By the time I arrived at the new all-inclusive Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana, it was already dark. I’d just spent the better part of a day flying from Los Angeles to the Dominican Republic, and my only plans included falling into a bed as soon as possible.
But as soon as I stepped into the resort’s lobby, my mood instantly improved. After a warm welcome from Sandros, who would be our butler during the stay, my travel partner and I couldn’t help but smile as we were handed margarita popsicles, the hotel’s traditional welcome treat for (adult) guests.
If our first few moments at the property were any indication, we were about to enjoy a few very pampered days.
An Upscale, All-Inclusive Margaritaville Experience
Opened in November 2021, Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana is the second resort under the Island Reserve brand, a partnership between Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels & Resorts. (The first Island Reserve property is located in Cancun and opened in 2020.)
The brand focuses on delivering a luxury resort experience with a sense of fun and whimsy. And while playful references to Jimmy Buffet are, of course, plentiful, they don’t detract from the upscale atmosphere. Fans of the musician can keep their eye out for song lyrics around the property, as well as artistic elements such as enormous, colorful parrots painted on the exterior walls of the resort.
As a newbuild resort, the property was also able to include modern touches that are particularly well suited to the pandemic era: It was the first time I’d seen touchless elevator buttons, for instance.
The property is located on Juanillo Beach in the exclusive Cap Cana area (a gated community about 20 minutes from the Punta Cana airport). While the beach feels secluded and is peppered with plenty of comfortable loungers, clients should know that it’s also a little rocky — I wound up spending most of my time by the pools.
The resort is on Juanillo Beach in Cap Cana.
Credit: 2022 Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap CanaBut that’s certainly not a problem when there are as many options for swimming and sunning as Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana has. When taking in the view from the resort’s rooftop wedding and event space, I actually realized there were more pools on the property than I could count — from an infinity pool near the beach and a main hub in the resort’s center to the second-floor plunge pools on many suite balconies.
Rooms, Suites and Villas
As soon as we arrived in our villa suite, I knew that accommodations were going to be one of the areas where Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana would shine.
The Island Reserve Villas are housed in 10 two-story buildings (four suites to a building) within an adults-only part of the property, centered around a winding lagoon pool with its own swim-up bar. Patios on the villas’ first floor offer swim-in/swim-out access to the pool, while second-floor accommodations (where we stayed) feature spacious balconies with private plunge pools. Other aspects of villa life include a furnished living area, a kitchenette and a large bathroom with a deep tub, as well as both indoor and outdoor showers. The design aesthetic is tropical, yet tasteful.
Villas buildings are in an adults-only area with a lagoon pool and the S.O.S. swim-up bar.
Credit: 2022 Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap CanaAs villa guests, we enjoyed butler service (remember Sandros and the margarita popsicles?) that included in-suite check-in and a phone number to request anything we needed. Sandros was able to help with everything from sending water to the room to arranging our on-site, pre-departure COVID-19 tests. What’s more, his morning texts checking in with us and his warm greetings every time we saw him around the property made us feel exceedingly well cared for during our stay.
Other guestroom categories run the gamut from Paradise Rooms all the way up to the 1,400-square-foot, penthouse-level Jimmy Buffett Suite. Among the options, Son of a Sailor Suites are a standout — if clients want stunning views of the property and ocean, these are the suites to book. They also feature separated living and sleeping areas, as well as a kitchenette and dining table.
A Son of a Sailor Suite bedroom
Credit: 2022 Kelly RosenfeldA Range of Restaurants
The food and beverage program was a big point of focus when Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana was being developed, and the property features a Gourmet Village at its heart. The village is home to seven food and beverage concepts, and also serves as the resort’s entertainment hub each evening; in addition to a nightly theater show, multiple musical acts performed each night of our stay, from a saxophonist on a second-floor balcony to a band over at Punch bar, an evening hotspot.
Guests can dine at their pick of six restaurants, including an all-day buffet, the Landshark Brewery and Grill (which actually brews beer on the property) and the JWB Steakhouse. I loved my lunch at Rum Runners, where I tasted a selection of delicious Caribbean-inspired dishes, while plates of pizza and arancini pleased me at Frank & Lola’s Trattoria come dinnertime. At Mon So Wi, where the menu takes its cues from Asian street food scenes, I enjoyed a flavorful Indonesian rendang and a delightfully spicy fish curry.
Stylish Mon So Wi serves dishes inspired by Asian street food.
Credit: 2022 Kelly RosenfeldFor something extra special, guests can also book next-level culinary experiences such as romantic dinners on the beach or wine tastings (tell them to check out the options on their in-room television when they arrive). Our pick was the floating taco lunch, a feast of margaritas, tacos, salsas, guacamole and chips that was delivered to us right in the pool.
Additional Resort Amenities
Wellness-minded travelers will appreciate the resort’s St. Somewhere Spa, where treatments are delivered with warm service. I took a pass through the hydrotherapy circuit — guided through a steam room, a bucket shower, a polar plunge pool, a Jacuzzi and at least four other stations — before enjoying a massage and wrapping up with a pot of tea and a cozy blanket in the relaxation room.
Another thoughtful resort touch comes by way of Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions, where — in addition to grabbing coffee and snacks — guests can personalize their in-room minibar selections. Each guestroom is allotted a certain number of “points” that can be used to pick up soft drinks, flavored sparkling water, beers and wines, local chocolate bars and more.
Other amenities around the property include a fitness center; the Parakeet Kids’ Club for four- to 12-year-olds; the 5 o’Clock Somewhere and S.O.S. swim-up bars; tennis and pickleball courts; a room for dance lessons; and more.
By the end of my stay, I’ll just say that I was starting to see Jimmy Buffet’s point: This was one Margaritaville I could happily waste away in for a while.
