Puntacana Resort & Club

Was it destiny or a shared dream that brought Frank Rainieri and Theodore Kheel to this very spot? In 1969, they gazed upon a raw, untouched landscape. A 58-million-square-meter canvas of jungle met six miles of pristine beach. This was the birthplace of the Puntacana Resort & Club. Rainieri, a young Dominican entrepreneur, and Kheel, a seasoned New York lawyer, envisioned a paradise. Their first brushstroke on this vast canvas was the Punta Cana Club, a modest 40-guest hotel. Puntacana Resort & Club was more than a business venture. It was a testament to their belief in sustainable development. The Puntacana Hotel, initially a collection of 10 two-room villas in 1971, now boasts 130 rooms and 21 beach casitas. Imagine strolling along the beach, the warm Caribbean sun kissing your skin, the gentle rhythm of the waves serenading your senses. You might find yourself dining at the award-winning La Yola restaurant at the marina. Perhaps indulging in a treatment at the Six Senses Spa, where local medicinal plants enhance the experience. Puntacana Resort & Club is a tapestry woven with luxury and nature. Within its embrace lie five distinct residential communities: Tortuga, Hacienda, Arrecife, La Marina, and the exclusive Corales. Legends like Julio Iglesias and Mikhail Baryshnikov have called this haven home. Golf enthusiasts can tee off on two championship courses. The 27-hole La Cana, designed by P.B. Dye, was a pioneer, using paspalum, a seawater-tolerant grass. The 18-hole Corales course, crafted by Tom Fazio, offers breathtaking ocean views. The heart of Puntacana Resort & Club beats with a commitment to the environment. The Puntacana Foundation protects 1,500 acres of ecological reserve, providing a sanctuary for endangered species and a research base for universities. Their legacy extends to education with the Ann & Ted Kheel Polytechnic and the Puntacana International School, and to healthcare with a free clinic in the local community of Véron. Puntacana Resort & Club is more than a resort. It’s a living story, a testament to the vision of two men who dared to dream on the edge of paradise.