The Dominican Republic is one of the world’s most popular luxury beach holiday destinations, and with its pristine, white-sand beaches fringed by swaying palms and lapped by turquoise ocean waves, it’s a veritable slice of paradise.
Located on the island of Hispaniola – part of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean region – it shares the island with the nation of Haiti to the west, itself occupying the eastern two-thirds and of the island and spanning an area of approximately 48,671 square kilometers (18,792 square miles).
While Punta Cana – where the Dominican Republic’s international airport can be found – is undoubtedly the most popular resort on the island, the quiet hideaway of Miches, just an hour-and-a-half’s drive away, is a hidden gem on the northeastern coast that attracts the kind of traveller seeking a quieter, more secluded and more authentic experience of this tropical destination. Characterised by unspoilt beaches with a more rugged appeal and awash with local culture, it’s the perfect place for adults and families alike who are in search of a more exclusive kind of luxury.
And the Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda is the perfect place to base yourself for a visit to the Dominican Republic that is as active or as laid-back as you’d like.
Hotel
The luxurious all-inclusive resort of Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda is a paradise for visitors of all ages, and is set on a rugged and unspoilt stretch of golden beach, fringed by swaying palms, and backed by tropical rainforest.
The first of Club Med’s Exclusive Collection resorts to open in the Americas, it’s designed to cater equally to families, couples and friends, and offers exceptional dining options and lavish accommodations that allow you to tailor your stay to suit you.
The resort boasts a packed daily schedule of both water and land-based activities, so if you’re not the type to sit around soaking up those Caribbean rays all day, then there’s plenty to keep you entertained – but more on that in the ‘To do’ section.
Its contemporary design is inspired by the local culture, with wooden accents, traditional thatched roofs, and vibrant colours that reflect the natural surroundings.
And the resort prides itself on being eco-certified, taking its sustainability credentials very seriously, having taken steps to eliminate single-use plastics as far as possible, including reducing more than 60,000 in-room bottles per year. Not only that, but it also uses solar energy to power much of the resort; the staff are all locals, trained in languages and hospitality by Club Med; and the resort runs a responsible excursion program designed to promote sustainable tourism through highlighting the natural gems and culture of the Dominican Republic – from waterfalls and mountains to farms and whale watching.
So, if you’re the kind of person who likes to travel consciously, without compromising on all the luxuries you love, then look no further.
Rooms and suites
Boasting 347 rooms and suites spread out over four distinct villages, you can tailor your room choice according to who you’re travelling with and what type of stay you have in mind.
Archipelago is a sophisticated adults-only area that’s perfect for couples seeking a romantic hideaway, and is home to some of the most opulent accommodation options in the resort. Its pool suites boast their own private terraces and pools looking out over the beach and the ocean, and spacious separate living room areas so you can really spread out and enjoy. Guests here can enjoy access to their own private section of beach, as well as taking advantage of some additional luxury services – so if opulence and exclusivity is what you’re looking for, then this is it.
The Emerald Jungle is the resort’s second adults only village, and is nestled at the heart of the relaxing Zen Zone, amidst lush green vegetation which creates the ultimate sense of calm. This tranquil corner of the resort is where to stay if your primary goal is rest and relaxation, as it’s close to the exclusive adults only Zen Pool, where you can sip a freshly made cocktail at the swim-up El Limon bar and completely bliss out after a morning of sunbathing on the beach or an afternoon adventure. Wellness activities like yoga and pilates also take place within the Zen Zone, so if you’re keen to keep up your practice throughout your stay, or even give it a try for the very first time, then you won’t have to walk far to do so. A session in the treetops is a must.
For families, Explorer Cove is the place to be, and is conveniently located close to the resort’s children’s clubs and sports facilities. There’s a choice of deluxe rooms and suites, depending on how many of you there are and how much space you need, as well as interconnecting rooms which are great if you’re visiting with slightly older kids.
The resort’s fourth and final village is Caribbean Paradise, where everyone is welcome. Located close to the main pool and beach, it exudes a vibrant and lively atmosphere that places you right in the thick of the resort’s action. Cayuco – the resort’s main buffet restaurant – and Coal and Copper, the a la carte charcoal grill restaurant, are also close by, as well as the main bar, where all of the nightly entertainment takes place. The interconnected rooms here mean you can enjoy separate spaces for parents and children, with a spacious garden-view terrace where the whole family can gather and enjoy a moment together – providing the perfect balance of togetherness and personal space.
Each village comes with its own theme in terms of decor, against a primarily white backdrop – in the Emerald Jungle, it’s all lush greens and earthy tones to reflect the natural environment, while in Archipelago, a tranquil blue-themed colour palette is an ode to the ocean the suites overlook. In Explorer Cove, it’s bright and sunny yellows, while in Caribbean Paradise, you can expect a variety of vibrant pink, orange, blue and yellow accents, inspired by the island’s tropical flowers and a nod to the most fun-packed section of the resort.
All rooms and suites at Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda are designed with the utmost comfort and luxury in mind and are spacious and well equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Bedding is plush and beds so comfortable that you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep – something I can certainly attest to! – while furnishings are simple yet stylish and while the Oceanfront Suites offer a spectacular view of the ocean, the Deluxe Rooms overlook the gardens or the pool area.
Food and drink
Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda offers a range of dining options, with four different restaurants to choose from and several bars.
Cayuco is the resort’s main restaurant, where you can enjoy a laid-back buffet-style dining experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s just beside the pool, so if you’re hanging out here or on the beach for the day then it couldn’t be handier for popping in – the cuisine on offer is diverse, with everything from fresh fruit and local dishes to pasta and seafood, so you’ll have little trouble finding something to whet your appetite. The restaurant has four separate dining rooms, each with its own terrace and unique atmosphere – and one for just the adults looking for a quieter and more relaxing moment together.
A little further away from the main pool area and right on the beach is the Coco Plum Beach Lounge. Open for late breakfast right through to dinner, this was my personal favourite due to its chilled vibe and the fact that it’s a place where mainly adults congregate – although service was a little slow at times. Even so, the stylish decor and modern furnishings, combined with a tasty menu featuring plenty of fresh seafood and please-all dishes comprised of local specialities straight from the land for lunch and dinner, and favourites like avocado toast and acai bowls, made it a great place to pop into for some mouth-watering and thoroughly Instagrammable a la carte cuisine. It’s also the ideal spot to head to for an afternoon cocktail, with ocean views out on the terrace, and ice-cold air conditioning inside if you need to cool off – you could often find me here enjoying a sundowner, because frankly, it would have been rude not to.
The resort’s second a la carte restaurant is Coal and Copper, which is open for dinner only and is the place to be for meat lovers. Think charcoal grilling and dry-aged cuts – or, for a touch of opulence, you can order lobster and caviar – all washed down with some quality bubbly, of course. The restaurant works on a reservation-only basis and incurs an extra supplement, but it’s worth a visit, with cosy decor is made from wood and metal, and intimate leather booths for maximum privacy – plus a wide variety of fine wines and spirits to choose from, too.
The secret chocolate room is hidden in the children’s section of family friendly restaurant Cacao & Co. and features a chocolate fountain with plenty of fruit and marshmallows for dipping – so if you’re after a decadent treat then be sure to drop in and experience it for yourself. It’s especially fun for children, and to get in, you’ll need to find the access code hiddens somewhere on the menu for the main restaurant.
There are six options for drinks – the main bar (where live music, shows and all of the evening entertainment take place) and Coco Plum both serve up soft drinks, Caribbean rums and an expansive list of cocktails, wines, beers and spirits. The El Limon bar, in the adults’ only Zen Zone, is located beside the Emerald Pool and the place to head to for a freshly made fruit juice or an indulgent cocktail. As a reminder, it’s a swim up bar, so you can cool off in the water while you do so – which is easily what made it my perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon break. El Limon is also a quieter and more exclusive spot for evening drinks if you’re looking for a more sophisticated and intimate setting.
For an extra supplement, you can drop in at La Cava – an opulent wine bar decorated in sumptuous pinks and greens, where you can take your pick of a wide selection of fine wines and cavas, as well as a refined variety of rums. When in the Caribbean, sampling the classic Caribbean drink is a must, and here, you can enjoy an indigent rum-and-cigar combo, or even buy a bottle to take away with you.
There’s also a coffee shop located close to the main restaurant and bar, which I found myself popping into for a mid-morning iced coffee each day, and is where you’ll find the very best coffee in the resort. If you partied a bit too hard and missed breakfast, or are heading out for the day and want to grab some last-minute snacks, you can also pick up a filled bagel, sandwich or cake from here to keep you going.
To do
Activities are where the resort really excels, and aside from its four pools – which include one for kids, complete with waterslides – there’s a packed programme of fun to get involved with both in the water, and on the land.
Down at the beach, you can enjoy a spot of paddle boarding, take a sunset kayak or try your hand at wingfoil or kitesurfing. And elsewhere, activities on offer include everything from cooking classes to trapeze and circus sessions, archery and more. There’s mini golf, table tennis and a digital climbing wall to have a go on – as well as a fitness centre and spa. And in the evenings, guests congregate at the main bar to enjoy live music, shows and dancing.
The Club Med Spa by Cinque Mondes is definitely a highlight if you’re seeking a little bit of R&R. Inspired by ancestral knowledge, beauty secrets from across the globe and also by traditional medicine, this relaxing space offers a variety of decadent treatments (my massage was sheer bliss) and if you book one at an additional supplement then you can also enjoy access to the spa’s private pool area for the day. There are three different temperatures, including a hot tub and an ice bath, and you can choose from a menu of soothing and uplifting teas and light snacks while you’re there to really instill that sense of zen.
There are kids’ clubs for all ages, and a creche for babies, as well as plenty of children’s and family activities to keep them entertained – just check the programme on arrival for all the details.
The resort also offers a variety of excursions and tours, such as visiting the local chocolate factory, exploring the nearby national parks, or taking a boat trip to see the humpback whales. A visit to Montaña Redonda to try out the giant swing is a must and you’re sure to get some great photos of the spectacular mountain and ocean views. And a boat trip to Los Haitises, where you can visit hidden caves and spot local wildlife whilst sipping on a rum and coke, is a fabulous way to spend a day.
In a nutshell
This breath-taking hideaway is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Punta Cana’s busy resorts, so if you’re looking for a hidden gem a little further away from the throng, then Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda is it. But although you can be certain of finding your haven of tranquility here, the resort caters just as well to the action-packed fun enthusiast, and has plenty to offer every type of guest, from couples to families and groups of friends alike. This place really does have it all, so whatever you’re hoping to get out of your opulent Caribbean getaway, you’ll find it here.
Factbox
Address: Miches 24000, Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 849-941-0201
Website: clubmed.co.uk
All imagery used in this article credit: Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda
