Seas the Day: A Beachfront Escape to Secrets & Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa

by Melissa Teutsch on October 23, 2025 in Travels,
Aerial view of Secrets and Dreams Playa Esmeralda resort in Miches, Dominican Republic, showing the beachfront pools, white sand, and turquoise ocean.
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I’m always chasing new places that feel untouched by the usual crowds, and my latest find might just be the Caribbean’s best-kept secret. 

Just two months into its grand opening, the all-inclusive Secrets & Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa sits about 90 minutes from Punta Cana in a rural, more undeveloped stretch of the Dominican Republic. The drive there alone is an experience, offering a window into the lush fields, colorful homes, and roadside food stands of the countryside that remind you you’re far from the usual crowded resort corridor.

They say Playa Esmeralda is “home to some of the most untouched beaches in the region,” and after seeing it firsthand, I can confirm it lives up to the hype. With sugar-white sands and glass-clear water, this is the kind of beach that makes you whisper “wow” under your breath. And while the landscapes are unforgettable, it’s the people who make it special. The warmth and hospitality of the Dominican staff set the tone from the moment I arrived.

A Warm Welcome and Ocean Views

Modern open-air resort lobby with high ceilings, neutral stone columns, contemporary seating areas with plush couches and chairs, potted palm plants, and ocean views visible through the wide opening leading to the pool and beach area beyond.
First impressions matter and Secrets’ open-air lobby delivers with its airy design and ocean views. Photo Melissa Teutsch.

Upon check-in, I was greeted with a cool towel and a glass of champagne before being escorted to my room. The resort’s layout ensures nearly every room has at least a peek of the ocean, but my Preferred Club Junior Suite didn’t just peek—it stared straight at it. 

Being in the Preferred Club meant access to a private lounge, beach area, and concierge service, plus a dedicated pool for adults only. My mini-bar was refreshed daily, the balcony was perfectly furnished for lounging, and the waves became my personal soundtrack.

After unpacking, I wandered down to the beach for a stroll before heading to the piano bar to meet my group for pre-dinner cocktails. Live jazz music filled the space as we sampled the Dominican Republic’s famous mamajuana—a potent blend of rum, red wine, honey, and herbs. One person in our group said it “tastes like Christmas.” My impression was more “spiced cough syrup,” but theirs sounds much better.

Plated Dominican appetizers featuring a croquette, a fried plantain cup filled with braised beef topped with pickled onions and edible flowers, and cassava bread rounds garnished with avocado mousse dots and microgreens on a white plate with dark rim.
Doña Altagracia’s showstopping appetizer trio: crisp cassava bread with avocado mousse, croquettes, and my favorite, golden fried plantain cups filled with tender braised beef. Photo Melissa Teutsch.

Dinner that night was at Doña Altagracia, the resort’s Dominican restaurant. We sampled croquettes, crisp cassava bread with avocado mousse, and my favorite—fried plantain cups filled with braised beef. The braised goat risotto was the standout entrée, and their take on crème brûlée was a sweet finish. Secrets offers eleven dining options in total, with cuisines ranging from French to Mediterranean to local Dominican. So many options, so little time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t there long enough to try them all.

Exploring Secrets and Dreams

Two modern pool loungers with white cushions on a submerged platform in a private swim-out suite section of the pool, overlooking pristine white sand beach with cabanas, palm trees, and bright blue ocean under clear sky at Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort.
Swim-out room goals: step directly from your suite into your own private pool section, with nothing between you and that pristine beach but pure Caribbean views. Photo Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa.

The next morning, we set off on a full property tour of both sides of the resort. Secrets, the adults-only section where I stayed, boasts three pools (including an infinity beachfront one that’s pure postcard material), two outdoor hot tubs, and a beach club. There’s also nightly entertainment such as live shows and themed parties.

But what truly impressed me was how eco-conscious the resort is. When building along the beachfront, they deliberately preserved the existing vegetation to protect sea turtle nests and prevent coastal erosion. Between March and November, the beaches become nesting grounds for leatherback, green, and hawksbill turtles. Knowing that makes every step along the sand feel sacred.

We paused our tour at one of the beach bars for cold towels and a round of morir soñando, which literally means “to die dreaming.” Traditionally made with orange juice and evaporated milk, this version featured passion fruit instead and let’s just say, if dreams taste like creamsicles in mocktail form, I get the name.

Smiling resort bartender in white cap and light blue shirt presents a wooden tray with four tropical yellow cocktails garnished with passion fruit and dried citrus slices at a thatched-roof beach bar.
A friendly bartender at Dreams Playa Esmeralda serves up morir soñando made with passion fruit instead of oranges that lives up to its “die dreaming” namesake. Photo Melissa Teutsch.

Next, we crossed over to the family-friendly Dreams Playa Esmeralda side. This half of the property is bursting with energy: four pools (including a waterpark with slides for both kids and adults), nine restaurants, and seven bars. There’s even a café serving coffee, ice cream, and late-night snacks 24 hours a day, plus a Sports Bar and a theater. Families will love the Explorer’s Club for kids and the teen-friendly Core Zone.

After our tour, I refueled at World Café, the Dreams buffet. It’s so sprawling that it took me a full five minutes just to scope out all the stations. I was thrilled to find more of that flavorful Dominican braised beef, plus an entire section dedicated to kids, which is a thoughtful touch for families.

Chocolate, Countryside, and Coastal Views

Man tending cacao beans drying on a wooden rack at a small cacao farm in Dominican Republic, surrounded by green trees.
At a family-owned cacao farm, ripe cacao beans dry in the sun before being turned into chocolate. Photo Melissa Teutsch.

That afternoon, we ventured off property for an excursion arranged through the concierge. Options range from whale watching and waterfall hikes to eco-tours and swimming with dolphins, among other things, but our group chose to visit a family-owned organic cacao plantation. The Dominican Republic ranks #7 globally in cacao production and #1 in organic exports so it felt fitting.

We learned every step of the process, from harvesting cacao pods to drying beans to hand-peeling them for production. Everything was done by hand, and the pride in their craft was evident. Tastings included cacao nibs, hot chocolate, and even a cacao liqueur that tasted like spiked chocolate syrup.

Woven hammock suspended between green wooden posts overlooking lush green mountains and valleys of the Dominican Republic countryside under a dramatic blue sky with billowing white clouds.
The view from Montaña Redonda: 360 degrees of Samaná Bay, rolling countryside, and those Instagram-worthy hammocks that make you never want to leave. Photo Melissa Teutsch.

Our next stop was Montaña Redonda, a hilltop lookout with 360-degree views of Samaná Bay and the surrounding countryside. Swings and hammocks line the summit, making it the ultimate Instagram worthy photo-op. 

By the time we returned, rain clouds had rolled in, giving me the perfect excuse to unwind on my balcony. There’s something incredibly peaceful about listening to the rain fall while waves crash just beyond your door.

We wrapped up the day at Meraki, the Mediterranean restaurant, where we sampled a bright-blue Costa Azul cocktail made with blue curacao as well as bright pink beet hummus, which was a first for me. The chicken tikka masala (yes, Mediterranean with a twist) was a surprising hit.

Rainy Day Bliss and Spa Perfection

The next morning, the rain lingered, but honestly, being at a tropical resort during a downpour is better than being pretty much anywhere else. I started with breakfast at Market Café, Secrets’ buffet, followed by a mocha from the coffee bar.

Midmorning, I joined a doll painting class where I met guests from England and Venezuela who were far more artistic than I was. (I’ll spare you the picture of my “masterpiece.”) The resort’s daily activities change constantly, but offerings include yoga on the beach, Spanish lessons, dance classes, darts, and even bicycle tours.

For lunch, I dined at Bluewater Grill on the Dreams side, overlooking the ocean. They say that on sunny days at 1 p.m., this is the spot to see the ocean glow bright turquoise. Even without the sunlight, it was beautiful—and the complimentary plantain chips were addictive.

Spa body scrub making station with wooden tray displaying mortar and pestle, white dishes containing dried botanicals and pink salt crystals, wooden bowls with various scrub ingredients, and glass jars of herbs and spices including chamomile, salt, sugar, and rosemary in the background.
A little DIY before spa time crafting custom body scrubs with rose petals, pink salt, and lavender oil. Photo Melissa Teutsch.

Afterwards, it was time for the spa. We began by making our own body scrubs (mine was a mix of rose petal, pink salt, and lavender oil) then enjoyed the sauna with cool towels and cucumber masks before individual massages. Post-treatment, we gathered at Revive, the spa bar. Don’t worry, it’s mocktails only, but the wellness drinks were surprisingly delicious. Afterwards, we even made our own larimar jewelry, using the blue volcanic gemstone found only in the Dominican Republic.

That evening we dined at Capers, Dreams’ Italian restaurant. Appetizers included fish croquettes, caprese, and a cheesy breaded eggplant gratin. My lasagna bolognese was perfection, but dessert stole the show—Nutella cannoli, tiramisu, and cheesecake. Thankfully, they brought samples of them all, and I didn’t have to pick just one.

The Farewell

The next morning, it was time to pack up and say goodbye. From its pristine beaches and eco-conscious design to the food, excursions, and heartfelt hospitality, this corner of the Dominican Republic is something special. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a family escape with a little luxury, you’ll find it here tucked away on one of the most beautiful stretches of coast you’ve probably never heard of…until now.

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Cover Photo Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa

A native of Louisiana, Melissa Teutsch enjoys hiking, reading, baking, dabbling in home improvement on her 106-year-old home, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two kids. When she’s not working full-time in the publishing industry, she’s planning trips to new places for her family or taking day trips to explore the North Georgia and North Carolina mountains.