Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana is a luxurious, award-winning retreat in the Dominican Republic. It’s a five-star, luxury, all-inclusive resort, and I fell in love with my surroundings (and my swim-up villa) faster than you can say, “Flip-Flop.” (**FOOTnote: Indeed, images of the little rubber sandal are ubiquitous throughout the resort.)
I opted for the Morir Sonado service in the elegant St. Somewhere Spa – a lengthy treatment consisting of a sugar body exfoliation, a coconut milk mask, three-milks facial, and an oh-so-wonderful massage. As I started my posh pampering, my masseuse handed me a little coffee bean. “This is a gift for you,” she told me. “I want you to make a wish and this bean will make it come true.”
My wish? I remain a travel writer for the rest of my life. Doing what I do for work, am I not the luckiest girl in the world?
But you know – you can have the same luxury experiences I just had at Margaritaville – all you need to do is book your ritzy reservation.
My massage suite featured rose petals adorning the floor, lit candles, and fresh oranges all sliced up and ready to exfoliate me.
My tantalizing treatment began with a sauna and Jacuzzi in the hydrotherapy section of the spa. Then I was escorted to the thermal lounger – where my hair and head were wrapped, and cucumber slices were placed over my eyes. I lay still like this for about a half-hour – and felt very sleepy. It was very relaxing and set the tone for what lay ahead.
My tony treatment next — in a room named “Happiness” – was a shea-sugar exfoliation – with half of an orange used as a sponge! It was delightful, as was the aroma. I kept taking deep breaths and took in the calming atmosphere.
Next up was a probiotic coconut-milk masque painted onto my body, before it was wrapped up in a warm cocoon of blankets, as I dove into my sweetest dream.
As I lay there buffed and sloughed, it was then time for a three-milks facial to bring a glow to my complexion. It included a cleansing, exfoliation, and toner – and my skin never felt better.
What is more indulgent than soaking in luxurious milk while the scent of fresh orange enveloped me? I felt like a Creamsicle. It was time for an effervescent orange bath, complete with a vanilla bath bomb, and orange slices in the water. After effervescing there, it was then time for the full-body massage.
WOW was all I could think – this was a three-hour, sybaritic, joy-filled journey. After, I lay in the Relaxation Room with a cup of hot chamomile tea. Was I ready to take on the world? No way. It was time for a nap, and I returned to my villa and sunk into the comfy bed with its high-thread-count sheets (embossed with little Jimmy Buffet parrots). Ah, sweet slumber never felt better. Let the world keep turning – I was enveloped in luxury and it hit the spot.
