24 PROJECTS PROJECT 4
St. Regis Cap Cana Hotel and Branded Residences, Dominican Republic
The foundation design narrative for this luxury hotel lies in the ‘faceless doll’, a symbol of the Dominican Republic’s cultural plurality
WORDS BY TONY ROCK
IMAGES BY ST REGIS CAP CANA RESORT
Chapi Design, led by founder Tatiana Sheveleva, has created the interiors of the luxury St. Regis Cap Cana Hotel and Branded Residences in the Caribbean. The 200-key hotel, that opened this year, marks St. Regis’ first foray into the Dominican Republic, and it does so courtesy of Acebal Canney Arquitectos & Asociados and Chapi Design.
At the heart of Chapi Design’s approach is a commitment to meaningful luxury. Every material, from handcrafted textures to organic stone, is chosen for its resonance with the landscape. The foundation of the hotel’s design narrative lies in the ‘faceless doll’, a symbol of the Dominican Republic’s cultural plurality. Handmade by local artisans, these dolls’ faceless forms embody inclusivity, representing a collective identity that transcends individualism. Sheveleva integrates this motif throughout the resort, turning it into a visual language of unity – where colours represent the land and ornamentation echoes the spirit of the people. The resort’s lobby serves as the anchor of this narrative – a space that embodies the island’s biodiversity and cultural hybridity, with its mesmerising waterfall and striking sculptural staircase. Dubbed ‘The Meeting of All Palms’, the lobby’s design of contrasts merges sculptural forms, curated textures and artisanal finishes. The St. Regis Bar distils the essence of the faceless doll into an immersive cultural homage. The design speaks to the island’s history and contemporary spirit, intertwining local materials and textures with bold, sculptural lines that evoke a sense of shared identity. The space becomes a living gallery of the island’s vibrant culture, where details reflect the seamless blending of past and present.
In the guestrooms, a generous bedroom opens into a fluid, open-concept bath, where a statement tub – carved with organic grace –
PROJECT INFO
Client St. Regis Cap Cana Hotel and Branded Residences
Designer/architect Chapi Design
Completion date May 2025
KEY SUPPLIERS
Flooring Studio Arca
arcaww.com
Furniture
Shanghai Jiangfeng Furniture Group
Lighting Lasvit
lasvit.com
Lighting Studio Arca
arcaww.com
anchors the space. Custom accent tiles and layered lighting echo the island’s layered heritage. Inside and out, the rooms are a study in considered ease — layered seating, framed views, and materials that invite touch.
Flowing lines, dynamic textures and an architectural composition designed for movement create spaces that celebrate both tradition and festivity in both the ballroom and meeting rooms. The spa, meanwhile, draws inspiration from the island’s natural forces, and an interplay of water and stone mirrors the coastline.
Elsewhere, The Steakhouse Restaurant combines indigenous Taino, Spanish and African cultural influences through a rich material palette that reinterprets tradition in the context of modern luxury; the Three-Meal Restaurant is
inspired by the spirit of ‘desde adentro hacia afuera’ (from the inside out), with its core defined by an indoor waterfall that radiates outward into the lush natural landscape; the Cigar Club offers sweeping curves and smoky lines that evoke the natural elegance of a Dominican cigar; and the Pool Grill Restaurant pulses with the vibrant energy of merengue – the Dominican Republic’s signature dance – reflected in unvarnished, organic textures and flowing curves.
‘Translating layered cultural identities into immersive, living spaces is at the heart of what we do at Chapi Design – it’s our calling card,’ says Sheveleva. ‘With St. Regis Cap Cana, we sculpted a soulful portrait of the Dominican Republic, drawing from its land, its people and its pulse.
‘This is a place where nature and culture are formed together, a celebration of transformation – land moulded into art, water shaping the earth, and cultures harmonising,’ she explains. ‘From the cliffside vistas to the palm-lined beaches, every detail is deliberate, imbuing the property with a palpable sense of belonging. ‘In an era of design that often favours the anonymous and the global,’ Sheveleva continues, ‘our design philosophy leans deeply into the singularity of place, crafting an experience that is as rich in narrative as it is in tactile experience.’ With St. Regis Cap Cana, Sheveleva and her team have approached Caribbean luxury design not through excess, but through depth.
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