There are vacations that leave you feeling like you need another vacation when you get home… and then there are vacations that remind you what truly slowing down feels like.
After spending a week exploring the Dominican Republic, visiting the campo where my husband’s mother’s family grew up, and soaking in the beauty and culture of the island, we wrapped up our trip at Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa—and it couldn’t have been a more perfect ending.
From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine warmth and hospitality. Instead of waiting around to start our vacation, we were immediately invited to enjoy lunch at the buffet while everything was prepared for us. It was exactly what our family needed after traveling from Santo Domingo.
The buffet, Spices Market had an incredible variety of fresh options, making everyone happy—from our pickiest kids to those of us ready to try all the Dominican food. And of course, no Caribbean vacation officially begins until you’re raising a cold Presidente beer and saying, “Cheers!” It was the first thing Justin ordered!
One of the best decisions we made was upgrading to the Preferred Club. The exclusive infinity pool quickly became one of our favorite places to spend the afternoons. It offered a quieter atmosphere, incredible service, and top-shelf drinks while the kids happily ordered their favorite frozen piña coladas poolside. It felt like a little slice of paradise where everyone could relax in their own way.
One of our favorite parts of any vacation is trying new food, and Dreams La Romana made every dinner feel like a special event. Rather than eating at the same restaurant each night, we loved having so many different options.
Throughout our stay, we enjoyed Italian cuisine one evening at Maravento, fresh seafood at the Coastal Grill, flavorful Peruvian dishes at Ausangate, and even Tex-Mex that the whole family loved. Every restaurant had its own atmosphere, making each night feel like a brand-new experience without ever leaving the resort.
Of course, if you ask our kids what their favorite part was, they’ll probably tell you it wasn’t dinner.
It was the water park.
They spent hours racing down the giant waterslides (Noah said he did it 20 times!), floating around the lazy river, and begging for “just one more ride” before heading back to the pool. When they weren’t swimming, they were challenging each other to foosball, basketball, pool, and even life-sized chess.
The resort also offered plenty of water activities, including paddleboarding and catamaran rides, giving the kids opportunities to stay active while making unforgettable memories together.
Then there was the beach.
The Caribbean water here looked almost unreal—crystal clear with stunning shades of turquoise stretching as far as you could see. One thing that especially stood out to us was how clean the shoreline was. There was virtually no seaweed during our visit, and the calm, gentle waves made it the perfect place for our children to swim confidently.
Watching them splash around, search for tropical fish, and simply enjoy being kids in one of the most beautiful places in the world is a memory I’ll treasure forever.
As the sun set each evening, the fun continued.
The nightly entertainment became one of our favorite family traditions. One evening we watched an incredible circus performance filled with breathtaking acrobatics, daring stunts, and even fire eaters. It was the kind of show that kept both kids and adults completely captivated from beginning to end.
It’s amazing how quickly vacation time disappears.
Somehow, the days felt wonderfully slow while the week itself flew by.
That’s the beauty of an all-inclusive vacation. Instead of worrying about grocery shopping, cooking meals, cleaning dishes, answering emails, or keeping up with everyday responsibilities, we were able to focus on what mattered most: being together.
We laughed more.
We relaxed more.
We played more.
We connected more.
Those uninterrupted moments are what make family vacations so valuable.
Our time at Dreams La Romana was the perfect finale to an unforgettable week exploring the Dominican Republic—a country that means so much to our family because it’s where my husband’s roots began.
Whether we were floating in the infinity pool, watching our kids race down waterslides, enjoying incredible dinners together, or simply sitting on the beach listening to the waves, every moment reminded us why we prioritize traveling as a family.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort that offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure, Dreams La Romana truly delivers. There is something for every age, whether your ideal vacation includes lounging by the pool with a tropical drink, filling your days with activities, or simply spending quality time together without the distractions of everyday life.
Sometimes the greatest luxury isn’t the beautiful pools, incredible food, or breathtaking beaches.
It’s having nowhere else to be except together.
