The Grand at Moon Palace Punta Cana: The Complete Guide for Destination Wedding Couples

The Caribbean just changed. Here's everything you need to know about the most exciting new resort to open in years — and why destination wedding couples are already booking dates.

If you've been paying attention to what's happening in Punta Cana, you already know something big is coming. And if you haven't been paying attention, you're about to. Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana is Palace Resorts' first-ever property in the Dominican Republic, and from everything I've seen — including an early tour of the property during construction — it is shaping up to be one of the most significant resort openings in the Caribbean in a long time.

I've been planning destination weddings at Palace Resorts properties for years. I know what they do well, and I know where some of their Cancun resorts fall short. The Grand Punta Cana fixes most of those things while raising the bar in almost every category. Let me walk you through everything.

What Is The Grand at Moon Palace Punta Cana?

Backed by a $1.5 billion investment, Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana features two 18-story towers — a bold departure from the typical three- to four-story resorts that define the region. This isn't just a new resort. It's a new category of resort for Punta Cana.

The resort opens with 2,171 rooms, 66% of which feature direct ocean views, making it the property with the highest number of oceanfront accommodations in Dominican Republic history. The vertical tower design also allowed for the preservation of over 228,000 square meters of natural vegetation, including 400 meters of protected mangrove forest, with elevated walkways guiding guests to the beach while protecting the ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the resort plans to operate entirely on renewable energy by 2027, using solar power by day and wind energy by night. For couples who care about where they put their dollars, that matters.

This is Palace Resorts' debut in Punta Cana — and they came to make a statement.

The Rooms: What to Expect

The Grand features 2,171 guestrooms and suites with a level of technology and space rarely seen in Caribbean all-inclusives. Every category is built around the idea that your room is part of the vacation — not just a place to sleep between pool sessions.

Here's a breakdown of the main suite categories:

Grand Ocean View Suite — The entry-level suite and still exceptional. Ranging from 635 to 840 square feet, with one king bed or two queens, private balcony, and every standard luxury amenity.

Grand Golf View Suite — Same layout and footprint with peaceful garden and fairway views. A great option for guests who prefer a quieter side of the property.

Grand Swim-Up Suite — Direct pool access with 635 to 807 square feet of living space. These are the rooms that go first when couples are blocking for a wedding group.

Grand Honeymoon Suite — King beds, whirlpool tubs, and ocean views. The obvious choice for the couple themselves.

Grand Family Ocean View Suite — Two connected rooms, perfect for wedding guests traveling with kids or multigenerational groups.

Grand Presidential Suite — Ocean views, two bedrooms, a lounge, and a terrace. If you're looking to treat VIP guests or parents of the couple to something truly special, this is it.

No matter which category you choose, every room includes a minibar stocked with top-shelf liquor, 24/7 room service, CHI hair tools, aromatherapy, and a curated pillow menu. Every suite is also equipped with virtual assistants, smart climate controls, and seamless digital check-in capabilities.

One thing I want to call out specifically for wedding couples: during my construction tour, I stepped inside one of the first finished rooms — the ocean view suite on the fourth floor — and even unfinished, the scale impressed me. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, oversized balconies, layouts that actually feel like suites and not glorified hotel rooms. Your guests are going to be happy here.

Dining: 19 Restaurants

Food is one of the most common complaints I hear about big all-inclusives. The Grand addresses this head-on. The resort features 19 themed restaurants ranging from French to Indian cuisine, plus bars and quick-service options.

The 19 on-site restaurants serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner across a range of cuisines. Early guests who visited during soft opening have already been raving — one review specifically called out Nikos (the Greek restaurant) for exceptional food and service. The resort's cafes also offer cookies, crepes, and artisanal chocolate alongside freshly brewed coffee.

There's also a restaurant designed exclusively for kids, complete with specialized organic menus for infants and toddlers. That detail tells you a lot about how thoughtfully this property was conceived.

For wedding couples, this matters for one specific reason: your guests will have opinions about food, and they will find something they love here. The breadth of dining options is one of the things that makes Palace Resorts work so well for wedding groups with diverse tastes.

Pools, Beach and Outdoor Spaces

The beach question is always one of the first things I address when couples are comparing Punta Cana to Cancun. Here's my honest take: the beach at Punta Cana is better. The natural white sand, the calmer water, the color — it's a different level. For a beach wedding, this is a meaningful upgrade.

The Grand features nine pools, a private beach with cabanas, and beach bars. The pools include several infinity pools, relaxation areas with private cabanas, and direct access to the palm-fringed white-sand beach.

Adults-only infinity pools are positioned high on the property with swim-up bars, chic daybeds, and panoramic views of the Atlantic. These are the pools your wedding party will gravitate toward for the quieter, more elevated experience.

Guests can also enjoy a 20-acre water park — a major draw for guests traveling with children, and a reason families are excited about this property in a way they weren't always about Cancun.

The O Spa

The O Spa is the largest spa in Palace Resorts' entire brand history. This adults-oriented sanctuary features a massive hydrotherapy circuit, steam rooms, saunas, ice rooms, and a quiet relaxation lounge serving wellness bites.

For destination weddings, the spa matters more than people initially expect. The days leading up to a wedding are a mix of excitement and nerves — having a world-class spa on property means the couple (and the wedding party) can genuinely decompress. Palace Resorts also offers 20% off spa services for the entire wedding group when you book through their group program — more on that below.

Golf

The 18-hole Greg Norman Eco Signature golf course spans 126 acres and features sand traps, lush greens, and the Caribbean breeze as a constant companion. For couples with guests who golf, this is a significant amenity. Planning a morning round the day before the wedding is one of those easy group activity ideas that keeps everyone engaged and happy while you're busy with final preparations.

Nightlife and Entertainment

The Grand is not a property that goes quiet at 9pm. Adults can escape to the sleek Tea Bar for quiet afternoons, enjoy high-end cocktail lounges, dance at the nightclub, or test their luck at the resort's massive casino (opening shortly after the initial launch phase). Evening programming includes live melodies, breathtaking performances, and themed nights.

For wedding groups staying three to five nights, this kind of nightly programming keeps the celebration energy going well beyond the wedding day itself — which is exactly what you want.

Weddings at Palace Resorts: The Perks That Make It Work

Before we talk specifically about The Grand's wedding venues, let me explain why Palace Resorts has been one of my go-to recommendations for destination wedding couples for years. The group concession program is genuinely excellent — and it scales with your guest list in a way that's transparent and predictable.

The Complimentary Wedding Package

Palace Resorts offers a Complimentary Wedding Package that is free with a minimum of 10 paid rooms and a signed group room contract. It includes a personal wedding specialist, ceremony location (beach or gazebo), a minister to officiate a symbolic wedding, wooden pergola and ceremony table, 30 chairs, a basic audio system, sparkling wine during the ceremony, and a semi-private dinner reservation in a restaurant for up to 30 guests.

That's a real wedding — flowers, location, officiant, ceremony setup, and a reception dinner — at no additional charge when your guests fill the room block.

Complimentary Private Event Hours

This is the part of the Palace program that separates it from most resorts. Based on your group's room count, you earn complimentary private event hours:

• 10–19 rooms: 1-hour private cocktail reception
• 20–24 rooms: 2-hour private function
• 25–35 rooms: 9 hours of private events
• 36–50 rooms: 10 hours of private events
• 51–99 rooms: 15 hours of private events
• 100+ rooms: Unlimited days of events (up to 9 hours per day)

These hours include premium open bar, buffet, staff, tables and chairs, and white linens. Your budget then goes toward the things you actually want to personalize — florals, decor, photographers, and entertainment.

Wedding Credits: $20 Per Room Per Night

Couples earn $20 USD in Wedding Credits per room, per night, bookable toward cakes, floral arrangements, decor, audiovisual, entertainment, photography, and video. With a wedding group of 30 rooms staying four nights, that's $2,400 in credit that can be applied to your vendors — without touching your personal budget.

One Complimentary Room for Every 50 Paid Room Nights

For every 50 paid room nights, the group receives one complimentary room (up to 5 rooms total). The first complimentary room applies to the bride and groom. For a mid-sized group, this can mean the couple's entire stay — or several VIP guests' rooms — at no charge.

20% Off Spa Services for the Wedding Group

The wedding group receives 20% off spa services across the property. With a spa the size of The Grand's AWE, this is a meaningful benefit for the days surrounding the wedding.

Complimentary Honeymoon Package

The bride and groom receive a complimentary honeymoon package as part of the program. Details vary, but typically this includes room amenities, a romantic dinner, and turndown service enhancements.

Wedding Venues at The Grand Punta Cana

The resort offers multiple distinct venues to suit different group sizes and aesthetics:

There are multiple indoor and outdoor wedding venues for groups as small as 2 and as large as 800+.

Two rooftops, beach gazebos, terraces, a Catholic Chapel, ballrooms, there are options for every type of ceremony and reception.

The wedding team has built out an incredible roster of internal vendors to help design, plan, and coordinate a perfect wedding day.

Couples planning a more intimate wedding can also enjoy a complimentary symbolic ceremony for up to 30 guests.

A note on timing: wedding dates at this resort are going to go fast. This is Palace Resorts' most anticipated opening in years, and couples who were already waiting for a Palace property in Punta Cana are actively looking at dates. If a 2027 date is on your radar, the conversation should start now.

Who This Resort Is Perfect For

‍Destination wedding couples who want a "wow" experience for their guests. The combination of a brand-new property, exceptional rooms, strong dining, and the group concession program make this a high-value wedding destination for groups of 20 to 100+ guests.

Couples who love the Palace Resorts experience but want something fresh. If you've been to Moon Palace Cancun or know the brand, you already trust the quality. The Grand Punta Cana is the newest, most upgraded expression of what Palace does.

Families with kids. Guests under 17 stay and eat for free, there's a kids' restaurant with organic menus, teens' clubs, a 20-acre water park, and a family suite category designed for multi-generational travel. Wedding groups traveling with children will have no problem keeping everyone happy.

Groups who want activity variety. Golf, a water park, nightlife, a spa the size of a small resort, pickleball — there is genuinely something for every guest type.

Who This Resort Might Not Be the Right Fit For

Couples seeking an adults-only, ultra-intimate experience. This is a large resort and a family-friendly one. If you're envisioning a quiet boutique property where your 20-person wedding group has the run of the place, this isn't it.

Couples with very small guest lists (fewer than 10 rooms). The Palace concession program rewards scale. A 10-room group still benefits from the program, but the value really accelerates at 25+ rooms. Very small, intimate ceremonies might be better served elsewhere.

Guests who prioritize being off-resort. Punta Cana's culinary and entertainment scene outside the resort corridor isn't as developed as some other destinations. Most guests will happily stay on property — but if exploring the local area is high on someone's list, expectations should be set accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the resort open now?

Yes. Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana opened in June 2026 and is in active operation. Early guest reviews from the soft opening period have been strong — spacious rooms, excellent service, and pools that lived up to the pre-opening hype.

How far is it from the airport?

The resort is approximately 30 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport. For destination wedding groups arriving on different flights, that short transfer window is a genuine quality-of-life benefit.

What types of ceremonies are available?

Palace Resorts offers symbolic ceremonies (what most destination wedding couples choose) and also works with couples who want a legal ceremony. If you need a legally recognized marriage in the Dominican Republic, additional fees apply for the Justice of the Peace and document filing. We walk all our couples through this decision early in the planning process.

What's included in the all-inclusive?

The all-inclusive covers unlimited premium drinks at all bars, dining across all 19 restaurants, 24/7 room service via the Palace app, water park access, and all standard resort amenities.

Can guests stay at other Palace properties nearby?

Unlike the Cancun-area Palace properties that allow resort hopping across the corridor, Punta Cana is a standalone property. All the amenities are concentrated at The Grand itself — which, given the scope of what's on property, is rarely a limitation.

When should we book if we're considering a 2027 wedding date?

As soon as you're serious. Wedding dates at brand-new luxury resorts do not sit. Couples who book early tend to get better date selection, better room inventory for their block, and sometimes additional perks from the resort during the launch phase.

What does it cost?

Pricing varies based on room category, time of year, and group size. All-inclusive room rates for destination wedding groups at The Grand generally run from the mid-$300s per person per night at entry-level to significantly more for swim-up and presidential suites. The group concession program means a meaningful portion of your wedding costs are absorbed as you fill your room block. I build out personalized estimates for every couple I work with — reach out and I'll put together a real number based on your guest count and vision.

Ready to Talk?

I've been planning destination weddings at Palace Resorts properties for years, and The Grand Punta Cana is the one I'm most excited about right now. The beach is exceptional, the rooms are a step above what we've seen from Moon Palace before, and for couples who want something brand-new — a property where you could genuinely be among the first couples ever to celebrate here — the window is open right now.

If you're curious about whether this is the right fit for you, let's spend 30 minutes on a call. No pressure, no sales pitch — just a real conversation about what you're envisioning and whether this property makes sense.‍

‍Book a call with Jared >>

All group concession details, pricing, and availability are subject to change and should be confirmed at time of contract. Contact Vacationeeze for current promotions and personalized quotes.