ARE YOU tired of the bleak mid-winter weather? Marriott Bonvoy may have an excellent solution. Tucked beneath the clear blue skies of the Dominican Republic lies an adults-only luxury all-inclusive hotel – Sanctuary Cap Cana.
Stepping off the plane is a somewhat surreal experience – the stark contrast between London’s sharp, frosty air and the Caribbean’s humid yet refreshing atmosphere is hard to ignore. In a flash, I’m whisked to the hotel, and the staff team greets me with a coconut cream lemonade arrival drink to combat the jetlag from my 9-hour flight.
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Soon after, I’m guided to my room – a Premium Junior Suite with an ocean view. Intertwining traditional Spanish architecture with Dominican flair, the room is carefully decorated with rattan furniture and velvety furnishings.
As I wander around the hotel, gathering my bearings, Sanctuary Cap Cana’s elegant aesthetic is hard to ignore. From the gently flowing fountain at the heart of the hotel’s lobby to the hypnotising ceramic artworks by Maribel Martínez, which adorn the walls, Sanctuary Cap Cana marries coastal minimalism with refined sophistication.
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Sanctuary Cap Cana
After my relatively long flight, I visit the hotel’s spa for a revitalising massage, which immediately calms and refreshes the senses. The Sanctuary Spa offers cutting-edge therapies alongside its unique hydrotherapy facilities for ultimate relaxation. Located in The Castle – one of the hotel’s VIP room locations – the spa invites guests to explore more of the hotel’s beautiful shared spaces.
Despite boasting 324 rooms, the hotel feels spacious and private. I head down to the beach expecting to find every sun lounger taken, and yet I’m pleasantly surprised to find a quiet spot – a task rendered seamlessly easy thanks to the hotel’s abundance of poolside space. Across the lush landscape, the hotel houses six pools for guests to enjoy and explore.
Additionally, for those who delight in mixing relaxation with entertainment, a wide range of daily activities are offered, including beach volleyball, water aerobics, yoga classes, meditation, bike tours, and more.
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Meanwhile, for an additional cost, guests can experience the beauty of the Caribbean Ocean whilst embarking on a yacht excursion. During our yacht excursion, the knowledgeable guides take us along Punta Cana’s sparkling coastline before stopping at an iconic snorkelling spot where I swim alongside stingrays, parrot fish, and even a barracuda. Then, we stop at a ‘natural pool’ swimming spot, where the 2ft deep water is almost impossibly clear.
Fortunately, if you build up an appetite after engaging in such interactive activities, you can always stop by one of the hotel’s five à la carte restaurants. If located by the beach and central pool area, Blue Marlin is a must-visit dining spot.
Perched on stilts overlooking the ocean, this restaurant serves fresh seafood and delicious beverages. Our waiter, Alexis, attends to our every need, providing us with crunchy banana crisps in addition to honey and passion fruit mayonnaise before bringing out the main courses.
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Alternate dining options include Casa Bella, Wok, The Steakhouse, and Capriccio. Casa Bella is the hotel’s main buffet restaurant, serving international cuisine with a tropical twist, whereas Capriccio offers delicious Northern Italian specialities. For the meat-lovers, The Steakhouse has been designed as a traditional Argentinean Grill where only the finest cuts of meat make an appearance.
And even after all that, the hotel has more dining options. Enter Sanctuary Town – the hotel’s unique location for pizza, tapas, burgers, ice cream, and more. Open daily from 6 pm to 11 pm, Sanctuary Town features eight premises, including two themed bars and alternative dining venues.
Whilst returning to the UK sounds like a dismal prospect, it becomes clear to me that Sanctuary Cap Cana’s warmth and hospitality will continue to inspire me for months to come.
by Sophie Richardson
Rates at Sanctuary Cap Cana start from around £383 for a Junior Suite Ocean View. To book, please visit here.