Champagne, Sunsets & a Birthday in Paradise (aka Punta Cana, D.R.)
- ashleyfranqui
- Sep 13
- 5 min read
For 5 glorious days, I let the Dominican Republic claim me. Home base: the Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino. Palm trees whispering, cocktails hitting the table before I opened my mouth, and sunsets that looked like they were filtered through my Dior sunglasses.
🌴 Day 1: Touchdown, Takeover, Tanlines
Punta Cana greeted me like a shot of tequila: hot, unapologetic, and slightly reckless. Exactly the mood I came for. Walking into the Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort Spa & Casino though? Unreal. Marble floors, a lobby the size of an NBA arena, and staff who immediately clocked my birthday energy before I even said it.
I threw my luggage somewhere in the room (balcony with ocean views, no big deal) and swapped into a linen set that screamed resort chic. By 4 PM, I had a piña colada in hand, legs draped over a poolside lounger, and was DM’ing everyone back home like, “Don’t text me, I’m international now.”
This place was unreal. Seven pools to pick from — including the Infinity Pool that literally spills into the beach — plus an adults-only pool when I needed some quiet and, a personal fave, a whole VIP section for my upscale girlies. And the food? I literally ate somewhere different every night: Mexican, Mediterranean, sushi, steak, Italian, even buffets that felt like events. Then there’s The Boulevard — shops, gelato, bowling, pool tables, shows, parties. Basically, it’s its own little city inside the resort
Our first dinner to kick off this perfect getaway was at The Steakhouse, where I shamelessly ordered both filet and lobster tail because, hello? Birthday rules = excess only. Duh. After, I ended the night at the lobby bar with a glass of champagne, people‑watching as a live band played, letting the tropical night settle over me.
🍹 Day 2: Pool Hopping + Beach Club Vibes
The Lopesan Resort is basically seven vacations in one. Six pools, a private stretch of beach, and a spa basically begging me to fake a medical emergency so I’d never have to leave. My first stop? The infinity pool, straight out of a postcard, before floating between swim-up bars like a social butterfly on tequila.
Somehow I ended up spending the afternoon shopping (ok let's be real, why am I acting surprised) at the resort’s little luxury boutiques, a chocolate shop and a perfumery on The Boulevard because apparently temptation is an amenity here and my brain thinks pesos aren’t real money. (Spoiler: my Amex very much disagrees.)
Later, I headed to the resort’s beach club. Cabanas on the sand, cocktails shaking nonstop, music rolling through the afternoon. Hours blurred in the best way, and before I knew it I was sprinting back to change for dinner. That night I ate at Inari, the resort’s Asian restaurant that felt like a neon-lit Tokyo fever dream. I ordered the sushi sampler, tempura shrimp that snapped with every bite, and a spicy tuna roll with just enough kick to remind me I was alive. Dessert was mochi ice cream: chewy, cool, and somehow the exact punctuation the night needed. Afterward, I wandered into the casino for a quick spin at the roulette table, giggling as I lost 20 dollars in under 5 minutes. Totally worth it. #NORAGRETS
🛥️ Day 3: The Private Boat Day
Picture this: cherry red bikini, oversized shades, champagne bottle in one hand, boat railing in the other. We chartered a private yacht that felt like the kind of thing influencers post but never tag because they want you to think they own it. Sailing along the Punta Cana coastline with music blasting, wind tangling my hair- if I've ever felt like That Girl, it was this moment.
We dropped anchor at a shallow sandbar, and locals showed up with coconuts like it was a planned delivery. They cracked them open, splashed in rum, and suddenly I was holding the most dangerous, delicious, iconic drink of my life.
Back at the resort, I spent the late afternoon recovering with a quick nap and a dip in the quiet pool tucked away from the crowds. Dinner was at Mareas, the Mediterranean restaurant. I started with ceviche, moved on to grilled snapper with saffron rice, and finished with passionfruit mousse that was so light I almost convinced myself it didn’t count as dessert. Later, I strolled through The Boulevard again, gelato in hand, soaking in the nightlife.
🎂 Day 4: The Birthday Picnic
If I could bottle one memory from this trip, it’d be this. I spent the morning at the spa for a birthday glow‑up: facial, massage, and lounging in a robe with herbal tea like I was auditioning for a wellness campaign. By midday, I was back at the pool with friends, sipping frozen margaritas and plotting the night ahead.
The evening was everything. A sunset beach picnic set up at Zoho Beach Club, famous for its over‑the‑top birthday parties and special occasions, complete with fairy lights, pillows, and a literal custom cake with my name written in gold. My inner child was screaming, my adult self was sipping a strawberry coconut martini like she deserved.
Dinner was barefoot in the sand: seafood platters, grilled vegetables, and me pretending this was just another Friday night when really, it was the birthday fantasy I’ve dreamed of since Tumblr days.
When the staff brought out the cake, everyone sang, and for a second, I thought, Yes, I am the protagonist of the universe.
We danced under the stars until the DJ wrapped, then carried the party back to the resort’s nightclub for one last wild round.
🌞 Day 5: Spa + Soft Landing
My last day was a full recovery — both emotional (goodbye, paradise) and physical (goodbye, tequila shots). I booked a treatment at the Om Spa: hot stone massage, aromatherapy, salt scrub, and a post-treatment relaxation pool so serene I almost cried into my cucumber water. I floated back to the room, spent a lazy hour on my balcony watching the waves, and tried to convince myself packing could wait.
I squeezed in one last swim, then lingered over dinner at Góndola, the Italian restaurant. Handmade pasta in truffle cream sauce, a caprese salad, and tiramisu that tasted like someone’s nonna had a crush on me. For one final drink, I stopped at Coralino Lobby Bar, staring out at the moonlit ocean and letting it all sink in.
✨ Final Word: Book It, Babe
This trip wasn’t just a getaway, it was a full cinematic reset. The ultimate birthday. It was major, and the feeling was contagious. Five days of luxury, laughter, and way too much champagne. Book it, live it, and then try telling me you don’t feel the same. Don’t just watch my story; make it yours.
🛫 Book your Dominican Republic escape now 👉 [Expedia link]
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