If you are planning a vacation in beautiful Punta Cana and are having a hard time deciding which hotel is better for you, there are some facts to consider when choosing between the Now Larimar and The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
Both hotels are all-inclusive and offer many amenities; your choice will depend on the preferences and needs of your family or group.
Both properties have very high ratings, so the decision will be up to you as far as where you will stay while in Punta Cana.
Beachfront
The Now Larimar, a moderately priced hotel that is part of AMResorts, features a beachfront of 700 yards.
It is located at beautiful Bavaro Beach, so for some that may be a preference.
The Hard Rock is situated at Macao Beach in northern Bavaro Beach.
Rooms
Some people find the rooms at the Now Larimar a bit too basic when it comes to a standard room. Some guests have mentioned noise near the courtyard.
Garden rooms are a bit far from the pool, according to Fodors. There are no elevators near the room blocks, elevators being a preference for some guests.
On the other hand, the rooms at the Hard Rock have been called oversized and deluxe. However, according to Fodors,
“..you need to decide if you’d prefer to be where the action is — closer to reception, restaurants, and the casino — or you closer to the beach. Because of the resort’s sprawl, you have to be shuttled from the beach or to the lobby, and transportation waits can be long.”
There’s family suites as well as rooms with balconies. Junior suites are also available.
Pools
The Now Larimar includes four freshwater pools that are ideal for relaxing as well as fun for the kids. It also features a spa for relaxation, massage, facials and more.
Treatments, such as black mud, are available for renewal.
As far as the Hard Rock Hotel goes, there are thirteen pools that include swim-up bars and water slides for the kids. Three of the pools are for kids.
One of the adult pools is for Rock Royalty members and is private; another pool is adults-only with European-style bathing. The Hard Rock also has a spa.
Kids
Family friendly, the Now Larimar offers the Explorers Club for kids. Tweens and teens can enjoy the Core Zone.
Lots of animation adds to the ambiance of excitement, as everyone gets involved.
Areas are supervised to keep kids busy, and free cell phones are available for parents while their kids are in the kids’ club.
Location
The Now Larimar is within walking distance to shops and cafes that are off-site. It is situated close to the airport as well.
The Hard Rock has so much right at the hotel and the beach is right there.
Food, etc.
The Now Larimar features à la carte restaurants, two buffets, a café, and two snack grills; the restaurants are reservation-free. According to Fodors,
“…its main buffet is exceptional.”
The Now Larimar club lounge has high-end liquor and hors d’oeuvres, and wi-fi is available. Late night bites can be had at the Carnival Buffet.
Within the restaurants, gluten-free options are available.
The Hard Rock offers a restaurant called Simon Mansion, which has been described as being rocking. Food has been praised as being better than many all-inclusive.
Entertainment
With seven bars and a night club that’s open for late night fun, the Now Larimar has all-inclusive rates that do not require wristbands for high-end drinks.
The sports bar has a gaming system as well as pool tables and four lanes of bowling.
The Hard Rock has nightly entertainment as well as live entertainment. Theme parties, concerts, shows and more are all part of the fun here.
While at the pool during the daytime hours, you can enjoy water aerobics and volleyball.
Other amenities
The Now Larimar and Hard Rock both offer laundry service. One preference for golfers might be the fact that the Hard Rock has a fabulous Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course right on-site.
Both hotels have breakfast included. Meeting rooms are available at both the Now Larimar and the Hard Rock. Both hotels have shuttle bus service, are multilingual and accessible.
The Hard Rock Hotel has a plan called Rock Royalty for extra dollars. Here is what one satisfied customer said about upgrading to it:
“We just loved having our own spot reserved on the beach, dinner reservations made for us every night, and we enjoyed the couples massage.”
According to Trip Expert, the Hard Rock scores higher for all its amenities, setting, nightlife, and fun. It also received very good reviews here from those that stayed at the hotel.
Verdict
The decision of which hotel to choose will be ultimately up to you and your needs.
A more lively experience and exciting night clubs can be found at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, while a more relaxed ambiance and kids’ fun can be had at the Now Larimar.
In either case, you will have a fabulous vacation at an all-inclusive in Punta Cana.