Margaritaville Island Reserve in Cap Cana Dominican Republic
I recently visited Margaritaville Island Reserve in Cap Cana, DR. This resort opened in November 2021 and is part of the Karisma Hotels and Resorts brand and is the second Margaritaville Island Reserve within the brand. It is in the gated community of JuaniIlo, 15 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport and close to horseback riding, an eco-park, marina and the top golf course in the DR. The hotel has 268 suites including 40 adult only villas, 20 of which have private swim up pools. All adult only villas include a private SOS bar and restaurant, butler service, private check-in area, and drinks delivered to you in the pool.
I was pleasantly surprised by the laid back, chill vibe the resort gives off. When you drive up to the resort you are greeted by a giant Flip Flop that is signature Jimmy Buffet and that sets the tone for your experience. The check-in process was quick and easy and includes a popsicle upon arrival. The staff was very attentive to assisting with our luggage, getting checked in, and getting us to our room. Once we were in the room, I feel in love with the décor and set up of the room. I had an Ocean view suite with a King bed on the 15th floor. The elevator was touch free, so I didn’t have to physically touch the buttons to go up or down. Huge plus for me. Hand sanitizer was also readily available throughout the property.
I cannot say enough about the gastronomy experience at this resort, it was amazing! We didn’t have anything that we did not like. The resort has 5 restaurants, The Boat House, which is the main restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Rum Runners, serving Caribbean cuisine, and only serves lunch, JWB Steak House, Frank & Lola’s Italian, Mon so Wi, serving Asian inspired dishes and finally the Landshark Brewery. We were able to eat at 3 of the 5 restaurants and do a brewery tour! The brew master was very knowledgeable, and the beer was good. Last but definitely not least, we did the floating taco tray! This is something Margaritaville is known for! The staff brings out a large tray of tacos, margaritas, chips and salsa that floats so you can enjoy in the pool!
What is a resort visit without a visit to the Spa?? We did the hydrotherapy experience at The St Somewhere Spa and was very satisfied with the level of service we received. We were guided through the process but did not feel rushed. I left very relaxed and ready to lay by the pool. The property also has a 24-hour gym as well as yoga and stretching classes available. For those who have kids there is a great kids club with tons of activities available from 9am to 5pm and again 7pm to 9pm.
There were a few items that were still a work in progress. For example, the beach was still being cleared so it was not necessarily swimmable. They do expect to have this resolved in the next few months, so I am looking forward to going back to see the “after” beach. The pool was large and never felt overcrowded and included a swim-up bar. I am more of a pool person so the beach was not a big deal for me. I love the ocean, put the sand, not so much. In conclusion, we had an amazing time and if you are looking for a luxury inclusive resort with a laid-back chill vibe, but has plenty of entertainment, this is the resort for you!