Under US$50

Casa ¿Por Qué No? (just north of the main intersection in town, tel. 809/712-5631, US$50 d) is a small bed-and-breakfast with only two rooms; it is only open November–April but is a lovely choice. The owners, Pierre and Monick, come from a long line of hoteliers so they know what they are doing. Each room is clean and nicely appointed, just like you are in the guest room of a family member’s home. Each has a private soft-water bathroom and includes a patio overlooking the flourishing and well-tended garden. Rates include a home-cooked breakfast served on your patio or in the garden itself with menu items like crepes, sensational French toast, and for a treat, homemade ice cream or cake.

Villa Casa Lotus (Playa Las Galeras, tel. 809/538-0119, www.casalotus.ch.vu/, US$40 per person and up) is a quaint guesthouse next to the sea, moments from the center of Las Galeras. It sits under a canopy of palm trees and has three double bedrooms and one single-bedroom apartment. All of the rooms have a private hot-water bathroom, and the apartment has a kitchen and can accommodate up to four people. Decor includes wood furnishings, mosquito-net canopies over the beds, exposed beam ceilings, and French doors to the lush tropical garden. The owner will prepare vegetarian meals for those who request them.

The seven clean and simple cabins of Paradiso Bungalow (Calle Principal, tel. 809/967-7295, US$27 d) each have their own cold-water bathroom, small porch with patio furniture, double bed, and ceiling fans. The bungalows are all in a plush garden 60 meters from the beach.

US$50–100

Apart Hotel La Isleta (tel. 809/538-0016, www.la-isleta.com, US$65), 100 meters from the center of Las Galeras, has six very captivating apartments, each with its own complete kitchen, private hot-water bathroom, and porch with a magnificent ocean view. Tastefully decorated with tropical colors, these cabin-like apartments with loft bedrooms offer a spaciousness that you just can’t get in a standard hotel room, making them particularly well suited to families. Each unit has a water cooler and TV. Weekly and monthly rates are available. Amenities include a barbecue, Jacuzzi, and bar.

There are 10 apartments of varying size in Apart-Hotel Plaza Lusitania (Calle Principal, tel. 809/538-0093, www.plazalusitania.com, US$60–100 per apartment). The smallest is a one-room flat with two beds, and the largest is a two-room flat with six beds. All apartments have small kitchenettes, private baths, and tile floors throughout, and are decorated with island furniture and art. All have balconies and are kept very clean. This hotel is on the second level of a shopping area that includes a grocery store and a restaurant that serves Dominican and Italian. Rates include breakfast. Parking is free.

Juan y Lolo Bungalows (Calle A 313, tel. 809/538-0208, www.juanylolo.com, US$40–120) is one of the best bungalow rental companies in Las Galeras. All bungalows are tastefully decorated and have kitchens, bathrooms, and patios. The style of the bungalows varies considerably, from Caribbean thatch-roofed simplicity to a Columbus-era bungalow complete with Queen Isabella–inspired furniture. All have incredible rates for what you get.

Romi Caraibes (1 km inland from the beach, tel. 809/538-0193, romicaraibes.free.fr, US$70 d) is hidden from the road behind a large iron gate. If you speak French or Spanish, you’re in luck, because this is a wonderful place to disappear from the world. The four rooms at this bed and breakfast, owned by a hospitable French couple, are very clean, modern, and spacious. Enjoy quiet afternoons taking a dip in the pool or lazing about in the garden. Also available are wireless Internet and a pool table. All rooms have air-conditioning, cable TV, refrigerators, safes, and soft hot water. Family-style breakfast is included in the price of your room.

A few paces west, you’ll find Sol Azul (1 km inland from the beach, tel. 809/882-8790, www.elsolazul.com, US$52 d). This delightful thatched-roof bed and breakfast has four rooms and a swimming pool. It’s run by a friendly Swiss couple, who have truly made this a romantic getaway. From the white mosquito netting draped over all the beds in the warm glow of the terra-cotta walls to the private patios that lead to a garden with a fantastic pool where you can wash off the heat of the day or take a nap in one of the hammocks, this place will caress you with tranquility. But you won’t be too disconnected if you don’t want to be since they have wireless Internet too. Breakfast is included, and sometimes a barbecue dinner is cooked alfresco by the pool. They’ll let you know—it’s all very relaxed here. French, German, English, and Spanish are spoken here.

US$100 and Up

Todo Blanco (Beach Road East, tel. 809/538-0201, www.hoteltodoblanco.com, US$100 d) is set back in a leafy garden from the main road that leads from Las Galeras along the beach, which makes it a very quiet oasis for a peaceful vacation. The rooms are large and have balconies (request an ocean view and air-conditioning if you prefer). All have hot water and a safety box. A restaurant on-site serves breakfast only at an additional rate.

On the curved bay of Playa Las Galeras is the plush oasis at Villa Serena (tel. 809/538-0000, fax 809/538-0009, www.villaserena.com, US$160 d w/air-conditioning in peak season), a white, two-story, Victorian-inspired hotel. One of the most charming things about the hotel is that all 21 rooms are decorated differently, adding to the unique experience. All rooms have private balconies and face the ocean. Not all the rooms have air-conditioning, but those on the second floor receive a very refreshing sea breeze. This hotel is a very romantic honeymoon spot (ask about the free honeymoon package when staying a minimum of five nights) and is great for those wishing for tranquility. A small pool surrounded by natural stones sits between the hotel and the sea among the garden’s color-bursting tropical plants and palm trees. The other fantastic reason to spend the rather hefty rate on this hotel is the restaurant. Guests can enjoy Dominican and French cuisine at one of the best restaurants in the town of Las Galeras. Rates include breakfast. Tours can be organized, and free bicycles and snorkel gear are available for guests.

© Ana Chavier Caamaño from Moon Dominican Republic, 4th edition