I was wondering whether anyone has made it to Santuary Cap Cana? I would appreciate any thoughts.

I sent a writer down there this winter, and she loved it. When our new Dominican Republic guide comes out a bit later this fall, we will be giving the Altabella Sanctuary our highest recommendation. Hope that helps. (I have not personally visited.)

Thank Doug, I appreciate the response. Despite the cumbersome name, the resort seems to be garnering great press.

I appeciate the recommendation.
Regards,
Ben

I am planning a trip to Santurary Cap Cana next July. I have read reports that the resort is in financial trouble with Lehaman Brothers folding. Many of the projects are not being finished. Also, what about restruants at the resort? Are they all open. Golf is our main reason for going. What other courses and resorts are nearby? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks

I was there recently. Sanctuary has a lot of issues. Many of the rooms looked unfinished, and occupancy has been very low. The golf course at CC is excellent. The restaurants were mostly open at Sanctuary, and very good. The rooms that are finished and operating were quite nice. Everyone who was there was asking for and getting upgrades to suites. In July, I would expect occupancy to be 15-20% tops. This was built to be a 5-star hotel, but they no longer have the money to devote to that kind of physical plant or service. The staff is largely OK, but the executives there are very full of themselves -- they seem to think that they are running a 100% occupied Amanresort. It is very helpful to speak Spanish, but not completely necessary. The Crockett steakhouse and Blue Marlin both had great food and very good service.

Cap Cana deserves to succeed. The global economy may doom it.