Perched elegantly on a cliff along a fine-grained, white sandy beach is Sanctuary Cap Cana, an adult-only, all-inclusive resort — a gated community just 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport — this resort that feels like a discovery, not a destination.
Built in 2006, the property immediately captivates with its unique architecture, resembling a big "Spanish village." It is Marriott International's first adult all-inclusive resort in its Luxury Collection. The design has a Spanish colonial feel with Dominican culture interwoven into the mix. The impression it creates is a highly tranquil atmosphere, very unique from typical Dominican resorts.
From the moment you step into the lobby, a grand Hacienda greets you with high ceilings and the soothing sound of water fountains and lush plants, making the check-in process feel like a surreal experience.
Guests can be as busy or as relaxed as they want here, with activities such as water aerobics or cultural sessions on coconut uses, or they can simply do nothing. Guests can also participate in focused fitness programs, such as the stretch class led by instructor Miguel Sanfler, designed to improve flexibility. It's popular, so get there early.
Spa at Sanctuary Cap Cana
If there is one experience guests should consider never missing, it is the signature Hydrotherapy circuit (available for an extra fee). This comprehensive hydrotherapy circuit includes a sauna, steam room, cold plunge (challenging), hot tub, foot bath and various showers, designed to be a complete sensory experience.
Guests leave the spa circuit feeling completely blissful and restored. A unique element of the treatment is the foot bath, which involves a walk outside along a stone river path. While this path provides an intense sensation that can be challenging, particularly on the soles of the feet, the overall journey through the circuit is total relaxation. Additional services are available at a cost for massage and beauty treatments.
Dining Scene: A Cut Above
Sanctuary Cap Cana offers a diverse and high-quality dining landscape, ensuring every guest's craving is met. No buffet line-ups here; dining is offered à la carte, and reservations are required, except for breakfast service.
For an unparalleled setting, the Blue Marlin seafood specialty restaurant is the most spectacular dining spot, perched on stilts overlooking the ocean and serving fresh seafood daily. Guests can indulge in a blend of Asian/Sushi/Omakase cuisine with fresh Caribbean ingredients at WOK, savour the finest cuts of meat from a cast-iron and brick oven at The Steakhouse, or enjoy specialty Italian items and classics at Capriccio.
The resort also offers the main buffet, Casabella, for breakfast, as well as international cuisine, along with the La Yola Snack Grill for all-day convenience.
The resort's bar scene is equally varied, catering to every mood. The main pool features the Freshco Bar, a popular swim-up spot for local and international beers and cocktails. In the lobby, the Love Bar serves craft cocktails in the evening, often accompanied by piano music, while the Coffee Shop offers Dominican coffee, smoothies and pastries. For late-night entertainment, the PM PUB serves as the resort's own disco, which also hosts the Friday night Cultural shows.
Nearby, guests are welcome to explore Sanctuary Village, a casual, town-like area located just a short walk from the resort. It offers a diverse range of dining options, including a pizza oven, sushi, a burger factory, an ice cream bar and a steakhouse. Sanctuary Village is included in the resort stay and is open to diners beyond the resort.
Finding your happy place at Sanctuary Cap Cana is effortless, thanks to its five pools and an abundance of dining and resort activities to choose from. The resort creates an ideal atmosphere for celebrating weddings, for groups to forge closer connections and for romance to blossom between couples.
The experiences at Sanctuary Cap Cana — from the seclusion of the Castle Island Suite to the bespoke hydrotherapy circuit — reflect a broader, exciting trend across the Dominican Republic's luxury landscape. With the inauguration of the world's first W all-inclusive resort and the promise of tailored luxury, the country is firmly establishing a new paradigm where sophistication, bespoke service and tranquil seclusion are redefining the meaning of a Caribbean escape.
Parm Parmar
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