Written By: Geoff Millar, Owner – Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel Inc.
This month we will continue our look at the remaining Sunscape Resorts. These resorts are located in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Curacao. All these resorts are great 3-3.5 star resorts catering to those who are looking for a very nice moderately priced all-inclusive property.
Our first stop is going to be the two Sunscape Resorts located in Jamaica. These two resorts used to be the Sunset Resort Montego Bay. When AM Resorts took it over they totally remodeled the property and divided the resort into 2 resorts, the Sunscape Cove Montego Bay and the Sunscape Splash Montego Bay. We will first look at the Sunscape Splash Resort.
The Sunscape Splash is more of a high-rise Resort and it sits on Montego Bay. It sits on the peninsula next to the Secrets and Breathless Resorts complex. It is made up of two towers and a public area. It also has a water park with twisting slides, a pirate ship, and 5 pools for every age. It has 1,800 ft of beautiful beach. Like all Sunscape and AM Resorts, there are no wristbands or reservations at the restaurants required at either of the Sunscape Resorts. The resort has received the Trip Advisor award for being one of the top 25 family resorts in the Caribbean. The Sunscape Splash has 308 Rooms and suites.
Accommodations consist of Garden View Rooms, Ocean View Rooms, Ocean Front Rooms and SunClub 1 bedroom suites. All Rooms and Suites have balconies, mini bars with soda, beer, juice, and bottled water. Although there is food available 24 hours a day, there is no room service at this resort.
Speaking about dining there are 6 dining options at this resort. An International Buffet, a grill, a cafe serving a variety of coffees along with sweet and savory snacks, and 3 specialty restaurants serving a selection of Pan-Asian, Italian, and Mediterranean dishes. There is always something open providing some sort of food 24 hours a day. There is even a private restaurant for Sun Club Guests serving International and local cuisine.
As far as activities there is a wealth of things to do at the resort starting with the water park and its slides, 2 pools, and a pirate ship. There are 3 other pools to chose from. In the water you have kayaks, snorkeling, sailing or just relaxing on the beach. On land your clients can participate in tennis, movies on the beach, volleyball, bocce ball, board games, dance lessons, and nightly entertainment Golf is nearby at an additional cost. As with all Sunscape resort there is the Explorer Club and a teen Club for the youngsters. The resort is only a 10 minute ride from Montego Bays HIP strip, the center of nightlife and shopping. This resort also has a great spa.
This is a great moderate active family all-inclusive resort for those who may be on a stricter budget.
The next resort sits right next to the Sunscape Splash. This resort, the Sunscape Cove, is a smaller quieter resort that is about a half a level above the Splash resort. It is a low level 2 story resort that is more in the colonial style than the traditional resort. Guests at the Cove are all granted Sun Club status and the amenities that go with it such as room service from 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM, an upgraded mini-bar, a private lounge, and access to two restaurants reserved for Sun Club Members. They also have access to all the amenities and facilities of the Splash Resort next door. The beach is shared by both resorts. This resort is smaller with only 122 rooms.
Accommodations consist of All SunClub level rooms and suites. They start at the Garden View Room, Ocean View, the Garden View Family Room with bunkbeds for the kids (keep in mind that the family rooms are just one room with king bed and bunkbeds, all located in the same room. There are also Jr. Suite Ocean View and finally, the Deluxe Ocean Front Rooms, just steps from the beach.
Dining has access to all the restaurants located at the Sunscape Splash plus the two SunClub private restaurants. The two private SunClub Restaurants are both located in the Cove Resort but are open to all SunClub clients regardless of which resort they stay at. The Cove resort also has 3 bars.
Activities consist of access to all the pools at the Splash resort. There are no pools on the Cove Resort property but the pools at the Splash are only a short walk away. Also, all watersports are conducted from the Watersport desk at the Splash Resort. All land activities are also located in the Splash section. There is the fantastic Kids Club for kids age 3 to 12 and the teen club for teens 13 – 17. The Spa is also available.
While this resort is a separate resort it is almost like one large resort with 2 different sides, the Cove side and the Splash side. Great for weddings and family groups where some want a more budget property and some of the group may want a more upscale property yet the whole group can mix and mingle with each other. It would also be great for those that want a more budget minded resort.
We now move to the Dominican Republic and 3 of Sunscape’s newest resorts, the Sunscape Bavaro Beach Punta Cana, the Sunscape Dominican Beach Punta Cana, and the Sunscape Puerta Plata. These were all existing resorts that were taken over by AM Resorts and totally remodeled. Two are in the main resort area of Punta Cana while one is in Puerta Plata, a resort area known for its architecture. Both areas have very nice beaches, but Punta Cana is know for some of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
First, we will look at the Sunscape Bavaro Beach Punta Cana. Bavaro Beach is one of the better known areas of Punta Cana with one of the nicer beaches. This resort sits right next to the Sunscape Dominican Republic and shares some of the facilities and amenities. Most of these are going to be located on the Sunscape Bavaro Beach Resort. Again, it is one of those situations where it is two resorts that kind of act like one resort with 2 sides. The kids and teen club, entertainment venue, and main pool for both resorts are located at this resort, the Sunscape Bavaro. Even though they both sit on beaches with different names they share their beaches with each other and they look and act like one beach. WOW, that was a mouthful. Again, as all Sunscape resorts, this is a 3 – 3.5 star resort great for those that want a very nice vacation on a budget. All AM Resorts maintain a certain standard, the main difference between Sunscape Resorts and some of the higher rated AM resorts are more the facilities and amenities that are available. Things like room service, swim-up rooms, free WIFI, number of restaurants, and top shelf alcohol.
Accommodations at the Sunscape Bavaro consist of the standard, Deluxe Tropical View Rooms, Deluxe Pool View Rooms, Deluxe Ocean View Rooms, SunClub Jacuzzi Tropical View Rooms, and SunClub Jacuzzi Ocean Front Rooms. All rooms come with standard amenities like, mini bar, balcony or patio, and a selection of bath products. SunClub members also receive room service from 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM, free WIFI, upgraded minibar, private lounge with top shelf alcohol, private pool and other amenities not available in the standard Deluxe level Rooms.
As far as dining there are, between the two resorts which all guests have exchange privileges with, 11 dining options including 5 A La Carte restaurant choices, one is adult only to give the parents a break. The other choices are Pan-Asian, Italian, Grilled Specialties, Mediterranean, and the adult only French Restaurant. There is also a Pizza Shop, a Fruit Stand, a coffee shop with coffees and sweet and savory snacks, and 2 buffets. No one will go hungry.
Activities at the resort are both water based, and land based. In the water you have, sailing, kayaks, windsurfing, snorkeling or just relaxing on the beach or by one of the 4 pools. On land you have Beach Volleyball, Board games, Rum Tasting, and golf nearby at an additional cost. A wide variety of off site tours are available. The Spa is a wonderful treat. There is a kid’s club, ages 3-13, and a teen club ages 14-17 with a variety of activities designed for all ages.
This resort is, again, great for those families, groups, and even couples who are looking for a great midpriced vacation that won’t break the bank. It is great for destination weddings accommodating guests of all ages.
We will now look at the resort right next door the Sunscape Dominican Beach. This is the second of two resorts located right next to each other. While the Sunscape Bavaro Resort tends to be the more active resort the Sunscape Dominican is a little quieter, yet clients still have access to the Sunscape Bavaro for all the activities they want and can return to the Dominican to relax and wind down. Both resorts are literally steps from each other and they have full exchange privileges between the two. Almost one resort with two different sides.
Accommodations consist of the standard Deluxe Tropical View (Garden View), Deluxe Pool View, Deluxe Ocean View, SunClub Deluxe Tropical View, SunClub Deluxe Pool View, SunClub Deluxe Ocean Front, SunClub Deluxe Jacuzzi Ocean View, SunClub Deluxe Ocean Front, and the SunClub Jacuzzi Ocean Front One Bedroom Suite.
As with all the Sunscape Resorts all rooms have a balcony or patio, a mini-bar, and bath toiletries. The SunClub Rooms have room service 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM, free WIFI, upgraded minibar and toiletries, private lounge with snacks and top-shelf alcohol, also a private SunClub pool.
Dining options are plentiful since guests have exchange privileges with both resorts. It is easy to remember, the restaurants are the same 11 choices that are available at the Sunscape Bavaro, Italian, Pan-Asian, adult only French, the Grill, Pizza Shop, Fruit Stand, and 2 International Buffets.
As far as activities there is a lot to do at this resort and the one next door. In the water there is sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, kayaks. There are 5 pools to chose from or just spend time relaxing on the beach. On land there is beach volleyball, board games, nightly entertainment, Remember the kids club and the teen club are located at the Sunscape Bavaro resort but they serve both resorts.
This resort is for families, groups, couples and Destination Weddings looking for a little quieter destination with access to the action when wanted. It is for clients who may be limited on their budget but still want a very nice experience.
The last resort we will look at in the Dominican Republic is the newest Sunscape Resort, the Sunscape Puerto Plata. Puerto Plata is a Resort area in the Northern section of that is becoming more popular and a number of new resorts are opening in the area. It is less crowded than Punta Cana and provides for a more local experience. Puerto Plata is also known for its architecture. It is on Dorado Beach the best beach in the Puerto Plata area. It is also surrounded by a great golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones and only 20 minutes from the airport. The 585 room Sunscape Resort offers another great moderate resort choice in the area.
This resort sits back from the beach so there are no Ocean View or Ocean Front Rooms, yet the beach is only steps away. The Room types are, Deluxe room, Deluxe Pool View Room, Deluxe Family Garden View Room, SunClub Superior Garden View Room, SunClub Superior Adult only Room, SunClub Jr. Suite, and SunClub 1 Bedroom Suite. As with all the Sunscape Rooms they come with the standard amenities such as balcony or patio, minibar, bath toiletries and the SunClub Guest get additional amenities like, room service from 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM, upgraded mini-bar and toiletries, two private lounges, one adult only, with snacks, top shelf alcohol, and a private pool.
Dining at the resort consists of 9 options including 4 A La Carte options, Caribbean, Italian, Argentinian, And the adult only Asian Restaurant. As well as the A La Carte options there is an International Buffet, a Coffee Shop with a variety of coffees and sweet and savory snacks, a pizza shop, and a beach side restaurant serving a variety of dishes including late night bites. For those in the SunClub there is room service from 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Activities at the resort are wide and varied including, windsurfing, sailing, kayaks, snorkeling. There is also a PADI certified dive shop on the property with scuba diving at an extra cost. Or clients can just relax on the beautiful beach. Land activities include tennis, volleyball, board games, pin pong, and golf at an additional cost. There is nightly entertainment and the fantastic Spa. The wedding Dept can help plan the perfect wedding.
This resort is great for families, family reunions, groups, weddings, and honeymoons looking for a moderate affordable resort in one of the more up and coming areas in the Dominican Republic.
The last Sunscape Resort we will look at is the Sunscape Curacao Resort Spa and Casino. This resort used to be the old SuperClubs Breezes Curacao Resort before AM Resorts took it over and gave it a complete remodel. It sits on a great beach on one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The only concern with this resort is the same concern with resorts on the smaller Caribbean Islands and that is the airlift is limited compared with most of the larger islands. The beach here is great and safe for small children as it is protected by a rock breakwater just offshore. It also has one of the largest casinos on the island that is located on the property. It also runs a shuttle, twice a day, between the resort and the capital Willemstad, for shopping and exploring including the floating market.
Accommodations include, Garden View rooms, Ocean View rooms, SunClub Ocean View rooms, Premium Ocean Front rooms, SunClub Jr. Suite Ocean View rooms, SunClub Honeymoon Jr. Suite Ocean Front rooms, SunClub Ocean Front Suites, these are not a separate bedroom type Suite, Sunclub Ocean Front Master Suite with a separate bedroom, and the Presidential Suite which can connect with the Ocean Front Master Suite. The Website gives full room descriptions. Some of the higher room categories are located in the high rise tower section.
Dining options are included in 6 dining choices, 4 A La Carte restaurants, an International Buffet, and a coffee Shop serving a variety of coffees and sweet and savory snacks. The A La Carte Restaurants include Caribbean, Pan Asian, and Italian, and Seafood.
A variety of activities are also included, One of the Islands largest Casinos, Kayaking, snorkeling is great right from the shore and there are guided snorkeling tours, Paddle Boarding, Kayaks, 4 pools, and the beach is great for swimming because it is protected by a rock breakwater just offshore. On land there is tennis, a rock climbing wall, movies on the beach, volleyball, bouncy boxing, dance lessons, nightly entertainment, golf at an additional cost. As with the other Sunscape resorts there is the kid’s explorer club as well as the teen club. This resort has one of the more robust activity list of all the Sunscape resorts. There is also the Spa and is a great destination wedding location.
This is a great resort for those families, family reunions, groups honeymoon and destination wedding clients looking for a moderate resort in a more exotic location. The biggest challenge is the airlift.
This concludes this months look at the AM Sunscape Resorts a collection of fantastic moderately priced all-inclusive resorts.
Until next month, safe travels and good selling.
