The Tortuga Bay Hotel Unveils a Fresh New Look

2 min read

The Tortuga Bay Hotel at Puntacana Resort has always made for a great vacation spot, but now it’s even better. Set on Santa Cruz Island in the Dominican Republic, Tortuga Bay is part of the larger resort and has 13 villas set on three miles of beachfront. It underwent a recent renovation that updated the beautiful villas, all painted a distinct bright yellow with white roofs, which were originally designed by Oscar de la Renta.

The changes were intended to upgrade the spaces without taking anything away from de la Renta’s timeless design choices. “The updates introduce a lighter, more contemporary aesthetic—brighter palettes, enhanced natural light, and elevated furnishings that balance refined comfort with the ease and warmth that families come here to find,” explains Blanca Alcántara, the resort’s general manager. De la Renta, who also designed the hotel’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Bamboo, himself loved the resort so much that he spent much of the later years of his life living there.

Other improvements made to the hotel are more subtle. Tortuga Bay stands out amongst similar properties for its incredible focus on privacy and providing a truly one-of-a-kind guest experience. “Beyond the villa refresh, we’ve deepened our focus on the private, in-villa experience—curating personalized services,” Alcántara says. “From intimate wellness rituals to bespoke culinary moments, every touchpoint is designed to feel singular and unhurried.”

All guests have the use of electric-powered golf carts that allow them to roam the property, and each room has an ambassador assigned to facilitate things during their stay. Beyond the pool, golf course, and spa, guests can visit the 1,500-acre Ojos Indígenas Ecological Park and Reserve. A transitional subtropical forest, the reserve is home to 500 types of plants and 12 lagoons; Alcántara calls it “a living sanctuary that reminds you exactly where you are.”