Eden Roc ★★★★★

As the name suggests, the Eden Roc at Cap Cana truly provides a little (well, huge actually) slice of paradise in the Caribbean. Every day we spent there, we found ourselves pinching ourselves to make sure it was all real: the powdery, brilliant white sand seemingly stretching out forever; the gentle, clear turquoise waters glittering in the dazzling sun; the impossibly blue sky, the lush green golf courses, and the obligatory palm trees casting welcome pockets of shade across the sun-kissed landscapes. The setting is unequivocally romantic, and soon enough we found ourselves falling in love all over again – with each other, with this incredible island, and with our majestically luxurious hotel…

It may seem obvious just from looking at its five, thoroughly-deserved stars, but the Eden Roc at Cap Cana is all about luxury, transporting the upscale elegance and taste for refinement that you might find in Saint-Tropez or Portofino all the way to this idyllic corner of the Caribbean. Our detached private suite provided us with a beautiful sense of privacy and intimacy, as if we were all alone in our own island paradise. Of course, this impression was quickly shattered every time we ventured out to make the most of any of the restaurants, bars or almost endless leisure facilities; but still, what could feel more secluded than private dining on our own terrace or cooling off with a dip in our suite’s very own swimming pool?

On the inside, the suite was just as spectacular. Our bed was a sumptuous cocoon of comfort, thanks to luxurious linens and a cosy, goose feather duvet. Meanwhile, we enjoyed state of the art technology such as an enormous flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a Nespresso machine and even an iPad to control the lights, temperature, TV and sound system. The bathroom was like our own personal spa, resplendent in gleaming, cream marble, and including plush bathrobes, a sofa, an enormous marble Jacuzzi (comfortably big enough for two!), and a spacious shower unit to go with the outdoor rain shower. We could have stayed in our suite forever, wallowing in the Jacuzzi or sipping champagne under the canopy beside the pool. When we did want to leave, however, it couldn’t have been easier thanks to the complimentary golf buggy parked up outside.

There was no shortage of places to which we could zoom off in our little cart. The legendary Caribbean beach was, of course, the first stop on our itinerary. I felt somewhere between James Bond and Long John Silver as we sipped cocktails at the chic beach bar or took long walks along the soft sand to paddle through the shallows of an utterly secluded stretch of beach. Elsewhere, I also made sure to take our buggy back to its spiritual home, the golf course. The prestigious, Jack Nicklaus designed course is as beautiful as it is enjoyable and challenging, with one hole which even requires a tee shot over the calm, twinkling Caribbean water!

All that effort spent perfecting my golf swing would inevitably leave me feeling quite peckish, but fortunately it would be impossible to go hungry at the Eden Roc. Every night we were faced with a daunting but delicious choice between the two superb restaurants, or something slightly lighter in any one of the bars. Whether it was Mediterranean fine dining at the Mediterraneo or sumptuously fresh fish on a scenic terrace overlooking the water at La Palapa, we were never disappointed. The gifted chefs’ menus are inspired by years of research, making for a real culinary voyage which fuses the flavours of the Mediterranean with delicious Caribbean produce. Just for good measure, there is even an outstanding sushi bar to add to the resort’s international flavour.

Before sinking into our cosy bed, we always found time for a cocktail on the terrace in the dying light of the sun or a moonlit stroll along the beach. Discussion would turn to what we should do the following day: a soothing trip to the spa, perhaps, with its outstanding array of facilities, treatments and experiences; or maybe an energetic morning trying out some water sports followed by a lazy afternoon enjoying a wine tasting at the hotel; or how about spending the whole day on the beach and doing nothing at all… There were almost endless choice, but whatever we decided on, we could be sure that each day in paradise would leave us with memories to cherish for a lifetime. And we could count on winding up in exactly the same spot the next evening, watching the setting sun transform the sky from brilliant blue to gold and crimson to deep indigo with a refreshing drink in hand. Could it get any better?