Originally designed by Oscar de la Renta (and still the only hotel the late fashion icon—and Dominican Republic native—ever created), the beachfront Tortuga Bay at Puntacana Resort & Club recently emerged from a renovation that refreshed its spaces, but kept its soul intact.
With touches like residential-style accommodations, dedicated golf carts for each room, and helpful butlers, the resort offers many ways to put you in vacation mode. But to really feel its healing spirit, it’s worth a visit to the Six Senses Spa. Set a short buggy ride away from the main resort, past palm groves and sandy coves, the 11-room spa looks out over the emerald coast. The services are just as transportive as the setting: standouts include the Rose Crystal Lymphatic Facial, which brightens and hydrates the skin using a combination of Organic Pharmacy products and lymphatic and acupressure massage (and also treats hands, feet, and the scalp to a rub-down); and the Punta Cana Signature body massage, performed using pure oil made from locally-grown coconuts.
More indigenous ingredients can be found in the body treatments, which incorporate things like organic cocoa, sugarcane and honey to both nourish the skin and celebrate the scents of the Caribbean.
–Sandra Ramani