St. Regis Cap Cana Brings Family-Friendly Seaside Luxury to the Dominican Republic

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A long-awaited five-star getaway has finally arrived in the Caribbean.

Nearly five years after breaking ground, St. Regis Cap Cana Resort & Residences soft-opened in May in the Dominican Republic. And it was well worth the wait: Filled with installations and works by local artists, the decadent getaway’s sleek architecture and interiors — by Acebel Canney Arquitectos & Asociados and Chapi Chapo Design — offer exquisite luxury around every corner. The massive upscale resort features dark teak and driftwood accents, luxe marble, sculptural seating, textured tiling and ocean-inspired motifs, all with the St. Regis’ signature butler service, beloved champagne saber ritual at dusk and curated Family Traditions program, to name just a few amenities.

About a 20-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) and a two-hour drive from the capital of Santo Domingo, the 200-room, 36-suite property (from $587 per night) brings a new style of sophistication to the country’s white sand-lined “Coconut Coast.” We visited St. Regis Cap Cana shortly a few months after it debuted, and were immediately greeted by refreshing towels and citrus drinks and dramatic grand dark wood staircase punctuated by lush greenery and a three-story indoor waterfall.

Our home in Cap Cana for an early June weekend were two connected rooms (one king bed, another with two queens) that included access to the Kids Club and other family-friendly perks. Service still had some minor buttoning-up to do (staff was still getting into the swing of things just one month after opening) but there was a genuine effort to provide five-star service, making all the difference for us.

Rooted in the luxury hospitality company’s signature service, the family-friendly resort caters to all ages with its exclusive Childrens and Teens Club, where young guests can take part in yoga, chocolate-making classes, art activities and other hands-on experiences throughout the hotel. There are also special menu offerings created with Vilebrequin, the St. Tropez-based swim brand that regularly collaborates with St. Regis on resort-inspired swimwear and beach accessories. Down at the kids pool, you can order up small and large bites such as chips and guacamole, wagyu beef epanadas, lobster brioche, mango or strawberry paletas and other finger-licking bites.

As part of St. Regis’ expanded Family Traditions program, there are also in-room surprises that add wonder and fun to your kids’ stay, such as handmade coquitos (a traditional coconut dessert), charming stuffed animals and plastic-free silicone beach toys, to name a few. In addition to the dedicated kids pool, supervised little ones can grab a lounge chair or float in one of five family pools, or venture to the sand to dip their toes in the ocean. (It’s worth noting that when we visited in early June, the seasonal — and very natural — sargassum algae and some in-progress cleanup prevented us from doing so.) Grown-ups seeking quiet time can soak in the adults-only pool or post up for the afternoon in a shaded cabana.

The hotel also offers access to local Cap Cana excursions; our favorite was a guided tour of Fundación Grupo Punta Cana that highlighted rhinoceros iguanas and Hispaniola hawks in their conservation program and a short nature hike that ended with a refreshing swim in a stunning cenote. Other off-site adventures (for both kids and adults) nearby include the 7.396-yard Jack Nicklaus Punta Espada golf course, ziplining and buggy drives at Scape Park, swimming with dolphins at Dolphin Island Park or paintball and rope climbing at Bavaro Adventure Park.

Art lovers will enjoy experiencing the Dominican Republic’s rich culture — a fusion of African, Spanish and indigenous Taíno influences — showcased throughout the property, as seen in Lorraine Franco’s “Totem to Remember,” a collection of calming stacked spheres (Or a group of BB-8 droids, according to the Star Wars superfans in our clan); and the St. Regis Bar’s massive mural by Santo Domingo-bred artist Citlally Miranda.

With our family in tow, we admittedly didn’t carve out enough time to grab the St. Regis’ Quisqueya Mary, a Dominican twist on the iconic Bloody Mary (locally-made light rum and house spice mix and infused with fried plaintain).

St. Regis Cap Cana’s culinary offerings include award-winning Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz’s Nina restaurant — complete with panoramic views — with its fire-driven dinner menu that takes tastebuds on a journey through the Americas; menu highlights include the pan-fried lobster and grilled miso black Atlantic sea bass with broccolini. For an all-day menu, Cassava restaurant offers Latin American dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including an elevated buffet offering scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, pastries, fresh fruit, juices and more.

The seaside Marola Mediterranean Grill served favorites such as the the squid ink paella with garlic aioli, garlic prawns and skirt steak with tarragon and oregano chimiccuri. For more seats by the sea, there’s also Carey Bay for Caribbean-inspired cocktails and light bites and the Cielo Mio rooftop bar with Latin and Mexican fare.

As for the rest and relaxation menu, the 14-room spa features a serene space for couples to unwind. Treatments include rejuvenating massages, brightening facials, restorative body scrubs, couples massages and more. (We also like the retail therapy on offer, such as chic rattan and leather beach bags by Dominican brand Fiori.)

Speaking of shopping, the St. Regis Cap Cana boutiques stock luxe resortwear, footwear, accessories, jewelry, furniture, decor and more from designers both local and from afar, including from D.R.-based Jenny Polanco, Ana + Maria and Castañer; Italian milliner Borsalino; Vilebrequi;, famed Guayaberas maker Hippólito; India-based clothing label Verandah; golf brand FootJoy; and others.

Rates start at $587 per night for a balcony room with a king or two queen beds and guest room; other options include a deluxe poolside rooftop room from $595, the John Jacob Astor one-bedroom suite with private pool and rooftop terrace from $1,675 nightly and the two-bedroom Presidential Suite starting at $3,174 per night. See more photos of St. Regis Cap Cana below, and check out additional booking options online here.