St Regis Cap Cana Resort, the first St Regis-branded spa property in the Dominican Republic, has opened in the heart of the Caribbean as the Marriott brand continues to expand its portfolio.

With design by architects Acebal Canney Arquitectos and Asociados and interiors by Chapi Chapo Design, the resort’s palm-lined white beaches have inspired the look of the property’s 200 bedrooms and 36 suites.

The dramatic cliffs of the coastline have also played a part in the St Regis Spa’s construction, featuring a blend of water and rock to reflect the location. There are 14 treatment rooms and the concept for programming is based around six key goals for the guest experience: celebration, bespoke, natural, sensorial, refined and extraordinary.

There are two hydrotherapy areas – one for men and one for women, each with a hot tub, sauna and steamroom. There's also a spa suite for socialising with friends and family, plus indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces and a retail store.

Guests are invited to enjoy a beverage from the spa’s celebration bar at the Iridium relaxation lounge, while waiting for their treatment. This space has been created with the comfort of a home in mind, featuring art, books, instrumental music and scents of roses and white lilies.

Treatments are rooted in ancient traditions and enhanced by locally sourced ingredients such as amber oil and porcelain flower oil, used in massages. A range of granita body scrubs, massages and facials are on offer, using a blend of Japanese and Balinese rituals plus Chinese gua sha facial sculpting therapies.

A 90-minute full body massage that focuses on Japanese reflex-inspired foot massage for tension relief costs US$285 (€253, £213).

Skincare at the spa is supplied by Sothys Paris and Babor.

The property also has a fitness centre, four swimming pools, nine dining venues and access to the nearby Jack Nicklaus-designed Punta Espada Golf Course.

Nightly rates at The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort start at US$899 (€798, £672).

The development also has branded residences.

St Regis Hotels & Resorts Expansion

George Fleck, senior vice president and global brand leader, St Regis Hotels and Resorts, said: “We continue to expand into the world’s most coveted leisure destinations – with plans to double our resort portfolio over the next decade – The St Regis Cap Cana Resort exemplifies our vision of creating exquisite escapes that blend tradition with contemporary refinement for global travellers and locals alike.”

The brand has more than 60 luxury hotels and resorts around the world.

Marriott International recently announced it’s growing its luxury portfolio in the Caribbean and Latin American region to 38 properties, signing agreements to operate 11 properties.

These include the St Regis Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica, The Ritz-Carlton Playa Jackson Hotel and Residences, Dominican Republic and Bulgari Hotels and Resorts Cave Cay Exuma Bahamas.

Marriott already has nine properties in or near Cap Cana, with a new W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive property opening this year.