World's First All-Inclusive W Hotel (Punta Cana)

[SKY]

Marriott plans to open a W-branded all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic via a partnership with hotel developer Grupo Puntacana and MAC Hotels. The adults-only W All-Inclusive Punta Cana in Uvero Alto is expected to be the first W in the Dominican Republic as well as one of the first all-inclusive W properties in the world.

Marriott plans to open an all-inclusive W Hotel in the Dominican Republic - The Points Guy

The world’s largest hotel company isn’t losing focus on all-inclusive resorts or the Caribbean anytime soon, it appears.

thepointsguy.com

 

[windeguy]

I guess the Cabarete W isn't gong to be first. Oh well.
It is all about Punta Cana these days.

 

[NALs]

March 14, 2023
Several the major newspapers of the Dominican Republic.

The W Resort will be the first modern luxury all-inclusive of the DR and it will open in the summer of 2024.

 

[Big]

This is really great news. People that like to make their vacation plans around an "all you can swallow" food display, have a new place to graze.

 

[Kipling333]

Never seen landscape like that in Punta Cana , the artist has a fertile imagination.

 

[Big]

Never seen landscape like that in Punta Cana , the artist has a fertile imagination.

good observation. Also, the people in the lobby are all wearing business attire, not one is wearing the requisite flowered swimsuit and crocs.

 

[JD Jones]

So this will be a 4 star hotel since there's no 5 star hotels here?

 

[william webster]

There’s no denying it, DR is a prime tourist destination and therefore attracts some hefty investors from the hotel sector

 

[SKY]

A short list from Travel Experts. .................And there are better hotels that are not even listed here. Check the photos. No Motel 6 listed yet...............

5-Star Hotels in Punta Cana​

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g147293-zfc5-Punta_Cana_La_Altagracia_Province_Dominican_Republic-Hotels.html

 

[Kipling333]

The criteria for giving 5 stars is so broad that there is a huge difference in the various 5 star hotels . It is a bit like Bangkok where they say that there are about 50 or so 5 star hotels but in reality only two, the Oriental and The Peninsula are truly luxurious .Similarly in Singapore and in Hong Kong . The hotel industry here in the DR seem to know their market very well and have concentrated on 4 star and lower 5 star hotels with medium level prices. All tourists like to think that they will be staying at what is deemed to be a 5 star hotel , even if it may be a fairly ordinary 5 star one. I have no doubt that this W hotel will be in the same mould. I hope that they can improve the operations at the Airport .

 

[flyinroom]

Discussions about whether or not a hotel is actually 5***** could go on ad infinitum.
In my experience many of these operations start off offering visions of grandeur until cold hard reality sets in.
It doesn't take much to lose a star, especially in the Dominican Republic.
Staffing issues.
Building issues.
Food and beverage issues.
The quality begins to fall in all areas.
lol.
The same thing happens with restaurants.
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

 

[playacaribe2]

So this will be a 4 star hotel since there's no 5 star hotels here?

While a 5* list is quite subjective, there are truly maybe 2 or 3 AI hotels that would qualify to even be considered a 5*......................the rest are only wishing they could be real 5* properties.

And that is ok, because the tourist market of the DR does NOT currently cater to that limited crowd. They are, as most know, a mass market AI destination and while true 5* destinations pride themselves on a host of criteria......................one of them is exclusivity. Something not yet available in the DR.

The closest that the DR comes, at least currently, are probably the hotel properties in Cap Cana (Zoetry, Eden Roc, and Tortuga Bay which is not an AI).

The closest 5* AI that I have ever personally stayed at would be the Jumby Island Resort of Antigua.

Perhaps one day they will have a real 5* AI resort, but then again why. They are doing just fine in their mass market endeavors.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[Big]

any place that gives out all you eat bacon, hash browns fried in bacon grease and bacon wrapped hot dogs is a 5 stars destination to many.

 

[JD Jones]

any place that gives out all you eat bacon, hash browns fried in bacon grease and bacon wrapped hot dogs is a 5 stars destination to many.

And what's wrong with bacon, hash browns fried in bacon grease and bacon wrapped hot dogs?

 

[chico bill]

At some point the only bit of DR culture visitors to Punta Caña will see is at the airport.
AI hotel after AI hotel arsehole to elbow. Only the beach lounges are different colors from one to the other and bonus - it's all covered in seaweed.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Discussions about whether or not a hotel is actually 5***** could go on ad infinitum.
In my experience many of these operations start off offering visions of grandeur until cold hard reality sets in.
It doesn't take much to lose a star, especially in the Dominican Republic.
Staffing issues.
Building issues.
Food and beverage issues.
The quality begins to fall in all areas.
lol.
The same thing happens with restaurants.
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Marriott International appreciates the coaching points, Fly.