This Private Caribbean Island Resort Is Joining Hyatt This Summer — and You Can Only Reach It by Boat

A private island resort that guests can reach only by boat is joining Hyatt this summer. Cayo Levantado Resort, set on its own island just off the Samana coast in the Dominican Republic, is becoming part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt — the brand's group of story-driven, one-of-a-kind hotels.

The appeal starts with the arrival. There is no driving up to the lobby here. Guests cross from the mainland by boat in under 15 minutes, and once on the island, everything is within walking distance: 218 all-suite accommodations, beaches on multiple sides, and a cluster of restaurants and bars connected by garden paths. The whole property runs on an all-inclusive model, so meals, drinks and daily activities are built into the stay.

Wellness anchors the concept. The island's Yubarta wellness zone draws on Taino healing traditions and pairs a spa with a personal training studio and outdoor fitness areas. Daily programming leans into the setting, from watersports to conservation initiatives that invite guests to help identify local species through submitted photos, while 24-hour personal ambassadors handle requests around the clock.

The move folds a distinctive Caribbean property into Hyatt's all-inclusive portfolio, and it lands as The Unbound Collection marks its 10th anniversary with a run of new additions across the Americas. Practically, it means World of Hyatt members can soon earn and redeem points on a private-island escape — a rare category for a loyalty program.

Samana remains one of the Dominican Republic's quieter, greener corners, better known for whale watching and waterfalls than for mega-resorts. Cayo Levantado joins a small group of upscale stays in the area, including the nearby Bahia Principe Grand Samana, that are slowly putting the peninsula on more travelers' maps.