Under US$50

The 41-room Hotel Frano (Calle Padre Abreu 9, tel. 809/550-4744, US$45) is a good value for the money. Rooms are comfortable with a private bathroom, air-conditioning, TV, and hot water. A restaurant on-site serves excellent Dominican food. You can experience the town of La Romana itself, but you’ll have to travel to see the beach.

Hotel River View (Calle Restauración 17, tel. 809/556-1181, hotelriverview [at] hotmail [dot] com, US$35) has comfortable and clean rooms with TV, wireless Internet access, and private, hot water bathrooms. Located on the river. These are very basic rooms, so if you have to stay here, ask for a room with windows.

US$50–100

Santana Beach Resort & Casino (Carretera San Pedro de Macorís–La Romana, tel. 809/412-1010, www.playasantana.com, US$85 d) offers an all-inclusive resort experience for a lot less money than Casa de Campo. It has four à la carte restaurants and one buffet, five bars (one of which is a swim-up bar in the pool), children’s activities with a separate pool, nonmotorized water sports, a fitness center, a casino that has free entrance and drinks, tennis, and nightly entertainment. Amenities include a medical center, optional excursions, and the Dominican Village, which has a beauty shop and a minimarket. A standard room (simple in design and decor) has two queen-size beds, air-conditioning and ceiling fan, cable TV, a stocked minibar, private terrace or balcony, full bathroom with shower and tub, and a safety box (at extra cost).

US$100 and Up

Casa de Campo (tel. 800/877-3643 or 809/523-3333, fax 809/523-8548, www.casadecampo.com.do, US$178–375 per night and up in high season) is the crown jewel of La Romana without a doubt. Some argue that it is the best resort not only in the Dominican Republic, but in the entire Caribbean. After all, celebrities vacation here. Bill and Hillary have been known to vacation here. Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley here. Julio Iglesias owned a villa here. Yes, it is the resort that appeals to the rich and famous, and it shows. The food is good, the reputation is better, and the amenities are the best of the best. It is more like a town than a resort.

The property is huge—it has its own beach, marina, equestrian stables, shooting gallery, tennis courts, world-class golf courses, many restaurants and bars, spa, even a full-size grocery store. It’s clean, walled off, and security is tight. All-inclusive packages include unlimited drinks, no menu restrictions, unlimited horseback riding, tennis, and nonmotorized water sports at Minitas Beach, and one round of 25 shots of skeet/trap shooting. Non-guests can buy a day pass at the information desk for US$40 (includes access to beach and one meal at a beachside restaurant).

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