Families who want to travel together have to find that delicate balance: a way for the kids to have fun and for the parents to truly relax. It’s a tricky combination of priorities that, to be honest, rarely ever happens. As a single mom of four, I’ve tried everything: beach trips that are more for me than the kids; theme park visits that are more for the kids than me; hotels that don’t suit all of us; road trips that don’t suit anyone.
But now I’ve found the sweet spot, not just for my family, but for most families, I think. After spending five days at Falcons Resort by Melia|All Suites Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, I finally learned that we should look for a place that has it all for us.
Where is Falcons Resort located?
Falcons Resort by Melia | All Suites Punta Cana is the easternmost city of the Dominican Republic, jutting out between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Bavaro Beach is just a 10-minute walk through beautiful garden paths or a 5-minute golf cart ride away. Here, guests take advantage of the great weather to go kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, or simply nap on the daybeds lined up in the sand for Falcons Resort guests.
Punta Cana has an international airport with daily direct flights from many major US cities, and there is also a shuttle bus that will take you from the airport to Falcons Resort in about 30 minutes. It’s that easy.
How much does it cost to stay at Falcons Resort by Melia?
Falcons Resort by Melia | All Suites Punta Cana is truly all-inclusive. With meals and drinks included in the price, a relaxing getaway is easy to navigate. The rate also includes at least one visit to Katmandu Park, and upgrading to a BeyondMe visit gives your family a multi-day pass to the signature theme park just five minutes from the resort. A seven-night stay for a family of four starts at about $2,500 without flights, and there are plenty of opportunities for discounted rates on the Falcons Resort website.
All of the rooms at Falcons Resort by Melia are suites, and they are all fantastic.
One of the most frustrating things about traveling as a family is getting a one-bedroom hotel room: two queen-sized beds, a tiny bathroom, and, if you’re lucky, a mini-fridge. That might be fine for a family with just the parents and one or two kids, but what if you have more than two kids, or kids who don’t want to share a bed, or who just want a little privacy?
Falcons Resort by Meliá | All Suites Punta Cana is a five-star resort featuring Beyond Suites, each of which features a king-size bed in the bedroom, a rain shower and large separate bathtub in the bathroom, a living room with a smart TV, a dining area that can accommodate the whole family, and of course, a huge sundeck with a hot tub.
Accessed by a super cool little waterproof bracelet you receive upon arrival, these Beyond Suites range from 800 to 2,290 square feet, making them plenty spacious for families, especially if you choose the connecting room option. The décor is warm and tasteful, the beds are so comfortable you won’t want to get up in the morning, and because it’s an all-inclusive experience, the kitchen is always stocked with cold drinks and tasty snacks.
Falcons Resort by Melia | All Suites Punta Cana Amenities
Katmandu Park Punta Cana
Katmandu Park Punta Cana isn’t the only reason parents and kids visit Falcons Resort by Meliá | All Suites Punta Cana, but it certainly ranks high. Just a five-minute shuttle ride away, this theme park features state-of-the-art rides like Voyage of the Fathom Wanderer, Challenge of the Mad Mage, and EtherQuest, an interactive adventure game. Kids will test their courage and exhaust themselves (and you, too) on High Point Adventure, a challenging rope obstacle course that crosses bridges and cargo nets. Feeling a little too adventurous? Try the magical Expedition Mini Golf or test your agility on Quadago, an indoor obstacle course with rope swings, spider walls, and crawl tubes. Guests who upgrade to the Beyond Me package receive a multi-day pass, while standard Falcons Resort guests receive a complimentary day pass to visit Katmandu Park with their family. All of your favorite theme park snacks are available on-site, including tasty churros and amazing tacos from the on-site Fire & Spice food truck.
9 Resort Restaurants That Actually Have Good Food
Before visiting Falcons Resort by Melia | All Suites Punta Cana, all my friends told me not to expect much from the all-inclusive food. “It’s not about the food,” one friend said, which was terrible news for me because food is always an issue. They were completely wrong. There are several delicious options available at any time of the day to satisfy even the pickiest eater. I sampled fresh sushi at Tori, indulged in Peruvian cuisine at Machu, and spent most of my mornings eating churros and doughnuts (with freshly squeezed green juice to balance it out) at Origen, a gigantic all-day buffet restaurant. And perhaps best of all, I enjoyed mimosas and brunch at Alura, a short shuttle ride down to the beach. For sports fans, there’s Rubi Rocks, where the kids can play pool or ping pong and dine on tasty appetizers. The lounge also has a lovely little cafe called “Nest” where lattes and cookies were served all day.
Parents should definitely visit Nube and try some of the delicious and unique cocktails created on the spot by the most friendly bartenders.
Resort and beach “resotainment”
Besides spending your days having fun at Katmandu Park, Falcons Resort by Melia | All Suites Punta Cana offers so many activities that it would be hard to enjoy them all. I took a 10-minute walk or golf cart ride through lush gardens and beautiful scenery to Bavaro Beach and tried yoga on the beach. There was also a full-on foam party on the beach that I sadly missed as I had a 1-hour pampering massage, but I heard it was amazing. You can spend a long lazy day on the beach or come back to get into the resort mood by participating in tennis, painting workshops, aqua aerobics, and a fun-looking activity called water jumping. In the evening, there are salsa dancing, mermaids swimming around the pool, live music, roller skating nights, and I experienced my first silent disco with a DJ duel. It was so fascinating to watch the kids dancing under the stars with headphones on. The entertainment changes every night so you never get bored.
Great! The water park is fun for people of all ages, even old moms.
Awesome! The water park is just a short walk from any suite at the resort and is a great way to spend an afternoon. Again, the staff made it easy for parents to have fun with their kids. I spent a long time watching one of the staff play catch with a little boy, but it was the same everywhere. They were all very accommodating, even when an old mom here tried to go down a few water slides after a Presidente beer or two.
Maia Signature Spa
After a kid-friendly afternoon at BLAST!, you’ll want to indulge in some serious pampering at Maia Signature Spa. I had a full massage and came out a different person – kinder, funnier, maybe even cuter. Afterwards, you can relax in your private spa pool, sip tea or a cocktail, soak up the sun and plan your spa day. A full spa menu is available.
Habitat Club for Children
What will your kids do while you’re spoiled? They’ll have the best time if you drop them off at the Habitat Club. It’s basically like an amazing summer camp for kids, complete with ping pong tables, crafts, games, art zones, cooking areas, video games, and best of all, they’ve set up little ring lights so your kids can take the perfect vacation selfie with their new friends.
After visiting Falcons Resort by Melia | All Suites Punta Cana, I was in love with the concept. A little luxury, a little theme park, and best of all… more delicious food than you can eat in a lifetime. No planning required. A mom’s dream come true.
