“Take a deep breath in and breathe out your stress," says our burly yoga instructor as he guides us through a meditation to end our flow class. "You’re in paradise; there’s no stress here,”
The lapping waves of the Caribbean sea provide the perfect soundtrack to our downward dogging, and the swaying palm trees in the distance the perfect backdrop. He’s not wrong, we are in paradise. Sanctuary Cap Cana to be exact.
The sprawling resort is Marriott’s first all-inclusive 5-star hotel, which is just 15 minutes from the Punta Cana International airport, but likely a world away from your client’s life at home.
Cap Cana is home to many wealthy residents, and also boasts some of the DR's best beaches, and the largest marina in the Caribbean. So, it’s no wonder that Marriott chose this exclusive location for its first all-inclusive, adults-only resort in the brand’s Luxury Collection portfolio. And it’s quite the resort. The hotel was designed to resemble a colonial Spanish castle town perched on a cliff by the ocean. With 324 luxury suites and villas, and striking architectural design paired with a bevy of luxurious offerings, this spot might have your clients wanting to cancel their return flight home.
Even though it's been open for more than a decade, Sanctuary became part of Marriott Bonvoy's All-Inclusive collection in the fall of 2022. Its re-opening was delayed until early 2023 due to the effects of Hurricane Fiona.
"Cap Cana is one of the Dominican Republic's most exclusive areas,” said Luisa Villafana, the hotel’s ecommerce and sales manager. “We’re fortunate to be located here. Just look around, white sand beaches, the ocean, the weather. It’s so nice.”
"And here at the hotel, we’re part of the luxury collection for the Marriott and all hotels that belong to this portfolio are unique. Our structure, as you can appreciate, is very different from other hotels. The way that we welcome you when you arrive, it’s very personalized from the first moment that you arrive. It’s a hotel experience that caters to your needs and senses.”
One does feel rather stately traipsing around what feels like a luxurious Spanish village. Spacious suites and villas are designed in Spanish colonial style with modern twists by way of wood accents, rattan furniture, and luxurious bathrooms. Amenities include private balconies, some with soaking bathtubs with an ocean view, while some rooms have swim-up access.
One section of the property is referred to as the “Castle,” a more exclusive resort area with full-time butler service, VIP services, and packing and unpacking services. Some ground-floor rooms in the Castle area are also connected to a private pool that wraps around the building. The villas are also grand affairs, the smallest of which starts at just over 1,100 square feet; perfect for large families or groups.
The property also includes a relaxing spa with a hydrotherapy circuit for rejuvenation, along with six pools, one of them saltwater.
With four a la carte restaurants (Capriccio, Steakhouse, Blue Marlin and Wok) and a buffet-style dining option, the resort impresses with its selection of epicurean delights. Not to mention five more bistro restaurants at Sanctuary Town, all of which are included with your resort fee except one. Located right across from the Sanctuary Cap Cana Hotel, Sanctuary Town comprises boutique shops and restaurants within the resort compound.
All of Sanctuary's à la carte restaurants offer both indoor and alfresco seating. Your clients can start their day at the breakfast buffet at Casabella, which offers everything from traditional bacon and eggs to tropical traditional eats such as mashed plantains and tortillas.
The beach-front Blue Marlin restaurant offers the best views and even better fresh ceviche, shrimp tacos and crab cakes for a casual lunch. For dinner, your client can’t go wrong with the Pan-Asian cuisine at Wok, which recently opened and is superb. Or, The Steakhouse, and Italian and international dishes at Capriccio. Note that the resort maintains a dress code for certain restaurants.
Nightcaps can be had at the Love Bar, a piano bar with craft cocktails, or outside at the Ocean Club for a whiskey by the waters, ocean waters that is.
We'll glady cheers, or rather salud, to all of that!
