Vacation Rentals by Owner

Not Enough Space to Describe How AMAZING Villa Celeste Was!

Guest: Randi (New York City/LA)
Date of Stay: 05/10/12 Review Submitted: 05/23/12

My fiance and I were beyond pleased and impressed with our stay Villa Celeste. In fact, we extended our trip because we didn't want to leave! Everything was perfect. The house was beautifully decorated and well kept. Dorka was an amazing cook, and super sweet-even helped us arrange a poolside manicure pedicure at the house! Franklyn was reliable and gave us impeccable service. He went out of his way to help us find great shopping deals on our trip, and knows the area well. I felt safe and secure the entire stay and Celeste was always prompt and available if we had any questions. Sousa and Cabarete were fun to visit, but we had everything we wanted and needed for a relaxing stay without even leaving the property. We will definitely be visiting again! :)

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Retirement party

Guest: Anne (Portsmouth New Hampshire)
Date of Stay: 04/19/12 Review Submitted: 05/20/12

Our stay at Villa Celeste can only be discribed as amazing!! It was perfect for our family of 11 to vacation! The villa is beautiful and Mari and Dorka kept it spotless and provided us with some delicious lunches! The kids spent all day in the beautiful pool and jacuzzi. The beach is beautiful and perfect for swimming and surfing! We got up early every morning for some gorgeous sunrises and to watch the ranchers excercise their horses. Wonderful photo opt! We ate at Chez Arsenio most evenings and the food was delicious! The staff was very friendly and accommodating. They also delivered meals to the villa! We slept in the upstairs bedroom with the windows wide open! The sounds of the ocean and the warm breezes lulled us to sleep every night! Perfect!!! We used taxis for shopping and sightseeing and the staff was very helpful making the arrangements. Celeste was always available to answer questions and had everything perfect for our arrival! We have some wonderful memories of our stay at this wonderful villa! Thank you Celeste for sharing your beautiful home with us! I have already shared this website to friends who are planning a trip to Villa Celeste!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Villa Celeste

Guest: Sue (Golden Valley, Minnesota, USA)
Date of Stay: 03/23/12 Review Submitted: 04/10/12

Villa Celeste exceeded our expectations in every way. The pictures on the website don't do it justice. The house and grounds are absolutely beautiful. We loved walking the beach, playing in the pool, reading and relaxing on the covered patio, cooking dinner on the grill and using the jacuzzi at night. We found everything to be very clean and well maintained and the staff were friendly and helpful. Franklyn was our driver/guide/friend and he was outstanding. He took us on several excursions which were very fun - the beach at Playa Grande, the Blue Lagoon, the 27 waterfalls, shopping and dinner in Cabarete, shopping and discos in Sosua. We loved every minute of our time in the DR and Villa Celeste. We hope to return!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Spring Break 2012

Guest: Yira-Miriam (Miami)
Date of Stay: 03/12/12 Review Submitted: 03/25/12

Our group stayed at Villa Celeste for 5 days, we have two words to describe it "GORGEOUS & IMPECCABLE". The pictures online do not do it justice. The house is spacious, very clean with an amazing ocean view. The ladies helping around the house, Dorka and Mari were so great; Mari's cooking is DELICIOUS. The house is guarded 24 hours a day and the gentlemen were super friendly, we felt very safe there which played a big part since we had 6 children under the age of 10. The beach is a bit rough but we found a small area where our young children could play and the adults could relax and enjoy the view. We did horseback riding right on the beach and got picked up right on at house which was excellent. I must highly recommend the restaurant on the premises "Chez Arnesio", the food was incredible. We ordered and they brought it straight to the house with great service and very reasonable prices. The town of Cabarete has a nice area with great restaurants on the beach and a few night clubs/bars. We had dinner one night at Casita de Papi and it was very good. The place next door to it, Miro, had a great menu as well. The house is pretty close to the town but not walking distance. We used a taxi one night recommended by Dorka who was such a great guy and extremely responsible. We called him at the end of the night and he went to pick us right away at the town. Franklyn also helped us arrange our transportation from Santiago to Caberette. The bus wasn't as big as we expected it for our big group but it worked out. Franklyn also brought us to Sosua one night so we can experience the night life. We liked Cabarete better than Sosua, but its just our opinion. We didn't do to much outside the house during the day as we wanted to really just relax on this vacation. Overall, our group had an amazing time and we have no words to describe how wonderful and helpful Celeste was with us during the planning of our trip and even while we were at the house; quickly responding to our needs. Celeste, THANK YOU! I have already forwarded the site to friends and family who are planning to book Villa Celeste in the near future.

Owner response:Thank you ladies for all you kind remarks ! I am delighted you had a wonderful vacation . I really appreciate you sharing some pictures with me and I will bring copies for Dorka and Mari on my next trip. I hope you have a great summer and I hope you come back to visit soon . Celeste

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Villa celeste

Guest: Mr John (Australia)
Date of Stay: 12/28/11 Review Submitted: 01/09/12

Stayed here for a week with my family in January 2012. Cannot speak highly enough of the villa. It was spotlessly clean, very well maintained. It has all the conveniences and is a magnificent spot. You must use Franklyn for transport lovely man and great sense of humor. Recommend the Blue Lagoon and lunch on Puerto Playa. Fun day. If you have kids take them to Extreme Hotel for the circus skills. Paul is very well organized. Mostly just enjoy the beautiful Dominican Republic.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Simply Perfect!

Guest: Kerri (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 11/19/11 Review Submitted: 11/28/11

We just got back yesterday from spending 6 nights at Villa Celeste and it was one of the best vacations we have been on. We went with another family and the layout was perfect with the 2 master bedrooms. Another great thing about the sleeping arrangements is that each bedroom had their own bathroom and king sized beds. When you first walk in you will be blown away by the view that opens up onto the pool with the palm trees and beach. The beach was great because it pretty much feels like it is your own private beach. We spent every day swimming in the clear warm water completely undisturbed by anyone. The house itself is also meticulously cared for. The staff does an amazing job keeping the house tidy and are very respectful about giving you space to enjoy yourself. We had our 20 month son with us so we appreciated the fact that they had a crib and highchair for us to use (which looked brand new!). The location is perfect as well in that it was so close to both Cabarete and Sosua in order to visit their beaches and restaurants. We ate several times at the on site restaurant (Chez Arsenio). It was so quaint and the service was always friendly. They really aimed to please and the minute you walk in you feel you are on vacation with the open air dining area right next to the pool and with the unobstructed ocean views. Arsenio was such a nice guy and we also were able to buy ice and milk from him without having to go to the grocery store. We rented a car which we thought was well worth it. For excursions we went to Monkey Jungle (Sosua) and really enjoyed the views, time with the monkeys, zip lining and burgers for lunch. The people who work/run the operation were so friendly and the overall experience was 1st class. Another day we went to the 27 waterfalls (damasaguas) and by getting there at 10 am we were able to avoid the crowds. This is a do not miss experience. So beautiful and truly unique. For restaurants we went to: The Waterfront (Sosua), Pomodoro (Cabarete), Casi de Papi (Cabarete / great Shrimp!), Natura Cabana (bt Sosua and Hideaway). We also ate at Arsenio's quite a bit and cooked at home several times. There is a very large grocery store in Sosua where you can stock up. We also used Merlin Diving in Sosua which was top notch and rented horses to ride in the beach. Celeste the owner is very responsive to email and provided us with restaurant recos that were all great. I could go on and on about how perfect it all was!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Family Getaway : From-Tyler & Beaumont Texas

Guest: julian r.
Date of Stay: 06/30/11 Review Submitted: 07/12/11

Villa Celeste was a perfect family getaway, large or small!!! We just got back from a 10 day stay with 5 Adults and 6 children all under 12 and had a wonderful time. The staff did an excelant job and they kept the home spotless!!! MUST have them cook breakfast and lunch, they are great cooks!! Beach was great and the kids enjoyed the water, waves weren't to big, but the under toe is pretty strong. Plenty to do and see. Celeste was extremely helpful and every recomendation was top notch. Plenty of security and we always felt very safe!! ****The food in this country is the best!!!! We ate at some places that were not on the recomendation list, and we never made a bad decision...when in doubt, go with the SEABASS!!!! There is a restaurant on site and it is also great!!***** Franklin was our driver, set up by Grisell (the villa concierge) and he was great!! He knows everybody and we always felt very safe!! Recomendations: 1) Monkey Jungle Zip Line (3/4 Day event) *expensive, but worth every dime!! Our youngest that attended was 6 and they said they have had children as young as 4 do it. American owned and safty was a top priority!! Great food too! All the money goes to a medical center on site and is an American 501c3, so the day is a TAX DEDUCTION!! 2) Sousua Ocean Village (Day long event (we went here 2 days)) *Cheap day of fun...especially for kids. Great food and great atmosphere. 4 pools, Golds Gym, full service spa, and HUGE water slide. 3) Golf Playa Grande 1:10 drive, but beautiful views, course in good shape,carts are terrible and caddie was great (Marteen) Playa Dorado 30 min drive, course was in good shape, pretty, but nothing like playa grande, but a lot easier travel. Good caddies too.

Owner response:Thank you Julian for your wonderful comments and recommendations. I think they will be very helpful for future families with children, I am delighted to hear that you and your family had a great stay at Villa Celeste . It sounds that everyone got to enjoy some of the wonderful things the Cabarete area has to offer. The staff will be happy to know that you were pleased with them . They work very hard and their goal is to deliver good service. I hope the family did not mind getting spoiled ! Have a happy and healthy summer and hope you come back to visit soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Extraordinarily beautiful villa

Guest: Semira (New York City, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/26/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

I recently stayed at Villa Celeste over Memorial Day weekend and can honestly say that this home, and staff, completely exceeded my expectations! While the pictures on this website are undoubtedly beautiful, they are unable to capture the truly spectacular views and accommodations that the Villa provides. The rooms were meticulously kept and the décor classic, yet combined with a Dominican flare. The property is situated on the ocean so in the evenings, you can sit on the veranda with a drink and hear the waves crashing. Aside from the gorgeous home, the staff was incredibly helpful and was always willing to make our stay as comfortable as possible and decipher our broken Spanish. Everyone was more than willing to assist us in anything we needed – from daytime excursions to afternoon pina coladas to gourmet dinners in the evening. In addition, Celeste, the villa owner, was incredibly responsive and always available to answer my thousands of questions! She was accessible at any time of day and would always provide a prompt response to any email that I sent. While I prefer traveling to places of the world which I haven’t visited, I will absolutely return to Villa Celeste. I cannot recommend a more beautiful home and locale for a relaxing vacation! Thank you so much Celeste for allowing me to ring in my 30th birthday in such style! Please pass on my regards to Arsenio!

Owner response:Thank you Semira for your nice remarks about Villa Celeste. I am delighted to hear you had a wonderful vacation and we do everything we can to help it make it happened . Have a great summer and hope you come back visit soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Gorgeous!

Guest: Jen (United States)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 03/30/11

We were a group of 11 ladies on a relaxing vacation. The house is lovely, sits on some beautiful property, and the conveniences are wonderful. The two maids kept the place sparkling clean (we were a big group!) and the lunches that they made us were delicious. Rice, beans, chicken and meat dishes. Celeste was more than helpful, arranged for transport and frankie our driver make the occasional trip to the mercado for more presidentes. The property sits on a resort that is very quiet, no crazy nightlife, but cabarete and sosua were 5 mins in either direction and cabbies picked us up at specified times. Never dangerous. Thanks again for a great trip!

Owner response:Thank you Jen. We always like to hear our guess have a wonderful time at Villa Celeste. Glad you got to experience some of the unique things the area has to offer and hope you come back to visit soon . Celeste

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Live like a millionaire!

Guest: Rick (Cincinnati, OH/ USA)
Date of Stay: 03/12/11 Review Submitted: 03/22/11

You don't have to be a millionaire, but you can live like one at the Villa Celeste! We spent a fantastic week at the Villa Celeste which exceeded all of our expectations. The photos on the web site are beautiful, but they do not do justice to the real thing. The home is first class, well maintained and appointed. The house is perfectly situated on a large lot right on a private beach! My favorite spot was on the large covered patio which overlooks the pool (with hot tub) and the beach just beyond. The sound of the waves and cool breezes were very relaxing. The staff of Villa Celeste took great care of us and were very professional. They cooked several traditional Dominican dishes, which were very delicious. We had never travelled to the Dominican Republic, nor rented a house before, so we did not know what to expect. Everyone was great with helping us make our arrangements (such as booking a driver) and thinking of the details. We felt more confident knowing there was someone on site who knew what we needed and was around to ask questions if they arose. This was a great experience and the owner made everything so easy for us. We've been back in the states for a week and are still talking about it. Do not hesitate to rent the Villa Celeste, you will not be disappointed!

Owner response:Thank you Rick for your nice remarks about Villa Celeste So glad you enjoyed your stay. We are always delighted to know that our guess have a wonderful time at the villa and we do everything we can to help it happen. Hope you have a happy and healthy year and hope to see you back soon. Celeste

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Villa Celeste

Guest: Mr John (Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/28/11 Review Submitted: 01/06/12

This an amazing property. Beautifully presented, spotlessly clean in a prefect position for a relaxing holiday. If you chose I recommend the Blue Lagoon early and lunch on Puerto Playa beach. So many wonderful things to do in this part of Dominican Republic. Highly recommend using Franklyn for any trips you wish to do. Not only a good driver but a lovely man. We will have wonderful memories of our time spent in this wonderful Villa. Thank you Celeste for sharing you home with us.

Owner response:I am so glad to hear that you and your family had a great vacation and enjoy some of the wonderful things the North Shore has to offer. I hope you had a safe journey back to Australia and hope we see you back soon.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A wonderful villa

Guest: Susan (NY)
Date of Stay: 12/23/10 Review Submitted: 01/19/11

My family and I spent our 2010 Christmas holiday at the Villa Celeste. The house was beautiful, spacious and comfortable. I wish my closet and bathroom at home were as nice and large as the one at the Villa. Our favorite room was the outside patio where we lounged away the day listening to the waves crash on the beach and music playing on the outdoor speakers. The staff was extremely friendly and went out of their way to attend to all our requests and needs. My only negative was that we really didn't swim in the ocean by the house. Perhaps it was the time of year, but the waves at our beach were extremely large, over 8 feet, making it impossible to swim. If you are a surfer this location is ideal. Despite this one negative we had a great trip and found many fun things to keep us busy. The Villa is perfectly located between Sousa and Cabarete where we discovered beautiful excellent restaurants to dine at each evening. We even went to a traditional Dominican buffet that featured a whole roasted pig at a local restaurant on Christmas Eve! I definitely would recommend the house and the location.

Owner response:Thank you Susan for your nice comments, I will pass it along to the staff. They take pride on their jobs and are there to attend to you. I am sorry to hear that there where high seas during your stay making the waves to big for swimming. Sometimes our coast can be affected by the large weather systems in the Atlantic and this past December was a stormy one everywhere and extreme. Have a Healthy and happy 2011 and hope to see you back soon Warm regards, Celeste

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

Amazing Villa

Guest: andy b. (Newport Beach)
Date of Stay: 11/18/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

I just returned from a trip with 8 friends and Villa Celeste was amazing in every way. The grounds and home were beautiful and it is great location and only a short drive to Cabarete. We ended up staying at an all-inclusive for 3 days after and realized we missed the Villa. I would definitely recommend this villa to any travelers.

Owner response:Thank you Andy, We are always pleased to hear that our guess have a great stay at Villa Celeste and our staff works hard to make that possible. I will pass it along . I am glad that you enjoy all Cabarete and the villa has to offer. Hope you see you back in the near future . Have a happy and healthy Holiday Season. Celeste

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A perfect holiday

Guest: catherine (Greenville, NC USA)
Date of Stay: 10/14/10 Review Submitted: 01/10/11

My stay at Villa Celeste was absolutely perfect in every way. The house met and exceeded all of my hopes and expectations. It is a luxuriously comfortable, spacious and beautiful home. It is exceptionally clean and well maintained. The house and grounds are beautifully designed and the beach is stunning. The water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming and snorkeling. I went to sleep and woke up listening to the waves and the breeze rustling the magnificent palm trees that surround the house. The staff were friendly and attentive and I always felt very safe and secure. The town of Caberete was was easy to get to. It is a sweet and picturesque place with gorgeous beaches, excellent restaurants and a variety of little (and bigger) stores and markets to keep just about anyone entertained. I loved walking through the town and discovering the many intriguing little alleys and parks. The people were exceptionally friendly and cheerful. I would recommend Villa Celeste unconditionally to my friends, as a perfect place to be.

Owner response:Thank you Katherine, We are always delighted to know that our guess enjoyed their stay at Villa . Glad to hear you had fun exploring around in Cabarete and where able to see how much the area has to offer. Hope to see you back soon

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Best house in the Dominican!

Guest: Northern Cali. (California)
Date of Stay: 03/25/10 Review Submitted: 04/20/10

Villa Celeste is amazing! The house is beautiful, fully stocked, very clean, super spacious... The grounds are immaculate... Myself and 12 other girls stayed there for a week and the house was the best part of our trip! The restaurant on the property is delicious. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. I would recommend Villa Celeste to just about any type of group looking to have a relaxing, fun vacation!

Owner response:Thank you Lisa, I am so gald you had a great stay at Villa Celeste. We hope you can come back and see us soon. Have a great summer!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Kyle15 (-)
Date of Stay: 02/24/10 Review Submitted: 02/24/10

I have rented more than a dozen different places on the beach for families vacations, but Villa Celeste is the only place that has exceeded every expectation.  The pictures show the beauty of the home, but they don’t capture some of the vital things to look for when vacationing in the DR.  The staff was friendly and helpful. This made a big difference in our trip, especially since everyone in our party only knows “un poco espanol”.  The area was secure and safe. The gated entrance and the full-time security is must when vacationing there. There’s plenty more: The neighbors were friendly. They landscaping was gorgeous. The beach was clean and private. The kitchen was nicer than the one we just remodeled at home! Each of us loved something different : My daughters loved riding horses on the beach. My son would stay in the pool all day. My wife enjoyed sitting in the hot tub in the evening and listening to the waves. I loved laying in the back yard hammock just a few feet away from the beach.  At the end of our week, as we were heading to the airport to catch our flight home, my 11 year old summed up the experience for our entire family. She asked, When can we come back?

Owner response:Thank you Kyle, I am so pleased you and your family had a wonderful vacation and a safe trip back to Louisville KY. I hope to see you back soon.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/18/10 Review Submitted: 02/18/10

We spent 7 days at Villa Celeste in Feb, 2010. There were 3 adult couples and the villa, the beach, the location and the staff were above expectations. The pictures of the house speak for themselves. Everything is first class. The location is perfect between Cabarete and Sosua so you have a choice of beaches from completely private to the active beaches with services, water activities and restaurants. Doing business with Celeste is a pleasure and she goes out of her way to make your stay as comfortable as possible. When we return to Cabarete, we will stay at Villa Celeste again.

Owner response:I am so pleased you enjoyed the Villa , the staff and all that the area has to offer. Thank you for taking the time to write your comments and we hope to see you back soon. Celeste

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Guest: Linda Dausey (Tybee Island, Georgia)
Date of Stay: 01/22/10 Review Submitted: 01/22/10

Villa Celeste was an outstanding property overlooking the Atlantic ocean with all the amenities of a top rate resort. The attention to detail within the interior design as well as the exterior landscaping was beautiful. Our family of eight adults and four children ranging from 2 to 18 enjoyed our stay at Villa Celeste to the upmost. We found wonderful restaurants in Sosua and Puerto Plata, as well as Cabarete...Some of the girls utilized the nearby surfing schools and actually became quite proficient within the beginner waves...ha!ha! The staff were extremely professional and caring as well as the security staff. the nearby restaurant, Orsenios, was thoroughly enjoyable and it was so pleasant to sit at the edge of the property watching the surfers as we dined. We highly recommend Villa Celeste and can reassure you that your visit will be one wonderful fond memories. Linda D.

Owner response:Thank you Linda, I am delighted to know you and your family had a wonderfull New Years at Villa Celeste. I appreciate your comments and I will make sure I pass them along to the staff. I wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2010. Hope to see you again soon. Celeste

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/22/09 Review Submitted: 07/22/09

We just spent a week at Villa Celeste, and it was absolutely spectacular! We are a large group (6 adults, 6 children age 9-13) and everyone had a wonderful time. The beach just outside the villa was sandy, secluded, and with a gradual dropoff perfect for the kids. The pool and hot tub were also favorites for all. The villa itself was fabulous, with more than enough room for all of us. The DVD projection system was like being at the movies! Add to this the amenities of a resort -- we arranged horseback riding, beachfront massage, snorkel expeditions, all through the on-site manager. Security was excellent. Also made several trips to the beaches in Cabarete and Sosua, and swam with dolphins at Ocean World. The Dominican people were all extremely helpful and friendly. Everything went extremely well. Too bad it had to end! Wish I was still there in the hammock overlooking the beach.... Thanks Celeste! - Paul G.

Owner response:Thank you Paul. I hope you and your family come back to see us soon. Celeste

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