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We decided the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean was the ideal destination for our honeymoon, and with expert input from Nikki we chose Secrets Royal Beach hotel in Punta Cana.
Once we'd chosen the swim-up junior room, the booking was easy, with Nikki sorting everything, including the flights (direct from Gatwick) and transfer from Punta Cana’s charming little airport.
The TUI plane, a Boeing Dreamliner, was comfortable and quiet.
It was our first time to the island and we were not disappointed. The stylish Secrets hotel is located right next to the beach. With its palm trees and white sands leading down to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, this is surely a slice of heaven placed on earth for us to enjoy, leaving behind the cold and gloom of early January in England.
It was just fantastic to step off the plane in a warm and sunny environment - the weather stayed glorious for our whole stay.
The Secrets Royal Beach is an adults-only, high-end, all-inclusive hotel with multiple dining experiences with excellent food, a luxurious spa and health suite. Having a massage whilst overlooking the Caribbean is truly a memorable experience.
A number of island experiences/ trips were also available to book, including travelling to the south of the island, picking up a boat and sailing to a remote point to enjoy a beach BBQ, snorkelling and unforgettably watching the flying fish as we sailed back.
A particular highlight was a trip where we travelled into the interior, past sugar cane plantations, along roads where bananas and nutmeg grew and meeting some super friendly locals trying out some local delicacies.
We really do not think anything could be improved upon. The Dominican Republic is a beautiful island, with lovely people. It was an amazing experience that we want to repeat on our tenth wedding anniversary.
Thanks to Nikki, we know our next time will be just as well organised and stress free.
Linda & Chris Cleasby