This all-inclusive hotel in the Dominican Republic offers a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for kids.
Cap Cana is a popular destination for travelers looking for a luxurious Caribbean vacation in Punta Cana. It spans over 30,000 acres and offers a variety of amenities, including white sandy beaches, world-class golf courses, marinas, restaurants, shopping centers, and more. The area is known for offering a luxurious getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Margaritaville Cap Cana is a tropical oasis in the heart of the Cap Cana resort community. Less than a 30-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport, the resort is located on Juanillo Beach, one of the Dominican Republic’s best-kept secrets, known for its calm waves, pure white sand and beautiful turquoise waters.
The resort offers a variety of amenities, including a beach club, multiple pools, a spa and fine dining. Rooms and suites are decorated in a tropical island style and offer all the modern comforts you need for a relaxing stay. In addition to the resort amenities, you can also explore the surrounding area, which includes a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, a marina and a variety of water sports and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a fun-filled family trip, Margaritaville Cap Cana has something for everyone.
Families looking for the ultimate kid-friendly experience will want to stay at the resort’s new family area, Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana Waves. While this resort isn’t your typical kid-centric establishment, it does have a great kids’ club and activities for pre-teens and teens, including tennis and beach volleyball.
This hotel is perfect for families looking for a luxurious getaway to celebrate a special occasion or visit a secluded location. Accommodation types range from condo-style double rooms to beachfront honeymoon suites, perfect for multi-generational or group trips.
What we liked about Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana
Beach:
Juanillo Beach is perfect for lazing around all day, with fine white sand, low palm trees swaying in the breeze, and crystal clear turquoise waters. For added comfort, Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana offers complimentary Balinese-style beach beds to resort guests. Because the beds are free, they may fill up early in the morning, but you can rest assured that guests won’t have them all day long. So, even if you leave late, you’ll have a chance all day. If you decide to spend the day at the beach, there is a beach bar and restaurant. Buoys run the entire length of the beach, making it a great place to swim with kids.
Pool:
The pool area is almost as big as the beach and has an adult only area, a children’s area and a general area. There are different options to choose from depending on whether you are looking for a family or adult, so you don’t have to worry about pool space. For a small fee, you can reserve a Balinese bed at the pool for the day. For families with young children, there is also a splash pad and baby pool area.
Saint Somewhere Spa
The world-renowned Saint Somewhere Spa offers a variety of soothing and holistic treatments to relieve stress, including massages, body wraps and facials, as well as a water program that includes a hydrotherapy area with sauna, steam room, red light showers, sensory pool and thermal loungers. The spa also features a lagoon-like “polar pool” where the water is kept at a temperature of 50° F to stimulate blood flow and improve circulation.
Golfer Package:
Our new exclusive Golf in Paradise package allows you to double your playing time at Punta Espada, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course ranked #1 in the Caribbean and Mexico by Golfweek magazine, just a short drive from the resort. Plus, this package includes green fees, cart fees and caddy fees for hassle-free, fun-filled golfing.
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Where to Eat at Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana
Most restaurants cater for the whole family, except Rum Runners, which is adults only. JWB Steakhouse has two separate areas for both adults and families. All restaurants offer indulgent dining and we encourage you to try them all.
Boathouse Eatery
This buffet-style restaurant has a ton of options and is one of the most impressive we’ve seen. For breakfast or brunch, the Boathouse is a great choice. Most dishes are made fresh to order, and there’s also a fresh juice station and paleo + keto pancake options.
There are plenty of stations for those looking for a quick fix, but if you have the time, you can dine on delicious eggs in all styles, fluffy made-to-order pancakes and golden waffles, pastries and smoothies to suit your taste. We may also have the most extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan options to cater to a variety of dietary and lifestyle needs.
KöS – Mediterranean Izakaya
A culinary journey at KöS is where the Mediterranean meets the Middle East. KöS offers a full ala carte menu and chef-presented stations. KöS is located poolside near the pool making it perfect for families.
Cheeseburger in Paradise
“Paradise cheeseburger, heaven on earth with onion slices. Not too fussy, not too strict.” Located right on the beach, it’s the perfect spot for a light snack or a full lunch.
Landshark Brewery & Grill
Beer lovers, rejoice! LandShark Brewery is both a surprise and a treat. Open from lunchtime until 1am, it’s the ideal place to enjoy LandShark Lager, crafted in the on-site brewery. If you’re looking to celebrate an event with friends and family, the restaurant’s second floor can be reserved for private parties of up to 80 people. In the evenings, there is often live music.
Frank & Lola’s – Italian Trattoria
Frank & Laura’s open kitchen concept enhances the atmosphere of an Italian trattoria, serving a wide variety of traditional dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy your favorite homemade pasta and complement your meal with a choice of wines from our showcase wine cellar. Celebrating a special occasion? You can book a private dinner in the wine cellar or on one of the restaurant’s two romantic terraces.
JWB Steakhouse
The pinnacle of fine dining in the Margaritaville Island Reserve Collection, JWB is a destination in itself, where guests can enjoy a sumptuous four-course dinner featuring mouthwatering appetizers, crisp salads, hearty entrees and decadent desserts – all included in the room rate.
Montsouwy
Mon So Wi is the pinnacle of pan-Asian cuisine, inspired by Asia’s vibrant street food scene. The restaurant has a fun, energetic atmosphere and the menu features street food classics such as satay ribeye skewers, crispy Vietnamese deep-fried spring rolls and samosas with spicy coriander sauce.
Rum Runner
This adults only restaurant is open from 12pm to 5pm. The Dominican Republic and the West Indies have a long history of producing some of the finest rums in the world. Rum Runners offers guests the opportunity to explore and taste this history. Whether you’re sipping rum or enjoying the food, be sure to try the churro dessert.
Compass – A gin-inspired bar
With five bars to choose from, Compass is located in the lobby in the family section, making it a popular choice for families as you don’t have to go far from your room. In addition to a full bar, Compass offers a wide selection of world-renowned artisan gins. Compass is the perfect place for a pre-dinner or late-night cocktail, and as an added bonus, they even have a live pianist on some nights.
Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions
Here you can enjoy freshly brewed Dominican coffee and espresso drinks, natural smoothies, freshly baked pastries, sandwiches and desserts, as well as a wide selection of gluten-free and vegetarian options and milks. Fresh juices are a great way to bring them to the beach or take them on a day trip.
Personalized Minibar
Adults and kids alike will love the concept of a personalized minibar. Instead of filling your minibar with the same items every day, you accumulate a certain number of points that you can use to customise your minibar at Joe Merchants. There’s loads to choose from across the store, from beer and wine, to KitKats and Oreos, to nuts and chips. This was one of the biggest highlights for the kids.
Tips to make the most of your stay at Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana:
Download the app to see everything that is offered during your stay. Most restaurant menus are displayed directly on the app, but you can also ask for the regular menu if you don’t want to walk around with your phone. A variety of water sports are included, including paddle boarding, catamarans, and snorkeling. If you want to stay active, start your day with beachfront yoga, then get moving with tennis, pickleball, or beach volleyball. For kids looking for more kid-friendly activities like water parks, a hack that savvy parents use is to split the trip with four nights at a kid-friendly establishment like Nickelodeon Resort, and spend the last three nights at Margaritaville Cap Cana. The kids will have fun, but the parents will have the opportunity to really relax in luxury, enjoy fine dining, and experience the bliss of Cap Cana Beach and the surrounding area. If you want to spend the night without your kids, certified babysitting services are available for an additional fee.
Attractions Near Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana
There’s so much to do within the resort that you might not want to venture out, but if you’re looking for day trip ideas,
Take a deep sea fishing trip: Cap Cana is known for its excellent deep sea fishing opportunities. You can charter a boat to go fishing for marlin, tuna, and other game fish in the deep waters around Cap Cana. Island tours: Saona Island and Catalina Island are two popular day trip destinations from Punta Cana, located off the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. Saona Island is a nature reserve that boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. On the way to the island, tours make stops along the way to snorkel and swim in the crystal clear waters. Once on the island, you can relax on the beach, stroll through the mangrove forest, and enjoy a traditional Dominican lunch. Saona Island is also home to a variety of wildlife, including iguanas, sea turtles, and a variety of birds. Catalina Island is a popular day trip destination known for its crystal clear waters and abundant marine life. You can swim, snorkel, and dive in the coral reefs. Both Saona Island and Catalina Island offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of Punta Cana while experiencing the natural beauty and rich culture of the Dominican Republic. Visit Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park. This nature reserve is the perfect place for kids to learn about the local flora and fauna. Kids can hike through the forest, swim in natural lagoons, and see many different types of plants and animals.
Editor’s note: This trip was paid for by Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana, but all opinions are my own.
