Punta Cana may still reign supreme in name recognition, but Hilton is betting big that travelers — and their trusted advisors — are ready to look just a bit further up the Dominican Republic’s coast. Enter Zemi Miches All-Inclusive, Curio Collection by Hilton, a beachfront hideaway opening this month as the first all-inclusive Curio Collection property in the Caribbean country.
General Manager Manuela Fahringer, who has spent decades working in the country’s top resorts, sees Zemi Miches not just as another hotel debut, but as a marker of transformation for a still-untapped destination.
"Miches was just a small fishing village. Nobody knew about it, nobody talked about it," Fahringer said in an interview ahead of the opening with Luxury Travel Advisor. "Now we’re creating something different — not just another all-inclusive. This is about connection: to nature, to the local culture, to something slower and more meaningful."
That connection begins with the setting.
Located about 90 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, Miches is a lush, unspoiled coastal area with palm-lined highways, rice fields, and pristine beachfront. The 500-room resort — including 123 swim-up rooms and 20 beachfront bungalows with plunge pools — was built with a preservation-first mindset.
Fahringer noted that no palm trees were removed unnecessarily during development, and the low-rise, curved architecture of the resort blends into the natural surroundings.
While many all-inclusive resorts emphasize scale, Zemi Miches is all about storytelling.
"We don’t want to be a 1,000-room megaresort churning guests in and out. We want to immerse them," Fahringer said.
The experience includes the island’s first dedicated Taíno restaurant, showcasing indigenous ingredients and recipes with a modern twist, and a cultural program rich with hands-on workshops like think Larimar polishing, Mama Juana-making, and turtle hatchling viewings.
Nicole Tilzer, Hilton’s vice president of all inclusive and resort strategy, sees Zemi Miches as a case study in how to evolve the all-inclusive model.
"Today’s travelers are seeking convenience, but they also want elevated, immersive experiences that reflect the local destination," Tilzer said via email. "Curio Collection by Hilton is uniquely positioned to deliver on this demand by offering distinctive, design-forward properties that tell a story."
That design-forward approach shines through in the bungalow collection, where private villas open directly onto the beach and include butler service, exclusive dining access, and private pools. Higher-tier suites enjoy access to Club Azure, a private enclave with its own rooftop pool, restaurant, and concierge.
Families aren’t left out of the equation, either. A dedicated Coki Cove Kids Club and Palmchat Teens Club offer everything from Taíno dance lessons and conservation workshops to teen-only discos and a VR escape room.
Six restaurants and six bars, including swim-up options, anchor the culinary programming, while wellness gets equal attention with a 5,000-square-foot spa, hydrotherapy circuit, and beach yoga. And for the activity-driven traveler? Pickleball, paddle courts, and a sprawling water park round out the offerings.
"This isn’t about putting on a Dominican theme night once a week," Fahringer says. "It’s about creating a place where guests can truly experience the soul of the Dominican Republic—and leave feeling part of it."
With luxury competitors like Four Seasons and Secrets also planting flags nearby, Miches is poised for a moment.
But with Zemi Miches, Hilton appears to be setting the tone for what’s to come: a slower, softer, and more soulful kind of Caribbean luxury.
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