At Eden Roc Cap Cana, you can spend the morning hanging with your kids, the afternoon at the spa, and the evening over an excellent dinner under the stars, all while feeling pampered in a tropical paradise, and not at all like you’re at a typical (read: chaotic) family resort.
There’s a particular challenge to finding a truly luxurious family resort. Many places go too heavily into kid-friendly programming that the atmosphere becomes hectic and not vacationy. Others are undeniably beautiful but make traveling with children inconvenient, which defeats the purpose. Eden Roc Cap Cana manages to exist in a rare sweet spot between the two. Families are genuinely welcomed, and yet the overall atmosphere is still highly elegant, amazingly calm, relaxing, and pampering.
Located inside the private Cap Cana community on the eastern edge of the Dominican Republic, the resort feels like a seaside estate tucked away from the crowds. Meaning, it’s not a clone of generic all-inclusives, but rather has a lovely warmth and intimacy. The property is lush and spread out among 30,000-acres with winding pathways, private villas, flowering tropical landscape, and white sand against turquoise water. It’s that water you envision when dreaming of a tropical island get-away. Half the fun is hopping in your personal golf cart (provided to guests in suites and villas) and exploring the grounds, where you’ll discover quiet places to swim and gorgeous cenotes, naturally formed pool of freshwater hidden within limestone caves and rock formations.
One of the most appealing things about staying here as a family is that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort or aesthetics in order to accommodate the little ones. Families can book multi-bedroom villas or roomy suites, many with private pools large enough for actual swimming rather than quick dips. Some overlook the lagoon, others the gardens. All accommodations are polished and luxurious, with Acqua di Parma bath products, showers al fresco, shaded outdoor lounges, and yes, even butler service to keep everything running smoothly. That sounds stuffy, but it is super helpful, and the people working here are incredibly friendly and personable, remembering you and your family members’ name and preferences.
The beach club is where everyone gravitates, for obvious reasons on an island. Two infinity pools overlook a stretch of soft sand and palm trees. Wander to the beach, and attendants appear with cold drinks and towels, while helping arrange chairs under shaded palapas. The beach itself is wide and swimmable, without rough waves that can interrupt your zen. If you’re looking to get beyond the beach and pool, the concierge team will organize a number of experiences around Cap Cana, including horseback riding and island excursions. Highly recommended: indulge in a rum and chocolate tasting.
Parents hankering for downtime can take advantage of the Koko Kid’s Club, which sits beside a lagoon filled with koi and turtles and resembles an oversized tropical treehouse. There are tons of entertaining activities, including cooking classes and mini spa treatments.
You’ll start your days with breakfast at Blue Grill and Bar with tropical fruit, pastries, fresh juices, arepas, egg dishes, and ocean views, plus a lot of birds (get used to the, they come with the island). The breakfasts are so good here, you’ll find yourself lingering and continually grazing from the buffet. La Palapa, by the water, is beautiful in the evening when the sky turns pink and the waves crash below the terrace. Mediterraneo is where more serious and romantic dinner take place with Mediterranean dishes created with Caribbean ingredients and flavors.
Eden Roc Wellness & Spa is reached by an open-air pathway lined with dense foliage. The spa has indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy area, yoga spaces, a gym, and a menu of massages and facials using Natura Bissé products. There are also a handful of more unique wellness experiences available, including meditation and sound bathing sessions by one of the property’s breath-taking limestone cenotes.
You can spend the morning at the beach with your family, then disappear for a massage while the kids head to the club. Eden Roc does this nicely. It gives families space to enjoy being together, while still allowing everyone to occasionally do their own thing.
