Liz Gluck, who works in Operations Support at Covington Travel’s headquarters, shares her personal impressions of the Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana.

My 24 year old daughter and I recently enjoyed a perfect three-night mother/daughter getaway at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic this November. At first arrival, we were overwhelmed at the expanse of the property but that proved not to be a problem at all. By the next day, we knew how to navigate and took advantage of the frequent trams that passed by our building.

We stayed in an Islander Junior Suite that was ideal for us. The beds were super comfortable with subtle guitar motifs on the bedding and the bathroom was large with double bowl sinks and perfect lighting.

The Best of Both Worlds

There is so much to do at the resort or you can choose to do nothing but relax. We took advantage of the numerous activities offered – beach volleyball, nightly beach parties, a magic show, a variety show and of course, the casino! You can also participate in dance lessons and Spanish language lessons, attend shows at the theatre, play mini golf or ride bikes. In addition, guests also have Hard Rock Golf, the Rock Spa and the numerous shops at their disposal.

It’s so easy to relax on the sand beach or at the pools. You can lie in one of the many hammocks along the beach (my daughter had to wake me up one day), sit under the Palapa with a tropical drink, relax at the numerous theme pools, walk along the beach or ride the lazy river. Liz’s Professional Beach-goer Tip: We brought Tervis-style insulated cups from home and poured our tropical drinks into it. The drinks stayed cold and we had no problem with melting ice and drippy hands.

Dining at the Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana

We frequented seven of the nine restaurants on the property and all were fantastic. One favorite was the Zen Asian Teppanyaki where fresh food was cooked in front of us by a very engaging chef. We also enjoyed Isla, an open air restaurant that overlooks a pool and beach. Another favorite was Los Gallos where we enjoyed the best quesadillas. We were always greeted warmly by the attentive staff and never had to wait for a table at any time.

The Hard Rock can also arrange a romantic dinner for two. On our way back to our room one evening, we heard a solo saxophonist and noticed a beautiful waterside area with candlelit, white draped tables – the perfect ambiance for that special dinner!

Perfect for Friends and Lovers

We also saw destination weddings – both beachside and within the property – each wedding was unique and set apart to insure an intimate gathering.

The resort was spotless and we always saw a staff member cleaning something. The staff seemed happy and I noticed a strong sense of friendship among them, which was nice to observe.

Don’t be fooled by the Hard Rock name. This resort has something for everyone. Thirteen pools appeal to all ages, nine restaurants appeal to all taste levels and plenty of activities for all interests, so it’s perfect for multi-generational family vacations. The Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana was wonderful for our mother-daughter getaway, and we thought it would be great for a girlfriend getaway or bridesmaid trip, too.

To plan your own mother/daughter trip, romantic escape, girlfriend getaway or family vacation at this well-rounded resort, contact the vacation experts at Covington Travel.