The Dominican Republic is a study in contrasts, with each stretch of sand offering its own distinct sense of place—from the postcard-perfect beaches of Punta Cana to the dramatic and untamed terrain of Barahona and the pristine and secluded views from Samaná. Long a favorite of sunseekers, the island is now redefining its appeal through design and development from a slew of global brands.

In the latter half of the year alone, a wave of new openings from Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton has underscored the country’s momentum as developers uncover new corners and inlets amid still-wild jungles and unspoiled coastlines.

According to Dominica Today, approximately 15,000 hotel rooms are expected to be added over the next few years, offering an 18 percent increase in current capacity and involving investments of more than $3 billion.

That coincides with record-breaking tourism numbers. The island saw more than 6.1 million visitors in the first half of the year. Occupancy, too, reached new heights, hitting 77 percent during the same time period.

Ocama offers eight three-story villas nestled within Rincôn Bay

“The Dominican Republic has emerged as one of the Caribbean’s most dynamic tourism markets thanks to a combination of accessibility, natural beauty, and strategic investment,” says Alejandro Ballarín, project manager at Fuerte Group, an operator and developer that is working in partnership with Hyatt on projects like the Secrets & Dreams Playa Esmeralda.

“With direct airlift from major hubs in North America, Europe, and South America, it is uniquely positioned to attract a global audience,” he adds. “Government initiatives have further encouraged sustainable development in regions like Miches, a relatively untouched area that offers both ecological richness and space for innovative, world-class hospitality projects, which aligns with evolving consumer demand for destinations that combine luxury, cultural connection, and environmental stewardship.”

Below, we explore six new properties that are behind the Dominican Republic’s renaissance.

W Punta Cana

An aerial view of W Punta Cana, an all-inclusive resort that sits amid lush vegetation

It’s no surprise, then, that as it seeks to reimagine its brand, W Hotels chose the Dominican Republic for the first installment of its new line of adults-only all-inclusive resorts.

Striving for a village feel, the resort sits amidst lush vegetation in a Punta Cana enclave. It features 13 eateries, lounges, and bars as well as 340 generously sized (starting at 700 square feet) rooms and suites with neutral palettes enlivened by dragonfly and seashell motifs and emerald and turquoise accents.

“We aimed for a minimalist design that differs from the thematic approaches of other hotels in the area,” says Giuseppe Violante, founder of Mallorca- and Ibiza-based Zanobia Arquitectura. “Local woods, stone, and Larimar [a distinctive blue silicate local to the region] are integrated throughout.” Further, Coralina, a natural limestone made from compressed coral and marine fossils, adds a distinctly Caribbean texture.

The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort

A mural at the St. Regis Cap Cana Resort bar pays tribute to the Muñecas Limé, the Dominican faceless dolls that symbolize identity, unity, and belonging

At the St. Regis Cap Cana Resort, “every space whispers a story,” says Tatiana Sheveleva, lead designer and owner of Toronto-based Chapi Design Inc., which handled interiors for the 200-key property that also comprises eight restaurants and bars.

Sheveleva subtly incorporated elements inspired by the Dominican Republic’s culture, including muñecas limé (handcrafted faceless dolls); natural textures like sand, sea, and local wood; and color schemes that marry soft, neutral hues with the varied blues of the water and sky. It “avoids a generic luxury feel,” she points out.

A standout is the Amber Room, a masculine-tinged boite, where the curved shapes and sweeping lines of the architectural elements and furnishings evoke tendrils of cigar smoke.

Secrets & Dreams Playa Esmeralda

The World Café at Dreams Playa Esmeralda boasts a neutral palette brought to life by a tropical leaf mural

The design brief for the distinctive all-inclusive, Secrets (adults only) & Dreams (family-friendly) Playa Esmeralda, collectively a 1,000-room project from Hyatt, was to “create a modern reimagining of Caribbean architecture that respects the natural setting while delivering unique experiences for two types of guests,” says Ballarín of Fuerte Group.

With architecture by Marbella, Spain firm Liev Rodriguez Arquitectura, a series of plazas and gathering spaces encourage exploration and community, providing an “interplay between the two worlds of Secrets and Dreams that captures the project’s entire spirit,” he adds.

Ocama

The indoor-outdoor bedrooms at Ocama are wrapped in local materials and expansive windows

A resort of a different magnitude, Ocama offers eight three-story villas on Rincôn Bay. While common areas can be found—including a guest reception pavilion and an open-air pavilion for gathering (with a bar, grill, and kitchen planned for the near future)—the idea is seclusion, with guests swimming in their own pools and dining in their own villas, either from tailored menus or courtesy of a private chef.

For the design, owner Mark Andrus took inspiration from the luxe hotels he visited during trips he took to Bali, Thailand, Africa, and the Caribbean. Locally mined marble clads the walls, while poured concrete in a sandy tone covers the floors. Most exciting, he says, was working with the “many wonderful, skilled local artisans who brought my visions to [life].”

The Don Dom

The Don Dom residential community, shown in a rendering, centers on water and community

Also a departure is the Don Dom, a master planned residential community on the country’s southern coast. Phase 1 (La Isla) is slated for completion in 2027, offering 25 houses and a variety of apartments arrayed in six four-story buildings.

“The entire project is designed around water and experiencing authentic local culture. It places strong emphasis on common areas, including a lobby, rooftop with a pool and bar, wellness club, dining spaces, and gathering areas designed for social life and enjoyment,” says Victoria D’Anunzio, chief brand architect for Becca, the design firm and developer behind the project.

Nodding to quiet luxury, the design uses noble woods, cane, coral stone, and natural fiber textiles combined with a “neutral color palette that conveys freshness, with bronze and matte black accents that add character.”

Zemi Miches Punta Cana

A majestic mango tree anchors the arrival experience at Zemi Miches

With more than 15 F&B options and 500 rooms and bungalows, the all-inclusive Zemi Miches Punta Cana, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, draws inspiration from the Taíno, the indigenous people of the Caribbean, says Will Holmes, vice president of architecture, design and construction for Hilton.

A collaboration between Simples Arquitectura, Adriana Hoyos Design Studio, and Arkham Projects, the interiors flaunt symbolic motifs—including bats, owls, snakes, and frogs—woven into native materials to “celebrate the local beauty, honor the spirit of the ancestors who lived here, and create something so authentic and magnetic that it would become a destination in its own right,” Holmes says.

One of his favorite touches is the majestic mango tree that anchors the arrival experience. It’s a “testament to the area’s lush vegetation and symbolizes unity, resilience, and prosperity,” he adds.

Photos and renderings courtesy of the Don Dom, Hyatt, Ocama, St. Regis, W Hotels, and Zemi Miches

This article originally appeared in HD’s October 2025 issue.