Hillside Cabana at Amber Cove (Dominican Republic)
- Roxy
- Sep 1, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: May 27
Amber Cove is a cruise port in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. It features numerous shops, Coco Cana restaurant, Sky Bar, a spa, a zip line, water slides, a children's water play area, and a large pool complete with swim-up bar and a lazy river. Think spring break party vibes... A DJ is playing popular tunes and everybody is having a great time.
Amber Cove also features three types of cabanas available for rent: pool, ocean, and hillside cabanas.
Ocean cabanas are over the ocean adjacent to the cruise ship pier.
Pool cabanas are located next to the main pool with the Hillside cabanas nestled within the hill above the pool cabanas.
There are four hillside cabanas, each with separate views. We rented a hillside cabana on two separate cruises and got to stay in Cigua (cabana 12) and Cotorra (cabana 13). Cigua is the end cabana closest to the zip line/water slide entrances. Cotorra is the cabana right next door.
Check In:
Cabanas are already assigned by the time you arrive in Amber Cove. In order to check in, you'll want to find the check in desk for Amber Cove Cabanas found in Zone 2 to your right when you exit from the duty free shop at the end of the cruise pier.
Once there, you'll give them your excursion ticket. You'll be given wristbands and then will be escorted to your cabana by a staff member. I've read that you must give $20 as a cash deposit for the cabana key (returned upon key return) however I personally was never asked for the deposit.
There are two ways to get to the cabanas. The fastest and most direct route is by going up the stairs found just beyond the check-in desk.
If you have mobility issues or have a stroller, then you can take the long way up by going around the entire pool area and then up the winding steep hill. Although this route takes much longer, you'll be blessed by beautiful vista views!
The Hillside Cabanas:
Each cabana has it's own entrance. As you step down from the main walkway, you'll find an outdoor shower prior to reaching the front door.
Each cabana is named after a bird and has the name engraved on a wooden sign next to the front door. This matches what is shown on your cabana key. There's also a small chalkboard with your name below the cabana's name.
As you open the cabana door, you'll find a chair to the right and a sectional sofa to your left. There's a coffee table in front of the sectional.
The color scheme varies depending on the cabana but the furniture is essentially the same inside each cabana.
The coffee table has a bowl filled with various local snacks (chips) and a pack of cookies.
Our first time booking a Hillside Cabana, it was Valentine's Day so we got a special Valentine's Day mug with candy as a gift.
In the far left corner is a TV mounted on the wall, a small table below and a small trash can. On the wall is the TV channel guide. The majority of the channels are in Spanish, with a few in English, and one in French and Italian. If you have young children, you can put on Nickelodeon and they'll be equally invested as at home even though it's in Spanish.
The right side of the cabana has a shelf with a safe on the wall and the mini fridge below.
The fridge is filled with coke Coca-Cola and/or Pepsi, Sprite, water and chocolate bars.
There's no set amount of chocolate bars, one visit we had two and on the next visit we had four. I think it may have to do with the kind of mini fridge that's in your cabana which determines the quantity.
Each cabana comes equipped with a ceiling fan inside that you can control.
In addition to the ceiling fan, hillside cabanas are also equipped with air conditioning!
There's a wall outlet and two USB ports by the mini fridge (bring your phone charger!).
Depending on your cabana, you'll either have a sliding glass door or plantation shutter style doors that open and lead you out to your private back deck complete with (lounge) chairs and a private hot tub.
The exterior furniture varies between the cabanas. You'll either have chairs with ottomans or lounge chairs.
The View:
Cigura (hillside cabana 12) has the best views!
You have an amazing view of the pool below, the ocean, island, ocean cabanas, and you can see most if not all of your cruise ship.
Cotorra (hillside cabana 13) features an ocean view with vegetation as well as a partial pool view.
You can see part of your cruise ship and the ocean cabanas. You see bits and pieces of the pool through the trees, but it's no comparison to the views from Cigura.
Cotorra's views are more relaxing without the party vibe from the pool below. You can barely hear the music coming from the pool in Cotorra versus Cigura where you can hear everything from below.
Each cabana also features a mist cooling system found on the pergola. It definitely comes in handy in the late morning/early afternoon when the sun is blasting. It's a quick way to cool you down and get the deck floor cooled down.
The other two hillside cabanas (14 and 15) are nestled deep into the hill. I'm not certain if they have much of a view, but these are more private/less exposed and are quieter in terms of hearing the music coming from the pool area. They are also closer to the Sky Bar and bathrooms.
Sky Bar:
At the top of the mountain is the Sky Bar. This is also where you'll find bathrooms when needed during your cabana stay.
Your cabana attendant checks on you periodically and will take your order and bring you drinks and food from the Sky Bar.
There's a decent selection of food choices and the pricing is quite reasonable for being in a tourist area.
The portions are generous and everything we ordered was quite tasty!
If you like crab, I highly recommend the Dominican Crab Patty, it's delicious!
Zip Line, Water Slides and Pool:
With the cabana rental, you get unlimited access to the zip line. You must be a minimum of 8 years old as well as weigh 80 pounds or more. They are very strict about the weight requirement.
The location of the cabanas give you very easy access to both the zip line and the water slide entrances.
The water slides have lots of turns and take you down to an exit pool.
In order to go down the water slide you must be a minimum of 4 feet tall (weight limit of 230 pounds). Single riders only so parents are unfortunately not able to take young children with them.
The pool area is split into sections, the party area surrounding the swim-up bar, a calmer section over by the water slide exit, and a separate kids play area. Regardless of which section you go to, there are plenty of loungers available.
If you're looking for a quick bite to eat, there's a Nathan's food stand with hot dogs, burgers, fries, etc. at a reasonable price.
Is it worth it?
When we booked a hillside cabana for our cruises in February 2023 and 2024, we paid $314.99 each time.
Now, a Hillside Cabana costs $499.99 for up to 8 people.
On those cruises, my youngest was 1 and then 2 the following year so I really wanted a cabana where I could keep her in the shade and have a spot for nap time. My older two had a blast going in and out of the hot tub and l thoroughly enjoyed being able to relax away from the crowds but yet have food and beverage service. On those two cruises, it absolutely was worth it and the views were breathtaking. Especially in 2023 when we had Cigura (cabana 12).
Without any children though, if you're looking for a spot away from the crowds, food and beverage service and a private hot tub, you may want to consider booking a Hillside Cabana on your next visit to Amber Cover in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Description from Carnival:
Hillside Cabana: Take in the sweeping vistas of the beautiful bay and surrounding mountains while kicking back in your private hot tub on the back deck of these luxurious cabanas. This is the perfect backdrop for the ultimate selfie. Cabanas are tucked high into the hillside, which offers a stunning 360° view of "Cordillera Septentrional” or "Northern Mountains". A server will always be close at hand to take food and drink orders.
Water Sports: Choose two water sports (kayak, stand up paddle board or aqua cycle) to enjoy for one full hour.
What’s Included:
Snacks.
Water and soda.
Cabana Features: A/C, fan, Wi-Fi TV with HDMI cable, showers, mist cooling system, refrigerator, two lounge chairs, living room seating and hot tub.
NOTES:
Requirements & Restrictions: Minimum age to zipline – 8 years. Maximum weight – 265 lbs.
What to Bring: Beach towel and cash or credit/debit card for purchases.
Good to Know: This is an all-day rental and guests can arrive at their leisure. The price accommodates up to 8 guests and only 1 person needs to purchase the excursion. A deposit of $20 cash is required, which will be refunded when the cabana key is returned.
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