PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic -- The delicious meal started with cream of pumpkin soup with ginger shrimp tempura, and ended with a triple chocolate dessert that included a mini Sacher torte, white-chocolate soup with Panko-crusted bananas and mini Grand Marnier souffle. In between were four additional courses that make my mouth water just recalling them.

Nope, I wasn't at a fancy restaurant in Europe, but at Krystal Restaurant at the Riu Hotels & Resorts complex in Punta Cana. All-inclusive dining has certainly risen to a new level there.

The group of hotels at Punta Cana consists of the new Riu Palace Bavaro (where I stayed), the renovated adults-only Riu Palace Macao, the renovated Riu Bambu, Riu Naiboa and the classic Spanish ambience of Riu Palace Punta Cana. With five properties on site, there really is something for everyone -- from price point to style.