The word "Malecon" basically means "waterfront drive" or maybe "oceanfront drive".
The Malecon in POP is pretty to drive along, but it's certainly not where i would want to spend a vacation.
The water isn't even swimmable.
I often go to a place on the Malecon called Camancho's, I enjoy the second floor outside balcony overlooking the sea, great breezes and Presidente is still RD 70.00 Pesos a grande, ice cold...