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Amanera

Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic
4.7(381 reviews)
Adults Only

Amanera is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Dominican Republic. Amenities include Beach, Fishing, Kids Club, Snorkeling and Spa. Travelers rate it 4.7/5 across 381 Google reviews.

Price Range
$$$ est.

Things to Know

No Online Booking

Room Upgrades

Plunge Pool Rooms

Amenities

Beach
Fishing
Kids Club
Snorkeling
Spa
Water Sports Rentals
Honeymoon
Anniversary

Quick answers

Is Amanera adults only?
Yes — Amanera is an adults-only resort, so children are not accommodated.
Where is Amanera?
Amanera is in Dominican Republic. Its address is Auto. 5. Carretera, Carretera, Rio San Juan 33300, Dominican Republic.
Is Amanera all-inclusive?
Yes — Amanera is an all-inclusive resort, so meals, drinks and most on-site activities are covered by the rate.

Traveler Insights(287 discussions)

Amanera is the Dominican Republic's only property in the Aman portfolio, and it delivers exactly what the brand is known for: radical seclusion, architectural drama, and personalized service at an eye-watering price. The 30 clifftop casitas are perched above Playa Grande on the island's largely untouched northeast coast, and the views from your private terrace - or your private plunge pool - are among the most spectacular in the entire Caribbean. This is not a resort for guests seeking a packed schedule of activities and social energy. Amanera is for those who want the world around them to go quiet.

The practical experience delivers on most of its promises. The spa, informed by Taino wellness traditions and the broader Aman philosophy of holistic healing, consistently impresses guests. The surrounding landscape - mangroves, surf beaches, open ocean - offers genuine adventure for guests willing to engage with it through the property's guided tours and water activity program. The dining, however, is the most common point of disappointment. For a property charging $2,000 to $4,000 per night, the menus are described by multiple discerning travelers as uninspired and repetitive - a gap that feels more pronounced when you know what Aman properties elsewhere in the world serve. A handful of surcharges (room service fees, bottled water, golf) also create friction that guests feel should not exist at this price point.


Amanera is best for couples or very small groups who genuinely value privacy above all else and are traveling for at least five nights to justify the journey. Budget comparison to other luxury Caribbean properties is almost irrelevant - nothing else on the island offers this level of seclusion. The remote access story may also improve over time: in March 2026, President Abinader, Discovery Land Company, Aman Group, and Third Point announced a private Playa Grande International Airport tied to a roughly $1 billion expansion of the Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Club development Amanera sits within - though for now, nothing has changed on the ground and the 90-minute drive remains part of the deal. The more honest comparison is to other Aman resorts globally, where Amanera ranks high on setting and architecture but below average on food. If you're visiting the Dominican Republic and seclusion and surf are your priorities, there is no closer alternative. If vibrant culinary experiences are central to your definition of a luxury vacation, consider whether Amanjiwo, Amanyara, or Amankila might be a stronger fit.

Pros

  • +Only 30 casitas on the entire property, guaranteeing near-total seclusion and a guest-to-staff ratio that delivers genuinely personal service
  • +Clifftop casitas with floor-to-ceiling glass and unobstructed ocean views over Playa Grande are architecturally stunning and unlike any other property in the Dominican Republic
  • +Many casitas include private plunge pools, making it possible to spend an entire day on your private terrace without seeing another guest
  • +Playa Grande below the property is a world-class surf and body-surf beach with powerful waves, and the resort provides board access and instruction
  • +Aman's signature spa philosophy - rooted in local Taino wellness traditions - delivers experiences that go well beyond standard Caribbean resort treatments
  • +The surrounding area offers kite-surfing, kayak eco-tours, stand-up paddle boarding, deep-sea fishing, and boat tours into mangrove systems
  • +The northeast coast of the Dominican Republic is largely undeveloped, giving Amanera guests access to scenery and environments that the Punta Cana corridor cannot offer
  • +Every operational detail is handled with the thoroughness Aman is known for - no detail is overlooked, from luggage handling to personalized dining preferences noted at check-in

Cons

  • Pricing is at the top of the entire Caribbean market - guests routinely spend $25,000 to $50,000 for a week's stay when flights, transfers, and on-property extras are totaled
  • The food menu is criticized by multiple reviewers as monotonous for a property at this price point, lacking the culinary inventiveness that comparable Aman resorts deliver
  • The beach at Playa Grande is beautiful but has powerful surf and strong currents - it is not a calm swimming beach, which surprises guests expecting a placid Caribbean shoreline
  • Getting to Amanera requires a 90-minute drive from the nearest airport, and the journey from a major hub like New York or Miami takes a full day of travel
  • Room service and certain on-property extras carry surcharges that feel incongruous with a $1,500-3,000 per night room rate
  • Limited dining venue variety means guests on stays longer than three nights will cycle through the same menus repeatedly
  • Golf at the adjacent Playa Grande Golf Course is expensive even by Aman standards and is not included in the room rate
  • Bottled water is not complimentary in rooms, a minor detail that generates disproportionate frustration among guests given the room rates

Common Questions

Is Playa Grande safe for swimming or is it only for surfing?
Playa Grande is a powerful surf beach with strong waves and currents that make it unsafe for casual swimming, especially for children or less-confident swimmers. It is exceptional for body surfing and surfboard surfing, and the resort provides access to boards and instruction. The resort's infinity pool is the primary swimming option for guests who want calm water. Several travelers express surprise that the beach is not swimmable in the traditional Caribbean sense, so setting that expectation before you arrive is important.
How long is the drive from the airport and which airport do you fly into?
Most guests fly into Santiago (STI) or Puerto Plata (POP), with transfer times of approximately 90 minutes to the resort. Flying from the US East Coast, the total travel day including connections and the drive typically runs 10 to 12 hours. Aman arranges private transfers as part of the arrival experience. Given the journey, most travelers who have stayed here recommend a minimum of five nights to make the travel worthwhile. Longer term, a private Playa Grande International Airport was announced in March 2026 by the Dominican government together with Discovery Land Company, Aman Group, and Third Point - but it's a future project, so plan around the drive for now.
What activities are available and are they included in the room rate?
Amanera offers kayak eco-tours, stand-up paddle boarding, kite-surfing, deep-sea fishing, boat tours, snorkeling, and spa treatments. Activity costs are generally not included in the room rate and are billed separately - this is standard Aman practice across their global portfolio. Golf at the adjacent Playa Grande Golf Course is available but is also an additional cost that several reviewers describe as expensive even relative to the room rate.
How does Amanera compare to other ultra-luxury Dominican Republic resorts like Casa de Campo?
Casa de Campo and Amanera serve fundamentally different guests. Casa de Campo is a large, activity-dense resort with polo, multiple golf courses, a marina, and a lively social atmosphere. Amanera is a silent retreat with 30 casitas, no organized social programming, and radical privacy as the defining feature. Travelers who want to meet people, attend events, or fill a schedule with structured activities are better served by Casa de Campo. Travelers who want to disappear completely are better served by Amanera.
Is the food quality worth the price?
This is the most divided aspect of the Amanera experience in traveler reviews. The setting and presentation are impeccable, and local ingredients are featured thoughtfully. However, multiple guests who have stayed at other Aman properties globally describe the menu as monotonous and less inventive than expected for the price tier. The consensus is that Amanera is not a destination for food-focused travelers. If exceptional cuisine is central to your trip, budget for off-property dining experiences or manage expectations before arrival.
Can families with children stay at Amanera?
Amanera is not an adults-only property and does accept families with children. However, the beach is unsuitable for young children due to its powerful surf, and the resort's experience is structured around adult wellness, privacy, and quiet rather than family-oriented activities. Travelers with older teenagers who appreciate nature-based adventure report positive experiences. Families with young children who require a structured kids program or calm beach swimming should look elsewhere.

Google Rating

4.7(381 Google reviews)

Google Reviews

Abdul K.
3 months ago

My wife and I visited Amanera in April for our anniversary, and it was incredible from start to finish. The resort is stunning — you can truly feel God’s beauty in every view, every wave, and every quiet moment. The spa is second to none — easily t...

Kate G.
9 months ago

An incredible experience! From the moment we stepped off the plane we have been spoiled with nothing but pure luxury. The resort is stunning, the activities so fun, and the food (at both restaurants) is delicious. What sets this resort apart (even i...

Savannah J.
9 months ago

One of the most beautiful places to visit. My daughter and I came to get some bonding time before she goes off to college. They picked us up from the airport and were so welcoming and attentive. We truly felt like it was home away from home. The rest...