First look: W Punta Cana, Grownup All-Inclusive

Ever for the reason that W Punta Cana, Grownup All-Inclusive — the W model’s extremely anticipated first all-inclusive resort — was introduced again in 2022, I had a sense it will be a make-or-break second for Marriott. Over the previous couple of years, the corporate has been pushing arduous into the all-inclusive house by introducing its well-known manufacturers, like The Luxurious Assortment, into the know-what-you-pay-upfront trip mannequin.

To me, the W model felt like a pure match for an all-inclusive resort, due to its playful aesthetic, stylish buyer base and emphasis on foods and drinks. Certain, Marriott might’ve put the W brand on any of the various all-inclusive resorts already within the portfolio, however my hope, as each a journey journalist and somebody who really enjoys the convenience of an all-inclusive expertise, was that this property would actually be the start of all-inclusives 2.0.

After giving the resort, positioned about an hour from Punta Cana Worldwide Airport (PUJ), a bit time to work out the opening kinks all resorts and resorts expertise, I lastly made my approach there in late October.

And let me let you know, this all-inclusive resort was precisely what I might been ready for. This is what it was like staying on the first-ever (and hopefully not final) W all-inclusive resort.

First impressions

If the primary impression is crucial, W Punta Cana and the crew behind it (Spain-based MAC Inns and Grupo Puntacana) understood the project. Company are greeted by a shocking W-branded circle drive that leads into an enormous open-air foyer house crammed with vegetation, architectural water options and an total sense of easy luxurious that few would anticipate from an all-inclusive resort.

Over the previous couple of years, the W model has grown up, ditching its form of “in-your-face” design type for one thing extra elevated and extra approachable for each kind of traveler who appreciates a wonderful, glossy lodge. Designed by Zanobia Arquitectura’s Giuseppe Violante, your complete property can be a dwelling, respiratory organism with vegetation that can solely proceed to develop and improve its magnificence over time.

I even have to present a shout-out to the unimaginable workers members who greeted us on arrival with recent welcome drinks, baggage help and plenty of vitality. Hoshi, our rockstar W Insider, took care of us from earlier than we arrived (with a welcome electronic mail highlighting the climate, actions and eating choices) and common check-ins throughout our weekend go to.

The rooms

W Punta Cana has 340 rooms for friends to select from, all beginning at 700 sq. toes and with bathtubs and king-size beds (even in doubles), starting from entry-level choices to swim-up rooms and suites that really feel the dimensions of homes. For my keep, my pal and I have been put in a two-bedroom Oasis Mega Suite with a non-public pool parallel to the ocean.

The lounge space was vibrant and homey, with picture-perfect views of the ocean and wind-blown palm timber.

Earlier than we arrived, the W crew left imaginative and prescient board kits within the room for us that we put collectively whereas streaming a film from the large TV on the wall.

Throughout from the lounge, our suite had a eating room with a big desk and a moist bar space with a report participant (and a particular, curated choice of information for us), a espresso maker, snacks like chips and nuts, and a minifridge loaded with numerous beers (native and imported) and bottles of wine, sodas and juices.

The principle bed room had a cloudlike W mattress that was troublesome to crawl out of every morning, due to fluffy pillows and a delicate cover. The house was fashionable and stylish, however as soon as once more, my eyes have been drawn to the views outdoors.

The first bed room’s toilet featured a big soaking tub, a rainfall bathe, twin vanities with Davines merchandise (the Momo shampoo is my favourite one on the planet), and an unimaginable personal out of doors bathe that was surrounded by lush greenery. Within the closet, Frette bathrobes added to the posh expertise.

The second bed room had two king-size beds, proving that this suite is supposed for individuals who actually wish to unfold out.

That room additionally had an out of doors bathe, however this time going through the seashore, and a walk-through closet space that made the suite really feel extra like a luxurious condo than a lodge room.

Throughout my time on the W, I additionally received the prospect to see a regular room, pictured above. There, you get a wonderful soaking tub, ample closet house, a big TV and people uber-comfortable W-branded beds (which you’ll be able to really purchase on your own residence). Although the lodge spoiled us with the two-bedroom suite, I do know I will definitely be again and past pleased to crash in considered one of these rooms.

Eating at W Punta Cana

As an all-inclusive resort, your whole meals and drinks are included in the price of your keep. There are various choices for friends to get pleasure from, with a handful of eating places open on a rotating foundation. These choices vary from an experiential eating expertise at Scena to Asian road meals, a meals corridor expertise, a Mediterranean-inspired seashore membership, a rooftop uncooked bar, a number of pool bars, a taproom and an eclectic speakeasy expertise.

This is a quick rundown of what I skilled.

Scena

My favourite meal was at Scena, a Dominican and Caribbean fusion restaurant with a form of choose-your-own-adventure tasting menu. This restaurant felt like a high-end expertise I might get pleasure from again in New York, not at an all-inclusive resort, properly, anyplace. I believed the meals was great, inventive and completely surprising (as you possibly can see in my photographs above). Highlights included octopus skewers, stunning lettuce wraps and a deconstructed chocolate dessert that I could not get sufficient of.

Satsuma Rooftop

At Satsuma Rooftop, overlooking a rooftop pool and that includes an ideal hearth to sit down round, we loved an excellent mixture of uncooked dishes, equivalent to tuna tartare and delicate items of nigiri. Once more, this meal did not really feel like something you’d anticipate (or possibly even belief) from older all-inclusive resorts. It was scrumptious, particularly alongside our bespoke gin cocktails really helpful to us as a result of Hoshi made certain everybody knew we cherished gin and tonics.

Moist Deck

For our poolside meal, hosted in a cushty, shaded cabana, I ordered my trusted pool favorites: a poke bowl and French fries. Once more, the uncooked parts of the meal have been scrumptious, as have been our mango and spicy margaritas.

33 1/3 Speakeasy

One morning, after somebody from the lodge carried out a sequence of spectacular magic tips for us, we got a particular card inviting us to the (sort of) invitation-only speakeasy. Although I am constructive anybody might get in in the event that they requested round, it was a enjoyable strategy to get the particular invitation. And, as soon as there, I actually loved the retro theme with a number of vinyl, old-school arcade video games and moody lighting. It was the proper spot to cease for a nightcap.

Outpost Cafe

The resort’s espresso store and bakery was a stunning place to seize an iced espresso, stunning pastries (together with a slew of gluten-free choices) and even grab-and-go choices (like salads, fruit, sandwiches, sodas and beer) to hold with you as a snack. The desert pastries, together with mini pies and colourful tarts, appeared to be approach above the usual all-inclusive choices — a theme all through the property.

A particular shock

On the morning of our first full day, I joked with Hoshi, our host, that we might had a bit too a lot enjoyable the night time earlier than, having fun with drinks whereas we did our imaginative and prescient boards, so that they insisted they create us “the proper hangover remedy” delivered proper to the room. It turned out to be sancocho, which is a wealthy Dominican stew with meat, potatoes, corn and rice. I am unsure if this can be a particular “off-menu dish” you solely get once they assume you want it, however I actually loved it — particularly realizing that the lodge was searching for me.

Facilities and repair

• From our waitresses on the pool to attend workers at dinner, the leisure crew and our private hosts, each particular person we interacted with was past variety, stuffed with vitality and able to assist.
• W’s Match gymnasium presents all of the traditional exercise gear, plus sauna and steam rooms.
• There’s an ocean-facing infinity pool with cabanas, in addition to the Chill Pool, that includes further seating and numerous leisure choices all through the day.
• The tropical Away Spa presents numerous therapies, rest areas, a powerful hydrotherapy pool with completely different jet experiences, and extra.
• A rotating menu of actions contains religious therapeutic experiences (like a cacao ceremony), rotating DJs, health courses and extra. It is easy to search out out what is going on on by speaking to your private host.

Location and logistics

The W Punta Cana is about an hour’s drive away from Punta Cana Worldwide Airport (PUJ). When reserving, you possibly can simply organize transportation by means of the lodge or a non-public reserving service for between $50 and $100, relying in your occasion dimension.

What it prices to remain at W Punta Cana, Grownup All-Inclusive

Money charges at this game-changing new resort begin at $700 per night time, primarily based on double occupancy. Marriott Bonvoy members can guide award nights beginning at 137,000 factors per night time.

Accessibility

The W Punta Cana presents a variety of accessible rooms, together with rooms with roll-in showers and seize bars, and rooms with hearing-accessible options and visible alarms. As at all times, TPG recommends talking instantly with the lodge earlier than reserving to substantiate that it will probably accommodate particular accessibility wants.

Backside line

I’ve stayed at dozens of all-inclusive resorts over my profession as a journey journalist, however few have had me making fast plans to get again ASAP. From inventive, high-end meals and nice cocktails to extremely enjoyable and pleasant workers members — plus stunning design, an unimaginable pool and dreamy seashores — I could not ask for something extra, aside from possibly a couple of extra nights to soak all of it in.

The draw back of the lodge is that it’s costly, in each factors and money, however you need to consider that your whole meals and drinks are included. Having just lately stayed on the new St. Regis Cap Cana, the place cocktails have been upward of $20 every, I used to be in concern of what my ultimate folio would come out to — however there was no want to fret.

That is the fantastic thing about this new era of all-inclusive resorts, with W Punta Cana because the shining star, not less than in the meanwhile: There is no such thing as a sticker shock when it is time to take a look at. All you need to do is relax, calm down and revel in that W wow issue.

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