Excellence El Carmen sits on the Uvero Alto coast, where a golden beach meets a palm grove about 40 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport. The resort is adults only and all suite, with all inclusive dining, unlimited drinks and gratuities covered. You arrive to a relaxed, grown-up atmosphere, with the choice of a lively pool day or a quiet corner of the sand.

Every room is a suite, and most come with a king bed, an oversized Jacuzzi for two, a rain shower, a 50 inch interactive TV, an espresso machine and a minibar. You can choose a Junior Suite with garden, pool or ocean view, a Junior Swim-Up Suite, or a Terrace Suite with a plunge pool, and a few suites have a private pool. Excellence Club adds a private beach area, a lounge, a hydrotherapy treatment and private check in.

The Miilé Spa has a hydrotherapy circuit with a cold plunge, Swedish saunas, a steam bath and an ice room, plus seven treatment rooms and an oceanfront treatment room. You can book a couples menu, visit the beauty salon or follow a wellness class. Away from the spa, there is snorkelling, sailing, sea kayaking, beach volleyball and Spanish or dance lessons, with scuba diving and deep sea fishing at extra cost.

Twenty three pools spread across the grounds, covering about 79,000 square feet, with nine hot water Jacuzzis and waiter service at the pool and on the beach. You can swim up to a bar, settle on a daybed or join the daytime programme of tennis, pickleball, archery, yoga and water aerobics. A gym of around 4,000 square feet and a fitness trail keep your routine going.

Ten restaurants cover a wide map of flavours, with no booking needed for most dinners. Agave serves Mexican dishes, Chez Isabelle French, Oregano Italian and Basmati Indian, while Spice brings Asian cooking and teppanyaki, which needs a reservation. The Grill and The Lobster House handle steak and seafood, The Kitchen Table lays out the buffet breakfast, and Las Olas keeps the beach snacks coming. Bars include a lobby bar, a sand bar, a sports bar, a cigar lounge and a coffee house.

Honeymoon Suites, including beachfront and swim-up options, give couples a private place to mark an anniversary or a trip for two. Dinner for two at one of the à la carte restaurants, a couples treatment at the spa and nightly live music suit a romantic stay. Tell your travel adviser about the occasion when you book.