Marriott International will debut The Luxury Collection Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic in Q4 2026 with a tropical destination spa called Playa Serena Spa.

The property is owned by Grupo Puntacana and the 1,200sq m spa has been designed by Ana Ramirez of Kala Design Group. Other collaborators on the project include Lynn Curry of Curry Spa Consulting; interior design by Susurrus and landscape architecture by Maat Handasa.

The concept design stage started in 2024, with the construction and fit-out to continue through 2026 ahead of the grand opening of the hotel and spa towards the end of the year.

The concept and design

Ramirez spoke exclusively to Spa Business about the spa’s design: “My role was to create a sanctuary where architecture, nature and indigenous inspiration converge in an awe-inspiring and enchanting journey. 

“Conceived as a curated retreat and apothecary, the spa translates the spirit of the Caribbean into a space where filtered light, cascading water and tactile materials awaken the senses and celebrate the land’s healing power,” continued Ramirez.

She described Playa Serena Spa as a living sanctuary sculpted from the earth, inspired by the Taíno sun god Yúcahu Bagua Maorocotí, a symbol of vitality, light and life. The architecture has been crafted to embody the island’s natural rhythm, merging biophilia, sacred geometry and contemporary wellness design.

Rammed-earth walls in warm terracotta tones echo the Caribbean soil in order to ground the senses in warmth and texture. 

Ramirez added: “Skylights channel sunlight from above, recalling Taíno caves once believed to bridge the human and spiritual worlds. Each space becomes a vessel of light, where the natural elements interact to create a meditative flow.

“Hanging gardens, natural pools, and handcrafted details soften the architecture, dissolving boundaries between inside and outside,” she said. “The result is a sensorial journey where water murmurs, shadows shift and tropical botanicals awaken a deep state of serenity and renewal.”

Lynn Curry told Spa Business: “Working with Ana and her amazing team has been inspirational, very productive and magical throughout the design process.  Ownership has been a wonderful client for us all – open to the unique guest experiences we have been creating.  

“We are very excited about this project, the connectivity to nature it will bring and the combination of wellness in the treatment room and in the waters,” said Curry.  “This spa will bring joy immediately to guests upon setting foot in this tropical haven.”

The pair shared that the spa’s target clientele will be discerning travellers within the 30-65 age bracket, including couples and wellness enthusiasts. They are expected to come from North America, Europe and Latin America.

The facilities

The spa will have seven treatment bungalows, five of which will be singles with private shower gardens. The other two will be double suites, with private steamrooms, a shower garden and a plunge pool – designed for multiple hours of relaxation and jungle immersion. 

Living Earthcrafts has supplied treatment beds and spa equipment.

There will be a social thermal area with a herbal sauna, hot and cold plunge pools, plus experience showers.

The spa’s hydrotherapy circuit will have a Watsu pool, reflexology experience and other water-focused rituals.

An apothecary will provide herbal mixology and custom-made skincare.

A full-service beauty salon will also feature at the spa, with equipment by Welonda and Gamma and Bross. 

Other spaces include a retail boutique, an air-conditioned relaxation lounge and an open-air relaxation terrace.

There will also be a yoga pavilion and a movement garden.

Treatments

The spa will have its own bespoke botanical line of skincare, crafted at the in-house apothecary. It will feature local herbs, clays and tropical essences.

Signature Rituals include:

• Sacred Sun Ritual – An energising therapy inspired by the Taíno sun deity, using solar-infused oils, rhythmic massage and sound resonance to restore vitality.

• Healing Clay Journey – A detoxifying experience with mineral-rich local muds, hydrotherapy and Watsu experiences.

• Caribbean Bloom Ceremony – A floral-infused ritual celebrating the island’s biodiversity through aromatherapy and tactile immersion.