First look: W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive

Ever since W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive (the W brand’s long-awaited first all-inclusive resort) was announced in 2022, I had a feeling this would be a make-or-break moment for Marriott. In recent years, the company has focused on the all-inclusive space by bringing big-name brands such as The Luxury Collection into a pay-upfront vacation model.

To me, the W brand felt like a natural fit for an all-inclusive resort thanks to its playful aesthetic, trendy customer base, and focus on food and drink. Sure, Marriott could already put the W logo on any of the many all-inclusive resorts in its portfolio, but my hope as a travel journalist and someone who truly enjoys the ease of an all-inclusive experience was that this property would be the beginning of a true all-inclusive 2.0.

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Tanner Sanders/The Point Guy

After giving the resort, located about an hour from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), some time to work out the initial kinks that all hotels and resorts go through, I finally headed there in late October.

And let me tell you, this all-inclusive resort was exactly what I had been waiting for. Here’s what it was like staying at my first (and hopefully not last) W All-Inclusive Resort.

first impression

If first impressions matter most, W Punta Cana and the team behind it (Spain-based MAC Hotels and Groupe Punta Cana) understood their mission. Guests will be greeted by a stunning W-branded circle drive that leads to an expansive outdoor lobby space filled with plants, architectural features, and an overall sense of carefree luxury that few would expect from an all-inclusive resort.

Over the past few years, the W brand has grown and moved away from its “run-of-the-mill” design style to become more elevated and approachable for all types of travelers who appreciate beautiful, sophisticated hotels. Designed by Giuseppe Violante of Zanobia Arquitectura, the entire building is also a living organism with plants that continue to grow and increase in beauty over time.

I also have to say a big thank you to the wonderful staff members who greeted us with a fresh welcome drink on arrival, help with our luggage, and lots of energy. Hoshi, our rockstar W Insider, took care of us even before we arrived (he sent us a welcome email introducing the weather, activities, and dining options) and checked in regularly during our weekend visit.

room

W Punta Cana has 340 guest rooms to choose from, all starting at 700 square feet and ranging from entry-level options to swim-up rooms and home-sized suites with bathtubs and king-sized beds (even doubles). For my stay, my friend and I were put in a two-bedroom Oasis mega suite with a private pool parallel to the ocean.

The living room area was bright and homely with a picture-perfect view of the ocean and wind-blown palm trees.

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Before we arrived, the W team left a vision board kit in the room and assembled it while streaming movies from a giant TV on the wall.

Our suite had a dining room with a large table across from the living room and a wet bar area with a record player (and records specially selected for us), a coffee maker, a mini-fridge with snacks like chips and nuts, a variety of beers (local and imported), and bottles of wine, soda, and juice.

The master bedroom had a cloud-like W bed, and the fluffy pillows and soft duvet made it difficult to crawl out of it each morning. The space was modern and chic, but once again my eyes were drawn to the outside scenery.

The master bedroom bathroom featured a large soaking tub, rainfall shower, dual vanities stocked with Davines products (Momo shampoo is my favorite in the world), and a stunning private outdoor shower surrounded by lush greenery. Frette bathrobes in the closet added to the luxurious experience.

The second bedroom has two king-sized beds, proving this suite is for those who really want to spread out.

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Tanner Sanders/The Point Guy

That room also had an outdoor shower, but this time facing the beach and a walk-through closet area that made the suite feel more like a luxury apartment than a hotel room.

While staying at the W, I also had the opportunity to view the standard room pictured above. It has a beautiful bathtub, plenty of closet space, a large TV, and a super comfortable W brand bed (which you can actually buy for your own home). The hotel spoiled us with a two-bedroom suite, but we were able to crash into one of these rooms and I would definitely come back and be even more satisfied.

Dining at W Punta Cana

It’s an all-inclusive resort, so all meals and drinks are included in the cost of your stay. With several restaurants opening regularly, there are many options for guests to enjoy. These options range from experiential dining experiences at Scena to Asian street food, food hall experiences, a Mediterranean-inspired beach club, a rooftop raw bar, multiple pool bars, a taproom, and an eclectic speakeasy experience.

Here’s a quick summary of what I experienced.

China

My favorite meal was at Scena. Scena is a Dominican/Caribbean fusion restaurant with an adventurous choose-your-own tasting menu. This restaurant felt like an upscale experience you’d enjoy back in New York, rather than the all-inclusive resorts you find everywhere. I thought the food was amazing, creative and completely unexpected (as you can see in the photo above). Highlights included octopus skewers, beautiful lettuce wraps, and a deconstructed chocolate dessert that I couldn’t get enough of.

Satsuma rooftop

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Tanner Sanders/The Point Guy

At SATSUMA ROOFTOP, which overlooks the rooftop pool and features a fireplace perfect for sitting around, we enjoyed a combination of raw dishes such as tuna tartare and delicate nigiri. Again, the food didn’t feel like what you would expect (or perhaps trust) from an older all-inclusive resort. Hoshi made sure everyone knew we love gin and tonics and they were delicious especially alongside the bespoke gin cocktails that were recommended to us.

wet deck

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Tanner Sanders/The Point Guy

For poolside dining, served in a comfortable shaded cabana, I ordered my trusty pool favorite: a poke bowl and fries. Again, the raw elements of the meal were delicious, as was the mango and spicy margarita.

33 1/3 Speakeasy

One morning, after someone at the hotel performed a series of impressive magic tricks for us, we were given a special card into an invitation-only (sort of) bootlegger. I’m sure anyone can join if they ask, but it was a fun way to get a special invitation. And once we got there, we really enjoyed the retro theme with lots of records, old school arcade games, and moody lighting. It was the perfect place for a nightcap.

outpost cafe

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Tanner Sanders/The Point Guy

The resort’s coffee shop and bakery was a great place to get iced coffee, beautiful pastries (including many gluten-free options), and even grab-and-go options for snacks (salads, fruit, sandwiches, sodas, beer, etc.). Dessert pastries such as mini pies and colorful tarts seemed to go above and beyond the standard all-inclusive offering. This is a theme throughout the facility.

special surprise

On the morning of my first full day, I joked with my host, Hoshi. Having had a little too much fun with drinks the night before while doing vision boards, they insisted on having the “perfect hangover cure” delivered right to my room. It turned out to be sancocho, a rich Dominican stew with meat, potatoes, corn, and rice. I’m not sure if this is a special “off-menu dish” that is only offered if deemed necessary, but I really enjoyed it, especially knowing that the hotel was looking out for me.

Amenities and services

Everyone we interacted with, from the pool waitresses, to the dinner servers, to the entertainment team, to our personal hosts, was friendly, full of energy, and quick to help. W’s Fit gym is equipped with all the classic training equipment, plus a sauna and steam room. There is also an ocean-facing infinity pool with cabanas and a chill pool with additional seating and a variety of entertainment options throughout the day. The tropical Away Spa offers a variety of treatments, relaxation areas and an impressive hydrotherapy pool. A rotating menu of activities includes spiritual healing experiences (like a cacao ceremony), rotating DJs, fitness classes, and more. You can easily find out what’s going on by talking to your dedicated host.

location and logistics

W Punta Cana is approximately an hour’s drive from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). When you make your reservation, we can easily arrange transportation through your hotel or a private reservation service for between $50 and $100, depending on the size of your party.

How much does it cost to stay at W Punta Cana Adult All Inclusive?

Cash rates at this innovative new resort start at $700 per night based on double occupancy. Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 137,000 points per night.

accessibility

W Punta Cana offers many accessible rooms, including rooms with roll-in showers and grab bars, as well as rooms with auditory accessibility features and visual alarms. As always, TPG recommends contacting the hotel directly before booking to see if they can accommodate your specific accessibility needs.

conclusion

I’ve stayed at dozens of all-inclusive resorts during my career as a travel journalist, and very few have allowed me to immediately make plans to return home as quickly as possible. From the creative, upscale food and amazing cocktails, to the incredibly fun and friendly staff, to the beautiful design, amazing pool, and dreamy beach, you can’t ask for anything more, except maybe a few more nights to take in it all.

The downside to this hotel is that it’s expensive, both in points and cash, but you should consider that all meals and drinks are included. I recently stayed at the new St. Regis Cap Cana and cocktails were over $20 a pop, so I was worried about how the final folio would turn out, but I needn’t have worried.

That’s the beauty of this new generation of all-inclusive resorts, where W Punta Cana is the shining star, at least for now. When it’s time to check out, you won’t be shocked by stickers. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the “wow” factor.

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