-branded build that is going to completely dominate the new Puerto Plata tourist hub. Slated for a 2027 or 2028 opening, this unified complex is bringing a staggering 800 rooms to the region.
The brilliance of this massive ground-up project is how it perfectly splits its massive footprint to cater to everyone. Current development reports indicate that the adults-only Hyatt Zilara section will take up approximately 508 of those keys, leaving around 300 rooms dedicated to the highly family-centric Hyatt Ziva side. By combining these two powerhouse brands on a single, massive new site, Hyatt is creating an absolute mega-resort that will instantly become the crown jewel of the entire Punta Bergantín destination and set a new standard for luxury in the Dominican Republic.
The Foundational Mega-Resorts
Subscribe to our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to Dominican Republic Sun’s latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox.