You want a cottage on the beach. Her mother dreams of staying in a castle. Her sister and family just want a regular room very close to the pool. No problem, just book them all at the Sanctuary Cap Cana by Alsol. The 172 room, adults only property is winning all kinds of awards.

They’re all coming to your wedding, and the bride wants something very special - not to be just one of many brides tying the knot. Sanctuary Cap Cana does one wedding a day. And the choice of gorgeous wedding venues is amazing. You may have to explain to your friends where Cap Cana is. It is a new gated community on the eastern tip, just 15 minutes from the Punta Cana airport. It is a bit far from Punta Cana for those that want to wander in the town. The Castle section of the resort has a Cliffside location - our oceanfront was right on the sand.
This property blended styles beautifully, and that as you know isn’t always the case. It is beautifully landscaped and that may be why it blends so well. It is also a large property so there are no resorts right next door.
We had an ocean front villa. It looked like a Muskoka cottage. I had no idea that such a place existed, only in my dreams. It was huge 1,100 or so roomy square feet, with a stunning deck. We lived on the deck. The air-conditioning worked just right in each of the rooms, I’m a sheet snob, and the king-sized bed was hard to get out of with the wonderful cotton sheets. Tom loved the living room with the 37-inch plasma TV. And yes, there was all the other electronic stuff, we can’t seem to do without: DVD with integrated DMS system, multi-line communication, cordless phone so you can order 24-hour room service from the deck. We spent one evening curled up with great food, watching the American presidential debate.
Of course, we didn’t spend all our time having room service, there are five other choices, and there are seven more coming next week.
The Blue Marlin Bar and Grill is my all-time favourite. It is on a pier overlooking the ocean, and no one cares if you want to sit there all afternoon. There are several other huts too, sitting over the ocean, that are perfect for a quiet drink for two, or a wedding reception for 50.
Wok is the Chinese restaurant in the Fortress, it floats over the moat. The steakhouse is in a building by the fountain just off the lobby. Capriccio serves Italian. The Casabella Buffet is a pretty place, both indoors and out. Tom likes the toaster close to the butter, and there it was right beside it. He raved over the fresh squeezed orange juice, and liked the coffee.
Sanctuary town is right across the cobblestone street from the resort, just beyond the huge fountain, easy access for your clients. The town is open to both guests and to the public, the only area where children are welcome.
For food truck lovers, the Volkswagon Combi serves Mexican street tacos complete with salsa. Aneja’s tobacco and Rum Museum serves Dominican Rum and Cigars in an authentic setting. Caribbean Betes by LeandrosDiaz is in a replica of a traditional Puerto Plata Home, with traditional food. Beers of the World is a traditional British pub serving 40 brands of beer. Mamma’s Forno & pasta from old Italy serves fresh pastas and pizza prepared in a wood oven. Coffee and News will let your clients enjoy coffees of the world and read the latest newspapers and magazines in a typical Parisian setting. El Rincon serves Spanish dishes and tapas. There are some items in the menus that come with a surcharge. There are also shops, for those who need a new outfit, or designer sunglasses. Doesn’t that sound like a great place to hang out?
The ice cream bike that arrived at the pool every afternoon, playing the ice cream song that everyone knows and was loved by all. I think it was the music that set the scene. The main pool is lively in the afternoon, very quiet in the mornings.
To work away at all that tempting food there were lots of activities; Cap Cana Bike tour daily, Pilates at the Blue Marlin, Beach Volleyball, pool aerobic, club dance, beach volleyball again, and Zumba.
Guests loved the fact that the entertainment was at different venues. The Brazilian Show at the pool area, the circus at the lobby terrace, and the live music and dancing night at the Steak House Terrace. They liked theme nights too.
Guests were happy with the spa, and the gym. The spa has its own pool, massage cabins and juice bar.
Did I mention that the Punta Espada 18 hole, par 72 golf course is getting rave reviews. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it has been named by Golf Week magazine the #1 best course in the Caribbean and Mexico. Green fees are not included but there is free transportation.
And speaking of rave reviews, this property gets a lot of them. Are there complaints? Yes, of course, I’m sure Heaven gets them as well. The recurring one is that you must pay for WIFI in your suite. This resort is a solid 5-star with no bracelets, no need for reservations, with lovely choices for meals. Tell the bride about the honeymoon suite in the Castle.... stuff that dreams are made of.

Hotel details
Set on a tranquil beach along the Caribbean coast, this 12,141-hectare, adults-only, castle-style resort is 9 km from Punta Cana Ecological Reserve and 14 km from Aeropuerto Internacional Punta Cana.
Featuring balconies or patios with sea views, the elegant suites come with Wi-Fi (fee) and flat-screens, as well as minibars and espresso machines. All have separate living areas, and upgraded suites have 2 bedrooms, private plunge pools and/or direct pool access. Villas with 1 or 2 bedrooms and private pools are available. Room service is offered 24/7.
There are 5 restaurants/bars, as well as a walk-in pool, a 186-sq-m spa and a fitness center.