Sanctuary, Cap Cana | Punta Cana

**As I watch the sunrise over the Dominican Republic, Sanctuary Cap Cana Resort awakens to the lapping ocean with clear unspoiled waters brushing the sugar-white sand, as the coco palms sway.**

Think little slice of heaven in the Caribbean. Think the ultimate summer getaway.

This October, we were fortunate enough to spend a week at the exclusive All-Inclusive, Adults-Only Resort, Sanctuary Cap Cana by Playa Hotels & Resorts, in Punta Cana. It was the perfect destination to celebrate Tom’s milestone 30th Birthday; a surprise I struggled to keep for almost six months.

Situated in one of the Caribbeans’s most geographically diverse countries, surrounded by evocative colonial architecture, immaculate and lush grounds and pristine beaches shaded by rows of palms; it’s no wonder Sanctuary Cap Cana was recently named one of the “Top 50 Resorts in the Caribbean”.

The vibrant lifestyle of this sun-drenched Latin-Caribbean country where Spanish is the national language and where people are beyond hospitable, makes the Dominican Republic a different and refreshing cultural experience. If you’re enticed by the rhythm of life here, as I was, this truly is a beguiling destination.

THE RESORT

As we pulled up to the entrance of the Resort’s main lobby, we were whisked into a buggy and transported straight over to the Castle. We were greeted with the most gracious and warm welcome by a few members of staff, including the man who made our holiday even more special; Angel. Angel was introduced to us as our butler, but that simply doesn’t do him justice. He was sensational, exceptionally professional, incredibly friendly and went out of his way everyday to ensure we were having the best holiday. He arranged our dinner reservations, our private balcony dinner, and even organised a room upgrade for us after one night. Angel by name, Angel by nature - we can’t thank him enough.

Within two hours of our arrival, we were dining with the warm Caribbean breeze in the air and had devoured a steak, two lobsters, and consumed three rounds of margaritas. Our days were spent catching the orange coloured sunrises, room-service or buffet breakfasts, and laying poolside in the 31 degree Dominican sunshine with bottomless cocktails in hand.

I am not one for holidays involving complete and utter relaxation; Tom on the other hand has no qualms with this. Luckily, Sanctuary organise activities for the restless guests to participate in, should they choose to do so. We would receive a newsletter each evening outlining the timetable of activities for the following day. Such activities included everything from Spanish classes and cooking masterclasses to table tennis, water aerobics and beach volleyball. There are “Hype Men”, otherwise known as Fido, Chocolate, Presidente and Wilkins, who are there to get the party started and initiate activities down by the main pool area.

Speaking of pool areas, there is no shortage of pools at Sanctuary. There are five pools to choose from on the grounds of the Resort, including a saltwater pool. The pool areas are filled with water-laden luxuries, and this is before you even step foot on the sand. Most of the action tends to take place down by the main pool area; however, if you’re searching for a more intimate and less crowded place to relax, the Castle Pool is by far your best option, despite it being the smallest pool area. They serve an internationally inspired all-day menu, and make delicious cocktails, all the while serenading guests with chilled latin tunes all day long.

I should note that there are no water activities available for guests on Sanctuary grounds, as the Sanctuary beach area is enclosed by seaweed barriers. You can, however, arrange with the concierge to hire kayaks and paddle boards at the neighbouring public beach, Playa Juanillo.

*Our Private Pool in the Honeymoon Suite*

If you’re looking to escape the sun-rays and undergo some serious pampering, look no further than the Sanctuary Spa. The Spa is yet another haven within the Resort walls providing a serene atmosphere, with treatments such as hydrotherapy, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures.

SUITES & ACCOMMODATIONS

Having recently undergone a $45 million refurbishment and modernisation, the suites and villas at Sanctuary have been designed and decorated to complement the Spanish colonial influences of the Dominican Republic. With 14 unique room categories spread over 3 areas of the Resort (the Colonial Section, the Luxury Buildings and the Castle), you have a wide collection of suites and villas to choose from to best suit your holiday. We spent our first night in one of the new premium Luxury Junior Suites with Ocean Views, which was spacious and filled with modern coastal interiors. For the remaining six nights, we were upgraded to the Honeymoon Suite with a private pool.

The Honeymoon Suite is located in the Castle, and includes your very own private plunge pool and butler service. All 2,600 sq. ft. of the living, bedroom and terrace areas are impeccably furnished with rich wood accented interiors with tropical rattan furnishings.

During our stay, we were taken on a tour to two of the most opulent and luxurious Villas available at Sanctuary: the Castle Island Suite and the Royalty Villa. The Island Suite boasts three indoor plunge pools, access to your very own private island, two lavish bedrooms and is the largest of the Suites, with 5,500 sq. ft of living space.

By contrast, the Royalty Villa, which sits independently from the rest of the areas of Sanctuary, is perched over the water with a private pool and two bedrooms, and is the biggest villa in the Villa Collection. You can’t help being left breathless as you walk through the double doors of this Villa, and step out to the blue hues of the pool and the Caribbean Sea.

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE LIFESTYLE

If you have never experienced an All-Inclusive holiday before, and let me just say, it is truly the only way to completely unwind whilst on holiday. It added such ease to our entire week and meant we didn’t have to worry about carrying cash, we didn’t have to budget for cocktails and meals and didn’t have to think very hard about where and what to eat. For those weary of the All-Inclusive life, Sanctuary Cap Cana will far exceed your expectations, as you will have an array of five à la carte dining options to choose from, each with their own unique style and setting. The All-Inclusive also includes unlimited drinks, 24-hour room service, welcome drinks on arrival, and your mini bar is re-stoked every day. During our stay, we met with the Resort’s Food & Beverage Manager, who mentioned that his mission was to provide guests with the freshest local ingredients daily and to allow guests to have the finest culinary experience possible. Sanctuary’s restaurants include:

The Blue Marlin Restaurant & Bar had an amazing menu and was our favourite place to dine, despite it only being open for two of the seven nights of our stay. The Blue Marlin is perched on stilts overlooking the ocean and the Sanctuary beach, and has the most spectacular views and setting. The menu is filled with delicious and fresh seafood choices, with some Dominican specialities. The ultimate and standout dish for me on this trip was the Pasta Gratin at this restaurant.

The Steakhouse Bar & Grill has been designed to replicate a traditional Argentinian Grill, replete with a cast iron and brick oven that uses wood and charcoal. We enjoyed the crab cakes for entree, and the finest cut of beef sirloin with a glass of merlot.

Wok is a Pan-Asian fusion restaurant which includes a Teppanyaki table where you can have your own Hibachi experience, or you can choose to sit outside on the decking surrounded by a moat and indulge in endless sushi.

If you’re craving some Italian, you can make a booking at Capriccio, the modern-day Italian restaurant where they serve everything from carbonara to panna cotta.

A breakfast and lunch buffet is served daily at Casabella, where there are various food stations offering different cuisines. You will always find international comfort foods, including seafood and grilled meats, cheeses, fruits, a salad bar, and an ice cream and dessert table with a selection of homemade breads and pastries.

Most nights you will also find that Sanctuary Town is open for guests. Situated directly across from the main lobby, Sanctuary Town is uniquely inspired by the Mediterranean coast. This area provides guests with more informal dining and drinking options, including a beer bar, a coffee shop, a taco truck, a pizza place, a burger joint, an ice cream parlour and a candy shop. We enjoyed the Spanish and Italian nights during our stay.

Please note that there is a formal dress code required at some of the restaurants.

There are also a number of bars waiting to be discovered, including the casual piano bar known as Love Bar, with a signature cocktail party each night; the Ocean Club Bar overlooking the pool in the Castle, and my favourite bar, purely for its ‘swim-up’ status is the Freshco Bar.

WHY WE LOVED IT

HOSPITALITY: Never have I ever experienced such wonderful hospitality. All of the staff I encountered during our stay were so unbelievably committed to providing quality service beyond their guests expectations. The staff knew guests by name and it felt as though we were surrounded by family. A special thank you to Corena, Edward, Ray, Johan and Francisco from Casabella for your cheerful welcomes every morning; to the chefs, Bolivar and Roberto for cooking my omelettes and pasta just the way I like them; to Lorena for being so attentive and serving us non-stop cocktails by the pool every day; and to Felipe and Guillem for looking after our private dinner.

LOCATION: The Resort is located in Cap Cana, a private gated community retreat in Punta Cana. This area is reserved only for the guests that stay there. Cap Cana is also home to Punta Cana Espada Golf Club, which is considered one of the best golf courses in the Caribbean.

WHAT TO KNOW

WATER : Don’t drink the tap water in the DR unless your Resort advises that you can do so.

MOZZIES: I highly recommend that you protect yourself with a repellant as mosquitoes that transmit viruses here are as active by day as they are at night. Luckily, Sanctuary provided us with repellent as this was something we completely overlooked whilst packing.

GETTING HERE: You can fly direct to Punta Cana and other parts of the DR from most major US cities, and the United Kingdom. We flew Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow to Punta Cana International with a quick stop over in Atlanta.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: If you book a holiday package through a travel agent or holiday provider, your Airport transfer will almost certainly be included. However, if you book your holiday independently, like we typically do, you will have to find transport to and from your Resort. We used a company called TransfersDo, and they provided a fantastic, easy service, and were waiting to collect us as soon as we came out of the Airport. Sanctuary is conveniently located a mere 20 minute drive from Punta Cana International.

Visit https://sanctuarycapcana.com/ check their availability or visit their Instagram @sanctuarycapcana.

I was hosted as a guest of Sanctuary Cap Cana, however, all the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, my own.