Sanctuary Town — Restaurant in Higüey

We loved the Sanctuary Cap Cana! The resort was GORGEOUS. The food was great. The drinks were wonderful. The staff was a lot of fun, super friendly and extremely accommodating. Some of our favorites with the staff who wen't above and beyond with service were: Our Butler Jorge (George), Baby G, Looky Looky, Kristina, Manuel and Wonder!

Our room was breathtaking with a gorgeous ocean view. We stayed in The Castle which was breathtaking. It is a little walk to the main part of the resort but we liked that it was more off the grid and they had golf carts available to take us if we wanted them. It had it's own bar and a gorgeous pool that overlooked the ocean. It also had a Gym, spa and the wok was located there.

Out of any resort we've been to this is the one we enjoyed the most. We wen't in October and it wasn't busy at all. There was no problem getting reservations at the restaurants and cabana's or lounge chairs by the pool (s) (they had about 4 pools to choose from which was INCREDIBLE - at the other resorts we've been to there's only one and it get's super crowded and kinda gross). Sometime's it felt like we had the resort to ourselves. Also, we really only had one day where it rained and it was on and off showers! We still got to lay by the pool. The rest of the days were sunny and a little cloudy which was perfect for that type of heat and humidity.

The beach front was pretty - the water was a little cloudy and the sand would get sea weed but they were on top of clearing that off. Plus, with the 4 pools we really spent most of our time at those.

All of the restaurants we tried had incredible ambiance and the food was great. We really enjoyed "Fusion" in sanctuary town. It's a must try for anyone who goes. It was a really fun experience where they have music and the menu/drinks are all a surprise and made right in front of you. The steakhouse was incredible. The WOK was a blast (but go hungry because if not it's a lot of food). The Blue Marlin has gorgeous views (right on the ocean) and more authentic Dominican food. Capriccio (Italian) was a gorgeous atmosphere (the food there though wasn't my favorite). Casabella was great for breakfast and lunch. They did a Dominican night at Casabella and that was our favorite... we loved trying the islands food.

Instead of going on an excursion this time we decided to try the spa. The Spa was absolutely beautiful. We did the Sanctuary Lover's package which was a massage for two with champagne, strawberries and a hot tub afterward. We would highly recommend that for future honeymooner's/anniversary trips. They also had a whole water entrapment that you do before your massage it was amazing. And made the spa experience...

For $1k USD/night on a 5 day birthday trip, we expected a Monarch private beachfront villa facing the resort side (not the public beach side that is never cleaned and REEKS of rotting sargasso grass). What we received was room 1004 -- with so much floral perfume sprayed in the AC vent that we couldn't breathe and had instant headaches. (The AC vent also dripped a giant puddle on the floor as well -- right in the middle of the walkway from the bedroom to the bathroom...so, not ideal and very dangerous).

On the advice of the staff, we opened up the Villa to air out and went to an inedible dinner at the seafood restaurant (where we had to push to get one of the many empty tables on the water, rather than sitting in the walkway at the hostess stand where she tried to seat us twice, nowhere near the ocean.) We did get a lovely table on the 3rd try, and that table has been the best thing about the resort so far (yes -- that one table with a lovely breeze for about an hour is the highlight of this resort). The grilled vegetable appetizer was rock hard/raw and yet also burned. The calamari tasted like salt brine and was very funky/fishy smelling, and the grilled snapper had a giant bloodline down the middle that made it inedible...so we haven't really eaten dinner (or anything for that matter) since we arrived yesterday.

Letting the room air out did NOTHING (since the smell was sprayed directly into the AC, it came back with a vengence the moment we closed the doors again.) The hotel's solution was to downgrade our $1k USD/night villa to a basic $500/night quren room (#6216) with a screaming air conditioner, a TV that can't be turned off or used (no remotes), set up for only one ne guest, and ZERO view or beach access.

When asked, we were told that maybe they could move us again the next morning...so much for waking up on my birthday and walking straight out to the ocean (as we had planned for 4 months when we prepaid the booking) -- video is of AC that maintenance just switched off since they couldn't fix it...so now we're left with a downgraded queen size room, a screaming AC that can't be used overnight, a stuffy/hot room, a TV that can't be used at all, only one set of guest amenities (robe, slippers, etc.) In the room, and we haven't slept or eaten since arriving yesterday.

Unfortunately, I have to cancel my spa appts this morning-- its hard to enjoy a birthday massage and spa day with a pounding headache from lack of sleep and knowing I have to pack, move rooms, and unpack for a THIRD TIME in less than 16hrs.

The property is lovely, but its been a rough experience so far. Will update this review as the...

In 2016 a new urban gastronomic escapade opened in Cap Cana: Sanctuary Town, an escapade for food and leisure. Located across from the Sanctuary Cap Cana Hotel, Sanctuary Town features 9 bistros, including themed posh bistros, two themed bars and a food truck with new approaches to the local culinary variety.

Sanctuary Town combines authentic ambience and unique décor on each venue. Its atmosphere will transport you to a different place and era; and each bite will be a delight to your senses.

What’s in Sanctuary Town’s gastronomic offer?

Beers of the World, is a traditional English pub where you can enjoy more than 40 beers from all around the world.

Mamma’s Forno & Pasta; your classic trattoria with traditional italian recipes.

´El Rincón de Paco´; a traditional Spanish tavern with a variety of tapas, meats and fine wine.

Fusión, Sense and Flavor; a variety of dishes from around the world, all prepared right in front of you.

Caribbean Bites; set in a traditional Puerto Plata’s house, here you’ll enjoy the most traditional Dominican dishes with the magic touch of the celebrity chef, Leandro Díaz.

The Sweet House; and old train station transformed into a unique ice cream shop

Añejos, Tobacco & Rum Museum; is a place to relax and enjoy the aromas of the best Dominican and international cigars as well as the premium dominican rums.

Coffee & News is a typical parisine coffee shop to sit back, read an international newspaper and enjoy a cup of delicious coffee.

Taco’s Truck; our famous Volkswagen Combi of the 70’s; the place to be for the most delicious tacos

Hotel guests, Cap Cana´s owners and visitors to the resort can enjoy this marvelous experience for succulent food, great treats and awe inspiring music. Sanctuary Town is your place for food & leisure.

Sanctuary Town opens everyday from 6:00 p.m.to 1:00 a.m. No Reservations required.   Open to all...