The Dominican Republic has many fantastic resorts, and Dreams Cap Cana Resort & Spa is one of them. Its premium, all-inclusive offering goes a step above from what some might expect from this type of hotel stay though. Pursuitist paid a visit to this two-year-old resort to learn about what sets it apart from the competition in Punta Cana. It turns out, there is quite a bit.
The pools
There are several pools here, some crisscrossed by bridges and others shallow enough for toddlers to play in without worry. Another splash zone has water activities for kids with dancing fountains. The main pool has a swim-up bar with swinging seats where guests can tipple away all day.
A separate pool closer to the beach has its own swim-up bar; you’re never far from a cocktail here. All drinks and meals are included, of course. An adult pool for Preferred Club guests sits in a different corner, also closer to the beach, with a bar and quieter setting. There are some shaded cabana seats reserved for Preferred Club members, others carry a surcharge and then another subset if available free for the taking.
With so many rooms, you would think guests would be fighting for a place to sit, but not here. This is not the kind of place that has a problem fighting seating, and on hot days, many guests lounge in the pool since there are bars literally sunken into it.
The rooms
Bright colors, white walls and trendy furnishings set this resort apart from other Dreams properties. In fact, the owners have chosen to stray a bit from the traditional in-room décor and to add more upscale furnishings. Even the building facades look different, swapping the normal pastel colors for all white with blue roofs. So popular has been the design change that other new Dreams properties are expected to follow suit.
Many premium rooms have their own pools like the swim-out options on the ground floors of several buildings. These pools are shared between a handful of rooms and allow guests to go from bed to pool in mere seconds. Take note that guests that book into the Premium Club category enjoy access to a private lounge for elevated alcohol labels as well as their own private lounge, restaurant and bar areas.
Dreams Cap Cana is the only resort in the region to have swim-up pools on the second floor. These are similar in concept, but are one level up. Reserved for adults for safety reasons, guests share these pools with neighboring rooms. The benefit of these is that they are elevated for an even better view.
Villas have private pools on their balcony as well as extra seating plus access to their own pools. The villas are actually large suites (four to a building) and come with lovely sitting areas, wet bars and their own outdoor showers. These are the most extravagant accommodations in the resort with the exception of the one-bedroom suites that come with pools and sofa beds.
The dining
The Spanish executive chef has really made his mark on the menus here. For starters, I noticed his own touch on the buffet spreads like Spanish ham and cheeses, Spanish omelets and other As a Preferred Club member, I had access to a separate restaurant for breakfast and lunch. There, a lunch buffet is supplemented by a long a la carte menu of everything from lobster to fish and salads.
There’s also a waterfront dining venue and grab-and-go Coco Cafe. But, if you’re hungry, I highly recommend visiting the main buffet restaurant for breakfast for an incredible selection of dishes. Expect omelets made to order, pancakes, crepes, tacos, every type of fruit, cheese and olive you can imagine, sausages of various types and so many different salsas to pair with everything.
There was also a carving station with all the toppings for a steak and eggs breakfast, juices squeezed to order and a wide range of egg and veggie options. It really was impressive.
There are specialty restaurants, all complimentary, that open for dinner. They include Maravento for Italian fare with an open kitchen so that guests can watch the chefs in action and an antipasto buffet for olives, cheeses and savory appetizers. An Asian venue serves freshly rolled sushi and noddle dishes while a steakhouse offers up fine cuts of meat and seafood. Some of the most premium meats (like Tomahawk steaks and lobster tail) carry a price tag though.
Candela is the most popular option, and it opens for lunch and dinner serving a unique blend of Mexican and Dominican dishes. Its Caribbean menu covers everything from freshly prepared ceviche to mofongo in a coconut curry sauce with jumbo shrimp. During lunch, I took advantage of an impressive buffet that had meats grilled to order, an enormous salad bar and some tasty bean stews.
And no matter where you dine, you can expect the service to be exceptional. While some may want to give credit to Dreams’ training programs, I know otherwise. I have traveled here often. It comes more from a Dominican sense of pride and hospitality.
A dirty plate won’t sit in front of you for more than a minute. A genuine welcome any time you walk in a restaurant or bar is the norm (whether you’re American or a local). There are plenty of Dominican guests, too. That’s a sign of local approval that this resort is hitting all of the right marks.
What at first may seem almost exaggerated becomes quickly apparent that it is sincere. The staff act in the same way with each other. It’s a sense of joy, pride and service that is innate in the people chosen to work here.
The “coming soons”
This resort opened two years ago under the Dreams brand, but it is not finished perfecting itself. There is a lot still to do to stay on top of the growing resort scene in Punta Cana. Coming soon is an onsite brewery that will make three different styles: IPA, Porter and Lager as well as a seasonal craft beer. It will become the only resort in the region with its own brewery. Large-screen TVs showing the latest sport events and a menu of bar snacks will complement the experience.
An entertainment theater is also in the works although there is plentiful fun already. Currently, there is everything from dance parties to karaoke shows taking place on the lawn or resort terraces.
Meeting room space is also being considered to grow its conference and incentive group business. Weddings are also popular here. The rooftop terrace of the main building hosts regular functions with the best views of the resort from that aerial vantage point.
The spa continues to grow its treatment menu options. While parents are enjoying it (or the specialty restaurants in the evening), their kids can stay busy. They can take advantage of free kids club activities. There is a separate area for teens to entertain themselves.
A calendar of activities showcases a rotating selection like Spanish lessons or stretching and aqua fitness classes. There are also pool and volleyball games, cocktail making lessons and independent lawn games. You can even learn how to roll your own sushi or make fresh guacamole.
The loyalty program
This resort is one of the growing number of all-inclusive resorts around the world that participate in World of Hyatt. Another of the latest brands to join the All-Inclusive Collection is Bahia Principe. Its own Punta Cana resort has undergone recent renovations as have others around Mexico, the Caribbean and Spain.
Members of Hyatt’s loyalty program can earn or redeem their points for a stay at Dreams Cap Cana. This can significantly lower the cost of your next romantic or honeymoon vacation. And a soon to launch partnership between Delta SkyMiles and World of Hyatt can only improve the value proposition. It is expected to award miles and points for doing business with either brand.
