The Chic Punta Cana ★★★★★ - Adults only

When we returned to the Caribbean, we both felt our hearts leap for joy at the sight of the tantalising turquoise of the sea and brilliant blue of the clear skies, the pristine white sand and gorgeous greenery of the palm trees… we felt our love of this unparalleled paradise rekindling instantly as we were welcomed back to another, newer, heavenly interlude!

At the Chic Punta Cana, you arrive into a hall of lights and delights: a vast marble expanse is filled with mysterious glowing lights, hanging chandeliers and space-age furniture of sensuously flowing lines and dimensions. Aside from the sensory overload, the first person to greet us was a member of staff who seemed genuinely friendly and concerned that right from the start our experience should be perfect. We concurred!

Our suite with a swim-up pool really made us feel like jet-setting film stars arriving for an exclusive break. A giant bed, modern chaise-longue, drinks dispenser and our little cocktail corner with table and barstools made us feel decidedly decadent. A picture of floating feathers and huge mirrors reflecting hanging lanterns give you some idea of the softness of the bed and the lightness of being in this surreal but divinely sensual and inspiring atmosphere. Our balcony looked out over the pool to the blue of the sea beyond. Our bathroom was like a jewel of a mini-spa, and we felt everything was perfect as we started to wind down to some serious relaxation.

We went to the lounge for an aperitif and found ourselves in a strikingly original mixture of futuristic silver and slate and purple plush: long low white sofas and boxy purple chairs were set around an alabaster TV surround; the walls were decorated with huge bold modern artworks and topped with cubist-type angles in the ceiling above. You could relax in the embrace of a pod chair or perch on a cerise bar stool, with more space-age furniture in the bar and cubist angles in the ceiling. We mulled over our choice of five venues for dinner, and settled in the end on the Tagine, with Moroccan cuisine full of exotic spices and interesting flavours. We were very happy with our choice, and in any case had all the time in the world to try out the others as well.

The spa treatments definitely take relaxation to a new level, and leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and ready to enjoy the many delights of this resort once again. Days and nights blended into one another in a symphony of spa and sea, cocktails in our personal poolside cabana, fine dining, sea-gazing from our terrace or holding hands on the moonlit beach. There was music when we wanted it and privacy when the mood took us. The Chic Punta Cana gave us an experience of a type of truly memorable holiday romance – one that we will be sure to rekindle at the first opportunity!