Our Honest Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa Review: Was It Worth It?

When we started planning our honeymoon, we knew we wanted an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic where we could relax, enjoy beautiful scenery, eat good food, and still have plenty to do without having to leave the property every day. After researching our options, we ultimately chose Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa.

We spent eight days at the resort, and overall, we had a really good experience. There were definitely things we loved, a few things we think could be improved, and one very frustrating situation during checkout that almost put a damper on the end of our honeymoon. Still, when we look at the entire stay, we'd absolutely consider returning. If you're considering Breathless Punta Cana for your own trip, here's my honest breakdown of the rooms, pools, beach, food, entertainment, service, and everything else we experienced.

First Impressions & Check-In

Our arrival at Breathless Punta Cana started off on a great note. As soon as we arrived at the resort, we were greeted with cold towels, which felt absolutely amazing after traveling and stepping into that Dominican heat. It was a small touch, but it immediately made us feel welcomed and gave us a chance to cool down before getting settled.

The staff also explained what we needed to do regarding transportation for our departure flight and directed us toward the check-in desk. The receptionist did offer us the opportunity to upgrade our room to an ocean-view or pool-view room, but we decided to keep the room we had originally booked. We were perfectly happy with our choice and didn't feel pressured to upgrade.

During check-in, we were also given information about the resort's restaurants and dining options. One thing we appreciated was being told that the restaurants were included with our stay, with the exception of certain experiences that required reservations or additional fees. The Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, Silk City, was one of the restaurants that required a reservation.

Because we booked our stay through a travel advisor partner, we also received additional perks. These included coupons toward spa services and a coupon for a romantic dinner on the beach. After completing check-in, a staff member walked us over to the wing where our room was located, which made getting settled very easy.

Our Junior Suite Jungle/Garden View

Our room was a Junior Suite with a jungle/garden view, although we could also see one of the resort's smaller pools from our balcony. Honestly, we were extremely happy with the room and didn't feel like we were missing anything by not upgrading to an ocean or pool view.

One of the first things I noticed was the smell. Every time we opened the door, there was this lovely, fresh scent that made the room feel clean and inviting. The room itself was spacious and had some really nice features that made it feel more luxurious than your typical hotel room.

The bathroom had a separate toilet and bidet room, double sinks, and a large rain shower. Having two sinks was especially convenient because neither of us had to fight for bathroom counter space while getting ready. The room also had a fully stocked minibar with Coca-Cola products, bottled water, beer, and orange juice.

We also received a welcome message from the resort manager along with a plate of fresh fruit and a bottle of wine. I thought that was a really nice honeymoon touch and made the room feel personalized when we arrived.

Another feature I really enjoyed was the television. It was a flat-screen TV with apps such as YouTube already available, which was nice when we wanted to wind down in the room. And then there was probably my favorite feature of the room: the jacuzzi on the balcony.

There's something very relaxing about being able to sit in your own jacuzzi after spending the day walking around the resort or coming back from an excursion. It was one of those room features that made me glad we chose this particular room category.

Our room key also came with a sleeve directing us to the Hyatt Inclusive Collection app. The app was basically our digital guide to the resort. We could use it to view restaurants, daily activities, entertainment, shows, room service, and upgraded experiences. Having so much information in one place was convenient, although there is one important thing I think the resort should improve about the way certain events are listed, which I'll get into later.

The Pools

Breathless Punta Cana has several pools spread throughout the property. There were approximately six smaller pools located around the resort, along with two larger main pools that had swim-up bars.

The smaller pools were nice if you wanted something a little quieter, while the larger pools had more of the social atmosphere you'd expect from an adults-only resort. And if you wanted a drink, you didn't have to go very far. The swim-up bars made it easy to grab a cocktail while staying in the water.

One thing to know, however, is that the resort does not keep the pool features going late into the night. The lights and bubbles in the pools were turned off relatively early, around 9 PM, particularly when there was a show taking place in the main plaza.

So if you're imagining yourself spending the entire evening sitting in a beautifully lit jacuzzi or pool, that's probably not going to happen. The resort's nighttime entertainment tends to shift toward the plaza and other areas once the pools wind down.

The Beach

The beach at Breathless Punta Cana was beautiful. The sand, palm trees, ocean views, and overall tropical atmosphere definitely gave us the Dominican Republic experience we were looking for.

The biggest downside for us was the sargassum. There was quite a bit of seaweed washing ashore during our stay, and at times it was dense enough that I was honestly hesitant to get into the water. This isn't necessarily something the resort can control, as sargassum is a seasonal environmental issue that affects beaches throughout the Caribbean, but it's still something travelers should be aware of when planning a beach vacation.

There were plenty of beach chairs available, along with lighting along the beach. The resort also had cabanas and Bali beds, but those came with an additional fee.

Another thing we noticed was the number of people walking along the beach offering services and products. We were approached about massages, cigars, excursions, souvenirs, and other items. I don't believe these individuals were affiliated with the resort, but it is something to be prepared for if you're looking for a completely uninterrupted beach experience.

One nice perk of staying at Breathless was having access to the neighboring Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa, giving guests even more space to explore.

The Food & Restaurants

Breathless Punta Cana has nine restaurants and a café, and during our stay, we ate at around five of the different dining spots.

Overall, we thought the food was pretty good. We tried several different places, and there wasn't really a meal where we thought the food was terrible. We especially found ourselves returning to The Spoon, the international buffet, because it was convenient and gave us plenty of choices.

One thing I would recommend paying attention to is the restaurant schedule. Many of the restaurants didn't open until around 6 PM, and some restaurants were only open on certain days. There was also a restaurant that was exclusive to Xhale Club members during a certain time period.

Because there weren't as many restaurants open during the day as we expected, the restaurants that were open could become crowded in the evening. At times, there were waitlists, so you may want to plan ahead if there's a particular restaurant you're hoping to try.

We did have one interesting issue with the food during our trip. While we enjoyed what we ate, our stomachs definitely had some opinions about it. We are used to being fed unhealthy American food, so it took our stomachs a little while to adjust the healthier ingredients. This is obviously a personal experience and not necessarily something every traveler will experience, but it's worth keeping in mind when you're eating differently than you normally do at home.

I'll be doing a separate, much more detailed post about the food at Breathless Punta Cana, including the restaurants we tried and what we thought of each one.

Drinks & Bars

If you're looking for a resort where drinks are readily available, Breathless definitely delivers.

You can get drinks throughout the property, and there are bars located in different areas of the resort. At the pools, we regularly had staff coming around asking whether we wanted another drink. You don't have to constantly leave your chair to find a bar.

The drinks are unlimited as part of the all-inclusive experience, although I'm personally not a huge drinker. I'm usually good with one or two drinks, and anything beyond that tends to make my stomach unhappy.

If drinking and nightlife are a major part of your vacation, you'll probably have plenty of options here. Personally, I would have liked to see more activities and entertainment that didn't revolve around drinking.

The Staff & Service

This is where my experience gets a little complicated.

For the majority of our stay, the staff were excellent. Everyone we interacted with was welcoming, friendly, and helpful. We even had an unexpected situation one night when we accidentally got locked out on our balcony around 11 PM.

I called the front desk, and someone came relatively quickly to help us. The manager even came by to make sure we were okay. They fixed the balcony door that night, completed an incident report, and followed up with us afterward to make sure everything was okay.

That experience really stood out to me because it showed that the resort was willing to respond quickly when something went wrong.

Unfortunately, our checkout experience was very different.

The Checkout Issue

There was a lobster dinner on the beach listed on the resort's app during our stay. When we looked at the event information, we did not see anything indicating that it was a private event, that it required a reservation, or that it came with a $250 charge.

We went to the dinner and checked in at the podium. The staff member there did not stop us or ask whether we had a reservation. Instead, we were told to go in and enjoy ourselves. Another staff member even offered to take our picture.

Because the other resort events we had attended were included, we naturally assumed this dinner was also part of our all-inclusive stay.

Imagine our surprise when we went to check out and were told that we had a $250 balance for the lobster dinner.

We explained that we hadn't made a reservation because we didn't know one was required, and nothing on the event listing had made it clear to us that the dinner was an additional charge. The receptionist seemed surprised that we had been seated without a reservation and initially told us to go have breakfast while he spoke with his manager about the situation.

The timing made the situation even more stressful because we had transportation scheduled and needed to leave the resort around 10:45 AM for our flight.

When we returned, we were told that we would have to pay. We asked to speak with the manager because we genuinely believed there had been a misunderstanding.

Unfortunately, that conversation escalated quickly. The manager accused us of simply wanting to eat free food without paying and claimed that we had told the staff at the dinner that we had a reservation. She also said someone had approached us during the dinner and explained that it was a private event and that we'd have to pay at checkout.

That was not our experience.

We tried explaining what had happened from our perspective, but we felt that the manager was not willing to hear us out. The conversation became increasingly uncomfortable, and we were ultimately told to either pay or stay at the resort.

At that point, we contacted guest services because we didn't want the situation to interfere with our flight. We explained everything and tried to get the issue resolved before we had to leave.

Eventually, the manager returned with a somewhat more respectful tone, but she continued to maintain that we were responsible for the charge. Ultimately, she offered to let us pay half of the original amount, which we did so we could leave for our flight.

We are continuing to work with guest services regarding the situation.

My biggest issue isn't necessarily that the dinner had an additional charge. If the event had clearly stated that it was $250 and required a reservation, we simply would not have gone. The problem was the lack of clarity in the event information combined with the fact that resort staff allowed us into the event without explaining that there was an additional fee.

I really hope Breathless updates the app so that guests can clearly see when an event requires a reservation or comes with an additional charge. That would prevent another guest from experiencing the same confusion.

Activities & Entertainment

There was definitely no shortage of activities happening around the resort.

During our stay, we saw activities such as pool volleyball, Zumba on the beach, salsa lessons, Spanish lessons, live music, pool parties, Dominican-themed dinners, and various other scheduled activities.

I really liked that the resort gave guests options throughout the day. If you're someone who likes to participate in activities rather than simply sit by the pool all day, you'll have plenty to choose from.

For me, though, I eventually started getting a little bored with the entertainment. A lot of the music leaned toward pop, with some R&B and hip-hop mixed in. I did enjoy hearing Spanish music sprinkled throughout the playlist because it added more of that Dominican/Caribbean atmosphere I wanted from the trip.

Personally, I would love to see more entertainment and activities that don't revolve around drinking, partying, or music. There is a lot of potential for things like cultural activities, creative classes, games, cooking experiences, wellness activities, and other experiences that give guests something to do without alcohol being the centerpiece.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness was another area where I had very few complaints.

Our room appeared clean when we arrived, and the resort itself was generally well maintained. We didn't notice anything particularly concerning or out of the ordinary during our stay.

Between the room, common areas, pools, and other spaces we visited, the property gave us the impression that cleanliness was taken seriously.

The Spa

We didn't personally use the spa during our stay, so I can't give a firsthand review of the treatments or facilities.

However, we did receive spa coupons as one of our booking perks, and when we looked at the available services, the prices seemed fairly reasonable compared with what we've seen at other resorts.

If you're considering booking a massage or another treatment, I'd recommend looking at the spa menu and prices ahead of time and taking advantage of any resort credits or coupons you're given.

What We Loved

There were several things that really stood out to us during our stay.

The room was probably my favorite part of the resort. The jacuzzi balcony, spacious bathroom, rain shower, double sinks, stocked minibar, welcome fruit and wine, and overall atmosphere made it feel like a proper honeymoon room.

I also loved how easy it was to get drinks around the resort. The staff were attentive at the pools, and we never felt like we had to go searching for a bar.

The staff were also genuinely welcoming for most of our stay. From the people who helped us when we arrived to the team members who assisted us with the balcony situation, we had many positive interactions.

And, of course, being able to access the neighboring Dreams Onyx resort was a nice bonus.

What Could Be Better

For me, the biggest improvements would be more daytime dining options, clearer information about paid events, and more variety in entertainment.

Having more restaurants open during the day would make a big difference. When several restaurants don't open until 6 PM, the available restaurants can become crowded quickly, and guests end up waiting for a table.

The resort's app could also do a better job clearly identifying which activities are included, which require reservations, and which cost extra. That would have prevented our checkout situation entirely.

Finally, I'd love to see more activities that aren't centered around drinking. The resort already has a great foundation with things like salsa lessons, Spanish lessons, beach fitness, and volleyball. Expanding those types of experiences would give guests even more ways to enjoy the resort.

Would We Stay at Breathless Punta Cana Again?

Yes, I would.

Despite the checkout situation, I wouldn't let that one experience erase the many positive experiences we had throughout the rest of our eight-day stay.

I loved our room. I liked the resort itself. The staff were friendly and welcoming for the majority of our trip. The food was good, the property was clean, there were plenty of pools and activities, and the location gave us access to a beautiful stretch of Punta Cana.

That said, I probably wouldn't stay for eight days again.

For us, a shorter stay would probably be ideal, especially because we like exploring destinations and doing excursions rather than spending our entire vacation at the resort. A four- or five-night stay could give us enough time to enjoy the resort while still leaving room in the trip for exploring other parts of the Dominican Republic.

Our Final Rating: 8/10

Overall, we'd give Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa an 8 out of 10.

It's a beautiful adults-only all-inclusive resort with comfortable rooms, plenty of pools, good food, readily available drinks, lots of activities, and friendly staff. Our Junior Suite was beautiful, and the resort gave us several memorable moments during our honeymoon.

It's a beautiful adults-only all-inclusive resort with comfortable rooms, plenty of pools, good food, readily available drinks, lots of activities, and friendly staff. Our Junior Suite was beautiful, and the resort gave us several memorable moments during our honeymoon.

But would I recommend Breathless Punta Cana?

Yes.

I'd especially recommend it to travelers who want an adults-only all-inclusive experience with a social atmosphere, multiple pools, plenty of activities, and the option to relax without leaving the resort.

Just make sure you read the event details carefully, ask about additional fees before attending specialty events, and don't be afraid to ask the staff to clarify anything that isn't obvious in the app.

And if you're planning to stay here, I'd definitely recommend doing a little research before you arrive so you know which restaurants are open on which days, which experiences require reservations, and what is included with your room category.

For us, Breathless Punta Cana gave us a honeymoon filled with beautiful views, good food, warm weather, a gorgeous room, excursions, pool days, and plenty of memories. There were a few bumps along the way, but overall, we'd go back.

Need Help Planning Your Honeymoon?

Planning a honeymoon should be exciting, not another thing to stress over. From finding the right all-inclusive resort to comparing room categories, arranging transportation, choosing excursions, and making sure the little details are taken care of, I can help you put the pieces together. As a travel advisor, I research the options, help you find a trip that fits your budget and travel style, and make the planning process easier from start to finish. If you're dreaming of a Dominican Republic getaway, a romantic Caribbean escape, or a honeymoon somewhere completely different, let's start planning your trip!

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