Stay & Play
Expect the Unexpected: Falcon’s Resort by Melia, Punta Cana
by Jennifer Merrick
A welcome treat in your room is always a nice touch at a resort, perhaps some chocolates, a cheeseboard or even a bottle of bubbly. But in my room at the Falcon’s Resort by Melia, along with some lovely macarons, was a more unusual gift – a caricature of myself. Drawn in stealth by a local artist as I was checking in, it was a flattering depiction, a 2.0 version of myself with not a character line or flaw to be found.
It was the first of many pleasant surprises that exceeded my expectations at this all-inclusive, five-star resort. It turned out that this surprise element was what the resort was striving for in its ‘resortainment’ offerings.
“It’s part of the attraction,” said Christelle Luchini, hotel director and customer experience expert. “We want guests to experience the ‘wow factor’ and to expect the unexpected.” They certainly succeeded, and ‘wow’ was exactly the word I used repeatedly during my stay. Here’s why:
Accommodation: Every room option at the resort was a luxury suite, and all of its 432 units were impeccably styled. My Beyond Master Suite Swim-Up oversized suite had a dining room, living area, master bedroom, and spacious bathroom with rain shower and soaker tub. The mini bar had more choices normally offered with cartons of milk, coconut water and wine spritzer among the offerings. The espresso maker was a much-appreciated amenity that quickly brewed up rich-tasting cups of java. But the most impressive wow factor was the suite’s outdoor patio, featuring a comfortable sofa in its sitting area, lounge chairs, cabana and jacuzzi, all within steps to the outdoor pool.
Bavaro Beach: A scenic walk or short golf cart ride away lie one of the best beaches in the world. Bavaro’s postcard-perfect stretch of white-sand shoreline and turquoise waters is recognized by UNESCO as one of the three most beautiful beaches in the world. Lounge chairs reserved for hotel guests, an open-air restaurant and a beachside bar created the idyllic sun-drenched ambiance for beach days.
Activities Galore: Day and night, kids and adults, active and chill activity options were all covered with a roster that included yoga, aqua fitness, rum tasting, live music and dance lessons for adults. Kids had their own activities though it would be hard to get them out of the BLAST Water Park with its slides. All fun, but the true wow moment came with a visit to the theme park next door.
Katmandu Park: Resort stays include passes to this newly opened attraction, which has a partnership with the resort. I thought this was a nice bonus and imagined that an amusement park on a small Caribbean Island might have a few roller coasters, perhaps a Ferris wheel and some carnival games. Boy, was I mistaken. This 100-million-dollar park had immersive and interactive rides, which were on par with what you’d find in Orlando.
Non-tech adventures were equally impressive and included Expedition Golf, a 36-hole mini-golf course designed to take golfers either up in the mountains or down in earth’s caves, and High Point Adventures, a challenging, adrenaline-pumping rope climbing obstacle course.
Katmandu thoroughly immersed me in its steam-punk world of the hidden realms with an added island vibe of dance, drums and music. And it was the biggest surprise of many during a fabulous and fun stay.
