This is the real thing!!
Submitted: January 16, 2010
Stayed: December 2009
I won’t repeat what others have said, but underscore them. Other places tout luxury, but this is the real thing. It’s like walking onto a Hollywood movie set, or better, a real Beverly Hills “cottage”. Everything is of the utmost luxury and class, from the design of the property, to its construction, decoration (a lot of original art and artifacts) and setting. It has a feel that almost enforces relaxation. The house is built to feel completely open to the warm Carribean sun and air, but can be sealed up when the winds blow. The maid, Ingrid, is extremely personable and gracious (she understands only little English) and is a magical presence, with things getting picked up, washed, folded, tables set, food prepared (at your request) all day long. The pool and landscaping are exquisite, cleaned daily, and you can swim laps or just laze on a floating mat, or at poolside, for hours.
On the ranch, there seems to be about 1 staff person assigned to each 10 blades of grass. Theupkeep is impeccable, the place is very secure, and the ocean just a short walk away, with beautiful outcroppings (and a small beach) that you can sit on right over the waves and read.
A short (10 min) drive away is a very big grocery store on a par with any US store, with all the standard supplies and name brand foods (if you want them) and native ingredients. You can buy fruit from innumerable stands along the roadsides. You can find 2 very different kinds of large people-watching beaches in Cabarete and Sosua. In the ranch, the horse farm and riding is about the best in the DR, and the tennis center is quite nice, with “ballboys” around who are pretty excellent players (4.0-5.0), and can arrange a good game or play with you.
This place has absolutely none of the resort-frenzy feel; it is quiet, peaceful, just enough to do, and just enough not to do to make it an idyllic resting place. We came down with a full age range family (10-50+) and everyone loved it, w/o qualification. The younger ones adored the pool and “media room”, where we all watched movies at night.
Bruce, the owner, is extremely helpful and friendly, and facilitated arrangements for a number of things, as well as gave excellent advice about things to do in and outside the community.
If you come here, respect the atmosphere of this extraordinary community, treat the house as your own, and you won’t be disappointed!
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Pet-friendly,
Girls Getaway,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
Owner's Response: Thanks for the kind words only wish your kids had a chance to play with my new loving cat (one of the party was allergic so I moved her for the week) for she loves kids.
Hope to see you next year .....
Bruce
Helpful votes: 1/1
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