Island Luxury and Taíno Heritage Shine at This All-Inclusive Dominican Resort

Guests discover that Zemí Miches is a destination resort deeply committed to celebrating the pre-colonial Taíno people — whose history, culture, crafts, and cuisine infuse nearly every aspect of the experience. The resort also invites guests to explore the remote natural beauty of the Dominican Republic’s El Seibo Province.

My wife and I are here for a midweek getaway promising beach strolls, indulgent spa time, Dominican cuisine and cocktails, luxe accommodations, and a dash of adventure. After landing at PUJ, a private transfer whisks us on a scenic 60-mile drive northeast to Miches — far from the pulsing, bar-hopping Punta Cana scene. Miches feels rural and relaxed, its landscape dotted with rice and corn fields and herds of cattle and goats.

A resort for the laid-back and culturally curious

Stepping onto the expansive grounds of Zemí Miches, we’re immediately struck by the architecture and detail. This resort feels unlike any other we’ve experienced.

Partially hidden by lush foliage and towering royal palms, the understated entrance gives little hint of what’s inside. Sunlight floods the vast lobby, drawing our eyes past a cascading waterfall adorned with full-sized Taíno canoes, beyond Dujo — the lobby bar — and out to a sweeping terrace overlooking Playa Esmeralda, a pristine beach framed by the jagged peaks of the Cordillera Oriental mountains.

Zemí is a Taíno term referring to an ancestral spirit and natural force venerated by Indigenous Caribbean people. Protection, harmony with nature, and reverence for ancestors define the feeling here, and the staff are eager to share the stories behind the symbolic artworks throughout the resort.

Indigenous Taíno art and crafts surround us. On either side of the lobby, sculptural installations feature dozens of hand-carved Palmchats — the Dominican Republic’s national bird — perched along oversized “fences.” Hues of sunflower gold, verdant green, azure, and soft charcoal appear in the furnishings, textiles, and large-scale artwork.

As we sip a freshly crafted Taíno welcome drink — dragon fruit, ginger, white rum, strawberry, and watermelon juice — our host explains the meaning behind the lobby’s art.

“The canoes represent the Taíno’s way of transportation,” says Karla Chisleivy, the site inspection coordinator at Zemí Miches. “They traveled between islands for trade.”

Gesturing to golden ribbons cascading from the ceiling, she adds, “This installation symbolizes the wind. All our artwork, and even the names of our restaurants and lounges, connect to Taíno culture.”

Each bar carries a similar reference, she notes. Dujo, for instance, refers to the low ceremonial chair used by a tribal chief — a symbol of power and authority. “We want you to feel like royalty while you’re here. Welcome home.”

Inside the Club Azure experience

We’re booked into Club Azure, the exclusive amenities program offering private check-in, a private pool, and The Royal Palm, a dedicated restaurant and rooftop lounge with sweeping Playa Esmeralda views.

Accommodations span six ocean-facing buildings, with Club Azure, the lobby, and main dining areas centrally located in Building Four. Our third-floor ocean-view king suite measures a generous 1,365 square feet — larger than most apartments I’ve lived in.

Entering through the living room, my wife and I are drawn to the furnished balcony overlooking the serpentine pool and beach beyond. We start our days here with coffee, watching the early crew ready the meticulous pool area for guests easing into their day.

Warm handwoven textiles, oversized abstracts, and geometric patterns line the walls. The symmetry in the floor tiles and mosaics echoes a property-wide theme of connection and togetherness. A stocked bar with Dominican rum, whisky, and mixers is ours to enjoy, along with a full coffee and tea service and a fridge filled with sodas, snacks, and icy cold Dominican cerveza.

Our bedroom is spacious, with a sitting table, couch, chairs, and an oversized TV matching the one in the living room. A second sliding door opens to the balcony. The main bath (with a half bath off the entry) features a double vanity, a walk-in shower with dual rain heads, and a soaking tub.

Dominican rituals await at Acana Spa & Wellness

Some pampering is in order, so we seek out the resort spa, where Taíno healing rituals take center stage. Our traditional couples massage includes a moist, herb-infused poultice rub and eucalyptus aroma inhaler to begin the treatment. The spa partners with Moringaia, producers of organic Moringa seed-oil-based skin and haircare products known for anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and antioxidant-rich Vitamin E properties.

We also enjoy the hydrotherapy circuit, a quick steam, and fresh juice while relaxing in the open-air lounge. We may not have left thinner or younger, but both of us glowed with relaxation — and we’re ready for the dining adventures ahead.

Standout dining and drinking at Zemí Miches

When Zemí Miches chose to highlight contemporary interpretations of traditional Dominican cuisine at its signature restaurant Toa, it cemented the cultural heart of the Taíno experience. The visually arresting dining room features ritual animal masks, straw and wicker light fixtures, and cozy nooks for conversation. Toa’s vibe signals a special night ahead.

Each lounge at Zemí offers signature cocktails. I order the Mama Tingo, named for a Dominican activist — a lively mix of pineapple, guava berry, lemon juice, rum, and local liqueur. It’s a bright opener and a hint of what’s to come. Tuna tartare on a crispy tostada awakens our palates before oxtail-filled pasta crescents in a rich velouté. My wife enjoys the goat risotto, a hearty mix of short-grain rice simmered in robust stock, topped with tender goat and vegetables.

On other evenings, we sample Boba — a Thai street food concept with grazing plates and spicy kiln-fired meats and veggies — and Manicato, a casual Italian spot with hand-tossed pizzas from an imported open-fire oven and traditional fare like osso buco, a tender veal shank I pair with a bold cabernet.

By the pool and beach, a food truck serves burgers and snacks, while Yuca, the al fresco eatery, tempts with Dominican classics. I can’t resist the traditional Chimmy sandwich — seasoned ground beef on a crusty roll with special sauce. I’m hooked.

Horses, 4x4s, and a lagoon

That reluctant horse? I convinced him that the sooner he reunited me with my wife, the sooner he’d be done with me. As lunchtime neared — his and mine — his pace quickened.

Our riding adventure was part of a full day combining 4×4 excursions along beach and jungle paths, a boat ride across El Limón Lagoon where pelicans and egrets showed off their aerial skills, and a visit to a working Dominican farm where we learned about cacao cultivation, chocolate making, and sustainable agriculture.

The day ended with a surprise birthday celebration for my wife — including a specially made cake — back at Zemí Miches.

Welcome home.

Getting to Zemí Miches

Zemí Miches can arrange private transfers to the resort from PUJ. The airport hosts many direct nonstops from the US, including from New York’s JFK, Miami’s MIA, Atlanta’s ATL, and Charlotte’s CLT.

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