The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real makes the good life a reality.
There’s nothing quite like experiencing fist-hand what it means to belong to an exclusive club—just like the one Meliá Hotels International has recently opened in Punta Cana. At The Grand Reser ve, ever y detail has been devised to provide a sublime experience just for its members.
I’ve barely set foot in Circle by Meliá, and I can already sense the beginnings of a truly relaxing holiday. Arriving at The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) is like entering an oasis of wellness, surrounded and infused by the water, aromas and warmth of the Caribbean.
‘It’s the company ’s new approach to the “holiday club”’, Jaime Piedras, Circle General Manager, tells me after an incredibly fast check-in. He’s managed a number of large luxury hotels over the years, and welcomes me to The Grand Reserve with a freshly made juice.
From the balcony of my room—which has its own hydrotherapy outdoor bath, a large living room, two televisions and a spacious bathroom—I have a panoramic view of the other rooms (each measuring between 80 and 300 square metres). They ’re surrounded by swimming pools, fountains and ponds, with a huge, 70-metre-long pool right in the heart of the square, creating the sensation that we’ve stumbled upon an oasis. The soothing sounds and even the lights that come on at night all play an important part in helping guests totally disconnect.
‘At night, the swimming pools light up the hotel’, explains Adriane Romero, General Manager of The Grand Reserve, as she gives me a tour of the facilities, enthusing about the sustainable and socially responsible principles the hotel has adopted.
The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real recently opened in mid-December 2018, right on the shores of the Caribbean. In line with its principles, it aims to eliminate the use of plastic packaging and containers, and technology and artificial intelligence have been introduced to support both the local environment and the comfort of hotel guests.
Adriane explains to me that the gym equipment and state-of-the-art spinning bikes are interconnected and adaptable to guests’ routines, and I can even open the door of my room with a mobile app.
Circle and its ‘parent’, The Grand Reserve, have become the company’s technological laboratories. The most exclusive rooms feature voice-powered Alexa technology.
Even the restaurants’ wine lists (which I’m about to investigate) are programmed into a tablet, alongside information on a given bottle’s origin, grape variety and the processes involved in its production. Pedro Sánchez, Food and Beverage Director, has infused the hotel’s gastronomy— ranging from the exclusive Amor de Mar restaurant to the bottomless buffet—with creativity and quality, and a strong focus on local products like fruit and chocolate.
The cuisine itself is evidence of his commitment: from the fresh fish ceviche at Lemon Fish and the dumplings made from local produce at Kao, to the excellent grilled meats at Mina and the Dominican chocolate coulant from Amor de Mar, where I conclude my spectacular tour of The Grand Reserve’s culinary offerings.
Now it’s time to taste one of the world-famous cocktails concocted by Dominican Yandery Crispín, world champion bartender of 2018. I’m in Black Oak, a cosy lounge supplied with the island’s best cigars and rums—a perfect example of how The Grand Reserve integrates local culture and products into its offerings.
Crispín is one of three Dominicans to lend their vision and knowledge to The Grand Reserve. Painter and plastic artist Mirna Ledesma designed the decoration of the electric carts (for hotel guests’ transportation needs), while Yamelis Arnemann, designer and stylist to the Dominican Republic’s first ladies, contributed to the beauty treatments on offer at the MAIA Signature SPA by Natura Bissé.
The closing notes of the live orchestra outside announce the musicians’ departure. After a good night's sleep— assisted by smart thermostats—I return at dawn to my vantage point on the large terrace and look out at the rising sun. The hotel grounds are completely tranquil, and there’s birdsong in the air.
A dip in the pool awaits, followed by a trip to the breakfast buffet where I’ll find everything I could possibly desire. Later on I’ll go down to the beach, and visit the recently opened children’s waterpark. The Grand Reserve is overflowing with activities for children, as well as options for the whole family.
‘At Circle, the children grow with us’, Jaime Piedras tells me with emotion, explaining the close, decadeslong relationship between Meliá and its most loyal
IN LINE WITH ITS PRINCIPLES, IT AIMS TO ELIMINATE THE USE OF PLASTIC PACKAGING AND CONTAINERS, AND TECHNOLOGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO SUPPORT BOTH THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE COMFORT OF HOTEL GUESTS.
members. Born of a desire to create an ‘experiences club’, Circle by Meliá transcends the concept of the allinclusive holiday. It’s a truly luxurious, transaction-less home away from home.
As I dream of becoming a club member myself, entranced by the promise of never-ending holidays, I explore the water circuit and the Turkish baths. Later, I receive a fantastic, relaxing therapeutic massage at the spa, which features 14 state-of-the-art treatment rooms. I’m guided through the experience by spa manager Eva de Ángel—further proof of the attentive and personal touch that characterises every aspect of Circle by Meliá and The Grand Reserve.