A New Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Resort: Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana!
A resort with nine pools, its own water park, a bowling alley and more than 2,000 rooms sounds like something your kids would sketch on a napkin. It is real, it is on the beach in the Dominican Republic, and it has been popping up in family travel feeds all fall.
Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana is a new family-friendly all-inclusive resort that opened in summer 2026 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It has 2,171 rooms and suites, nine pools, a water park, kids' and teen spaces, a bowling alley and a Greg Norman golf course. Here is everything LA families should know before booking.
Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana: Key Takeaways
Where: Boulevard Turístico del Este Km 28, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, about 25 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
Opened: Summer 2026, as the largest new resort to debut in the Caribbean this year
Size: 2,171 rooms and suites in two 18-story towers, each with an ocean or golf view
For kids: A water park with slides, a FlowRider wave simulator and a lazy river, plus The Dreamery family concept, a teen lounge and a bowling alley
Price: Opening rates started at about $849 per night all-inclusive for two adults; promotions change often
Still coming: Several venues, including the casino, tennis courts and outdoor playgrounds, are listed to open from December 1, 2026
What Is Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana?
This is the first Dominican Republic resort from The Palace Company, the group behind Moon Palace Cancún and Moon Palace Jamaica. The company broke ground in Punta Cana's Macao area in late 2018, and the resort welcomed its first guests in summer 2026.
It is built big and vertical: two 18-story towers with 2,171 rooms and suites. When the project was announced in 2025, the company said about two-thirds of the rooms would have direct ocean views, and elevated walkways would carry guests to the beach while protecting the coastal ecosystem.
Like other Moon Palace properties, it is designed for multigenerational trips. Grandparents can hit the spa or golf course, parents can grab a quiet dinner, and kids have more things to do than days to do them in.
Nine Pools and a Water Park
Water is the main event here. This resort has nine pools, including family pools, wellness pools and a dedicated children's pool, so you can split up by mood instead of fighting for a lounge chair.
The water park includes slides, a FlowRider wave simulator for surfing and boogie boarding, and a lazy river. Swim-up suites open directly onto a semi-private pool, which is a nice perk with toddlers who nap in the afternoon.
Parent Tip: Wave simulators usually have height and swimming requirements. Ask about the rules and session times at check-in so nobody is disappointed at the front of the line.
What Kids and Teens Will Love
The resort's family program is called The Dreamery, with themed play areas, family games and daily activities. Younger kids get a pirate-themed playroom, and there is even a whimsical kids' dining spot called Wonderwoods. Children ages 4 to 12 can stay unaccompanied. Children under the age of 4 are welcome inside, but must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times.
Teens have their own lounge plus Wired!, a game room with arcade games and gaming consoles. The Ninth Pin is the resort's bowling alley and bar, and mini golf is listed among the activities too.
For evenings, there is a 1,216-seat theater for shows and a movie theater. A few nightlife spots, like the Speakeasy and the Unique nightclub, are adults only.
Parent Tip: Email the resort before your trip, and reserve bowling lanes early in your stay, since reservations are required and an extra fee may apply.
Dining: 19 Restaurants and a 24-Hour Bakery
Most resort listings count 19 restaurants, including 16 specialty spots. The lineup covers Brazilian churrascaria, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, a teppanyaki grill, large buffets and a 24-hour bakery-café for late-night snacks.
Some extras cost more, like cooking and mixology workshops and coffee tastings. Room service runs 24 hours, which is a lifesaver when a jet-lagged kid wakes up hungry at 5 a.m.
Parent Tip: Picky eaters will be fine at the buffets, but book specialty dinners on your first day. On a resort this size, the popular time slots go fast.
Rooms and Family Suites
Every room has a whirlpool tub and a balcony or terrace. The entry-level Grand Superior Deluxe rooms measure about 635 square feet, which is roomy for a family of four.
Bigger families should look at the Grand Family Suite, about 1,291 square feet for up to seven guests, or the Grand Presidential Suite, also for up to seven. Three- and four-bedroom villas, including rooftop villas, sleep up to 12 people for big reunions.
Room views are either ocean or golf course. Golf-view rooms are usually the cheapest way in.
Golf and the O Spa for Grown-Ups
The 18-hole course is a Greg Norman Eco Signature design, with a driving range and a clubhouse restaurant overlooking the fairways. Golf packages cover rounds, but carts, balls and rentals are typically extra.
The O Spa is the largest in the Dominican Republic, at nearly 70,000 square feet. It has a hydrotherapy circuit, steam rooms, vitality pools, a salon, a barbershop and a juice bar.
What's Still Opening in 2026 and 2027
The resort opened in phases, so not everything was ready on day one. Tour operator listings show tennis courts, the casino, outdoor children's playgrounds, a steakhouse, a seafood spot, a beach club and the Speakeasy opening from December 1, 2026.
The Palace Company has also said the resort will run fully on renewable energy, solar by day and wind by night, starting in 2027.
Parent Tip: Traveling before December? Ask the resort which venues will be open on your dates, so you know exactly what you are paying for.
How Much Does It Cost?
Rates vary a lot by season, room type and promotion. According to Caribbean Journal, opening-week rates started at about $849 a night all-inclusive for a Grand Superior Deluxe Golf View room, and swim-up suites ran from about $1,100 to $1,400 a night. But you can find rooms as low as $550 per night on Expedia.com, depending on your travel dates.
These deals change often, and resort credits usually come with terms and a service charge when you redeem them. Compare the price with vacation packages that bundle flights, and read the fine print before you book.
Getting There From Los Angeles
You will fly into Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), about 25 minutes from the resort. Most trips from LAX include at least one connection, so plan on a full travel day and check current routes on your airline's website.
Everyone in the family, including babies, needs a valid passport. The Dominican Republic also requires a free electronic entry and exit form, which you can complete on the official Dominican Republic e-Ticket website before you fly.
Punta Cana is three to four hours ahead of LA, depending on the time of year. Check the U.S. State Department's Dominican Republic page for current entry rules and travel advisories.
Parent Tips Before You Book
Check the kids' policy: Ask how many kids can stay free in your room type and up to what age.
Ask about club ages: Confirm the age ranges and hours for The Dreamery and the teen lounge.
Reserve early: Book bowling, specialty dinners and spa time on day one.
Pick your tower wisely: On a property this big, ask for a room near the pools or kids' areas to cut down on walking.
Pack smart: Bring water shoes, a refillable bottle for each kid and plenty of sunscreen.
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Takeaway
Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana is built for families who want everything in one place: nine pools, a water park, bowling, teen hangouts and enough restaurants to try a new one every night.
It is a splurge and a long trip from LA, so watch for promotions, confirm what's open on your dates and plan at least five nights to make the flight worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana?
It is on Boulevard Turístico del Este in the Macao area of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, about 25 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). The resort sits along the Atlantic coast, with elevated walkways leading guests to the beach.
2. How much does Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana cost per night?
Opening-week rates started at about $849 per night all-inclusive for two adults in a golf-view room, and swim-up suites ran higher. Later promotions brought some suites lower. Prices change with the season, so check current rates and offers before booking. We found rooms as low as $550 on Expedia.
3. Does Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana have a water park?
Yes. The resort has a water park with slides, a FlowRider wave simulator and a lazy river, plus nine pools, including family pools and a children's pool. Wave simulators typically have height and swimming rules, so ask at check-in.
4. Is Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana good for kids and teens?
Yes. Families get The Dreamery play areas, a pirate-themed playroom, kids' dining at Wonderwoods, a teen lounge with arcade games and consoles, a bowling alley and mini golf. Kids' club age ranges were not published online, so confirm them with the resort.
5. When did Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana open?
The resort opened to guests in summer 2026. It opened in phases, and several venues, including the casino, tennis courts and outdoor playgrounds, are listed to open from December 1, 2026. Ask the resort what will be open during your stay.
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