TRAVEL FAR
To beach or to pool? That is the only question at relaxing Eden Roc Cap Cana. Order up a fresh fruit cocktail at the Beach Club, which sits on the property's Blue Flag-certified private beach.
ISLAND CALLING The Dominican Republic is an easy escape
S Right: The writer and her college bestie cruising in the provided golf cart. Below: Dive into the temperate, aquamarine waters at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic.
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M AY 2 0 2 2 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D
ometimes the journey to a destination is part of its appeal, with puddle jumpers and water taxis adding to the anticipation. But for a recent 72-hour getaway, I wanted to keep it easy. The fewer details that needed planning, the better. I set my sights on Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic for a long weekend. The direct flight from Atlanta to Punta Cana was an easy 3.5 hours, and the resort was a 15-minute car ride from the airport. No trekking required, plus loads of wellness activities at my fingertips. Perfect. Eden Roc’s 65 all-suite accommodations are set within Cap Cana’s 30,000-acre private, gated community. My traveling companion and I delighted in our newly renovated villa outfitted with a private pool and outdoor lounge, comfortable king bed and walk-in closet. The spacious bathroom is its own haven with a double-vanity, deep Jacuzzi tub, indoor rain shower and outdoor shower space where the tropical birds chirp at you from their palm tree perches. Multi-bedroom villas and one- to two-bedroom beach-
STORY: Karina Antenucci
front suites overlooking the ocean and adjacent to the main infinity pool are also available. A complimentary golf cart comes with each villa-style accommodation, and we had a blast traversing the property in it. Though we never hit any balls on Punta Espada, a pristine Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course that runs through the center of the property, we carted through a few of its paths and got lost on our way home one night. And an equestrian center was a leisurely 15-minute drive away. Between hiding from the sun under a beach hut, swimming laps in the turquoise ocean and sipping cocktails made with fresh fruit juices at the beach bar, I visited the Eden Roc Spa by Natura Bissé. The Signature Massage and a facial utilizing Natura Bissé’s energizing dry oil and nourishing skin care products made momdom and solopreneurship feel far, far away. After the treatments, I used the sauna followed by the “ice room,” a verifiable ice maker where you grab some ice and give your skin a rubdown to close your pores. The wellness experiences are
