Sanctuary Cap Cana

Title- 2,3,4, & 5 stars POV- we are active 65+, non-drinkers, extensive travelers. This is a LONG review. This was our first trip to the Dominican Republic and are so happy we went. 5 Stars- Without a doubt the Dominican people are some of the most kind, genuine, and friendly people we have had the pleasure to be around. Everyone in town and at the resort was so accommodating and we could tell that this was more than training, it was who they are as people. Shout out goes to our Butler Eric who was always there for anything we needed during our stay. 5 stars also go out to the Pool, Servers, and Beach team. These folks work 12 on and 3 off (some work 24 on & 6 off!) and all we saw were smiling people with a desire to provide us with great experiences. 5 stars -to the grounds as they were kept spotless and teams always around to keep the trees and foliage in top shape. As advertised, it is a smaller resort with limited acreage. 4 stars- the Beach. What is there is kept incredibly clean with teams combing the beach throughout the day to ensure its cleanliness. It is small but there are plenty of beaches off property on either side for those long walks. Gym - 5 stars- everything you need from Barbells and plates, machines, dumbbells, cardio and even a smaller glass stretch/yoga space. Pics attached Spa- 4 & 3 stars- One of the best deep tissue massages I have ever had but their water experience area needs some TLC. Room- The resort is split between the castle and the traditional resort. All the newer amenities (Spa, Gym, etc.) are in the castle, while the traditional side includes a villa section which is where we stayed. Villas – Some of these are on a secluded part of the resort and the villas 2001-2005 face away from the main activities. We were in #2003 and our porch sat directly over the ocean with the added view of the off – property beach. It was our own simply amazing dream spot. No noise from the resort and just the sea to keep us company at night. Location was 5 stars BUT the room was a 2 star! I had mentioned to Eric if it had not been for the location, we would have asked for another room. This room has been band-aided so many times and at this price point, guests should expect the best this resort can offer. Marriott can & should do much better. Finally, the restaurants- My mistake when reviewing the resort I spent more time on videos and reviews than I did at their website so on our arrival tour is when I learned that as of February 2026, Sanctuary town was no longer part of the inclusive package. Not a huge deal but right off the bat felt like a corporate move. That leaves only 4 dinner restaurants, two of which require dinner reservations. 1 star to the Blue Martin- I don’t know how such a beautiful location can provide such food. We ate there twice and the only thing that was passable was fish and chips. 4 stars to the Wok. We ate there twice with one a 5 star and one 3 star experience. Vibe is great and beautiful restaurant. 2 stars to Capriccio – our pastas were dry, service was slow, appetizers uneventful. Location is very nice. So sad as we had heard great things. 4 stars- The Steakhouse- Ribeye and the salmon with the tomato tart tar. Steak was better than most, and the salmon was incredible. Best desserts in the resort. 5 Stars to Casa Bella- I can’t believe I am giving any buffet 5 stars, but this is the place where you will have most of your meals. You are served by stations rather than open service and it really keeps everything fresh and safe. The employees have great attitudes and really take the time to get to know what you like. There's always a section with local favorites so make sure to give them a try. The desert and smoothie station were a hit. My last mistake was deciding to stay for 7 nights due to flights. With the limited dinner options and the size of the resort, I would say this is a 4–5-night experience. We will visit the Dominican again someday, but we would only come back to the Sanctuary if the food and the Villas received a serious upgrade.

We spent a week at Sanctuary and had a fabulous time. The thing we were most impressed by was the staff and would like to mention a few individuals that always went above and beyond to make our stay perfect. Our Butler Alex was the very best. He was at our beck and call 24/7. He checked in daily and took care of our every need. At Bella, Maria and Belen always greeted us with a smile and took us to "our" table daily and had our usual drinks waiting for us. Glory was excellent at the salad and fruit station. Pool helpers Felix and Elvi checked on us often every day to take care of towels, umbrellas etc always with a smile, Ricardo at the Wok was the perfect server and the food was exceptional. Chavaleen (sp) was our hostess at different restaurants and she always had a smile and was so friendly. Billis at the lobby coffee shop had our coffees ready the second she saw us walk in. This may be an unusual review but we have been to many all inclusive hotels and we feel the thing that makes our vacation special is the folks we interact with. Sure the room is nice, the food is good etc but an exceptional staff is key to a great stay.

Our stay at Sanctuary Cap Cana met our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by luxury, comfort, and attention to detail. The amenities met our expectations. The resort itself is beautiful, with beaches, pools, and beautifully maintained grounds that make every walk enjoyable. Whether lounging by the water, enjoying the peaceful spa, or simply taking in the ocean views, everything is designed to create a relaxing and indulgent experience. While the dining was very good and offered a nice variety, what truly made this trip unforgettable was the service, especially the butler service provided by Frank. He was exceptional in every way. Attentive without ever being intrusive, incredibly thoughtful, and always one step ahead, Frank made sure every detail of our stay was perfect. From handling reservations to adding personal touches that made us feel truly special, he went above and beyond consistently. Ranking the restaurants in our opinion: 1) Wok - Asian 2) The Steak House 3) Capriccio - Italian 4) Cassabella - buffet 5) Blue Marlin - seafood Sanctuary Cap Cana is a beautiful and luxurious resort. We left feeling completely relaxed and already looking forward to returning.

We had an amazing stay again at Sanctuary Cap Cana and this time came with friends. The best part is the outstanding service. Niky was our outstanding and friendly waiter during breakfast every day and we were so glad to learn that he also worked at the Wok restaurant. He made that our favorite experience and decorated a special table with fresh flowers and napkins shaped in hearts. We also met a new waiter at Marlin restaurant, Luis Xavier, who was so friendly and taught us some Dominican phrases. Felix was also great at the pool assisting us with seats every day. It took a while for checkin but they upgraded our rooms, which had great views and were clean. We love that the resort is small but also has so much to do. We will back again.

We recently stayed at Sanctuary Cap Cana and it was, without question, an exceptional experience from start to finish. The property itself is stunning, beautifully designed, impeccably maintained, and set in one of the most serene and picturesque locations in Cap Cana. Every detail feels intentional, creating a sense of calm, elegance, and escape the moment you arrive. What truly elevated our stay, however, was the level of service, and in particular, our butler, Camacho. Camacho is the kind of person who defines what exceptional hospitality looks like. Warm, attentive, and incredibly thoughtful, he took the time to genuinely get to know us, which made every interaction feel personal and effortless. He seemed to anticipate what we needed before we even asked. Whether it was coordinating reservations, checking in at just the right moments, or adding small touches that made us feel truly cared for, his presence made all the difference. There is a sincerity and pride in how he shows up that you don’t often experience, and it transformed our stay from wonderful to truly memorable. Sanctuary Cap Cana is a very special place, but it is people like Camacho who bring it to life. We would return without hesitation, and we will absolutely be requesting Camacho again.