Sivory Punta Cana Offers Low-Key Luxury amid All-Inclusive Properties

It’s small (55 rooms), it is not an all-inclusive, it’s an hour’s drive from the airport, its focus is luxury and gastronomy, and it’s located in Punta Cana, the heart of the all-inclusive, mega-resort region of the Dominican Republic.

Yet, from the get-go, the Sivory Punta Cana, owned by a husband-and-wife team in a Spanish hotel family that is dominated by seven all-inclusive properties (three in Punta Cana and four on the Riviera Maya in Mexico), was cut from a different cloth.

The Balinese-style resort, which opened in December 2005, fronts a gold-sand beach rimmed by palm trees that were there before the resort ever broke ground, unlike the blinding white-sand beaches with just-planted foliage found at most properties. Each guest building has just four units, and 10 of the units have a private plunge pool.

Each guestroom has a balcony or terrace, bath with two-person tub and large shower, complimentary minibar restocked daily, wine cooler and Internet access.

Small tables form the reception and check-in area. Sivory has three restaurants, from casual poolside to Asian-fusion chic, and all meals are a la carte. There’s also a lobby and piano bar and a pool bar serving snacks and tapas. A wine cellar holds 8,000 bottles.

Sivory does offer a meal plan upon request. The all-inclusive option covering meals and most drinks is $150 plus taxes, per person, per day. Guests can arrive by taxi, $80 one way from the airport, or by helicopter, $145 one way for two with champagne upon arrival.

Sivory employs 150 on staff and has not had to lay off any employees nor increase its rates, which range from $320 per room, per night, single or double, in a deluxe junior suite to $1,200 for the two-level grand suite.