The Caribbean sun is peeking through the curtains in the early hours of the day and gently stroking my face with its warmth. It’s 6am and I am already awake and full of energy, ready to conquer whatever the Dominican Republic has to offer.
Perhaps it’s the time difference, perhaps it’s the child-like excitement in me caused by the tropical paradise that I find myself in, but every day spent at TRS Turquesa Hotel feels too precious to waste, so early mornings have become the norm for me.
Hotel
The powder-like sand feels so soft under my bare feet as I walk along Bávaro beach which is where TRS Turquesa Hotel situated. Tucked into the Bávaro bay in the northern region of Punta Cana, TRS Turquesa offers an adults-only refuge for all those indulgence seekers. Being part of the world renown Palladium Group Hotels, means that TRS Turquesa has absorbed the brand’s ethos of infinite indulgence.
The all-inclusive resort, which shares 32-hectares of land with all Grand Palladium Hotels and Resorts facilities, provides a secluded escape into what feels like a luxurious Caribbean wilderness. As you come into the resort it feels as though you have entered a paradise island of breath-taking mile-long stretch of white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and endless coconut groves.
This five-star resort, inspired by its Dominic Republic heritage, welcomes all adults to immerse in relaxation. TRS Turquesa Hotel offers 372 luxurious rooms all with butler and 24-hour room service and well as a selection of international cuisine across its eight restaurants and bars offering a dine around concept.
From the moment you step into TRS Turquesa, you are welcomed into a bright lobby filled with the sounds of a violin via a live performance from local talent. The friendly staff are waiting with big smiles on their faces and a tray of refreshing cocktails in hand. Through to the other side is the garden, pool and beach area, where guests are invited to join a variety of activities throughout the day such as beach yoga, bachata dancing or any water sports of your choice.
Room
The junior suite poolside certainly met all expectations of luxury and comfort that come with staying at any of the Palladium Group Hotels.
The suite itself was impeccably designed with a spacious combined living room and bedroom and a fully equipped bathroom with hydro-massage bathtub. As the name suggests, the room overlooks the pool area as well as the beach ahead of it, so you can perch on the balcony and have your morning coffee whilst admiring the Caribbean glow above the sea.
A personal favourite was the daily chocolate treat in the room, straight from the on-site chocolatier. The suite is perfectly situated near the pool, and the exclusive services and amenities make it an unbeatable choice for a luxury experience. But the real standout feature of this suite was the personalised luxury services with the 24-hours concierge service ensuring that all of my needs were met.
Food and drink
The resort offers an exquisite selection of international and local cuisine across its 14 restaurants and 24 bars – one for every hour of the day! The ‘Dine Around’ concept ensure that guests can enjoy the variety of each restaurant, nine of which offer à la carte dining with a wide variety of dishes and cuisines from around the world.
For breakfast, head down to the beach-front restaurant Helios, offering abundance of fresh fruit, smoothies, pastries, and variety of seafood. A personal favourite was a breakfast tuna sashimi, and yes, raw tuna for breakfast is a thing, and it is absolutely delicious.
For lunch, guests have the option of few restaurants such as Helios and Capricho where a go-to lunch dish was the fresh prawn ceviche, or the open-flame grill, which is available most days on the beach, and cooked for the duration of one bachata dance class.
For evening meals there is an abundance of choice from Japanese and Peruvian inspired Kusko, to the à la carte French fusion La Bohéme. For those looking for a really special experience, you can enjoy dinner with a side of cabaret at the Chin Cabaret and Restaurant. Just remember to pre-book your show night.
Spa
To start off your holiday in the right mindset, pop into the Zentropia Palladium Spa and Wellness Centre for a morning workout. The gym is equipped with modern facilities and a range of equipment to suit all fitness levels.
Upon arrival, into the spa itself, you are immediately struck by the harmonious and inviting atmosphere. At Zentropia you can find a hydrotherapy area featuring its steam bath, hot and cold water hydromassage tubs, dry sauna, Turkish bath, and relaxation area. You can easily spend hours soaking in the different pools and sweating out any tension in the sauna. The spa also offers a range of exclusive treatments and massages to ensure that you are feeling pampered and rejuvenated.
To do
Take a day trip to Isla Saona, one of the most breath-taking places you will ever visit, and which can only be described as paradise. The island is part of the East National Park, it’s known for mangroves and coral reefs and palm trees. Being part of the National Park means that no building works take place here, ensuring that the island’s beauty is preserved for all to see. There you can enjoy a day on the beach, snorkel or just explore this heavenly island. For lunch you savour one of the island’s specials – a freshly caught lobster.
The island is surround by one of the biggest natural pools of crystal-clear aquamarine waters which stretch for miles and across the horizon. Keep an eye out not to step on one of the many starfish residing on the beaches.
Factbox
A junior suite garden/pool view can be booked from around £290 a night (based on two adults sharing on an all-inclusive basis).
Address: Avenida Francia s/n, Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic
Tel: 0800 021 1548
Website: palladiumhotelgroup.com
