He didn’t want play features in his luxury resort… until his grandson changed his mind
Design and installation of water play for hotels and resorts in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, with Waterplay equipment.
At ACL Projects we faced a challenge we’ll never forget: the St. Regis Cap Cana Resort —one of the most exclusive luxury destinations in the Dominican Republic, part of the Marriott International portfolio— didn’t want any children’s play features at first. And that’s how one of our favourite stories began.
How it started: a firm “no” to children’s play
When we sat down with the property, the message was clear: they wanted to preserve the tranquillity and sophistication of the hotel and its exclusive residences. No children’s play that might break that elite atmosphere. For a brand like St. Regis — a byword for impeccable service and elegance — the concern made complete sense.
We understood it. But we also knew something from experience: well-designed water play doesn’t break a resort’s elegance. It elevates it. We just had to prove it.
The turning point: a grandson, a pool and a change of heart
And the proof arrived on its own. As it happened, the owner’s grandson had been playing with our water features at the Santo Domingo Country Club, another project we’d delivered in the Dominican Republic. Seeing how happy and entertained the boy was, the owner changed his mind. Just like that. He decided to include water play at the St. Regis — and today he’s fully glad he did.
What we did: two projects with maximum aesthetic discretion
We delivered two water play installations: one for the hotel pool and one for the pool in the exclusive residences area. The brief was non-negotiable from the first sketch: respect the natural, organic line of the resort.
- Soft, elegant colours — nothing loud or bright.
- Elements that blend with nature, almost going unnoticed.
- Equipment by Waterplay, our Canadian manufacturer and a world reference in water play.
Everything meets the safety standards of IAAPA, of which we are official members.
The way we work
This story sums up how we work: we listen, we understand the client’s doubts, and we design bespoke until the result fits their vision. We don’t impose a catalogue. We adapt to the aesthetic, the architecture and, sometimes, even to convincing those who aren’t sure yet.
The result
The final result is beautiful, and the client was delighted with the decision he’d hesitated to make. For us, contributing to a brand as prestigious as St. Regis was an honour, and it’s now one of the projects we’re most proud of.
Looking for water play for your hotel or resort?
At ACL Projects we design, supply and install water parks and water play, playgrounds and kids clubs for hotels and resorts across the Caribbean. If you have a project in mind for your property in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas or anywhere in the Caribbean —even if you’re not sure yet— let’s talk.
