Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahama, Key Largo, Montego… We all know this Caribbean line up thanks to The Beach Boys’ No. 1 hit single of July, 1988. Here’s the thing: In my humble opinion, they made a mistake when they failed to mention the Dominican Republic. There are stunning beaches, lush jungles, magical cenotes, opportunities for relaxation, sports, adventure, and everything else you wish for in a Caribbean vacation.
I was so happy to come to this realization, alongside a great group of advisors, over my recent FAM with our partners at Eden Roc Cap Cana.
Eden Roc is nestled in the 30,000-acre, gated community of Cap Cana, about a 25-minute drive from Punta Cana (PUJ). Upon arrival, we were greeted with a wet towelette and refreshing welcome drink of fresh passionfruit juice! Of immediate note was the gorgeously alluring open-air lobby and the friendliness of the entire staff. We knew instantaneously that we were in for a fabulous few days! The scenario only got better as we were taken to our homes away from home in the luxury pool suites, each boasting private pools and patios, invitingly appointed bedrooms and living spaces, and generously sized bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers and a separate soaking tub. If we didn’t have so much excitement ahead of us, it would’ve been easy to tuck right in and never leave!
CULINARY PROGRAMMING
Because I have a deep love affair with food, we will begin with the exquisite culinary offerings at Eden Roc Cap Cana. As a member of Relais & Chateaux, there is a high expectation for cuisine on property, and we were not disappointed. Between the quality and freshness of the ingredients, the creative visions of the chefs, and the expertise of the kitchen staff, each meal provided both surprises and comfort, and above all: deliciousness! During our lunch at the seafront restaurant, La Palapa, we all agreed that the taco was life-changing. At Mediterraneo, the pasta pomodoro transported us directly to the Italian Riviera. And at Blue, the Asian Peruvian restaurant, the miso eggplant gratin is a bite I will remember (and crave) for the rest of my existence. We also had the privilege of diving into Dominican culture with a mofongo cooking class. Replete with personal stories of what makes this dish such a beloved family tradition, we mashed plantains with vigor and, once fried, we each created our own versions of this soul-satisfying comfort food. For our final dinner, Executive Chef and Culinary Director, Adriano Venturini, treated us to his signature Omakase all’Italiana. Deeply personal to the Chef, this sensational meal became a captivating, meaningful experience. It is one that your clients should not miss!
ACCOMMODATIONS
Our tour of the property provided us with the opportunity to see the variety of room categories available to guests. From the luxury private pool suites (where we stayed) to the beachfront suites, the 1- and 2-bedroom oceanfront bungalows to the private villas, there is truly something to meet the style and needs of any guest. We were instantly delighted by the beautiful decor, comfortable and functional set-ups, and offerings that balance both tranquil privacy and external energy. For guests who want the quintessential Caribbean views, those beachfront suites and oceanfront bungalows are truly sublime in every way! For guests looking for a special stay, we were completely blown away by the Villa Azuree — a 6-bedroom villa with panoramic views and two private natural cenotes to swim in.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
If the pools and beach aren’t enough, there are a host of recreational activities on and off property for guests of all ages. Littles can enjoy the Koko Kids Club while adults play a round on the famous Jack Nicklaus Punta Espada golf course. Guests can enjoy tennis at the nearby courts, a variety of equestrian activities at Los Establos, hiking, biking, zip-lining, caving, and more! We visited the El Dorado waterpark, about 10 minutes from Eden Roc and still within Cap Cana. Complete with waterslides, a wave pool, kayaking on the lake, jumping in the natural cenote, and a kiddie park, we were impressed with the size of the park as a fun outing for families during their stay! Perhaps our most memorable activity was our afternoon spent boating along the coastline in the fresh Caribbean waters. It’s just a short drive to the Marina (a great spot to enjoy on its own for off-site dining, shopping, a casino, and so on!) where we got on our private boat to spend the day relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, paddle-boarding, and sun-bathing!
SPA & WELLNESS
If rejuvenation and re-centering are of top priority, the world class spa and wellness facilities are divinely exceptional for helping guests tune-in to a healthy lifestyle. We had the opportunity to enjoy a sound healing session and individual massages that truly helped us to reset and recharge. I personally had never done a sound healing before, and it will not be the last. It was a beautiful experience, masterfully facilitated by a highly trained practitioner. With our spirits and bodies restored, everyone was ready to return home inspired for the work ahead!
THE PEOPLE
While Eden Roc Cap Cana is certainly paradise, what truly sets it apart are the people. The service from beginning to end was consistent, personal, anticipatory, and certainly holds up to the expectation that comes with the property’s 2 Michelin Key distinction; however, service is simply service unless it is delivered in a genuine, authentic manner. The people at Eden Roc have elevated the level of service far above “service with a smile.” Warmth, pride, and joy radiated from every individual we encountered during our stay. Allow me to share an example: Every time we used our golf carts to drive between our suites and the main lobby, we would pass members of staff. Without fail, they would pullover their golf cart or step aside, turn around, and look up — smile, wave, and say “good morning”, “hello”, “how are you today?” They could’ve gone about their business as we whizzed past, but they didn’t. That simple act went far beyond good hospitality and became a powerful example of human interaction that is often missing in our everyday lives. As our colleague on property said best, “Luxury is not a golden castle, but a genuine experience and the ability to provide such exceptional service that we remain in our guests’ hearts and memories.” So many places in this world are beautiful, but it is the emotional connections that stay with us long after a visit, begging us to return again.
Leaving Eden Roc Cap Cana, we waved goodbye as the staff lined up to bid us farewell — not as departing guests who would soon be replaced by the next people checking in, but as friends who would miss each other until the next return; as members of an ever-growing family.
As we drove away, I was left humming that familiar 80s earworm; however, I do believe that The Beach Boys really got it wrong. While my version of the lyrics could certainly use some finesse, I couldn’t help but sing them like this:
We’ll get there fast
And then we’ll take it slow
THAT’s where we wanna go
Eden Roc instead of Kokomo…
