Del Mar by Joy Resorts
Del Mar by Joy Resorts is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Travelers rate it 4.2/5 across 249 Google reviews.
Seaweed & sargassum
Punta Cana gets sargassum, typically worst May through August.See the month-by-month guide →Traveler Insights(28 discussions)
Del Mar by Joy Resorts positioned itself as a boutique, intimate alternative to the sprawling mega-resorts that dominate Punta Cana. Tucked inside Cap Cana - one of the Dominican Republic's more upscale private resort enclaves - it aimed to deliver a quieter, more personalized stay with apartment-style rooms and a relaxed pace. The resort is currently closed, with no confirmed reopening timeline.
Past guests noted that the food quality at the main Raices restaurant (serving Latin fusion) was genuinely good and changed daily, which helped offset the limited dining choices. Apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes and in-unit washer/dryers gave the property a more residential feel than most all-inclusives. The private beach was praised as beautiful when clear, though seaweed was a significant issue at times. Service was warm and friendly by most accounts, though housekeeping consistency was a common point of friction.
Del Mar by Joy was best suited for couples or small groups specifically seeking to avoid the large-resort experience - guests who valued a quiet pool, fewer crowds, and a slower rhythm over a packed entertainment calendar. The property appealed to a niche: those who wanted all-inclusive convenience without the noise. Anyone planning to visit should verify current status directly, as the resort has no confirmed reopening date.
Pros
- +Intimate scale with only 122 apartment-style suites means a genuinely uncrowded experience with personalized service
- +Apartment-style rooms with kitchenettes and washer/dryers set this apart from standard resort rooms
- +Private beach location in Cap Cana, one of the more exclusive and well-developed resort zones in the Dominican Republic
- +Daily-changing menu at the main restaurant keeps returning guests from getting bored with the same dishes
- +Quiet, relaxed atmosphere ideal for guests who actively want to escape the large-resort chaos
- +Raices, the main Latin fusion restaurant, earned genuine praise for food quality - a consistent bright spot in guest accounts
- +Casual pool grill served fresh ceviches, burgers, and fried fish for easy daytime dining
- +Warm, friendly service by most accounts, in keeping with the property's small scale
Cons
- −Isolated location within a partially developed zone left some past guests feeling disconnected and without much to walk to
- −Very few dining options - only two places to eat on property, which felt limited for longer stays
- −Seaweed accumulation on the beach was a recurring issue that affected the beach experience for some visitors
- −Housekeeping inconsistencies noted, including slow towel replenishment and infrequent room servicing
- −Low occupancy at certain points meant the property could feel eerily empty rather than peaceful
- −The resort is currently closed with no confirmed reopening timeline
- −No real entertainment calendar - the quiet that appealed to some guests translated into boredom for travelers expecting resort programming
- −Cap Cana's gated enclave setting means little authentic local life within reach - most excursions require advance planning and transportation
Common Questions
Is Del Mar by Joy Resorts currently open?
What made Del Mar different from other Punta Cana resorts?
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Was the food good at Del Mar by Joy Resorts?
What was there to do around the resort in Cap Cana?
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“The Hotel was a very calm place. There was not a lot of people on the resort. The rooms are clean and with good AC. The best thing of the resort was the hospitality of the staff, but in specific the hospitality from the waitress/Bartender Jose Manuel...”