Set on the Caribbean shore at Uvero Alto, this adults only resort is a romantic, quiet retreat on a stretch of pale sand lined with coconut palms. The 668 suites are arranged to feel like a series of small neighbourhoods, each with its own atmosphere. You are about 40 km from Punta Cana International Airport, roughly 40 minutes by road, so the transfer is short after a long flight.

Suites range from Junior Suites with garden, tropical, pool or partial ocean views to Preferred Club suites with ocean front and swim out options, plus Master Suites and an ocean front Presidential Suite with a plunge pool. Every suite has a furnished private balcony or terrace, 24-hour room service, a minibar refreshed daily and Wi-Fi. Preferred Club adds an upgraded suite, a private lounge and its own pool.

The Secrets Spa has sauna rooms, a hydro massage pool, a hydrotherapy circuit, a beauty salon and couples massage treatments. Days can be as active as you like, with yoga, dance classes, aerobics, beach volleyball, snorkelling and kayaking. Evenings bring live shows and theme nights in the theatre, followed by drinks at the Desires nightclub. Golf is available nearby, and the water sports run daily along the beach.

Two infinity pools look out over the sea, with three outdoor hot tubs close by and a separate pool reserved for Preferred Club. Pool bars serve cocktails through the day, while the fitness centre is open from 8am to 10pm and has treadmills, free weights, exercise bicycles and elliptical machines. A concierge is on hand, and tours and excursions around Punta Cana include trips to islands such as Saona.

Nine dining venues cover six a la carte restaurants, a buffet, a cafe and a grill. You can try Mexican dishes at El Patio, Italian cooking at Portofino, Mediterranean and Pan-Asian plates at Meraki, seafood at Oceana, steaks at Seaside Grill and South American flavours at Tierra. Market Cafe serves an international buffet, and Desires is the sports bar and music lounge. Meraki is the only restaurant that needs a booking, for its Teppanyaki table.

Honeymoons and anniversaries suit the setting, and a private dinner for two can be arranged through the concierge at a chosen spot at the resort. A couples massage at the spa is another way to mark the occasion, and you can finish the evening with a cocktail by the sea, a quiet end to a special day.