- - -

It’s difficult to understand the true ambiance of this resort when you arrive well after midnight like I did, but once daylight hit, I was in awe of this wonderful and cozy property in Punta Cana. 

Having just opened its doors in 2016, Now Onyx offers a chic and modern atmosphere with plenty of cozy touches that make you feel at home. The service here truly stands out as the staff is eager to greet you with a warm smile at every corner and service at all the restaurants is excellent. 

The Food

I’ve always heard that food at resorts in the Dominican Republic simply can’t compare to the quality of food at resort in Mexico, but I can confidently say I had many wonderful dining experiences at Now Onyx. 

As part of the all-inclusive perks, guests here have access to 9 restaurants, the many bars and beach grills and the international buffet. The majority of the restaurants are closely located to one another and there is great open bar space where you can congregate in the area and enjoy pre or post dinner drinks. 

During my stay, I experienced the following:

• Bluewater Grill: A North American steakhouse — the ribeye here is superb — it’s flavored perfectly and just the right size
• Spice: Asian cuisine with teppanyaki tables — the beef/chicken sate is great, the spring rolls are delicious and the Pad Thai has good flavor (note: it has a peanut sauce, so while not traditional, it’s still enjoyable)
• Capers: Italian Eatery — has a great selection of pastas and pizzas
• preferred club a la carte restaurant
• Carnival: International buffet — the buffet is quite impressive with an expansive variety of choices presented in a clean marketplace type setting. Unlike some buffets, the food is fresh and doesn’t look like it’s been sitting for long. I think they maintain this level of freshness because the food trays aren’t too large, so they are constantly replenishing them. If you’re hungry, you’ll definitely find something here because there’s truly something for everyone.
• Coco Cafe:  Their coffee and specialty drinks and snacks shop. We made a pit stop here several times a day — their drinks are delicious and they always have a great selection of desserts and sandwiches.

Guests can also indulge in 24-hour room service with no extra charge. While the overnight menu isn’t expansive, there are some good offerings and delivery is fairly quick — usually 30 minutes or less.

If you are a Preferred Club member, you can enjoy a plethora of snacks, appetizers and desserts offered from the early morning hours until 11 p.m. at night. Food is constantly being changed and refreshed, so you’ll find different treats throughout the day, There is also a bar in the Preferred Club, so you can also grab a quick cocktail, water, juice, or coffee no matter the time of day.

The Rooms

The rooms here are spacious and well-appointed, decorated with tropical tones of greens and browns. The balcony also has plenty of space for seating and a jacuzzi tub to enjoy. But while the entire property is really spacious and doesn’t feel cramped, your room never feels too far way. Everything is conveniently close by — so if you’re at the pool and forget your sunglasses, it doesn’t feel like a task to go back and retrieve them.

The swimout suites in the family-friendly are particularly wonderful, feeding into the main pool areas so you have a private swim area in front of your balcony but can also have the ability to swim into the main pool area. 

If you’re opting for a swimout suite, I would suggest asking for a swimout suite that faces the main pool area. 

In the adults-only section, there are gorgeous rooms that have plunge pools and their own bali beds. It’s truly an ideal room category for couples or honeymooners. These ground level rooms also have immediate access to the adults-only pool which is one of the highlights of this resort (but more on that later).

The Highlights of the Resort Amenities

Now Onyx has beautiful lush grounds throughout and again, since this resort is on the smaller side, nothing is ever too far away. The main pool area is great because it’s set on different levels, so it never feels too crowded and there are plenty of lounge chairs and lots of access to the pools. The main pool also offers entertainment throughout the day for all ages, so it’s a great place to spend the day if you’re looking for a fun and lively atmosphere. 

My favorite part of the resort is the adults-only section, which is just a short walk away from the family-friendly area — but in a space that is separate from the liveliness of the main pools so there is definitely a different vibe. The adults-only pool is large and has tons of lounge chairs and seating options — so you don’t find yourself fighting for space. The pool is equipped with islands decked out with lounge chairs and the best feature — private islands that have 2 bali-beds, sun umbrellas and private access into the pool. Guests can rent a private island for the day for $125 and that gives them the island all day, butler service, drink and food service, fresh towels and two bottles of champagne. It is a fantastic way to spend the day relaxing. It was truly one of my favorite parts of this resort. 

Another perk of being a guests at Now Onyx is that you have access to the casino and spa at neighboring resort Breathless Punta Cana (which is an easy 5 minute walk away or a short 2-minute tram ride) and can enjoy most of the Breathless’ pools and 20 additional dining and bar options. (Disclosure: if Breathless has a resort buyout or a private event, then exchange privileges may be limited — but you do have access to the spa at all times). 

The Preferred Club

Now Onyx has one of the better Preferred Clubs in the AM resort brands. There are two Preferred Clubs on site — one in the main lobby where you can enjoy an easy check-in and the other in the Preferred Club section of rooms. The second of the two is truly a great space with lots of seating areas and incredible resort views. While I was at the resort, I saw several groups congregate in the Preferred Club at night to watch the NFL playoff games in the sunken couch areas. In my opinion, it’s well worth the upgrade to have access to the Preferred Club snacks, desserts and appetizers that change throughout the day. 

Wedding Venue Options

This property has a lot of great options for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The main gazebo is truly stunning with lots of greenery surrounding it along with a beautiful fountain feature. The beach area is a good size and there are several spots where couples can enjoy a beachside ceremony with enough space to fit a large amount of guests. The pool areas have good space for reception set ups and still plenty of privacy. For adults-only weddings, the couple also has the option to use Breathless’ rooftop location which has stunning view of the beach area — it truly is magical space. Now Onyx is also in the process of building a terrace area near the lobby of the resort, which can be used for events and wedding celebrations. 

The Overall Experience

This resort really offers a wonderfully comforting space with lots of pockets of relaxation. The service is outstanding and that really adds to the overall experience — you instantly feel like you are home in this slice of paradise. With great food, great pools and top-notch service and amenities, Now Onyx is a great choice for a wedding or vacation in Punta Cana.