The Dominican Republic just doubled down on its luxury credentials. In Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, two Punta Cana resorts made the Caribbean's top 10 — Eden Roc Cap Cana at No. 6 with a score of 99.07, and Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana right behind at No. 7 with 96.59. The results come from the magazine's 39th annual survey, which drew 798,867 reader votes.
Eden Roc Cap Cana is the veteran of the pair, a Readers' Choice winner every year since 2021 and the only Relais & Châteaux property on the Caribbean list. It's a small, high-end operation: just 67 accommodations, ranging from beach suites to private villas, including four right on the oceanfront. Food options span four restaurants, and the on-site Eden Roc Spa by Natura Bissé was recently named the Dominican Republic's Best Resort Spa 2026 at the World Spa Awards. Families are catered for too, with a Koko Kid's Club keeping younger guests occupied.
Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana is the newcomer, cracking the list for the first time. It's adults-only and all-inclusive, with 51 rooms and villas wrapped around two swimming pools — and the beach is about a minute's walk away. The kitchen leans on organic, locally sourced ingredients, mixing traditional Dominican dishes with international cooking.
Together, the two results underline what a lot of travellers have already figured out: Punta Cana isn't just a budget sun-and-sand destination anymore. The east coast of the Dominican Republic now competes with St Barts, Anguilla and the rest of the Caribbean's established luxury heavyweights, often at more accessible price points and with easier direct flights from North America and Europe.
If you're choosing between the two, the decision is fairly simple. Eden Roc suits couples and families who want ultra-luxury, space and a spa worth planning a day around, inside the gated Cap Cana community. Zoëtry Agua is the pick for a quieter, grown-ups-only escape where everything — meals, drinks, wellness — is bundled into the rate.
Both resorts sit within easy reach of Punta Cana International Airport, which keeps transfer times short and makes a long weekend here genuinely feasible.
