VIDEO: PAX unpacks luxury at Sanctuary Cap Cana in Dominican Republic

Castles are hard to come by in the Caribbean, and while it’s easy to feel like a king or queen at any five-star resort, a stay at Sanctuary Cap Cana is the real royal deal.

This all-inclusive, adults-only, five-star luxury resort in the Dominican Republic is famous for its wellness, gastronomy and the fact that, yes, it has its own castle.

PAX stayed here last November to get an exclusive look at the property’s ultra-luxe amenities and modern approach to health and safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Perched on a cliff in Cap Cana, a gated community 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, the spacious property, steered by Playa Hotels and Resorts, has 324 suites in 18 categories – 80 per cent of which face a cerulean-blue sea.

READ MORE: Sanctuary Cap Cana – the castle that made health & safety protocols look chic

There are four dreamy sections: Colonial Suites (a Spanish-colonial “town,” near the main lobby), Luxury Suites (a twin tower that holds luxury junior, premium suites and a penthouse), the Villa Collection (beach and ocean-facing houses – rustic luxury cottages, if you will – tucked away in their own quiet neighbourhood) and the aforementioned Castle, where swim-out and honeymoon suites can be found.

The grounds, which boast six pools at various elevations, boast brilliant gardens, fountains, rock walls, stone sculptures, whimsical pathways and worldly white, yellow, pink and peach-coloured buildings.

Visible hygiene protocols play out in different ways, at every venue, as part of Playa’s Safe Stay promise. (Click here to read all about it).

As we outlined in our on-location report, only a place like Sanctuary Cap Cana could make virus-prevention protocols look chic. 

Adding to now-expected measures for preventing the spread of COVID-19, there are upgraded measures everywhere, such as glass barriers at the buffet (not that plexiglass stuff, darling), electric-blue UV lights for zapping bacteria on papers, pens and hands and ozone generators for disinfecting suites, restaurants and spa rooms after use.

The black and indigo-blue “Sanctuary” masks worn by staff are runway ready. 

If COVID-19 prevention didn’t have a premium category before, it does now.

Sanctuary Cap Cana is also all about wellness and positive energy.

“Healing crystals” (selenite minerals) are utilized everywhere, appearing in lamps and tables and, prominently, in crystallized columns in the main lobby.

Playa Hotels and Resorts has many brands, but only one Sanctuary, making this Caribbean jewel all the more exclusive.

Did PAX score the penthouse? 

Which castle suite has its own private island? 

What does health and safety look like at a luxury resort?

Watch PAX’s exclusive video report from Sanctuary Cap Cana here!

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