PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic -- Calm, lo-fi beats reached my balcony at 9:01 a.m., as did the sound of palm trees rustling in the wind and the waves crashing onto the beach.
By 4 p.m., the soundtrack had shifted to DJ beats behind string arrangements of pop music covers, hinting at the coming transition to night.
I was at the W Punta Cana, the brand's first all-inclusive resort, an adults-only property that fully opened to guests last fall. This resort is one of more than a dozen Marriott International properties embracing an all-inclusive pricing structure between now and 2030.
I explored the resort while it hosted Marriott International's second annual Discover CALA Travel Summit, introducing travel advisors to hoteliers from across the Caribbean and Latin America regions. The company has big growth plans there, including more all-inclusives.
The W's large and airy outdoor lobby. Photo Credit: Andrea Zelinski
The W's version of an all-inclusive provides elevated service and food and beverage akin to what guests would find at a luxury resort with a la carte dining, said Alejandro Larrondo, the hotel's general manager.
In a first for the brand, the W Punta Cana offers a nonalcoholic package with mocktails, meeting the sensibilities of a growing clientele that doesn't drink alcoholic beverages.
"I believe that we are building something new" that appeals both to younger generations and W fans who have stayed loyal for more than two decades, Larrondo said.
The rooftop bar and restaurant serves up sushi, drinks and day beds along with beautiful sunset views. Photo Credit: Andrea Zelinski
Beachy vibe
Fun blue hues contrasted against sandy colors and textures in my room, giving off beachy vibes. In addition to the king-size bed, each room has a soaking tub, an indoor and outdoor shower, and a minibar with a bottle of Brugal Anejo Superior rum, plantain chips and locally brewed beer.
My room's balcony was large enough to host a medium-size party, although I enjoyed having the large, circular day bed all to myself.
Guests in floor-level rooms have a day bed and direct access to a long pool shared with other ground-level guests, although I saw no one swimming there during my stay.
Diversity of dining options
The Trade Market dining hall included a booth that sold pastries adorned with edible flower petals. Photo Credit: Andrea Zelinski
After ordering room service for breakfast one morning, my food arrived much sooner than I expected. The operator said my breakfast would arrive in 30 minutes, but I heard a knock after 15 minutes and was delighted to begin eating earlier.
The main dining hall, Trade Market, was a sound option. A half dozen food booths lined the large hall, each serving a different type of cuisine daily, with various roasted meats, sauteed pastas, Asian fare, salads and pizzas on offer. My favorite was the Asian booth, which one day cooked up custom bowls of fried rice with fresh beef, chicken, shrimp and veggies customized to the guest's taste.
A venue at the rooftop bar doubled as a restaurant, serving sushi. On the ground, other spots offered Pan-Asian noodle dishes, Mediterranean food and a blend of Caribbean and Dominican options, including chicharron, a smoky, crispy pork belly that was tender and juicy.
The drink choices were fun, with a variety of bright colors and fruity flavors that reflected the taste of the Dominican Republic. I was handed an orange Sea Glow, made with passion fruit, fresh lime juice, ginger syrup and soda; the glass was rimmed with Tajin seasoning. It was refreshing and sweet.
Other drinks had spiced pineapple and mace syrups plus tropical fruits like mango, passion fruit and papaya.
A speakeasy surprise
Latin rhythms kept the crowd moving at a speakeasy-style nightspot at the W. Photo Credit: Andrea Zelinski
As I roamed the W resort throughout my stay, the staff made me feel at home with smiles and greetings in English and Spanish.
I was most at home in the spa, where my masseuse's skills were as impressive as her dedication to caring for guests. I'd go back just to see her again.
After watching travel advisors enjoy the large karaoke room and listening to light music and conversation in the courtyard, it was 10:24 p.m. and the rumor of a speakeasy called me to investigate.
Behind a door (I won't tell you which one), Latin music pounded, energizing the crowd inside.
I walked through the doorway and saw graffiti of Garfield the cartoon cat and other spray-painted art on the walls, beckoning me up the stairs to a room of '90s-era arcade games, a bar with a creative menu and a DJ mixing songs that immediately got my heart pumping and my body ready to move.