Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful stay

Guest: Jo-Ann A.
Date of Stay: 02/14/12 Review Submitted: 03/03/12

Dear Cindy I have finally found a minute to do this email I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed staying at your villa. Walking into the house everyone was just amazed and kept saying "this is even better than the pictures" All your staff were wonderful. The food was delicious; they were so friendly and helpful with suggestions and the day-to-day activities of the household; everything was immaculate and stayed that way inspite of the 7 children and 8 adults. No-one cried when we left but we were very reluctant to leave. We have been singing their praises and telling everyone how great the experience was since we got back. If we have another opportunity we will certainly return. Thank you too for your patience in answering all our questions. best regards

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Fabulous vacation!

Guest: Kelly G.
Date of Stay: 02/14/12 Review Submitted: 02/27/12

Hi Cindy, I just wanted to let you know that we had a fabulous week in your villa! The house was great and very much lived up to our expectations. And as you said in much of your materials, your staff are fabulous. We did indeed want to bring them home with us!

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one week in paradise

Guest: BONNIE S.
Date of Stay: 02/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/26/12

I WAS THRILLED TO FIND THE VILLA THROUGH A FRIEND. THE VILLA WAS LARGE AND GRACIOUS. SIPPING DRINKS SO EXPERTLY PREPARED AND SERVED BY THE FRIENDLY STAFF ON THE BACK DECK OVERLOOKING THE POOL AS THE SUN SET WAS MAGICAL. tHE FOOD WAS PREPARED WELL AND THE STAFF EVEN REMEMBERED HOW I LIKED MY COFFEE. THE BEACH, JUST A SHORT STROLL AWAY, WAS TURQUIOSE, AND WARM. WE SPENT ONE DAY ON A CATAMARAN, SNORKELING ALONG THE COAST, AND ANOTHER AT THE SPECTACULAR WATERFALLS, CLIMBING UP AND SLIDING DOWN, WE VISITED LOCAL VILLAGES WITH OUR TOUR GROUP. WE SAMPLED SEVERAL OF THE LOCAL RESTAURANTS WHICH WERE VERY GOOD, AND OFTEN CHOSE TO EAT IN THE VILLA AND JUST UNWIND. THE PEOPLE OF THE DOMINICAN WERE FRIENDLY AND INVITING. THE WEEK WENT BY TOO QUICKLY, NEXT YEAR TWO WEEKS ..... OR MORE WOULD SUIT ME. BONNIE AND DENIS

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A Little Bit of Heaven on Earth

Guest: Susan R.
Date of Stay: 01/21/12 Review Submitted: 04/11/12

This was the week we had hoped for! We had anticipated a quiet, restful vacation but we got much more. The villa was spacious, clean and beautiful. The staff was superb. Julio and Nelsida could not do enough for us.They anticipated our every need. Breakfast was laid out and the coffee was brewing before we even opened our eyes in the morning. The meals were wonderful, and the Pina Coladas were the best! The pool was refreshing, while the beaches were close by and pristine. A massage on the terrace was a great way to end the day! Talk about feeling pampered! WOW! Safety was never an issue-the locals were very friendly. Walking to the Casino in the evening,we felt comfortable and at ease. The fact that we won $100 in ten minutes added a certain luster to our week! The vacation met every one of our expectations, plus more. We can't wait to reserve another week for next winter. It was the best! Sue Rosen and Paul Epstein

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Perfect place for a family vacation

Guest: Patrick O.
Date of Stay: 12/17/11 Review Submitted: 01/06/12

Our vacation was fabulous; all we could have hoped for. The villa is unbelievable -- I have been telling all my friends about it since our return home. It could easily accommodate three couples and, in fact, we're thinking of booking it sometime in the future to share with two other couples. I would say that the description of the villa online doesn't do justice to it. The upstairs has huge bedrooms, each of the three masters with balcony, including hammocks, chairs and tables (not to mention great ocean views). TVs in most rooms if that interests you. The staff was as good as advertised -- and then some. Mercy and Nelsida made great meals for us and kept the villa spotless. and I don't know what we would have done without Julio. Not only was he there for us whenever we needed, but he returned to the villa after hours when the electricity went out and the generator didn't kick on (I understand that that generator has now been replaced). I would highly recommend this rental to anyone with a large family who "needs space" from each other and to couples who want to share the villa but not be in the way of others. No property is perfect however. In my ideal world, I would also have liked to have some kind of exercise room (e.g., treadmill at least). I'm a runner and found the beach to be too slanted, too "busy" and with high tide to run there; the roads too are not condusive to any meaningful running. Just a thought since there clearly is plenty of room at the villa. Finally, the one complaint we do have relates to the noise from the nearby resort on Fri through Sun from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. I don't know what could be done about it (and perhaps it had to do with the holiday season), but the noise and the music played over the loudspeakers made staying out on the porch impossible on those nights.

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A Dream Come True

Guest: Michelle C.
Date of Stay: 10/26/11 Review Submitted: 12/05/11

I could not have asked for a better vacation! Though my trip to Playa Cofresi was short, it was filled with relaxation, amazing food, and good times. We landed in Puerto Plata and we were greeted at the airport by Julio. He drove us back to the villa through the middle of town which allowed us to take in the local culture. We arrived at the villa to a warm welcome from Nelsida and Mercy as well as magnificent aromas of food cooking. The Villa itself is magnificent. It is spacious and meticulously clean. I can’t even explain how breathtaking the views are! Waking up in the morning with the sun rising while you relax in one the many rocking chairs was unbelievable. The sun setting over the mountains is a site in itself. You will NEVER have to lift at finger at the villa. Nelsida and Mercy always seemed to appear with a pina colada in hand right when you really wanted one! Their homemade food was amazing; we especially couldn’t get enough of Mercy’s chicken salad. For dinner, we dined at the local restaurants were the food was just as delicious! Most of our time was spent relaxing, reading, and napping by the pool. We did venture down to the local beach one day which was amazing with its crystal clear water, soft sand beaches, and the palm trees swaying in the breeze. We also spent a day on a catamaran where we went snorkeling in two different locations. If you plan on doing excursions, do the catamaran, it is well worth it! The only word to describe Playa Cofresi is PARADISE. I have never been so relaxed and stress free on a vacation as I was at the villa. The staff is absolutely amazing, the scenery will take your breath away, and you will never have to worry about a thing. We are already talking about going back next year and I can’t wait!

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Paradise!!!

Guest: devin m.
Date of Stay: 10/26/11 Review Submitted: 11/15/11

What an amazing vacation! I came back from the Dominican Republic feeling relaxed, recharged and just fabulous! The house was absolutely AMAZING! The spacious rooms, cool breeze, awesome pool, fantastic views and wonderful caretakers. Julio, Nelcita and Macia were more than accommodating. They prepared delicious food and drink (pina coladas) all week. Everyday they thoroughly cleaned our rooms and bathrooms and took care of everything! You don’t have to think about wanting a pina colada because Macia is probably en route to your raft with a freshly made one! For dinner, we went out and dined at some amazing, local restaurants. If you enjoy rum, you will enjoy your trip to the Dominican Republic. I had at least one rum punch and Cuba Libre every night and they were great! Due to work, I had not been able to take a vacation in a year and a half. This was my first time out of the country and it was a memorable vacation. It was so nice to relax all day in the sun by the pool. One of the days we venture out on a catamaran tour of the coast where we sailed to a few different areas to snorkel in the coral reefs. It was a breathtaking and fun excursion. The villa is located a short walk to the beach which was fantastic. The water was warm and clear and palm trees are always great to see. One of my favorite things about villa is the sunrise in the morning. The sun comes up above the trees in the morning as you sit on the patio reading a book and sipping fresh coffee made by one of the caretakers. It was just great! The worst part of the vacation was leaving paradise! It was an absolutely fantastic trip from start to finish. The best.

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Amazing!! Highly Recommend!!

Guest: Jordann (New York, NY, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/26/11 Review Submitted: 11/10/11

In October, I had the absolute pleasure of spending 5 glorious days at Playa Cofresi. I had seen pictures and imagined how wonderful it would be to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life…but my expectations were far exceeded from the moment I arrived. Julio picked us up from the airport right on time and drove us straight to the house, quickly and safely. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see a little bit of the culture and town around the house on the ride to and from the airport. Once arriving at the house, we were greeted by the other staff that were already there. Our rooms were meticulously cleaned and our luggage brought upstairs for us right away. I soon realized how much delicious food I would be eating that week from the first few bites of our “snack” that we were served. Homemade chicken salad, zucchini pancakes, chips and salsa…every bite better than the first. From that point on our days consisted of sleeping, eating, sunbathing, swimming and drinking several pina coladas in the afternoon! The weather was warm and sunny every day, and even when I needed a break from the sun the rocking chairs on the patio or shaded poolside spots were the perfect retreat. In addition to enjoying the gorgeous home and pool, we ventured out to the beach one day and took a catamaran tour. These were perfect excursions and I highly recommend doing them! From swimming in the crystal blue water to snorkeling with fish, we had the best time. In addition to the incredible landscape, perfect weather and fantastic food…I was so pleased by how safe and comfortable I felt in the home during my entire stay. The staff were some of the nicest people I have ever met, and this was easily communicated even with a language barrier. Being in a different country can at times be stressful, but I never had one ounce of stress during my entire trip…which is something I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say on any other vacation!! What a wonderful home, beautiful country and perfect getaway...I highly recommend to all!!

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

Dominican was a blast!

Guest: mike m.
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

Wow- Trip was all it could have been. You have a beautiful home and what can I say about your staff- they are awesome. It was a fantastic week all around

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

Simply Paradise! Cant wait to go back!

Guest: Donte W.
Date of Stay: 07/18/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

Dear Cindy, Villa Vista Del Mar is extremely beautiful. From the moment we were picked up from the airport Julio made us feel comfortable, safe,and right at home. Upon arriving at the villa Nelsida had cooked us snacks and had lunch waiting for us, which couldn't have been any better. There was only 4members in my party, so there was more then enough space in the villa to accommodate more people. The villa was beautifully decorated and had the best views i have ever witnessed. The location is safe, I did notice everyone in the area knows each other which made me feel even more safe. I took a walk around during the day and I had no problem sleeping at night. When I woke in the morning I awoke to the smell of a fresh breakfast being cooked , which brings me to the note that Nelsida is an excellent cook I enjoyed every one of her meals and I wish I could have brought her back to the states. She was very caring , and friendly. Neither she or Pablo speaks much English however this did not stop us from communicating with them , ( I speak pretty basic Spanish) She would wash our clothes. Make our bed the service was absolutely impeccable much better than any 4 or 5 star hotel I have ever stayed. When we arrived because we arrived in the late afternoon the following day Gabino came over and presented the tours to us and we enjoyed every tour we chose, when we were not on a tour we spend majority of our time swimming in the pool, enjoying the beautiful views of the ocean, mt. Isabella, and the landscape. Theres something to do for everyone, Ocean World is a 5-10 minute talk and I was pretty impressed with the dinner show I wanted to go but did not have enough time. I speak for everyone in my party when I say Villa Vista Del Mar has been the best vacation we have been on , we are all grateful to have had the opportunity and we highly anticipate on returning to the villa. The only thing I would change is the length of our stay. We stayed a day or two less then a full week and wish we would have stayed longer. Thank you Cindy I plan on returning I really enjoyed myself.

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

A piece of heaven found at Villa Vista Del Mar!

Guest: Bob and Diane (New Jersey USA)
Date of Stay: 06/03/11 Review Submitted: 06/18/11

After a long hard year of work,college, and Chemo, our family was ready to escape from the routine of daily living to paradise. We knew we had arrived in paradise from the minute we stepped off the plane! Everyone in the airport was kind and gracious, willing to help an American family traveling with their blind patriarch. Julio met us outside of customs as promised, loaded our luggage and wisked us away to Cofresi. Our anticipation was growing as typical Americans we wondered were the pictures on the website and reviews too good to be true? We pulled up to the villa and first sight of the compound made all those fears dissolve immediately. We were met by the beautiful Mercy and Nelsida with our first pitcher (of many) of frozen pina coladas and we knew from that second on we truly were in Heaven. We could not believe our eyes. The villa was even more beautiful than the pictures and all the reviews were spot on! Once we all chose our suites, changed into our swim suits, threw our watches, blackberrys and laptops in the safe, we met at the pool which was crystal clear and had so many seating and lounging options which made a five star resort pool area look inferior. My favorite spot on the pool patio was the huge couch I referred to as the throne. Mercy and Nelsida served us our first 'snack' as they like to call it and we all agreed our new favorite was Mercy's chicken salad. Every day Mercy would prepare five star meals all prepared from authentic DR recipes and fresh local ingredients. We looked forward every morning to the fresh mango, papaya, pineapple, banana, cantaloupe and watermelon fruit platers. Mercy knew our food preferences and she decided the daily menu. It was very liberating not to have to make any decisions this week. We always looked forward to mealtime, the house smelled delicious. Nelsida kept the villa spotless, laudry fresh, fresh towels always available and in conjunction with Mercy made the most delicious frozen concontions that we are thirsting for as we write this. Our libations of choice were pina coladas, rum punch and frozen mojitos. Julio is a great General Manager. He keeps the house in tip top shape, made several runs to the market, granted several special requests and answered a million questions. While in Cofresi we celebrated 2 special birthdays and invited Julio, Mercy and Nelsida's families to come over for a BBQ and had a great time. It was a delightful evening. See part 2 of our review

Owner response:Hi Bob and Diane, Thank you for taking the time to post your comments. I am always happy when guests thoroughly enjoy themselves and let the staff take over... after all isn’t this what a vacation should be? I am very fortunate to have Julio, Mercey and Nelsida working for me… not only for myself, when I can escape and receive a pampered vacation but I am also grateful that they take over at the villa in my absence and make sure that the dozens and dozens of guests vacationing at the villa are always happy. I agree with you 100% about the delicious foods and drinks. I swear they seem to just know when it is the perfect time to come out with another pitcher of frozen tropical concoctions. I have yet to taste a meal or snack that I did not enjoy. I suppose everything tastes better when someone else is cooking but I also know that Mercy watches and studies the food channel to learn new recipes and also new ways of presenting the food. She does a great job and should be proud of her accomplishments. And the “sun lounge” or the “throne” as you call it. That spot has become the favorite spot on the terrace. At one time it was a simple plant ledge but I always looked at it and knew it could serve a better purpose… “nice comfortable sun lounge” kept calling my name. I especially like going out there late at night and gazing at the stars. So I am thrilled you had a wonderful time. I hope you can get part 2 of your review posted cause I’d love to read more about your vacation. Sometimes Home Away limits the responses to only one. But again thank you for taking the time to write. Best Regards, Cindy

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

Your home away from home with a Spanish flair

Guest: Paco (Tacoma, WA USA)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11 Review Submitted: 05/31/11

Were we ever blessed to have selected Villa Vista Del Mar for our next stop in DR after a few days in Punta Cana. We survived the arduous trip, but enjoyed the challenge of the 8 hour drive, taking us to an incredible restaurant in Santo Domingo,Olivo. A must stop if you ever are in the mood for their pork prepared in their brick oven. We encountered all kinds of sights along our way including every type of weather condition. The highlight of the day, however, was meeting with Julio who got us situated and made us to feel quite at home. The following day and every day thereafter your staff treated us like royalty and made us feel as if we were members of their family. The personal attention was amazing as were the daily meals, most of which were DR favorites, prepared as if we were eating in their home. Not a thing could have been improved upon during our stay. Not that it is a problem of yours, but it was shame that the local public beach was not maintained as well as the Life Styles section. Too bad the locals don't take the pride in ownership that they should, for they live in a beautiful part of the world. Thanks for making our stay memorable and for providing the horse shoes so that we could complete our "international" competition.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Villa Vacation

Guest: PAM T. AND THE GANG (Charlotte NC)
Date of Stay: 05/05/11 Review Submitted: 05/16/11

HI CINDY, HOPE ALL IS WELL WITH YOU AND YOURS! I FULLY INTENDED TO EMAIL TO YOU BEFORE NOW BUT MAJOR DEPRESSION SET IN FROM RETURNING HOME AND I AM JUST NOW SLOWLY SNAPPING OUT OF IT. I'M PRETTY SURE ALL THE OTHER LADIES FEEL THE SAME WAY. I KNOW YOU CAN RELATE TO WHAT WE ARE FEELING AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM SUCH A WONDERFUL VACATION. THE VILLA AND THE STAFF ARE EXCEPTIONAL! WE WERE TREATED WITH SO MUCH KINDNESS AND CONCERN. WE WERE GLAD JULIO SPOKE GOOD ENGLISH, HE WAS VERY HELPFUL IN MANY WAYS. BETWEEN HIS ENGLISH AND OUR LITTLE BIT OF SPANISH, WE GOT ALONG JUST FINE. NELSIDA AND MERCY WERE WONDERFUL COOKS, SO SWEET AND ATTENTIVE TO US. THEY WAITED ON US HAND AND FOOT (SPOILED US ROTTEN). WE FOLKS ARE DEFINITELY NOT USED TO THAT KIND OF TREATMENT, BUT IT SURE WAS NICE!! WE DID LOTS OF FUN THINGS AS WELL, CATAMARAN VENTURE, SNORKELING,JEEP SAFARI AND WATERFALL HIKE (PRETTY STRENUOUS BUT INTERESTING AND FUN-VERY SMART GUIDE,ELVIS GAVE US MUCH INFO ON MANY THINGS). TOOK A CITY TOUR AND RODE HORSES ON THE BEACH. WE HAD AN ABSOLUTE MARVELOUS VACATION AND IT WAS THE BEST BIRTHDAY I HAVE EVER HAD. GONNA START SAVING AND HOPEFULLY WILL GET BACK THERE ONE DAY SOON. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND FOR SHARING SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE WITH US. KIND REGARDS, PAM T. AND THE GANG

Owner response:Hi Pam, Thanks for sharing your vacation experience with me. I am always so proud to hear about of my hard working staff... they truly make it a vacation for everyone. And I can relate 100% to that “let down” feeling upon returning home. It is amazing how quickly you can just give in, relax and let someone else take care of you, so easy to let them spoil you—I only wish I could bring the maids home with me! I am also glad you had the chance to go on several tours, it is a great way to really explore the island, experience the culture and get to know the friendly Dominicans. I look forward to helping you book another vacation in the future. Best Regards, Cindy

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

WOW! Vacationing at it's best

Guest: Millicent (St. John's, NL Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/14/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

An unbelievable family reunion made possible by the wonderful staff and fantastic home at Vista Del Mar. The house is wonderful and very spacious....accomodating our 4 different families perfectly. We were greeted with a lunch for Kings upon arrival and our grocery package was all in order and menu arranged. It was so wonderful. Julio had to make more trips to the liquir store for us though....man, you drink way more than you think you are going too!!!!! The kids loved the pool and the many floats that were there for them to use. Julio was amazing and ready at a moments notice to help with our every odd request!!! Nelsida and Mercy were so attentive and helpful. They made sure that you fully enjoyed your vacation and did not have to lift a finger to help!!! Always a pina colada on their tray!!!! The house was very clean, and kept that way each day by the staff. Laundry was washed and folded and brought upstairs each day. A gentleman stopped by to help us plan our day excurisions and arranged for transportation for us. We had massages, pedicures and manicures at the house. We also took in a day at Ocean World, which is just a brisk walk away. The kids enjoyed that immensely, but were probably just as content staying at the house swimming in the pool!!!! An amazing story that we have to share...my husband and I left our backpack at the airport. As soon as we figured this out Julio and Gabino got on the phone to see if they could help us retrieve it. Very unlikely right....WRONG! It was handed in to the airport security with our laptop in tack. Amazing. Just amazing. There is not enough time or space to keep writing all the positives of this house and vacation paradise. All I can say is that for a very particular woman, with standards hard to reach.....this experience has supassed my expectations. Please, go there and have a vacation of a lifetime :) Cindy, you were a pleasure to deal with when preparing for our vacation and attentive to the details that we may have overlooked. The Hicks, Moulton, Meiklejohn and White Families.

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

Stellar Accommodations and Wonderful Staff

Guest: Happy Relaxed Family (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 04/02/11 Review Submitted: 04/17/11

Dear Cindy, We just returned home to rainy New Jersey after an incredible return stay at your villa in Playa Cofresi. Once again, we couldn’t have been more thrilled with the stellar accommodations and attentive, warm and friendly staff who made us feel like family. I didn’t think the villa could get much better, but the work you’ve completed with the expanded poolside patio and outdoor grilling area since our last stay was simply amazing. The villa now offers so much more than even a five star hotel but with the comfort and warmth of a private home. As you know, we spent some time at one of the top ranked, all inclusive resorts in the area because your lovely villa was booked. After our short stay at the resort, we were thrilled to move into the villa. Our spacious rooms in the villa with multiple decks overlooking the ocean, king sized, comfortable beds and new gorgeous bathrooms far exceeded the small room we had at the resort with one tiny deck. One of the many highlights of our stay was watching the sunrise over the Atlantic from our bedroom veranda. Another highlight was the delicious, authentic cooking and the exceptional service provided by Mercy and Nelsida. What a luxury to have three meals a day prepared and served at our convenience and nonstop attention throughout the day to make sure all our needs were addressed. Once again your beautiful villa provided us with a true, relaxing and much needed vacation away from the stresses of east coast living. We can’t wait to return again next year!! Lucy

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

Vista Del Mar - Paradise!!!

Guest: JR from New Jersey (Central NJ)
Date of Stay: 03/15/11 Review Submitted: 04/06/11

Cindy I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know as repeat guests, we once again had an absolutely perfect vacation at Villa Vista Del Mar. No worries. Your staff was extremely accommodating. Julio was there at the airport to greet us as soon as we walked out (the arrival through customs is now so easy). The maid, Nelsida had ice cold Presidents and yuccas fritas (muy deliciouso) ready upon arrival. My last visit to your Villa was 5 years ago and you've done a beautiful job decorating, updating, adding AC, king beds, etc and making everything so comfortable. The addition of the expanded terrace, outdoor grill and all the beautiful brand new tiled bathrooms...was spectacular! This time we spent one day on Costamber beach, just a short car ride away and would definitely recommend this as a day trip. Thanks for another great vacation JR

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

Truly Paradise

Guest: Eight Happy Gardeners from Ohio (Columbus OH )
Date of Stay: 02/26/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/11

We are a group of eight master gardeners who take an annual trip together. This year we chose Vista Del Mar and we couldn't have chosen a more beautiful luxurious home away from home. The villa is truly paradise, the scenery stunning and the people warm and friendly. As promised, Julio was waiting at the airport to deliver us and Mercy and Nelsida had drinks and snacks waiting for our arrival. We absolutely fell in love with the villa and the staff. They were so accommodating and quick to fill our every need. From full fabulous breakfasts on the patio to lobster dinners in the evening; to pina coladas, rum punch, margaritas and cerveza by the pool. The meals were delicious and the weather was sunny and warm. Gus was a wonderful tour agent. We went horseback riding on the beach (a must), waterfall sliding on the jeep safari, cable car riding to the top of Mount Isabella, to the rum factory and the Amber museum and a day trip to Santo Domingo. We also spent a day at Sosua Beach- a gorgeous expanse of aqua blue water with wonderful snorkeling. Nelsida and Indio even took us to downtown Puerto Plata to celebrate Carnival on Sunday afternoon and then out to dance the Maringue at the Rancho Tapico. What fun! We "adopted" Pablo, the sweet night guard and took him coffee in the morning and shared our dinner with him each night. You will find the Dominican people truly appreciate Americans and do everything to help us feel welcome in their country. There are not enough words to express how much we loved the week we spent with the staff. We all cried when we had to leave them. It felt like we were leaving family and will truly miss them. We hope to see them again in the future and to revisit the villa. If you are thinking about vacationing there, don't think twice! You won't regret it. Cindy was exceptionally nice and communicated everything perfectly, making for a perfect vacation. Thank you Cindy, Julio, Mercy, Nelsida and Pablo!

Owner response:Hi Bobbi, Thank you for taking the time to write about your vacation in paradise. I got choked up reading your comments because you touched on many of the things that made me fall in love with this colorful country and its gentle people almost 30 years ago... There are so many places to explore and always a smiling Dominican ready to help. It sounds like you had a very busy week visiting and touring not only the local area but all the way to Santo Domingo as well!. And you are so lucky that you had the chance to participate in Carnival—that is one thing I have not yet been able to experience. As always I am glad my hard working, dedicated staff ‘pampered as promised’—they work hard for me and have never disappointed... I owe them a mountain of gratitude. For me it is a win win situation- guests are happy by the lavish attention and my staff is happy to meet new people from all parts of the globe. Every vacation in Cofresi is an opportunity for adventure and always a chance to fully relax... especially for moms-- I had to say that. It has become my trademark line :-) I hope I can assist you in booking a return visit. Best Regards, Cindy

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

Best Family Vacation We’ve Ever Had

Guest: Cathy in CT (Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 02/12/11 Review Submitted: 03/15/11

Hi There Cindy – We really, really had a lovely time. What a wonderful and relaxing vacation, which is saying something considering there were 5 kids in our group aged 2-6! This is by far the best family vacation we’ve had. The villa had loads of space and seating areas for the kids and adults to spread out, so we never felt like we were cooped up in a hotel room. And having wonderful, friendly staff cooking every meal, including kid food, and even doing your laundry for you just can’t be beat. It’s not fun eating every meal at a restaurant with small kids, so being able to eat delicious food ‘at home’ without having to lift a finger was wonderful. The villa really was as beautiful as the pictures promise, and Mercy and Nelsida were absolutely great – so friendly and just the right mix of non-intrusive and solicitous, and amazing cooks to boot! The beach and everything else really was within super-easy walking distance, even with small kids. My only and very minor complaint is that the pool was a bit too cold so we weren’t able to swim as much as we would have liked. It wouldn’t keep us from coming back, just an FYI for you. It’s obvious that the villa is owned by someone who cares greatly for it and not by some anonymous and uncaring management company – it shines through in all the little details, like the personal art and the cupboard full of board games. Thank you again for a truly lovely vacation! Cathy

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

Enjoyed Every Minute

Guest: 4 Happy Guests (Landsdowne VA )
Date of Stay: 11/03/10 Review Submitted: 11/29/10

Hi Cindy, So sorry for the delay in sending this email. As soon as returned from DR, it was back to the hustle and bustle of the real world. We wanted to let you know that we absolutely enjoyed every minute of this trip. My husband said that it as the best vacation we have been on (and our family does an extensive amount of traveling). Your staff was wonderful. We just can't say enough about Julio, Nelsida, and Pedro. We will definitely return in the future, and will spread the word about your wonderful vacation rental. Thanks so much for a spectacular trip! Alessia

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

Incredible Time at the Villa

Guest: JAX Group (Florida)
Date of Stay: 09/21/10 Review Submitted: 10/24/10

Hey Cindy. We just wanted to thank you for letting us rent you DR home. We had a most incredible time! The staff you have there was amazing to us!! They were so attentive, great cooks and just so sweet. We couldn't ask for anything better! We did have some issues with the excursions that Gus had sold us. I won’t get into much detail because Gabino handled it well and Gus gave us some of our money back. We did the Jeep Safari which was great. However, we had told Gus that one of our girls had a REALLY bad back. It was incredibly bumpy and Stephanie was miserable the whole ride. He also should have told us that she would not be able to climb the 7 waterfalls. We didn't realize how intense it would be. The rest of us absolutely loved it, but Stephanie had to wait for us as we climbed and came back down. Gus was gracious enough to give Stephanie back her full refund The other excursion we did was the Catamaran & Snorkeling trip. It had been canceled all week because the water was too rough. The day we went the driver said the trip was still going even though it didn't look very good out in the water. Well there were about 30+ people on the boat and about 80% got sick. Now of course this is nature, and they should have canceled the trip. I know this is out of your control, but just giving you some info. Gabino handled our concerns very well. One additional note, for your packet, is to inform guests about the travel home. We had some issues through customs. Apparently going home you cannot take blow dryers, flat irons, or anything electronic in your carry on. So we had to check some luggage which wasn't a huge deal, but we had to go through security twice and so on. You know how the airport madness goes. Seriously besides those issues, we had a great time. We mostly enjoyed staying at the villa and relaxing. Again, your staff there is amazing! Thank you! Bridgett

Owner response:Hi Bridgett, I am glad to hear you had a nice time at the villa, that my staff treated you well and you enjoyed your vacation. I am very sorry to hear of the isues with the local tour operator. As you know I have detailed Orientation books at the villa describing the Tours & Activities. And I do include strong words of caution about the Jeep Safari because it it IS a bumpy ride (not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with back problems) and also because the waterfalls can be very strong when there has been a lot of rain. I don't understand why the tour operator would sell you this trip and certainly do not understand why the Catamaran trip still occurred even thought the water was so choppy. Unfortunately I have no control over external service representatives. Your words of caution are good advice for any guests considering taking these trips. Thank you for taking the time to write Best Regards, Cindy

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

Everything We Expected It Would Be and More!

Guest: Birthday Girl (Columbia, SC USA)
Date of Stay: 09/12/10 Review Submitted: 09/21/10

This trip was planned to celebrate my 50th birthday. My sister-in-law and I share the same birthday, so we decided to get-away from it all. We found that the Villa Vista Del Mar offered everything we were looking for; a relaxing environment with wonderful views of the ocean from the balcony -- and the sunrise was absolutely breath taking! The extraordinary house staff definitely went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was exceptional -- as stated in other reviews, we too hated to leave them. The villa provided all of the amenities of home with the added luxury of being a pampered vacationer! We are already planning our next stay.

Recommended for:Age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Everything Promised and More

Guest: 17 Happy Guests (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 08/11/10 Review Submitted: 08/19/10

Cindy - The Villa was everything you promised us it would be ....and more. I could go on and on, but the reality of having to take care of myself and family (work, cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc...) now that Julio and family are not in New Jersey with us.... is very time consuming. Your staff spoiled us all and getting back to "real life" at home, has been an adjustment. I have told everyone who will listen what a magnificent home you have and how fabulous our entire stay was. I have sent out the web address to over a dozen friends. Thank you a thousand times for being such a wonderful "vacation angel". Hope to be in contact again soon for another fabulous stay. Sincerely, Adele

Owner response:Hi Adel, Thank you for taking the time to write. I also dearly miss the attention and services provided by Nelsida, Mercey, Julio etc once I am forced to come home from vacation. It is truly decadent to let someone else do all the work... all the food shopping, cooking, cleaning, serving, laundering. Sometimes for just a nanosecond I feeel guilty, but I quickly get over that! The hard part is to "re-eduacte " my children upon our return to the real world. Cindy

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

Perfect Pampered Vacation

Guest: Happy Family of 5 (Boston area)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 08/12/10

It is impossible to put into words the experience I had at your beautiful villa. The Orientation book states “Mothers will especially enjoy this vacation”. That was an understatement! My husband, 3 children and I stayed at your villa (1st international trip) and can honestly say I was able to sit back & enjoy every moment- Nelsida and Mercey made sure of that. The house itself is amazing, spacious, comfortable; we spent most of the time lounging on the sun deck & swimming. Our favorite spot at night was to sit in the big “lounge couch” staring at the stars. For once I was able to relax, be part of the group instead of worrying about the details. Gus, the tour guy was a great help. He came to the villa & did all the work. We went on the Jeep Safari, an amazing must- do adventure starting with a ride through the country (we brought candy to toss to the children who chased the truck- they were adorable) to the grand finale of the waterfalls. All 5 of us climbed up to the 7th level (I heard there were 22 total!) and cascaded back down. All I can say is WOW. This was a trip we will NEVER forget. We also spent an entire day at Ocean World and loved it so much we easily could have spent 2 days there. We also did the Go-Karts and spent a day at Costamber- a great beach with lots of cold Presidente I cannot tell you how much we loved Nelsida, Mercey & Julio. We originally planned on eating out a few meals but once we tasted their homemade treats we chose to stay in every night. It was the best cooking in the DR! It is decadent being served hot coffee, breakfast-to-order, pina coladas, endless snacks, delicious meals and then go to your room to find clean laundry on your bed. They were so kind and attentive. It was fun to watch my daughter speak Spanish and translate for us. My husband and I do not speak any Spanish but we never had a problem communicating. You truly have wonderful people working for you; they absolutely made this a carefree, stress-free, fun vacation. My one regret is that I booked for only one week. Next year it will definitely be 2 weeks. And yes I was one of those mothers who actually cried when it was time to leave. With your extensive Guides and answering my endless questions beforehand I felt fully prepared. Your staff took over immediately upon our arrival and made us feel like royalty. And your home was as comfortable as could be. This was a vacation I will never forget. Thank you for an experience of a lifetime. Saly

Owner response:Hi Sal, Thank you for your enthusiastic feedback. Sometimes I feel like a broken record claiming “Moms especially will have the opportunity to enjoy a vacation” but it is true. It is true for me when I go to the villa and I have heard it countless times from numerous guests. I am very fortunate to have dedicated, attentive and loyal staff. They make my job much easier and defintely know how to pamper the guests without being intrusive. The guide books were written after many years of hospitality experience and in response to similar questions asked time and again by potential rentors. All optional services that are offered were implemented based on past guest suggestions, and new services continue to be developed such as having the maids available to stay through dinner. The policies seem to work extremely well-- It is as close as you can get to an ‘all inclusive’ but with the freedom of having an entire villa to yourself. I try hard to offer a comfortable family friendly home full of amenities and to have all the mundane tasks taken care of so all guests (moms included!) just have to show up with bathing suits & sun lotion and then jump right into a vacation. I am happy your family had a nice experience, and will look forward to your return visit. Best Regards, Cindy

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

2 Family Vacation

Guest: Kelly (LaPlata, MD)
Date of Stay: 07/02/10 Review Submitted: 10/26/10

I am way late in writing this review. We are 2 families (4 adults, 8 children) who vacation together every year. We stayed at the villa for one week in July 2010. First of all, dealing with Cindy prior to our arrival made everything go so smoothly (thank you, Cindy!). I made arrangements to purchase food before hand and also arranged for airport pickup for all of us. Oh, and I also asked Cindy to have Gus (the tour operator) stop by the afternoon of our arrival so that we could plan our tours for the week. I wasn't sure how I would feel about having someone wait on me but, like others comments, you get used to it. In fact, they won't have it any other way! The entire staff is great. We spent the most time with Julio, Nelsida and Mercy and they were absolutely fantastic. We had decided to bring a couple of suit cases full of gently used clothing to give to the staff and their large extended families. They were extremely grateful for that. We also packed a ton of school supplies including notebooks, pens, pencils, scissors, glue sticks, construction paper, coloring books, crayons and markers. We wanted to take these items to a local school for distribution. Instead, with the help of Gus and Julio, we decided to stop by different villages during our private jeep tour. The experience for all of us was overwhelming. Our kids (aged 5-14) were even emotional to see how much joy something so small could give to these local children. We were able to capture all of this on video too which made for an unforgettable experience. Other than a couple of excursions, we mainly stayed at the house by the pool. ALL MEALS WERE GREAT and were freshly prepared. Frozen drinks were delicious and we never had an empty glass. We had massage therapists come twice and also had the girls' hair braided. It was a totally relaxing vacation. We would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, when we got home, I told my sister how great it was and she booked a vacation and stayed at the villa earlier this month. Her group also had a wonderful time and couldn't stop talking about how great the staff was. If you have never had this kind of vacation before, DO IT!!

Owner response:Hi Kelly, It is always nice to hear from guests, no matter how late. And as always I am happy when guests have enjoyed their visit at my villa and let the staff dote on them with lots of food, snacks & drinks and by taking care of all the mundane chores… I consider the trip a success when guests can actually relax, have a fun family vacation and come home with fond memories. Your story about the school supplies and gently used clothing really touched me. The Dominicans are wonderfully gracious people. So many of them have so little in the way of material goods and yet they have so much to offer in their spirit. They are grateful, cheerful and eager to help others less fortunate than themselves. I receive many inquiries asking what is it like in a 3rd World country… My answer is that although it is a beautiful country there is poverty. It is a simple fact of life there. But one thing I have noticed in my 30+ years traveling to the DR is that the basic values are the same in the DR as they are in the States, Canada, anywhere. Dominicans are hard working, keenly aware of the value of an education (and actually consider it a privilege!) They are grateful for opportunities to get ahead, and are dedicated to taking care of extended family members- the young and the old. These are wonderful lessons for all of us. You were able to see that firsthand. And what a wonderful thing for your children to witness. I truly thank you for your kindness in bringing supplies…. It WILL make a difference to the many families who were lucky enough to receive them. And I can just picture the bight smiles you received along your route. I am sure they were enough to melt your heart. And I thank you for taking the time to share your experience. (I wish there was a way to see the video.) Your story has put a little sunshine in my life today Best Regards, Cindy

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

Wonderful place to stay!

Guest: Jeff (Cary, NC USA)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10 Review Submitted: 06/23/10

We stayed in the villa June 5 - June 12, 2010. This was our first trip to the Dominican Republic so we did lots of searching for a private house with air conditioning (extremely important) in the bedrooms, a little bit of space and a pool. After narrowing our choices to a handful of homes, we sent a detailed list of questions to the contacts for each home. Without a doubt, Cindy provided the most complete, helpful information! We exchanged many emails where each question, even if repetitive, was answered completely. I also spoke with her on the phone for further questions and she was very helpful. There are a couple of services that Cindy provides that were extremely helpful to us. (1) Airport transfer. Driving is at best a game of chance there and we were happy we arranged for the airport pickup. Julio (the houseman) was waiting at the Puerto Plata (POP) airport upon our arrival holding a placard with our name. We quickly departed the airport in air-conditioned comfort! (2) Cindy offers 2 food services although each service is completely customizable. We opted for the 3-4 day food pickup. As a family, we agreed on the types of foods and specific meal requests. We had a strict vegetarian in our group and this was no problem communicating to either Cindy or the house staff. Cindy provides a helpful sample selection of meals and drinks although you are free to add items not on the list. The net result is we enjoyed a variety of home cooked meals! The staff was simply wonderful! Every morning we awoke to fresh coffee, and a freshly prepared breakfast on the covered patio. Lunch was served in the same place and dinner was left on the stove for us since the staff leaves around 4:30 pm. Each day, dirty clothes were removed from the clothes hamper and returned cleaned and folded. Since we were looking for R&R on the vacation, we spent a lot of time at the house lounging by the pool. There are lots of paper-back books in the house (several shelves full) as well as board games. We played scrabble several times a day and enjoyed the house's reliable wi-fi (there are several wi-fi repeaters throughout the house so a signal was available pretty much everywhere). We went on 3 excursions: the city tour (ok but one of the stops included the Brugal Rum Factory which was partially closed and thus, we couldn't take a tour there), catamaran adventure (very nice!) and the waterfall tour (very nice but note that it's pretty strenuous!).

Owner response:Hi Jeff, Thank you for your informative guest comments. I take great pride in my dedicated staff and know that they work hard so that every single guest can have a relaxing vacation. One thing I want to clear up and I hope there was not a miscommunication— there is always one maid willing to stay late to serve and clean the dinner dishes. Guests just need to request this service (ask Julio, or let me know before hand) and give at least a days notice. I realized this was an important service for many groups that arrive late to the villa on day of arrival, or return late from an excursion, or for families with small children... or even just for guests that prefer to eat in. Again, although the maids typically leave around 4:30 or 5:00 they are willing and expected to stay later (7:00- 7:30) when asked. Secondly, I take every inquiry seriously and am always happy to answer questions. I realize for many people this is a new experience and they are unsure about renting a private home over the internet. Of course I expect alot of questions.... and hopefully I have the answers. I have been on the “receiving” end while trying to explore private homes to rent. The lack of response, the canned answers that do not answer my questions and the lack of follow up from many owners is disappointing and frustrating. For that very reason I try to be informative, honest, available and quick to respond. Thank you for noticing. I frequently say, “Feel free to ask away” Thank you for taking the time to write your thoughts. As always I am glad to hear when my guests enjoy their visit to Villa Vista del Mar. Best Regards, Cindy

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

Girl weekend paradise

Guest: Beccah from New York (NYC)
Date of Stay: 05/20/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/10

When eight women got together in a land far far away, no one thought each and every one of us would be totally happy. But one by one we fell for the charms of this one! One loved the cooking, one loved Julio, one loved the hammock, one loved the maids' generosity and kindness, one just loved that there was a lounge chair for everyone, and everyone loved the pina coladas. This is a great vacation spot for group bonding, and we all loved every moment of it. Thank you to everyone who makes the villa so special!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Great Caribbean Vacation

Guest: Happy Navy guest (Maryland)
Date of Stay: 05/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/25/10

Hi Cindy, Everything was great. Julio and Nelsida are great people. We were treated like royalty from the time we arrived until Julio dropped us off at the airport. Thanks for opening up your home to us. The best food we had the whole trip was everything Nelsida prepared for us. Thanks again, John

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

A Wonderful Family Getaway

Guest: Emmel (Maryland)
Date of Stay: 03/28/10 Review Submitted: 06/12/10

This villa was perfect for our family. The accomodations and staff were just what we had hoped they would be. We were an extended family of 15, with 6 of the family being age 10 and under. It all lived up to the owner's description, and she could not have been more helpful answering our questions and working out the details. The pool was great. Everything very clean. An ideal rental. Enjoy!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Affordable Vacation w/ Ultra Luxury Accomadations

Guest: Daniel and Kim (NY, New Yok, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/27/10 Review Submitted: 03/28/10

This was the most amazing vacation my husband and I have ever had! The accomodations are exquisite and roomy, with both ocean and mountain views, magnificant pool and excellent home made food prepared by the staff! The villa had all updated conveniences new bathrooms, a studio/nursery with wonderful views, a brand new bar/kitchen area by the pool for cold drinks, amazing tropical drinks and snacks made by the lovely staff, spacious sun terrace- fufiliing your every whim! Both my husband and I had massages on the balacony (so inexpensive in US dollars - it was ridiculous - I had an hour pedicure poolside - anything you asked for was provided by the staff who were warm welcoming and extremely friendly. Macy the chef/maid created unbelievable meals with a Domican flair, local flair, homemade soups, shepards pie, paella - basically anything you wanted - you would place and order and Julio ran into town for fresh fruit, produce, meats, seafood, and that all important camera battery (which we forgot!) Breakfast was always a multiple course feast with the most amazing fruit platter and freshly squeezed orange juice. Honestly you didnt even have to leave the villa to have everything you would ever want! But it was an easy walk to the beach and horseback riding on the beach was a few minutes away - awesome golf course,, a great choice of homemade cigars also a few minutes away as well. There is a "dolphin world" for entertainment for kids and adults as well. The weather was great and we found special little restaurants both on the beach and off - lots of European amazing chefs and the staff made it easy to find any restaurant from Austrian, German to Italian which homemade pasta. We want to thank Cindy and Lenore for the lovely time and special things the staff did you to make everything special. We cerainly will be back next year - but this time with the entire family - parents and kids - this vacation is an adventure for any age - relaxing afforadable elequence!! Thanks again to Cindy and her family, Julio and Macy for an amazing time!

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

Pampered at Your Villa

Guest: Happy New York Group (Ithaca, NY)
Date of Stay: 02/13/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

Hello, we rented your house in February of 2010, and I wanted to send you a long overdue quick note letting you know what a great time we had (Bunn/Brous/Burress crew). Your staff was amazing. They stayed late on days they knew we were sightseeing, and we were definitely pampered, with laundry taken care of, drinks poured, food made, etc. We were a bit unclear about how to be sure that they had enough food to eat, but they assured us they were eating. Thank you for sharing your comfortable home with us, and your lovely staff, which became like family to us! Sorry it took so long to write. I guess I was daydreaming of pina coladas (and it doesn’t hurt that my four-year-old keeps asking when we can go back to the Dominican Republic every week or so!) Melissa

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

Great Family Vacation

Guest: Happy NY Family (New York)
Date of Stay: 02/13/10 Review Submitted: 04/15/10

Hi Cindy... Just a note to tell you what a great family vacation we had at the Villa. It was everything we hoped for. Julio and the staff were marvelous. They were friendly (and downright loveable), efficient, and most helpful. The food was good too. Everyone (including the kids) loved the pina coladas. The villa itself is so lovely and well cared for. The kids loved the pool and spent as much time as they could in it-along with the fabulous water balloons. And thank you for you guidance and non-stop willingness to answer our questions. Fondly, Lynda & Jill

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

15 Happy Vacationers

Guest: Edmonton group (Edmonton Canada)
Date of Stay: 12/15/09 Review Submitted: 02/02/10

In our group we had 15 people 7 of which were under the age of 8. We weren’t sure if the house was going to be big enough to handle 4 families and also have enough space for breathing room. Del Mar delivered!!! We spent an additional 4 days at the beginning of the trip at an all- inclusive resort, however it felt like our real holiday started once we got to the house. The house and patios are broken up to give big groups unique space for alone time, or to cater to big gatherings.The bedrooms are spacious very clean and have A/C. The kids (dormitory) room is a fantastic setup, it became Head Quarters for all of the skull duggery that went on. Trust me the photos on the website don’t accurately capture the space and beauty. The staff at the house delivers first class service and take pride in not letting you lift a finger. There was never a moment we felt house-bound with the kids opting to be in the pool more then the beach. The days were spent playing with the kids, drinking pina coladas, Presidente Cerveza, smoking good cigars, swimming, playing cards and eating amazing food. The nights were spent playing with the kids, drinking pina coladas, Presidente Cerveza, smoking good cigars, swimming, playing cards and eating amazing food…. Thank you, Julio, Nelsida and Mercy. We will never forget you and your warm hospitality. All the families on our vacation are very well traveled so trust me when I say you can’t ask for a better coordinator then Cindy! She was prompt in every correspondence; the process in getting the house ready for our group was flawless. We were never unsure of how things would work out. So from our whole group thank you so much for making our holiday one we will never forget. Take Care, Travis

Owner response:Thank you for taking the time to let me know about your vacation.I am happy your group was sufficiently pampered by the staff and enjoyed a pleasant time at my Caribbean villa. Since I also come from a large family (one of 9 grown children) I understand the need for space. This villa was built with family fun, safety and comfort in mind and has been modified over the years based in part on guest suggestions. In fact just after your group left I started a new construction project; added one additional master bathroom, remodeled the hall bath and added an outdoor kitchen so now is an even more perfect place for the men to smoke cigars, drink Presidente and grill some steaks!

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

Wonderful Time

Guest: Arlington Vacationers (Arlington, VA)
Date of Stay: 12/05/09 Review Submitted: 01/03/10

Hi, Cindy-- Nice to hear from you. We had a wonderful time at your house and in the Dominican Republic. The staff could not have been more gracious or helpful (to say nothing of their cooking and drink-mixing skills). In fact, we were so comfortable that we ended up spending almost all of our time at the house -- relaxing in the pool, sitting on the back porch, using the hammock, etc. And Julio was a fantastic resource -- very attentive and accommodating, and able to help us with anything we asked. The only complaint we have is very minor, and doesn't have anything to do with the house. One day we had Julio get us a cab to take us to the cable car at Mount Isabel de Torres in Puerto Plata. In addition to a driver, the cab came with a tour guide who shepherded us through the entire process. We hadn't requested a tour guide and didn't need his services, but he stayed with us the whole time and kept trying to get us to see other attractions throughout Puerto Plata. He was pretty aggressive about it, but we refused. This is probably just the way business works in the Dominican Republic, but as visitors from the United States we found it somewhat offputting, so I thought I'd pass that along to you. But really, that was a minor little bump. We couldn't have had a better time. Thanks again. And Happy New Year! Best, Chris

Owner response:Thank you for your feedback. I am glad you had a good time at the villa and were treated well by the staff. I am also sorry to hear about the "tour guide". I do alert guests about this problem in my Activities & Scheduled Tours Booklet and specifically under the Mount Isabel Cable Car Ride description. I agree, these tour guides are obnoxious and overly persistent. It is too bad you did not see my warning in the booklet. You had every right to tell the person to leave you alone and vacate the cab I will remind Julio to be on the lookout for "extra people" in the cab... There should be NO-ONE but the driver and members of your group.

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

Great Time

Guest: Ruthy Erez
Date of Stay: 11/21/09 Review Submitted: 01/08/10

Hi Cindy! We had a great time. The staff was great- just like everyone said on your guest comments. The Villa was perfectly equipped. We had very good time and will definitely recommend it to friends!

Recommended for:

Second Time- Just as Good

Guest: Annandale Girl (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 10/21/09 Review Submitted: 01/15/10

Dear Cindy, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed my stay in your beautiful home—again, my second visit. I don’t know where to start. Everything about both trips (August, 2008 with 8 friends and October 2009 with just my boyfriend) was perfect. I loved relaxing poolside with the gorgeous views. The staff is always so friendly and helpful-- It was nice to be greeted at the airport by Julio, and then have him do all the food shopping. He even got us langostinos one night from the fresh fish market. And every meal that Nelsida prepared for us was absolutely delicious... Her signature pina coladas continue to be great! Your house is so clean and comfortable and I felt right at home. By the way, the new additions on the terrace; (the new sun lounger/bed, expanded terrace and bathroom) are great. I can’t wait to see the new master bath and outdoor kitchen on my next trip. Your villa makes me feel like it’s my own home away from home. Although I would have been content to just stay at the villa all the time, I also enjoyed the beautiful beaches in Cofresi and Costamber, going to the casino at Ocean World and eating at many fantastic restaurants. Your location has so much to offer! We had an exciting time on our day trip to go white water rafting and really loved exploring the reefs on our snorkel trip. I have never come home from a vacation feeling so relaxed, and I really look forward to visiting again. Thank you so much for sharing your vacation home with me. Sincerely, Lindsey

Owner response:I am so happy that you had a nice time on your 2nd trip at my villa and were again appropriately pampered by the staff...Their attentive service certainly makes it a true vacation. It is also nice to hear you say it feels like it is "your home away from home.” I hear this repeatedly from guests; they tell we there is a welcoming aura from the moment they walk through the front door. I strive to make the villa as comfortable as possible for groups of all sizes and for all types of vacationers. I’m looking forward to talking with you/ helping you book another vacation next year!

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

Best Vacation

Guest: Brian & Jean (Flemington, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 09/05/09 Review Submitted: 11/03/09

Thank you for letting us use your beautiful Dominican Villa in September. I don't know which I miss more: the icy cold President beer, or the fact that I could totally relax and not have to think about anything for a whole week. Your staff was great. Nelsida was always smiling and bringing food & beverages and Julio was so helpful with all the food shopping and errands; the langostinos from Maimon were great and the Dominican cigars much enjoyed on the terrace. I appreciate all your help getting this vacation organized for us. Having never traveled to the Dominican Republic having your input made everything run alot more smoothly. With my limited Spanish I don't know how I would have found the villa or even Playa Cofresi, what I would have ordered for meals and where I would have gone for restaurant dinning. Your Villa Guide book was also a huge help once we got to the villa. Your home is great (better than the pictures show) the location is beautiful (it was so relaxing to gaze at the ocean & the mountain & the stars at night.) Your home stood on it's own and was not crowded by other houses, which is what we noticed about the other villas. The staff was friendly & attentive without getting in the way. Like other reviewers I was tempted to put Nelsida in my suitcase when it was time to leave. A vacation doesn't get any better than this.

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

Coming Back Soon

Guest: jean n family (Colts Neck, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 08/22/09 Review Submitted: 11/03/09

Just a quick note to tell you we all had a perfect vacation in Cofresi. Your villa was fabulous! Everything was comfortable, clean and made for tropical vacation life. You were right about the sun terrace being big..between all the chaises and rockers and sunbed and hammock all 14 of us could spread out without the little ones fighting. We just had to learn to take turns on the hammock. Nelsida, Mercey and Julio were the best! It really was sad when it was time to leave. I have never felt so pampered in all my life and as promised I did not lift a finger except to drink my pina colada (while floating in the pool, which you told me to do). Every single meal was better than the one before and I don't have to tell you that Nelsida knows how to make a great Pina Colada! She had everyone's drink orders memorized after the first day. I should have brought stretchy pants to wear on the plane home. I have already told my friends and coworkers about your place and you can bet I'll be calling back to book another vacation

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

Can not wait to return

Guest: T (NJ)
Date of Stay: 08/08/09 Review Submitted: 06/17/10

We stayed here last year Aug of 09. I could have not asked for a better vacation, We take 2 vacations a year and I tell you by far this was the most pampered I have been in a long time. The food , the home, the hospitality, the service all A++++++++++++. You have to experiance for yourself you will not be dissapointed. It is truly a home away from home, where you do not have to lift a finger. Julio, Mercy and Nesida are a class act. The whole process was a pleasure from the booking to the actual stay. The house is spacious and well kept, nicely furnished with all the comforts of home, The pool was kept pristine, and the food just kept coming.... You are truly SPOILED..I just can go on and on.... Looking forward to our return

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

Villa Dreams Come True

Guest: Happy Philadelphia Group (Pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 08/01/09 Review Submitted: 09/20/09

Dear Cindy, Our stay at your beautiful villa was beyond our wildest dreams! Even though the website was so inviting, we were absolutely overwhelmed with the “real thing”!!!! Following flights from Philadelphia via San Juan we were warmly greeted by Julio and Gabino, our luggage quickly claimed and we are on our way. The ride through Puerto Plata gave us our first impressions of the Dominican Republic…vey lush, warm and yes poor, as we travelled to the Villa. There we were warmly welcomed by Nelsida and Mercy and overwhelmed with the beauty of the villa as well as the friendliness of the staff…we knew we were “home”! As we walked out onto the veranda we were stunned by the breathtaking beauty of the pool and the surrounding views of the ocean, Mount Isabella, the other villas near but not too near, this was the villa of our dreams! After a quick tour of the house we changed into bathing suits and head to the pool. Almost instantly Mercy appeared with a tray of Pina Coladas and cold beer…..we were in heaven. Our stay at Villa Vista Del Mar had begun! Every day was like a dream filled with long, lazy hours in and around the pool interrupted only by the delicious meals and beverages graciously served by Nelsida and Mercy. To say that the food was fantastic is an understatement…our every wish was met with a warm smile! The staff truly became like family. During the week we ventured off to enjoy a day of sailing and snorkeling on a catamaran and a second adventure which took us out into the glorious countryside through small villages where we were greeted by the smiles and laughter of the beautiful children culminating in a trek through the jungle and swimming in cool, emerald pools at the base of several waterfalls. As the week came to an end we all agreed that it would nearly impossible to find more a more luxurious way to spend a holiday. It is unanimous that we hope to find ourselves back at the villa very soon! Thanks again Cindy, Julio, Nelsida, Mercy and Gabino!

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

Guest: Margaret & Frankie
Date of Stay: 08/01/09 Review Submitted: 07/31/09

Our stay at your beautiful villa was beyond our wildest dreams! Even though the website was so inviting, we were absolutely overwhelmed with the “real thing”!!!! Following flights from Philadelphia via San Juan we were warmly greeted by Julio and Gabino, our luggage quickly claimed and we are on our way. The ride through Puerto Plata gave us our first impressions of the Dominican Republic…vey lush, warm and yes poor, as we travelled to the Villa. There we were warmly welcomed by Nelsida and Mercy and overwhelmed with the beauty of the villa as well as the friendliness of the staff…we knew we were “home”! As we walked out onto the veranda we were stunned by the breathtaking beauty of the pool and the surrounding views of the ocean, Mount Isabella, the other villas near but not too near, this was the villa of our dreams! After a quick tour of the house we changed into bathing suits and head to the pool. Almost instantly Mercy appeared with a tray of Pina Coladas and cold beer…..we were in heaven. Our stay at Villa Vista Del Mar had begun! Every day was like a dream filled with long, lazy hours in and around the pool interrupted only by the delicious meals and beverages graciously served by Nelsida and Mercy. To say that the food was fantastic is an understatement…our every wish was met with a warm smile! The staff truly became like family. During the week we ventured off to enjoy a day of sailing and snorkeling on a catamaran and a second adventure which took us out into the glorious countryside through small villages where we were greeted by the smiles and laughter of the beautiful children culminating in a trek through the jungle and swimming in cool, emerald pools at the base of several waterfalls. As the week came to an end we all agreed that it would nearly impossible to find more a more luxurious way to spend a holiday. It is unanimous that we hope to find ourselves back at the villa very soon!

Recommended for:

Week in Paradise

Guest: VeryContent Family (New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 08/10/09

2nd day at Cofresi: You lied to us. You said this is paradise. This isn't paradise, it's heaven. Julio, Nelsida and Mercy couldn't be nicer or better at what they do. We love it here. Went on the jeep safari today and all I can say is OMG. We are already planning a trip back next year with at least 8 people & you'll have at least 2 more billings after we get home. I'll write more when we get home. PS - the art work in the house is beautiful. Buenos dias. Post Vacation: Thank you for one of the most enjoyable, relaxing, beautiful vacations I can remember. Our stay was a week we’ll never forget. We arrived at the airport and Julio was waiting for us as promised. En route to the villa, he stopped at a market so we could buy some last minute items. He is so easygoing and friendly, we fell in love with him instantly. When we arrived at our vacation home, we found the front door open and the aroma of something wonderful cooking. Two very friendly, smiling faces, Nelsida and Mercy could not have been cuter. They acted as if we were family they haven’t seen for years. Julio insisted he carry our suitcases upstairs and immediately we were served cold drinks & snacks. I would come down stairs in the morning and my coffee was being poured as I walked into the kitchen. If I tried to pick it up, I got a stern “no” from Nelsida. I was not to carry my coffee. With a sly smile, she gladly carried it out to the poolside table for me to enjoy. The whole week was the same. The maids would not let anyone do anything but relax, all while they smiled and worked away. They truly are amazing. You were right, we all wanted to bring them home with us. At the airport, I teased Julio that my suitcase was heavy because I had Mercy and Nelsida in it. He laughed and said, “No, my Mercy stays here with me”. We have their e-mail address and will stay in touch with our Dominican, extended family. I can’t accurately convey how fond we grew of them. My son learned a tremendous amount of Spanish from the staff and they were impressed at how fast he caught on. The house itself is beyond description. It looks as if it was built yesterday. It is in perfect condition in all respects. Julio keeps the pool sparkling and it was amazing how clear the water stayed all week. We are already planning our trip back next year with more people. We can’t wait to see Julio, Nelsida, Mercy, the villa and all the wonderful, beautiful Dominicans we met, again. Thanks for an unforgettable experience!!!

Owner response:Hi Neal, Thank you for your glowing review. I am always happy when guests thoroughly enjoy their vacation at the villa, but even happier when they receive what-- or more then-- they expected. I am thrilled you enjoyed my attentive, pampering, cheerful staff. They are absolutely my pride and joy... and always work hard to ensure that every single guest enjoys a relaxing memorable vacation. Now you can understand why I refer to them and treat them as my 2nd family. A vacation in Cofresi simply would not be the same without them. Best Regards, Cindy

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

Marvelous Vacation

Guest: Happy Illinois Family (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 07/18/09 Review Submitted: 08/10/09

Cindy, We had the most marvelous time at your villa! I cannot say enough about your staff. You are correct; I wanted to take Nelsida and Mercy home with me. They are wonderful cooks and superbly wonderful people! My husband and I would've eaten more adventurously if the kids weren't around, but we still got a great sampling of their wonderful recipes. The yucca and crackers and cheese snack when we got there was so appreciated. Chris and Mady's was really good, but we were so exhausted by the time we got there we could barely keep our heads up. For the sheer value, deliciousness and down-home fantastic cooking I'd eat at the house every day. We loved the endless supply of pina coladas, mojitos, banana milkshakes, flan and guacamole. Not to mention the wonderful fruits we had every day. Ahora Beachhouse was great for the kids to get burgers and fries even though you are correct it is quite expensive. The deep fried milky ways were quite wonderful though! Julio was so helpful and even got us a tray full of langostinos for dinner - so awesome. He also helped a member of our group who wanted to rent a car with logistics and so forth. He and Gabino doing the airport transfers was so wonderful so we didn't have to think about it. Jose was such a sweet night watchman. He spoke to me like I knew what he was saying and somehow I managed to understand most of it. He was so genuine and he told us to come back Pronto! All your staff made us feel right at home and even though the kids (and me) were a little weirded out at first at having "maids" around, by the end of the week they felt more like family. Your home is wonderfully kept up and the pool was pristine. We spent a lot of time in that pool! We didn't need air conditioning until the last night when we felt it got really, really hot. It was either our imagination or it was because we all fried on the catamaran ride that last day or it was indeed really, really hot. Some places let their maintenance slide cuz they figure there is nothing you can do since you are there, but your place was top-notch all the way. Excellent furnishings and excellent upkeep! Thanks for all your help and thanks for a truly memorable vacation! We are hoping that someday we can make it back there! If you can reiterate to your staff how wonderful they were and how much we appreciated them I'd truly appreciate that as well... Lorain

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

Lovely villa with staff - best value

Guest: Carol from NC (Asheville, NC)
Date of Stay: 07/05/09 Review Submitted: 07/24/09

Our stay in Villa Vista del Mar was the most relaxing vacation I have ever had. It was by far the best value for the money. This large home comfortably accommodated our extended family of ten people, including four teenagers. Although we were there in the middle of the summer, the many fans, air conditioned bedrooms, and private pool kept us very comfortable. The staff was an added bonus, which made this vacation a dream. They were extremely gracious, took care of all cooking and cleaning, and helped us in many ways, large and small. Any parent will appreciate how wonderful it was to be free of the chores of everyday life. Play Cofresi is a small community, with a beach, shops, and restaurants within a five-minute walk - and we felt safe day and night. There are also many excursions available through the local tour guide. We took advantage of a few activities, but even the teens were content to spend most of their time hanging out at the pool. The detailed information provided by the owner before our arrival and the notebooks on site helped us to understand what to expect and take full advantage of our visit to this delightful country.

Owner response:Hi Carol, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I absolutely agree that the staff makes it possible for all parents to be able to sit back and enjoy a vacation as the staff takes over.

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

Another Day in Paradise

Guest: ThomasP (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/28/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/09

When we decided we wanted to go to the Dominican Republic, we started looking at areas we wanted to check out. And the top one on that list was the Northern Caribbean coast of DR. Randomly, I came across an Advertisement for HomeAway.com while reviewing Politico.com (who knew??) and when I clicked on DR and Puerta Plata, Vista del Mar was the listing that came up first. And I can't emphasize how glad we are that it did. Cindy helped get everything arranged for seven of us to fly into POP, be whisked to the Villa and enjoy seven full days of luxury and relaxation. She took care of everything up front (including food) so we had very little to do but relax by the pool and have Pinas each and every day. The staff was amazing and so helpful and sweet. Cindy had mentioned that we'd really like them and I think that ended up being an understatement. They were so great and nice and just a joy to be around. The Villa is huge and allowed us all to spread out and just relax. Each bedroom has air conditioning, which is needed for the hot and humid nights. There are great little restaurants nearby and the beach is just about a block away. Needless to say, we can't wait to come back to Vista del Mar. When we are on the plane back to Chicago, we kept talking about how lucky we were to find this place and what an amazing week it had been. A great place, with amazing people. Thanks to Cindy and all the staff at the Villa for making for such a great vacation! Thomas

Owner response:Hi Thomas, Thank you for letting me know about your pleasant vacation at Villa Vista Del Mar. A lot of time & effort has been invested to make this a comfortable and carefree vacation villa... Training the staff; creating orientation books, restaurant & activities guides and providing optional services (food set up, airport transfer) etc; were designed so that guests can quickly relax and truly enjoy a carefree vacation. I want guests to feel immediately at home... with the added luxury of attentive staff. (What I wouldn’t give to have them here with me in MA!) I’m glad you had a great time and look forward to helping you again in the future. Best Regards, Cindy

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

Guest: Renee27 (New Castle, PA)
Date of Stay: 06/09/09 Review Submitted: 06/09/09

Hello Cindy, My friends and I have had the pleasure of staying at your villa unexpectedly. We originally booked through the Lifestyle Crown Villa Resort located below your Villa. Once we arrived for check-in, we were informed that the resort had over booked villas. This is where your Villa came in, it is my understanding that the resort can rent from you if necessary...and boy we were glad they could!!! I have to say that the best part of our trip was your gorgeous villa and wonderful staff which had nothing to do with our original purchase of a vacation at the resort. We did still have the all inclusive package including food at the resort therefore, Nelsida and Mercy only had to prepare us breakfast that the resort dropped off every morning. However, they did a wonderful time in preparing our 1 meal per day and made sure the place was spotless everyday while catering to all of our needs. Julio was just as fabulous and his superb English came in handy. We also LOVED both Jose's which guarded us during the night. I must say a nightmare of finding out the resort overbooked ended up being a blessing in disguise. We now know that if we ever decide to vacation in the DR again, it will definitely be at Vista Del Mar. Ocean World was also very nice, along with the Mexican Cantina and Ahora. We like Ahora so much that we ate there 2 times and paid money that we didn't need to because we had the all inclusive for food at the resort. Once again, thank you for the memories of a great vacation.

Owner response:HI Renee, Thank you for taking the time to let me know about your vacation experience. I am thrilled that you enjoyed my villa and were happy with my extended staff-- they are like a 2nd family to me, and I am very proud of their efforts. I would love to help you with a future vacation if you decide to return to Playa Cofresi Best Regards, Cindy

Recommended for:

Wonderful Time

Guest: Happy Texas Family (Texas)
Date of Stay: 06/07/09 Review Submitted: 06/18/09

Cindy, I just wanted to let you know that everyone had a wonderful time at your villa. The house is so comfortable and I didn't have to worry about the kids tearing anything up! My oldest grandson was excited because he took the room with the bunk beds and had it all to himself. My granddaughter moved around from room to room. The two babies took to Nelsida and Mercy right away. I almost think they understood what they were saying because they just laughed whenever they talked to them. On Saturday I was at my wits end with them crying while Nichole (my daughter in law) was having a massage and each of them took a baby to the patio and they were asleep within minutes. The meals were great and it was so nice having them ready when we got back each day. And the pina coladas were wonderful! Everyday was an adventure. The kids did the cable car, catamaran, white water rafting, diving, dune buggies, horseback riding, water falls and fishing (with no luck). I had one morning to myself and only did the cable car, catamaran and part of the waterfalls. But I did have 3 massages while there but still need a vacation to recover from the vacation! The 2 older kids said this was their favorite vacation and could we please stay longer. We will definitely come back! Gail (June 2009)

Owner response:I'm glad the kids had a 'favorite' vacation and participated in so many of the tours & activities. There is no shortage of things to do! I am more like you... just give me a massage (every day would be fine!) a good book and a float in the pool. That’s what I call vacation. I am also happy to hear the maids were a helpful with the babies. I know when my children were just toddlers they helped me immensely. When my middle son was just 4 months old and very colicky I went to Cofresi. The maid was instructed to watch him every single moment so I could relax. At one point I realized I had not heard him crying—which he always did non-stop. I could not find him or the maid anywhere and briefly became alarmed. I finally found them both in the darkened bedroom. My son was asleep in the crib and the maid was literally watching over him... waiting for him to wake up so she could scoop him up before he started to cry. I could not believe the attention she paid to him. I would not have been able to relax without her... and I have been forever grateful. My son is now 21 and no longer cries :-)

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

Wonderful Villa Vacation

Guest: Happy Virginia Couple (Virginia)
Date of Stay: 06/01/09 Review Submitted: 06/18/09

Hi Cindy, Staying at your villa was wonderful. I was actually able to relax and enjoy the house we fell in love with the Nelsida, Julio and the house. The house was so comfortable and homey feeling we loved everything. The only thing that got us was those outdoor little biting gnats. But we still had a good time and I needed to relax because I was trying to get over having pneumonia it was indeed a good medicine. We enjoyed it so much that I will be contacting you by the beginning of the year because we want to go back the same time next year for 7 days. Thank you for giving us your vacation home so that we could have a wonderful vacation. Valerie June 2009

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

Wonderful Fabulous Vacation

Guest: West Coast Girl (Seattle )
Date of Stay: 05/23/09 Review Submitted: 06/10/09

Hi Cindy, I was a part of Megan’s party at your wonderful house in Cofresi. We had a wonderful time, vacation was fabulous...great weather the first half. We went on the catamaran/snorkeling trip Monday, took the city tour Wed. Really enjoyed both. We were very impressed with the staff. Julio and Nelsida were fabulous. We had Nelsida with us the whole time. We weren't sure how we'd feel having someone else around, getting us drinks, etc. We're pretty low key people. She was great....learned our preferences quickly, was pleasant, helpful and not at all intrusive. And between my high school level Spanish and Google Translator, I think we did ok on the communication. Julio was very helpful too. We had the silly idea we could just grab a cab and go to some of the city places we wanted to go. As soon as he found that out he stopped us and found us a wonderful, friendly guide. We were sooo glad he did because we really didn't have a clue! The one thing we didn't do was the cable car. We missed our chance by lounging around the pool one of the sunny days. Oh well...next time. One thing you may want to warn guests about.....there are many guys from the Lifestyles Resort driving around the area in golf carts. They all want to take you to the resort for a tour. We politely declined several times, but curiosity eventually got the better of us. We were ushered into a "VIP" area and sat for an hour listening to a vacation timeshares sales pitch. We told him, that the tour was interesting but we would need to consult with parents/attorney. He turned pretty quickly. Berated us for leading him on that we were not going to hand over $45,000 (on the spot) etc. The real kicker was when he took back the "complimentary" bottle of Rum he gave us. All in all, a horrible experience. We have attended similar sales pitches and have never been treated so poorly. When we returned to the villa, we were sooo glad to be back and have our wonderful staff!! So that was our trip...all in all, a great experience, very relaxing. No problems at all with your house or staff....in fact we kept commenting after our 'tour' how grateful we were we that we choose your villa and not some resort!! Regards, Jill

Owner response:Hi Jill, Thank you for your review and kind words about the staff and villa. I am sorry you had such a bad experience with the Lifestyles Salesmen. Unfortunately some of these salesmen have been known to become overly aggressive... to the point of being rude. Many homes in the area have complained of this issue and action has been taken. At least now the salesmen are not allowed to approach the homes. My staff has been instructed to tell guests to just ignore them; I am sorry if they forgot to warn you. The local Cofresi police force has also been informed about this harassment so they look to keep the salesmen away from non-resort guests. Rest assured I will mention this problem to the local neighborhood association so that it can be corrected once and for all. I am glad you were able to return to the comfort of the villa (with courteous staff) and enjoy your vacation Best Regards, Cindy

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

Best Vacation Ever

Guest: Happy in Paradise (Miami Florida)
Date of Stay: 04/30/09 Review Submitted: 05/20/09

Coming to the Dominica Republic and staying at the Villa Vista Del was the best vacation I’ve ever taken. I didn’t have to do a thing the entire week, no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry. Everything was taken care of by Nelsida and Mercey. We enjoyed meals on the outside veranda. The quality of cooking was phenomenal, we enjoyed fresh local fruits, cheeses and meats. Drinks were even served to us pool side. The refreshing ocean breeze made it very pleasant, we didn’t even need to use the air conditioning but the option is available in each bedroom. It was nice because we didn’t have to go far to get to anything. Numerous restaurants, a casino, a night club and the beach are all within easy walking distance. We spent most of our time reading in the pool, lounging in the hammock or sitting at Cofresi beach. It was a very relaxing trip. We did venture out on an excursion; we did the Jeep Safari tour and it was amazing! Along the ride we were able to see local stones being carved into magnificent figures, coffee being made directly from the beans, and cigars being rolled. We enjoying an authentic Dominican meal and then headed to the waterfalls. It was an exhilarating experience, we climbed up 7 waterfalls! After reaching the 7th waterfall we were than able to slide or jump out way back down. It was absolutely amazing! The staff at this villa really made our trip; I was worried because the extent of my Spanish speaking abilities is hola, and por favor. But communication was no problem and Julio can answer any of your questions, he was very helpful to us. Your villa “guide books” tells you absolutely everything you need to know from what plants/ produce customs will confiscate... to how to book a tour with the tour director, Gus. The books described in great detail all of the available activities as well as the meals Nelsida and Mercey can prepare. I loved this vacation; I can’t wait until next year when we will be returning to Villa Vista Del Mar with even more friends and family! Christina April 2009

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

Playa Cofresi Paradise

Guest: Very Happy Villa Vacationer (Baltimore MD)
Date of Stay: 04/18/09 Review Submitted: 05/15/09

Dear Cindy, Thank you for such a wonderful vacation in your lovely Playa Cofresi Villa. The house was absolutely amazing and all the staff was superb. Everything was great from the beginning when Julio greeted us at the airport to the end, when we sadly had to return to reality. Julio was a tremendous help in helping with our shopping, his English is much better than my Spanish so we did not have to worry about communicating. He took excellent care of the pool and the tremendous poolside terrace, everything was spotless and perfect. The outside shaded dining area and open sun terrace are amazing... a HUGE area to spread out. We could all spread out and be in the sun or shade, but still be close enough for conversation. And we had to fight over who got to use the sun bed. The large yards surrounding the villa really gave us a sense of privacy. Nelsida and Mercey were just great, so attentive and courteous and excellent cooks! The food was delicious and your Food Guide Book was a great help. We may try to make some of those dishes at home. The ladies could not have done a better job pampering us non-stop with snacks, drinks and delicious meals. I would love to kidnap them and bring them home with me. Your Villa Guide and the Tours & Activities book were extremely helpful for us to make arrangements for local activities from a manicure, pedicure, massage, to exciting side trips. I could not believe a manicure and pedicure for $15! We felt very safe with having Gus make the arrangements for the side trips and they even came to the house to pick us up. We tried the Safari trip which included the trek up 7 levels of a waterfall and swim in the pools. It was definitely something you must do at least once in your life. When I got back to work I had to share your website with my co-workers so that they could see the lovely pictures. Everyone was so impressed but I told them that the real thing was even better. I put your website as a favorite on my computer so that I can gaze and remember our lovely vacation. You can definitely count on us for a return vacation next year. Best regards, Cathy

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