Eden Roc at Cap Cana

Eden Roc opened in 2012 and the French-owned hotel is one of the most luxe stays in Punta Cana. That impression starts right away, with decor that's rendered on a grand (if slightly gaudy) scale -- in the lobby, you'll spot exposed beams, plush purple couches, huge metal chandeliers, and modern art. Many of the rooms have a more subdued, beachy look -- particularly the suites founds in the beach club. The resort is essentially divided into two sections, with the lobby, spa, kids' club, and villas located a five-minute drive from the beach. A golf-cart width road meanders through the grounds, past villas painted in bright blues, pinks, yellows, and purples. The grounds are full of blossoming bougainvillea, and include shallow decorative pools and a romantic cenote that's open to guests for a dip. There’s also an overlook for romantic dinners. Despite these features, the hotel is family and kid friendly as well. The resort’s oceanfront beach club is essentially a country club (memberships are available) and its huge thatch-roofed central area overlooks the infinity pool and ocean. Eden Roc’s guests are mostly couples from the United States and Russia, but we did see a few families during our visit. It's also a pet-friendly hotel (for an additional fee). 

Eden Roc is located in Cap Cana, one of Punta Cana’s most exclusive developments, with private houses, resorts, and a marina featuring shops and restaurants. The hotel’s main area is a five-minute golf cart ride from the beach club (where the beach, infinity pool, and two restaurants are located). With that in mind, unless you plan on staying within the resort the entire time, you'll need a car or taxi. A horse stable and multiple restaurants are a two-minute drive from the hotel, while an adventure park with zip lines, waterfalls, and a private beach are just a five-minute drive away. Cap Cana's Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course takes five to 10 minutes to reach by car, while the Cap Cana Marina has restaurants including Argentinian, Spanish, and Mexican options (a 10-minute drive). There's an outdoor mall with a grocery store, restaurants including Asian, Mexican, Dominican, and fast food within a 15-minute drive from the hotel. Famed Isla Saona is a gorgeous undeveloped (although heavily trafficked) island with starfish-filled beaches that takes an hour drive plus a half-hour boat ride to reach from Eden Roc. Santo Domingo and its UNESCO-listed Colonial Zone are a two-hour-and-20-minute drive away. The Cap Cana development has a heliport that’s located a five-minute golf-cart ride from the hotel. Punta Cana International Airport is 15 minutes from the resort by car.

The air-conditioned rooms at Eden Roc are a mix of oceanfront suites and standalone villas, and are essentially split into two different compounds. The oceanfront suites are the more attractive option and have fabulous beach views from balconies. Modern details include live-edge furniture, jute-wrapped end tables, and glass-topped dining tables with seating for six. The cedar-lined walk-in closets are a nice touch. Bathrooms in these units are posh and minimal, with smooth-lined standalone bathtubs and rainfall showers. Toiletries include Acqua di Parma soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, loofahs, bath salts, and shower caps. Other standard in-room amenities include big flat-screen TVs with DirecTV channels, free Wi-Fi, minibars, Nespresso coffeemakers with free pods, and water. All rooms also have irons, ironing boards, beauty mirrors, hairdryers, robes, slippers, shoe horns, umbrellas, and safes.The villas -- a five-minute ride from the beach -- have trellised golf-cart ports (plus free golf carts), huge private patios, and infinity pools with garden or lagoon views. They're available in one- to four-bedroom configurations. Interiors are bright -- as floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of light -- while vaulted ceilings make everything feel breezy and spacious. The look is a little more ostentatious than the oceanfront units, and blends classic and modern elements. Marble floors are accented with rustic, leafy-vine patterned tiles and the furniture has heavy, antique silhouettes. Smart-home iPads that control everything from the built-in Bose sound systems to TVs and lights. Bathrooms in the villas are exceptional. Expect dual-sink marble vanities, metal scones shaped like drying flower bouquets, rainfall showers, bidets, and marble-tiled whirlpool tubs (that housekeeping will fill up, upon request). There are also outdoor rainfall showers.  

Given its layout, things can require a bit of maneuvering to reach, particularly if you're staying in the villas. While that part of the resort has its own amenities, some of the most popular extras are located at the beach club (five minutes from the villas by golf cart). Without a doubt, Eden Roc’s private beach -- located at the beach club -- has one of the Punta Cana's most gorgeous shorelines. Lounge chairs -- never in short supply -- are framed on both sides by a rocky coastline, though there aren't enough umbrellas for shade. A big freshwater infinity pool overlooks the beach. Blue Bar and Grill overlooks the pool and beach, and serves Peruvian and Asian fusion cuisine plus tasty brick-oven pizzas. La Palapa is Eden Roc’s oceanfront seafood restaurant with amazing ocean and golf-course views. Other beach club amenities include multiple bars, a kids' club, and boutiques that sell clothes, jewelry, and sundries. There’s also a swish ocean-view gym with Matrix treadmills, dumbbells, weight machines, elliptical machines, a punching bag, and TRX equipment. It’s worth noting that the beach club is also a private country club so non-hotel guests and travelers on day passes will be spotted here.The hotel’s other amenities are located near the villas, including a second freshwater infinity pool that overlooks a cenote. There’s a short path that leads into the cenote, and a platform at the top is available for private dinners. Mediterraneo Restaurant overlooks this pool and serves the hotel's free buffet breakfasts and Mediterranean cuisine. Eden Roc’s restaurants are all tasty, but be prepared for sticker shock. Meal plans are also available, but all-inclusive rates are not an option. There are two additional bars, including a walk-up pool bar (that’s only open during full occupancy) and a classy, nautically-themed bar that overlooks the pool. They have live nightly music. Solaya Spa offers standard spa services and has outdoor pools for hydrotherapy, plus a sauna and steam room. Next to the spa is a small gym with a Techno Gym Kinesis machine, an elliptical machine, recumbent bicycle, and a treadmill. A nice plus are the free fitness classes like Pilates, Zumba, yoga, and stretching. Koko Kids' Club is for children aged 4 to 12, and is named after one of the club's pet green parrots. There’s also a sandy outdoor area with kayaks that kids can use to paddle around the surrounding shallow lagoon, and there's a kids' spa. It’s worth noting only three hours a day at the club are free, and there’s a fee for additional time. Near the lobby, there’s a small business center with two computers, a bright meeting room with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sundry shop. Other hotel amenities include free Press Reader accounts for access to thousands of magazines and newspapers, free valet parking, and bicycles (rentable for a fee). Round trip airport transfers are also included with all stays. Fast and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.