On Location: Hyatt Vivid makes its Dominican Republic debut with a fresh adults-only experience

“The mission was creating something that was authentic and rooted in destination.”

For Garivaldy Ubiera, director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, that meant drawing inspiration from the fishing-village heritage of Cabeza de Toro as the beachfront property underwent an extensive transformation.

“We only kept the walls literally, everything inside is new,” Ubiera told PAX during a recent visit.

The transformation is apparent from the moment guests arrive. 

A welcome mocktail sets a relaxed tone, while the lobby’s soaring timber ceilings, exposed wooden beams and tropical greenery create a striking first impression. 

The coastal influences continue throughout the resort, from photographs taken around the property and nearby community to individually styled restaurants featuring natural textures, earthy colours and locally inspired artwork.

Even the names reflect the surroundings. 

Spirited Sandpiper Bar & Grill and Piper’s Nest, for example, are named after the small shorebirds found along the beach.

According to Ubiera, the 467-room adults-only all-inclusive opened Aug. 28 following approximately two years of renovations. 

The property marks the Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts brand’s debut in the Dominican Republic.

Part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, Hyatt Vivid is an adults-only brand built around “flexibility over formality,” as Ubiera described it. 

The Punta Cana property was transformed to reflect the brand’s focus on culture, wellness and social experiences, and serves as its flagship, according to Ubiera. 

Despite its size, the property is surprisingly easy to navigate, with the beach, pools, restaurants and lobby all within a short walk of one another.

Lively, without the party-hotel label

“Not a party hotel at all, but very lively. Plenty of activities day and night,” Ubiera explained.

During PAX’s stay, some of the most engaging experiences took place beneath a thatched roof in a dedicated activity area on the beach, where guests could participate in hands-on art workshops.

One involved painting beach scenery on transparent plastic to create a stained-glass effect. 

In another workshop, PAX painted a traditional Dominican faceless doll, a handmade clay figure celebrating the country’s cultural identity.

As Ubiera and the workshop facilitator explained, the dolls’ blank faces represent the beauty and diversity of a people shaped by Indigenous, African and European heritage, without defining them by any single appearance or identity. 

Painting one offered a meaningful connection to that history and a personal keepsake to take home.

The workshops are part of a wider activity calendar that includes palm-leaf hat-making, rum tastings, kayaking, padel and wellness sessions. 

Guests can browse daily programming and restaurant hours through the Hyatt all-inclusive app.

The atmosphere changes after dark, when live performances take centre stage.

During PAX’s visit, circus-style acrobats performed on the beach, a bartending show incorporated fire in the plaza and a synchronized swimming performance added to the entertainment. 

Shows were generally scheduled around 9:15 p.m.

For guests looking to continue the evening, The Luggage Room offers a surprise before they even step inside.

Hidden behind a luggage-filled shelving unit, the speakeasy opens into a space with music, dancing, pool tables, foosball, air hockey and sports screens. 

Open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., it offers a livelier night out, while those seeking something more relaxed can enjoy live music in the lobby.

“I think what makes the property so special is the flexibility that it offers clients,” Ubiera said.

Dining with personality

The entertainment isn’t confined to the resort’s stages. 

At Akari Teppanyaki, dinner came with plenty of theatrics as an energetic chef worked the grill with humour and flair, keeping guests laughing between courses.

It’s an experience worth planning ahead for. 

The teppanyaki experience is offered at three tables within Akari and requires reservations through the concierge. 

The resort’s other à la carte dining experiences do not require reservations, according to Ubiera.

Across the property’s five à la carte restaurants, the attention to design is as noticeable as the variety of cuisines. 

Botanical wallpaper, patterned tiles, woven pendant lighting and decorative ceramics give each space its own character, while outdoor terraces bring the tropical surroundings into the dining experience.

Olivo serves Mediterranean cuisine, while Akari specializes in Asian and Nikkei dishes and Bowl Grain Rituals offers international street food.

The resort’s Dominican influences are particularly evident at Roots & Thyme, where Caribbean and local flavours take centre stage.

“We actually use local ingredients, and we mix them with, you know, internationally known techniques to create unique dishes,” Ubiera explained.

Four of the restaurants are housed across two levels of the same building, including Roots & Thyme and Olivo, which share access to a private dining room. 

For groups seeking a more intimate experience, the space can be reserved with the purchase of a bottle of wine.

Breakfast offers a different kind of variety at The Sandbar Eatery, the resort’s 350-seat international food hall. 

Seven buffet stations feature everything from eggs prepared to order and pastries to charcuterie and fresh juices.

During PAX’s visit, the food hall was serving breakfast, with lunch and dinner planned for a later stage. 

Ubiera said the expanded service would allow guests to build meals around individual stations.

“You can literally have an entire meal out of one station and try something different every day,” he said.

For something more casual, Spirited Sandpiper Bar & Grill serves an à la carte menu near the pools and beach.

Nearby Coco Café has the feel of a neighbourhood coffee shop, with globe pendant lights, warm wood finishes and marble-look tables. 

Open 24 hours, it serves pastries, sandwiches, matcha, ice cream and grab-and-go items, making it a convenient stop throughout the day or after a late evening.

Room service is also available during designated hours, with the schedule accessible through the Hyatt all-inclusive app. 

Ubiera confirmed that a previously communicated delivery charge had been removed.

Rooms, pools and the Vantage Club difference

For guests who prefer a leisurely start to the day, the Vantage Club upgrade offers another breakfast option at Terramar, the beachfront à la carte restaurant specializing in land and sea cuisine. 

Breakfast and lunch are reserved for Vantage Club guests, while dinner is available to everyone.

The intimate setting offered a pleasant alternative to the larger food hall, with the water providing a beautiful backdrop to the morning.

The experience is one of several privileges included with Vantage Club, which accounts for approximately half the resort’s accommodation inventory, according to Ubiera.

PAX stayed in a Vantage Club one-bedroom suite overlooking the beach, complete with a separate living area, full bathroom and powder room. 

Warm wood furnishings, neutral fabrics, woven hats, basketry and coastal photography created a relaxed atmosphere, while a textured wall hanging and generous seating gave the living area its own character and plenty of room to spread out.

Across the property, accommodation ranges from Deluxe guestrooms to one-bedroom suites, with pool-view, ocean-view and swim-out options. 

Entry-level rooms accommodate up to three guests, while the inventory includes 43 swim-out rooms, 69 one-bedroom suites and 14 pairs of connecting rooms.

Outside, palm trees and white loungers frame the resort’s pools, while thatched umbrellas shade lounge chairs along the nearby beach. 

All guests have access to two main pools, with Oasis offering a quieter atmosphere and Energy, closer to the beach, featuring a swim-up bar and a livelier social setting.

Vantage Club guests have exclusive access to two additional pools and a private beach area, along with upgraded liquor selections and two walk-up bars, Amber and Serenity Terrace Bar.

Other privileges include dedicated check-in at a lounge in the main lobby, where guests can relax with cocktails from the nearby Bloom Lobby Bar. 

A second Vantage Club lounge offers a light buffet-style selection of small bites and beverages.

Finding time to unwind

Wellness is another focus at Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana, with opportunities to relax, recharge or stay active throughout the stay.

At Zenda Spa, PAX experienced the hydrotherapy circuit, which includes a pool, steam room and sensation showers. 

Ubiera described the spa as “like a retreat from the vacation.” Vantage Club guests receive one complimentary hydrotherapy session per stay.

The spa also features 10 treatment rooms named after words of affirmation, including Awaken, Connect and Bond. 

Treatments incorporate regional ingredients such as cacao and Dominican fruits, adding a local touch to the wellness experience.

Across from the spa, Zenda Wellness Café serves fresh juices and lighter snacks, with padel and pickleball courts nearby. 

Indoor and outdoor fitness facilities offer further opportunities to stay active, while yoga, meditation and recovery-focused sessions round out the resort’s wellness programming.

What Canadian advisors should know

“Actually, we are seeing a lot of demand from the Canadian market, especially for the winter season,” Ubiera told PAX.

With Canada already ranking as Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana’s third-largest source market, the resort is preparing for its first winter season with growing interest from Canadian travellers, according to Ubiera.

He identified Toronto and Montreal as the main Canadian source markets, supported by direct flights and seasonal service from Atlantic Canada.

For advisors considering which clients would be best suited to the property, Ubiera pointed to travellers interested in cultural experiences, good food, wellness and a social atmosphere without the intensity of a party resort. 

He said the concept works particularly well for solo travellers and groups of friends.

One of the resort’s practical advantages is its proximity to Punta Cana International Airport.

“We’re located only a 20 minute drive from the Punta Cana airport,” Ubiera said. 

“So after your flight, you’re here in no time.”

A nearby marina offers access to catamaran excursions, with shopping and entertainment also within reach for guests interested in exploring beyond the resort.

The property also caters to weddings and groups, with outdoor ceremonies available on the beach, in the gardens or in the main plaza. 

Dedicated wedding and event facilities, accommodating up to 550 guests, are expected to become available between late November and early December.

For clients with accessibility requirements, the resort has five adapted guestrooms featuring wider doorways, lower switches, grab bars and modified bathrooms. 

Advisors should confirm individual needs with the property before booking.

To support sales, advisors can access resort contacts, product guides, photography, videos, fact sheets and educational resources through Confidant Collective, Hyatt’s travel advisor platform.

The people behind the experience

The staff helped make the stay memorable. 

Throughout PAX’s visit, they were welcoming and attentive, whether greeting guests in the lobby, serving meals or offering assistance around the property.

Those interactions reflected the sense of connection Ubiera hopes guests will experience.

“We like to make people feel at home,” Ubiera said. “We always try to, you know, make friends more than just treat you as a guest.”

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