The Best Holiday Apartments to Book in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Book the ultimate Punta Cana vacation rental – the Pool Garden Luxury Apartment was purpose-built to guarantee totally indulgent, stress-free self-catering holidays – for kids who want to splash around and adults who want to switch off. If tanning is top of your list, lie back and catch some rays on the terrace or join the young ones for a dip in the cool outdoor pool – popping back inside to fetch cold drinks without missing a beat. It’s also ideally situated for outings: Cap Cana Marina, Los Corales and Cortecito Beach are both close by and downtown Punta Cana is a must-see as dusk falls.

Offering more bang for your buck, the Hotel del Chateau Del Mar Ocean Villas are in an enviable location, just footsteps away from the Corales sandy beach. This boutique resort has just 20 one, two and three-bedroom self-catering apartments with a shared pool. As a result, it’s the dream destination if you don’t want to fight for a sunlounger or line up for a buffet breakfast – very much the case in the surrounding all-inclusives. If your aim this holiday is to splurge, there’s a two-story, three-bedroom luxury penthouse with a rooftop plunge pool, bar outdoor shower and six-person sauna – not to mention excellent ocean views. Because you’re worth it.

Want to impress your friends back home? Of course, you do – so check in and get Instagramming. This bang-up-to-date two-bed penthouse is the business, with a rooftop terrace and on-trend spiral stairs. As split-level properties go it’s unique – designed to accommodate six sharers or a family and loaded up with everything you need for a seamless vacay. The terrace is so private you could forego a bikini and get an over-tan – but it’s probably best to get dressed if you plan on flipping burgers on the barbie.

You can’t get closer to the beach than this swanky two-bedroom condo sleeping up to six – it’s as if you’re holding a seashell to your ear, hearing the surf. In the heart of Bavaro – Punta Cana’s commercial center – you can scarcely count 30 seconds before your toes touch the sands. Super handy if you want to nip back and change your swimwear, pick up some more cold bevvies, charge your phone or use the bathroom. Interiors are worth staying in for – think lashings of calming beige furniture and attractive Caribbean rattan chairs. But the location is also great if you’re not in the mood for cooking, as Punta Cana’s bars and restaurants are a hop skip and jump away.

Beauty Bavaro Playa Matilde’s modern condos are within minutes of the crashing waves on Punta Cana’s beach. It’s a new development in a private, gated estate – just a short drive from the airport. Interiors are cool and serene, with bare floorboards and tropical-feel slatted doors on cupboards. There’s ample free parking if you’ve got a hire car – which ideally you should have, as this is a great base for island explorations beyond the nearby beach. The handy convenience store sells everything you might have forgotten and there’s a spacious pool if you want a pre-breakfast dip – or a deep tan, from lying on your lounger all day.

These Punta Cana vacation rentals offer high-spec private apartments which are ideal for independent travelers. Seriously consider vehicle rental – there is plenty of free parking and the area is so worth exploring – as for starters, the strands of Juanillo, Arena Gorda and Bavaro are all within half an hour’s drive. You’re also right by the Ojos Indígenas Ecological Park and Reserve – complete with trails, lagoons and a petting zoo. Back at the ranch, you can walk to local restaurants. There’s an outdoor pool on-site and every apartment has a spacious balcony and fast Wi-Fi – all the more reason to sprawl out at home.

Just one block back from the beach, what could be more indulgent than this amazing two-bed condo? Upon arrival, simply throw open your terrace screen doors and take a dip in the impressive swimming pool. The property sleeps six – thanks to a sofa bed – in very suave, designer-delicious surroundings. Expect plenty of minimalist-modern rattan chairs and marine-blue-and-white bedrooms. The beach is as good as ensuite – as are the two bedrooms, so no queuing if you have a family of dawdlers.