Review: Eden Roc Cap Cana

Why book?

For a quintessential Caribbean escape with unbeatable staff and golden sunsets that linger over white sand beaches.

Set the scene

As the Dominican Republic’s only Relais & Châteaux member hotel, the property manages to meet (and exceed) a standard of excellence while still maintaining a sense of warm Dominican hospitality. Drawing a moneyed crowd, you’ll find all types of vacationers, from families to couples to celebratory friend groups. Be sure to pack your chic bikini and wide-brimmed hat for days at the beach and breezy linens for nightly outdoor dinners, and get ready to relax in the epitome of paradise.

The rooms

The property boasts 67 accommodations, including beachfront suites, private villas, and four new oceanfront lodgings for complete and utter privacy. Featuring bath amenities by Acqua di Parma, spa robes and slippers, rain shower heads, and dedicated butler service, the accommodations pamper your stay. Earth tones—creams, tans, and jungle greens—are abundant in the rooms, melding to the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors’ paradise beyond. While chair-side service at the onsite beach club is a can’t-miss experience, guests in the luxury villas will find themselves tempted to hole up next to their very own private pool drinking rum with fresh passion fruit juice. That is, unless you find yourself called away from basking in the sun to head indoors for the giant (seriously, giant) freestanding tub surrounded on three sides by glass walls with a view of a private, lush garden—complete with your very own outdoor shower.

Food and drink

There are four distinct dining spaces: Start your day at the BLUE Grill + Bar for complimentary—and quite excellent—breakfast spreads that proved to be the highlight of my dining experience. Overlooking the expansive pool, with the ocean in the not-so-distant background, you’ll feast on pastries, local fruits, cheeses, and freshly squeezed juices, and enjoy a’la carte selections of eggs, arepas, and acai bowls. If you haven’t had the pleasure of a classic Dominican breakfast, this is the time. (Fried cheese, need I say more?) My husband and I looked forward to breakfast every day, sipping well-crafted cappuccinos and indulging in an abundance of delicious bites as we planned our daily sun-basking.

For dinner with a stunning view, hit La Palapa’s oceanfront terrace perched over the crashing waves. You’ll find a global menu of local ingredients, and a cocktail menu that leans heavily on tropical flavors, but also offers global classics (after hearing multiple guests raving about the spaghetti pomodoro & basilico pasta, we had to try it for ourselves). The perfectly grilled red snapper was good enough to order two nights in a row; perhaps unsurprising given the location. For a bit more romance, book a fine-dining experience at Mediterraneo where you’ll find, as the name suggests, Mediterranean cuisine—but with a local twist. Don’t sleep on the dessert.

I’d also be remiss not to mention the iconic Riva Bar, which leaves all expectations of a tropical beach bar behind with warm wood, leather barstools, and a white grand piano creating a sleek space to enjoy thoughtfully crafted cocktails. (Be prepared for sticker shock, but know that the drinks are absolutely worth it.)

As a final note, I will emphasize the fact that the Dominican Republic is not a dining destination, per se. Don’t expect to be culinarily wowed at every turn; stick to the local dishes (with the exception of that spaghetti pomodoro) and you will most certainly eat well. And seriously, I still dream about that breakfast.

The spa

At the end of an open-air breezeway flanked by tropical ferns and towering trees stands the entrance to the stunning spa. Natural landscape defines the design; verdant living walls and soft color palettes create a calm, lush vibe. Indulge in the complimentary sauna or a pre-treatment rain shower before climbing into your plush robe and taking a seat in the relaxation room as you await your therapist. There is a full array of services on the menu, covering massages, facials, dedicated feet and hand therapies, and varying skincare treatments. If you’re looking for a recommendation, you can’t go wrong with their 60 minute signature massage. Reasonably priced at $170, you can choose from Swedish, deep tissue, or hot stone and also customize the experience with an oil of your choice. The massage rooms are precisely as you hope—calm, minimalist, and dimly lit—complete with uber-comfortable massage tables that are a masterclass in ergonomics. To top it off, the staff is warm, attentive, and preternaturally gifted. Pro tip: If you find yourself booking a massage, ask for Yirda—she’s exceptional.

The neighborhood/area

As with many Caribbean resort areas, the property is the neighborhood—and Cap Cana is perhaps the most renowned resort area in all of the DR. Tucked away behind a guarded entrance, you’ll follow long, mostly empty roads that take you right up to the main lobby. Occasional offshoots lead to private residences or to the few other properties sprinkled throughout the area. As a guest, plan to spend all of your time onsite, with amenities that leave nothing to be desired. However, if you find yourself itching to explore, the staff is of course more than happy to secure a car service for you to take you wherever you wish to go.

The service

You can expect a team that is authentically friendly and truly eager to please. Peppered throughout the property, there’s always somebody nearby to assist with any need, question, or simply to give a quick tickle to your toddler. There’s nothing stuffy about the service—the cheerful, relaxed Caribbean vibes permeate everything—but the professionalism is top notch. From the front desk to the housekeeping staff, every interaction we had with the team was warm, jovial, and unwaveringly accommodating.

For families

Let me preface this by saying, while Eden Roc Cap Cana is an amazing family property, it does not feel like one—in the best way. The staff undoubtedly goes above and beyond with their young guests, cooing and engaging while full of smiles, and there are excellent dedicated spaces for children, but the property still maintains the allure of luxury and adult-first relaxation. That being said, the Koko Kid’s Club, located on an artificial lagoon complete with turtles and koi, features an abundance of activities for children ages 4-12. Designed like a massive tree house, it’s outfitted with a mini spa, a video gaming area, and a central area for play and storytelling. If you find yourself traveling with a younger child, their VIBabies package is truly worth the $325 add-on. It includes access to a portable crib and changing table, a baby bathtub, a monitor, a package of dry and swim diapers, a Baby Einstein play table, various toys and sun accessories, and so much more. Plus, it’ll snag you two glorious hours of babysitting so you can take a solo soak in the sun (or, let’s be honest, a really good nap).

Eco effort:

Eden Roc Cap Cana partners with Fundacion Cap Cana, a non-profit organization aimed at the protection and conservation of the various ecosystems and natural resources located within Cap Cana, and has received accolades from the organization for their onsite conservation efforts. The property also dedicates their services to protecting baby turtles during nesting season, marking nests for protection and helping to monitor the total number of hatchlings each year. Additionally, through their complimentary Kids Club, the team offers activities designed around sustainability initiatives, including workshops on animal conservation and recycling.

Anything left to mention?

Guests staying in the villas or junior suites receive a complimentary golf cart for the duration of their stay so that you can bop around the sprawling resort—and all its amenities—in wind-in-your-hair, sun-on-your-skin style.