The minute you step off the boat onto the Victorian-inspired dock you feel worlds away from everyday life. “At Cayo Levantado Resort, our goal is to provide a unique, transformative experience where guests can reconnect with nature, culture and themselves,” says Ambar Grosch Rodríguez, sales manager at Cayo Levantado Resort. Guests are welcomed by their personal ambassador with the soothing sounds of merengue in the distance, and from there, the experience is as customized as you’d like.
Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic is an all-inclusive resort with 218 spacious guestrooms ranging from junior suites to signature villas, each one designed to reflect the beauty of its Caribbean surroundings. With a focus on wellness, the resort has designed four paths to satisfy whatever wellness need you seek. This means each guest’s experience is uniquely their own, from arrival on the dock to the short boat ride back to the airport. The four paths include:
RESTORE: This path invites guests to activate their bodies through innovative solutions that integrate high-performance metabolic programs. It’s ideal for those seeking to energize and stimulate their body, keeping them active and engaged throughout their stay.
RELAX: Perfect for those seeking tranquility, this path combines relaxation techniques, neuromuscular system recovery, heat therapies and massages to promote peace of mind and complete mindfulness. It’s designed to slow down the body and calm the soul.
REFRESH: A high-intensity program designed to invigorate, this path includes metabolic training exercises and a variety of activities that make you feel energized and alive. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking to recharge their body and spirit.
RENEW: This is a transformational journey that focuses on cleansing, releasing stagnant energy, and encouraging spiritual growth. It’s for anyone looking to break free from limitations and explore deeper aspects of their inner self.
“We focus on providing personalized service, luxurious accommodations, and immersive experiences that highlight the rich heritage of the Dominican Republic,” says Rodriguez. “From wellness retreats to cultural activities and curated dining experiences, we strive to create moments of genuine connection, relaxation and discovery that leave a lasting impression on our guests.”
The resort sits on the private island of Cayo Levantado in Samaná Bay, an inlet on the north coast of Santo Domingo. Not a rebranding but rather an entirely reimagined hotel, it officially opened its doors in 2023. Prior to its opening, the facilities were fully renovated to meet the highest standards of luxury. The architecture and design of the amenities here give it a feeling of always being there. Victorian-inspired luxury accommodations blend old-world elegance with modern sensibility. Innovations aim at sustainability and minimize ecological impact on the island. Water production and a bottling plant put condensation technology to work. Working with local ecologists, the resort is dedicated to preserving the reefs in the surrounding waters as well. “The resort was created from the ground up with a deep respect for the island’s authenticity and culture,” says Rodriguez. “We are proud to be the only resort in the Dominican Republic located on an island, offering a truly exclusive experience.”
One- and two-bedroom villas provide private accommodations with patios and plunge pools while junior suites have terraces, some with plunge pools. Each room is appointed with Perricone products in the bathroom, bathrobes and slippers and luxury linens. Guests can request the pillow menu or scent menu as well as with turndown service among room services.
Wellness here addresses every part of the body, and guests can decide how much or how little to focus on their own body’s specific needs during their stay. Amenities include two pools, a spa, an outdoor Crossbox, personal training studio, beauty salon, a beach club, golf club and the newly added Yubarta, an elevated experience for personal growth and discovery, where guests can select from a number of programs including meditation, guided rituals, aerial yoga, cenote, a healing crystal cave, jacuzzi baths and a consultation with a nutritionist. The Yubarta is named after the humpback whale that visits the waters surrounding the island every year in late winter/early spring. Many humpback whales come to the bay to mate as part of their annual migration and the draw of experiencing this biological phenomenon brings guests to the island each year.
The island’s ecological environment is a big part of the experience at Cayo Levantado. “We place a significant emphasis on sustainability and the preservation of the island’s natural beauty,” says Rodriguez. Among the resort’s eco-friendly initiatives, are clean energy practices, organic gardens and biodiversity projects—all of which enhance the guest experience by allowing them to connect with nature in a responsible and conscious way. “We want our guests to not only enjoy the island’s stunning surroundings but also leave knowing that their stay contributes to the sustainability of the environment they’ve fallen in love with,” she says.
The resort plans to continue to expand and evolve to enhance the guest experience at Cayo Levantado, including new wellness offerings, cultural events and immersive island experiences. “As we grow, our focus will remain on ensuring that every guest visit is unique and memorable,” says Rodriguez.
