First look: W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive

Ever since the W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive — the W brand’s highly anticipated first all-inclusive resort — was announced back in 2022, I had a feeling it would be a make-or-break moment for Marriott. Over the last few years, the company has been pushing hard into the all-inclusive space by introducing its well-known brands, like The Luxury Collection, into the know-what-you-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 emphasis on food and drink. Sure, Marriott could’ve put the W logo on any of the many all-inclusive resorts already in the portfolio, but my hope, as both a travel journalist and someone who truly enjoys the ease of an all-inclusive experience, was that this property would truly be the beginning of all-inclusives 2.0.

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After giving the resort, located about an hour from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), a little time to work out the opening kinks all hotels and resorts experience, I finally made my way there in late October.

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

First impressions

If the first impression is the most important, W Punta Cana and the team behind it (Spain-based MAC Hotels and Grupo Puntacana) understood the assignment. Guests are greeted by a stunning W-branded circle drive that leads into a massive open-air lobby space filled with plants, architectural water features and an overall sense of effortless luxury that few would expect from an all-inclusive resort.

Over the last few years, the W brand has grown up, ditching its sort of “in-your-face” design style for something more elevated and more approachable for every type of traveler who appreciates a beautiful, sleek hotel. Designed by Zanobia Arquitectura’s Giuseppe Violante, the entire property is also a living, breathing organism with plants that will only continue to grow and enhance its beauty over time.

I also have to give a shout-out to the incredible staff members who greeted us on arrival with fresh welcome drinks, luggage assistance and lots of energy. Hoshi, our rockstar W Insider, took care of us from before we arrived (with a welcome email highlighting the weather, activities and dining options) and regular check-ins during our weekend visit.

The rooms

W Punta Cana has 340 rooms for guests to choose from, all starting at 700 square feet and with bathtubs and king-size beds (even in doubles), ranging from entry-level options to swim-up rooms and suites that feel the size of houses. 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 homey, with picture-perfect views of the ocean and wind-blown palm trees.

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Before we arrived, the W team left vision board kits in the room for us that we put together while streaming a movie from the massive TV on the wall.

Across from the living room, our suite had a dining room with a large table and a wet bar area with a record player (and a special, curated selection of records for us), a coffee maker, snacks like chips and nuts, and a minifridge loaded with various beers (local and imported) and bottles of wine, sodas and juices.

The main bedroom had a cloudlike W bed that was difficult to crawl out of each morning, thanks to fluffy pillows and a soft duvet. The space was modern and chic, but once again, my eyes were drawn to the views outside.

The primary bedroom’s bathroom featured a large soaking tub, a rainfall shower, dual vanities with Davines products (the Momo shampoo is my favorite one in the world), and an incredible private outdoor shower that was surrounded by lush greenery. In the closet, Frette bathrobes added to the luxury experience.

The second bedroom had two king-size beds, proving that this suite is meant for people who really want to spread out.

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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.

During my time at the W, I also got the chance to see a standard room, pictured above. There, you get a beautiful soaking tub, ample closet space, a large TV and those uber-comfortable W-branded beds (which you can actually buy for your own home). Though the hotel spoiled us with the two-bedroom suite, I know I’ll certainly be back and beyond happy to crash in one of these rooms.

Dining at W Punta Cana

As an all-inclusive resort, all of your meals and drinks are included in the cost of your stay. There are many options for guests to enjoy, with a handful of restaurants open on a rotating basis. These options range from an experiential dining experience at Scena to Asian street food, a food hall experience, a Mediterranean-inspired beach club, a rooftop raw bar, multiple pool bars, a taproom and an eclectic speakeasy experience.

Here’s a brief rundown of what I experienced.

Scena

My favorite meal was at Scena, a Dominican and Caribbean fusion restaurant with a sort of choose-your-own-adventure tasting menu. This restaurant felt like a high-end experience I’d enjoy back in New York, not at an all-inclusive resort, well, anywhere. I thought the food was wonderful, creative and totally unexpected (as you can see in my photos 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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At Satsuma Rooftop, overlooking a rooftop pool and featuring a great fireplace to sit around, we enjoyed a good mix of raw dishes, such as tuna tartare and delicate pieces of nigiri. Again, this meal didn’t feel like anything you’d expect (or maybe even trust) from older all-inclusive resorts. It was delicious, especially alongside our bespoke gin cocktails recommended to us because Hoshi made sure everyone knew we loved gin and tonics.

Wet Deck

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For our poolside meal, hosted in a comfortable, shaded cabana, I ordered my trusted pool favorites: a poke bowl and French fries. Again, the raw elements of the meal were delicious, as were our mango and spicy margaritas.

33 1/3 Speakeasy

One morning, after someone from the hotel performed a series of impressive magic tricks for us, we were given a special card inviting us to the (kind of) invitation-only speakeasy. Though I’m positive anyone could get in if they asked around, it was a fun way to get the special invitation. And, once there, I really enjoyed the retro theme with lots of vinyl, old-school arcade games and moody lighting. It was the perfect spot to stop for a nightcap.

Outpost Cafe

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The resort’s coffee shop and bakery was a lovely place to grab an iced coffee, beautiful pastries (including a slew of gluten-free options) and even grab-and-go options (like salads, fruit, sandwiches, sodas and beer) to carry with you as a snack. The desert pastries, including mini pies and colorful tarts, seemed to be way above the standard all-inclusive offerings — a theme throughout the property.

A special surprise

On the morning of our first full day, I joked with Hoshi, our host, that we’d had a little too much fun the night before, enjoying drinks while we did our vision boards, so they insisted they bring us “the perfect hangover cure” delivered right to the room. It turned out to be sancocho, which is a rich Dominican stew with meat, potatoes, corn and rice. I’m not sure if this is a special “off-menu dish” you only get when they think you need it, but I really enjoyed it — especially knowing that the hotel was looking out for me.

Amenities and service

• From our waitresses at the pool to wait staff at dinner, the entertainment team and our personal hosts, every person we interacted with was beyond kind, full of energy and ready to help.
• W’s Fit gym offers all the classic workout equipment, plus sauna and steam rooms.
• There’s an ocean-facing infinity pool with cabanas, as well as the Chill Pool, featuring additional seating and various entertainment options throughout the day.
• The tropical Away Spa offers various treatments, relaxation areas, an impressive hydrotherapy pool with different jet experiences, and more.
• A rotating menu of activities includes spiritual healing experiences (like a cacao ceremony), rotating DJs, fitness classes and more. It’s easy to find out what’s going on by talking to your personal host.

Location and logistics

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

What it costs to stay at W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive

Cash rates at this game-changing 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

The W Punta Cana offers a number of accessible rooms, including rooms with roll-in showers and grab bars, and rooms with hearing-accessible features and visual alarms. As always, TPG recommends speaking directly with the hotel before booking to confirm that it can accommodate specific accessibility needs.

Bottom line

I’ve stayed at dozens of all-inclusive resorts over my career as a travel journalist, but few have had me making immediate plans to get back ASAP. From creative, high-end food and great cocktails to incredibly fun and friendly staff members — plus beautiful design, an incredible pool and dreamy beaches — I couldn’t ask for anything more, except for maybe a few more nights to soak it all in.

The downside of the hotel is that it is expensive, in both points and cash, but you have to factor in that all of your meals and drinks are included. Having recently stayed at the new St. Regis Cap Cana, where cocktails were upward of $20 each, I was in fear of what my final folio would come out to — but there was no need to worry.

That’s the beauty of this new generation of all-inclusive resorts, with W Punta Cana as the shining star, at least at the moment: There is no sticker shock when it’s time to check out. All you have to do is kick back, relax and enjoy that W wow factor.

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