Entire home

Beachfront Tropical Villa with Private Pool

Photo gallery for Beachfront Tropical Villa with Private Pool

Exterior living room with ocean view
View from the main bedroom
Evening view from the main bedroom
Pool deck
Hammock in front of the main bedroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 93400 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pool

Explore the area

Map
Las Terrenas, Samaná
  • Playa Bonita
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Plaza Rosada Shopping Center
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Playa Ballenas
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Las Terrenas (EPS-El Portillo)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

3 Single Beds

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beachfront Tropical Villa with Private Pool

The villa Estrella del Mar is our family hideaway and beach front home, our little ocean front piece of heaven with a mind-blowing view of the Playa Bonita Bay and direct access to the beach. The villa is surrounded by 1,700 m2 of private tropical gardens and is located in a quiet residential area.

The house features 4 bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms, for a maximum of 9 guests. 3 kingsize bedrooms with and 1 bedroom with 3 single beds. All bedrooms are air-conditioned, equipped with a ceiling fan, mosquito nets and safety box (king bedrooms only). Both rooms at the back of the house have their own private terrace surrounded by a wonderful tropical garden.

The open living area has two sections. The first section consists of the entrance, the living room and the kitchen. This section can be closed and secured by sliding doors. During the day it is typically open and forms a large unit with the second section on the Veranda. The Veranda consists of the dining area, a small and a larger living area and the most popular hammock corner. All of the above is protected by the thatched roof which extends to the entire house. If there is rain or wind, we have a rain and wind protection curtain on the veranda which keeps most of it outside.

The ocean side of the garden is a perfect place to work on your suntan, play frisbee, badminton or soccer. To cool down, the pool with ocean view is integrated in the outdoor living area. Guests like to rock the hammock, read a book and sip a cocktail while overseeing the children play in the pool. And so do we. On the other side of the house, the garden is a colorful dense tropical heaven making the two back-of-the-house verandas a cocooning place to relax.

We won't be in Las Terrenas during your stay, but we will organize everything for you and can assist before and during your stay through whatsapp or phone. We can help with transfers, excursions, car and motorbike rental, grocery shopping for the arrival day, emergencies (hopefully not), etc.

Bina, our wonderful maid and great cook, works Mon to Sat from 8am to 4pm, she cleans the house, prepares breakfast (grocery expenses not included) and washes the linen twice a week. For lunch service an extra charge applies (grocery expenses not included). On Sundays we have another person working half day and preparing breakfast. Bina knows Las Terrenas and all the people we work with perfectly well and can help organising. She only speaks Spanish, but the communication with our guests still works very well. Online translators are helpful. Bina also mixes a couple of devine tropical cocktails like Cuba Libre, Santo Libre, Piña Colada, Caipirinha, Mojito, Daiquiri or Margarita. A private chef can be hired for dinner.

Mimio takes care of the garden for more than 20 years. He is a lovely person and part of the Estrella del Mar family. You will appreciate him for taking care of the pool, cleaning the grill after usage and for skillfully opening coconuts just harvested from the trees for you to enjoy the water and the meat. He also helps in many other ways. Mimio works from Monday to Saturday noon and stays in an independent room next to the house.

Playa Bonita is a quiet and residential area with private homes and small hotels. It's close to the charming and lively village of Las Terrenas where you can find restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, french bakeries and grocery stores. Some nice restaurants are just next door at Playa Bonita as well. You can get to the village by taxi, motorbike-taxi or rent a car, motorbike or 4-wheel quad. The rented vehicles are delivered to the house. We are happy to help with organised excursions such as whale watching (jan-march only) jeep safaris, National Park los Haitises by boat, Coffee and Cacao fields by squad, fishing, diving, etc.




Property manager

Nicole Glur

Languages

English, French, German, Spanish
Lock

Protect your payment — always book on Vrbo

If someone asks you to book through them or pay them directly before you book on Vrbo, report it.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking only in the garden
We have a strict no illegal drug use policy. The Dominican law is very strict. Unruly behavior will unfortunately result in you being asked to leave.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Las Terrenas

Located on the beach, this villa is in Playa Bonita, a neighbourhood in Las Terrenas. Cayos Las Ballenas and Samana Zipline are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Plaza Rosada Shopping Center and Beach Garden Plaza. Kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding nearby.
Map
Las Terrenas, Samaná

What's nearby

  • Playa Bonita - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • La Iglesia Beach - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Plaza Rosada Shopping Center - 8 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Coson Beach - 14 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Playa Ballenas - 26 min drive - 8.3 km

Getting around

  • Samana (AZS-El Catey Intl.) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪El Lugar - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪El Mosquito Art Bar - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Cayuco En Bonita - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪El Loro - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪De Charlie Mariscos - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beachfront Tropical Villa with Private Pool have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Beachfront Tropical Villa with Private Pool pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beachfront Tropical Villa with Private Pool?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beachfront Tropical Villa with Private Pool?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beachfront Tropical Villa with Private Pool located?

Nestled on the beach, this Playa Bonita villa is within a 15-minute walk of Playa Bonita and La Iglesia Beach. Playa Ballenas and Punta Popy Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 55 out of 56 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 56 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 56 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 56 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 56 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jay U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Home

We took a family spring break trip to the Dominican. The house was even better than you see in the pictures! My three sons (12,15,17 years old) all loved the house and location. And the property owner did an amazing job ensuring our visit was outstanding. I strongly recommend this one.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rod B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Playa Bonita Paradise

This property was the best VRBO I've stayed at ever. It exceeded expectations. The owner is Swiss (but lives in DR) ....need I say more.....everything in the home was perfectly maintained, very clean, very well designed and staff were amazing. We had a great time!!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joyana P., Urbandale, Iowa

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay

We had a fantastic stay! The owners were great to work with and helped plan our stay. Bina and Mimio were super helpful and the house, pool and beach were beautiful. Great places to eat and drink are right within walking distance. I recommend having Chef Simon come to the house to cook some evening. That was a great experience with great food. Don't forget to bring bug spray and sunscreen!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mireille B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Juste parfait

Ce que l’on voit sur les photos est exactement ce que l’on trouve à l’arrivée. Nicole est une hôtesse exceptionnelle par ses précieux conseils et sa disponibilité hors pair. Plages accessibles pour tous les goûts. Location de quads pour la semaine ( +ou- 50 us par jour ) un must pour se déplacer . Très bon service avec Ovidio Rent a car. Bina et Mimio sont sur place ; discrets et agréables . Endroit très propre et tout fonctionne très bien.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

margie c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful villa

We enjoyed everything about our stay and hope to come back soon.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Every box checked off!

Estella Del Mar is a beautiful villa from its location steps away from the water, to it’s impeccable architectural and interior design. We were a group of seven adult world travelers with very high expectations, and from the second we arrived at the front door to the welcoming smile and nurturing warmth of Bina, we felt right at home as she filled our glasses with iced champagne and showed us around the villa. We communicated mostly through google translation and had absolutely no problem in making our needs known. In the weeks prior to our arrival the communication with Nicole was ongoing, as he truly ensured that every need, desire and concern was addressed and fulfilled. Before our arrival Nicole sent me a 16-page brochure (PDF) with detailed information regarding the staff, Wi-Fi, airport transportation, local beaches, restaurants, amenities, shopping, cigar shopping, and literally anything and everything needed to make our stay wonderful. Nicole scheduled massages on the terrace for us that were so tranquil and soothing, some of the best massages we have ever experienced. Nicole referred us to Rancho Playa for horseback riding on the beach and that was one of the highlights of our trip. Most of us had no experience with horses but we soon felt at ease due to detailed guidance and instructions from the owner and the guides, which made our adventure fun and so memorable. Every day after our early morning walks on Playa Bonita beach, Bina greeted us with fresh coffee, expresso and a delicious, bountiful breakfast of fresh fruits, pastries, breads, eggs, bacon and pancakes. Our choices were endless. We also planned for Bina to prepare lunch on a few occasions, and I am telling you, OMG, the fish she cooked was mouthwatering. We only ate at the local restaurants a few times as we preferred to eat Bina’s cooking, although Beluga, the restaurant next door was great and their mojitos were almost as good as Bina’s… almost. To celebrate my birthday, Simon, a local chef prepared lobster and made a beautiful and delicious birthday cake. Mimio, our pleasant grounds keeper, got us fresh coconuts to drink and made sure everything outside was perfect for us and the pool man came almost daily to ensure the beautiful pool stayed sparkling. There is absolutely nothing negative to be said about Villa Estrella Del Mar. We had a 5-star experience and are looking forward to another stay.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carine f.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Un séjour 10 étoiles

Depuis la réservation jusqu’à notre départ, tout fût parfait. Avant le départ, notre hôte, Nicole, répondait à toutes mes questions plutôt nombreuses et a organisé notre arrivée : courses, taxis, réservations de toutes sortes. Nous fûmes accueillis par Bina et Mimio, nos merveilleux gouvernante et jardinier, pour rendre notre séjour encore plus agréable. La maison, totalement conforme au descriptif est admirablement bien placée. En face de la plage agitée pour ceux qui aiment les vagues et le surf mais à 300 mètres de 2 autres plages beaucoup plus tranquilles . Les restaurants tout proches permettent un choix varié pour le dîner même si nous avons préféré les repas à la maison avec le chef Simon qui assurait ce service à la perfection. Merci à Nicole et sa famille de nous avoir permis de partager leur coin de paradis.
Stayed 16 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janique K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful, comfortable front beach in Las Terrenas

The house was comfortable and beautiful, Bina the maid and Mimio the gardener were sweet, helpful and kind. We loved our stay at Estrella del mar! Gorgeous beach front property near restaurants, but still in a quiet and safe area, 15 minutes by car or quad from the busy shopping area at Playa Poppy. Paradise! Nicole is a great host.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sara F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excelente

Solo tengo cosas buenas que decir tanto de la casa como de la ubicación y del servicio. La comunicación con Nicole muy fluida, nos ha ayudado con todo lo que hemos necesitado, incluyendo reservas de restaurantes, lista de la compra, transporte, alquiler de coche etc. La casa está ubicada a pocos metros de la playa, una playa muy bonita con olas, y a pocos minutos andando de una playa muy tranquila y espectacular. También hay varios restaurantes de playa / informales a pocos minutos andando. La comida cocinada por Bina riquísima siempre, si le indicas lo que quieres lo hace perfecto y si no ella hace recetas buenísimas también. La casa es tal y como se ve en las fotos. El único pero si vas con niños pequeños, como en nuestro caso, es que hay que estar muy atentos a la piscina al jo estar vallada, pero no ha sido un problema para nosotros y repetiriamos sin duda.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Daniel M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceptional property, host and location

The villa is just as beautiful in person as in the pictures. The host Nicole was always available via text message. She provided a virtual concierge service: arranging for dinner reservations, taxis, and any other logistical arrangements we had to make our stay better. Best host I've ever had. The location is excellent. The pedestrian path along the beach leads in either direction to various small restaurants. (Note that the beach directly in front of the villa has stronger waves that aren't suitable for younger children, but a short walk 500 m west along the pedestrian path leads to Punta Bonita where there is a good beach.) Surfing is also good a short walk to the east. Bina the housekeeper provided breakfast and lunch, and we appreciated her grocery shopping for us.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Betsy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Holiday Getaway

Our group was 4 adults and 2 children (ages 6 and 9). We spent a week in November and I cannot think of a single thing that would have made our stay any better. The property itself is exactly as advertised. Nicole basically provided a concierge service before we arrived -- she arranged transportation from the airport, a dinner reservation for the first night, and she even ordered a birthday cake for later in the week. We asked her for help booking excursions and she recommended we not book things on more than two days, and she was right -- we loved spending most of our time in the pool and at the beach. We did a half-day ATV tour with Flora Tours which was a fun way to see the surrounding area and a perfect activity with kids (they doubled-up with the adults). Nicole was also very responsive with anything we needed or questions we had during our stay. We only left the area twice -- once for the ATV excursion and another time for dinner in downtown Las Terrenas. There's plenty to do right outside the house. The beach right in front of the house is a little rocky, but there's a beautiful sandy beach about a 5-minute walk to the left. There was a drop-in yoga class on Tuesday and Thursday at 9am (just past Mosquito) and we took a surf lesson at Carolina Surf School. Highly recommend both! All of Nicole's restaurant recommendations were spot-on and we were able to pay with USD or credit card everywhere. Bina was amazing. She was incredibly patient with our broken Spanish and also completely willing to use google translate. She took care of groceries for all of our meals and we just paid her back in cash each day. We felt completely safe our entire visit. Mimio lives on-site and it was nice knowing he was there when we were away from the house. When we took a taxi home from dinner downtown, he came outside to meet us and make sure we got back into the house okay. I'd call it the trip of a lifetime, but we really hope to find our way back!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

AK R., Denver USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Week

We just got back from an amazing week!! The home is gorgeous and everything that the pictures represent and more. We stayed here with our family (4 teenagers) and had more than enough room to hang out and enjoy our trip. Bina and Mimio were absolutely incredible. Bina cooked us an amazing breakfast every morning and they both worked so hard to keep the house in great shape for our stay. We loved the pool but access to the beach was great. Just a few steps away and were were on a beautiful beach with good waves for boogie boarding and playing water games. The Beluga restaurant next door was so convenient and had great food and drinks (we could hardly hear the music and it was really calm there, so it didn't bother us at all). We enjoyed a long walk every day, exploring the restaurants in Las Terrenas and Playa Bonita and had a chef come a few nights to cook us dinner. Nicole was a pleasure to work with and was extremely helpful in planning our trip. Thank you for a great vacation!!!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

tracye c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

As advertised

Let me just start by saying, I have been waiting 2 years to get to this property after canceling during the pandemic. The owner has top notch communication, is understanding and very accommodating. This villa is steps away from the beach!! The views and amenities do not disappoint and all as depicted on the site. The villa is accurately described and looks just like the pictures! What a beautiful site to wake up to every morning! The 2 hour drive to this location is worth it. Having Bina is one of the best parts of the experience. Bina helped to coordiante all the food prep, shopping, and cooking. We had a delicious and fufilling breakfast & lunch everyday. She works so efficiently. We never had an issue with Bina. We also took advantage of a private chef for a special Father's Day Dinner vs going out to a restaurant. The food was plentiful and prepared well. The beach is one of my favorites! Beautiful warm waters with constant waves. It made surfing fun! The village of playa bonita is safe with security. There are several restaurants about the place. You have access to something to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. *Be aware that a 28% service tax is added to the tab while dining out. We opted to cook dinner at the villa a night or 2. We rented mopeds for shopping in the metro. It was a fun trip. The masseuse came to the villa for our massages. The massages were solid in quality and a great value. My spouse and I felt very relaxed! The house was spacious and open. We all enjoyed our accommodations with 2 families together under one roof. The couples had theirs space as didn't he children. The pool was always a go to and the basketball goal was an added bonus for the boys. *Mosquitos can be very unpleasant. Bring gaurd. Overall this
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Meghan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a wonderful trip!

The house and views are amazing. Wonderful area and host! Great places within walking distance for dinner, drinks and entertainment. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Abigail M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation of a lifetime

We've been looking forward to this trip for more than a year, and WOW it did not disappoint! This is truly a spectacular home, made even more special by the exceptional care of Nicole, the home owner. The house and grounds are extraordinary! Bina and Mimio are kind and helpful. We loved Playa Bonita and had a great time learning to surf. We enjoyed walking to both calm areas too -- one five minutes to the east and one five minutes walk to the west around the point. Playa Bonita is truly is picture postcard beautiful!!! SIDE NOTE: I have only one heads-up about the location. It is mainly very quiet and you can't even notice that there's a restaurant next door. However, Saturdays and Sundays are much much busier, and both weekend days that we were there a DJ next door blasted music from noon until past 6pm. It was basically in our front yard and you couldn't escape it, even inside the house. I'm not sure if this always happens or not. But it was very disruptive. (Nicole, I didn't mention it during our stay because I know it's out of your control, but it might be worth a conversation with the owners of La Beluga! :). It wouldn't prevent me from renting here, but if you value quiet as much as we do, I would probably plan my excursions away from the property on Sat/Sundays afternoons. ) Couple other thoughts: -Nicole's network of folks -- Orlando the driver; Genaro the car rental guy, chef Simon, etc. -- as well as their many recommendations, including for Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, were all spot on. -Restaurant Luis in Playa Coson is a must! (we drove) -Surfing is so fun and Carolina Surf School is great! -Pizza at El Cuyaco is yummy and an inexpensive alternative (we did take out) -Food is very expensive -- the tax and service charges of almost +30% really take a bite -Bring lots of US Cash! ATM exchange rates were very expensive, I wish we'd have brought more USD - a visit to the fish market (east of the cemetery in downtown Las Terranas) was fun local color - we actually used Chef Simon two nights and would have done more. It was the best food of our trip I think, and probably the cheapest! (cost of groceries plus $50 for the chef) Such a treat! Thanks again Nicole! You are a blessing and this home is a true gift that you are sharing with families to make once in a lifetime memories!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Helen G., Miami, US

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Vacation

We had a incredible time at Estrella Del Mar. First, Nicole is amazing. For weeks before our arrival, she answered questions about everything and anything…from transportation to dinner plans to what shoes would be best for excursions. She made arrangements for Covid tests for our friends and family that were coming and going, arranged transportation to and from the airport, reserved excursions and made suggestions regarding our itinerary (I asked for her thoughts). The evening we arrived, Bina was waiting for us. She had the refrigerator filled with our immediate basic needs (wine and cheese 😉) and a few extra items to snack on. She prepared breakfast for us each morning, answered questions, helped with directions and maintained the house…always pleasant, kind and helpful. Mimio tended the garden, prepared fresh flowers every few days and always had a smile and kind greeting. The house is stunning. Our family enjoyed throwing the frisbee in the yard every afternoon and playing “around the world” at the basketball hoop. We felt the house was perfectly located…a short walk in either location lead to whatever we wanted: a beautiful sunset, a romantic dinner, a casual cold beer and snack, surfing lessons. Town is a little drive, close but far away enough so that we didn’t feel the hustle of cars and motos. We rented ATVs to get around and they really made us feel a part of things. Driving there is an experience we won’t forget, super fun but far from what we’re accustomed to. All in all, we had a wonderful vacation and look forward to returning to Estrella Del Mar in the coming year.
Stayed 13 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

JULYA F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The BEST house in Dominican Republic

This house was incredible. We have travelled to many destinations and by far this location, house, staff, and proximity to restaurants made this stay one of our top vacation rentals. Nicole the owner reserved all of our excursions and helped with everything. It was so seamless. The house is located right between 2 top restaurants. We ate and drank at Mosquitos basically the entire stay because the seafood and service was superb. We also went to Atlantis restaurant for a French type fine dining. Everything was a 1 minute walk. The yard was amazing, the kids played soccer and basketball. About a 5 minute walk to the left was the most beautiful calm beach with views. It was breathtaking. We basically didn’t leave the property because we didn’t have to. Bina made breakfast and cleaned up while we were out and about. I feel relaxed and refreshed. Thank you Nicole and family for letting us stay in your amazing Villa.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jon S., Lehi, UT

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Property

We loved out stay. The place is just about perfect. The patio and backyard are unbelievable...better than pictures. The beach behind the place is skinny; walk two minutes towards town (for waves) or ten away from town (for sand/calm) and it is great. Not much reason to find another beach in the area (we tried many). Host communication is awesome. We ate dinner at the house multiple times and it was fantastic. The town is a bit hectic, but there are great eating spots once you settle In and look (from typical to nice). We did massages once. The main person is amazing. Her friend is okay. About the only thing that would have been nicer is fewer bugs (nights were sometimes a battle even with the nets) and dry towels (nothing really dries). The last couple days, we asked Bina to dry the towels and she was happy to do it...so maybe we should have just asked. You will love this place.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Frank R.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best vacation rental ever.

Everything was better than expected. The location, the house, the wonderful staff and the owner. We will definitely be returning.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer R., Christiansburg, VA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best. Vacation. Ever.

There were 9 of us staying at Estrella del Mar (including 3 teenagers) and we all agreed that this was the best vacation ever. The house was in a excellent location for walking to restaurants and enjoying beautiful views each day. Nicole was an amazing hostess who communicated and helped us with all our needs. Bina was the best! She prepared incredible drinks and breakfasts, all while being so patient and kind with our attempts to communicate in Spanish. Mimio was the sweetest and took great care and pride in his gardens - and they are beautiful! We enjoyed El Limon waterfalls and snorkeling excursions, trips into downtown, as well as just relaxing in the pool and on the beach. We had a perfect vacation of exploring the area, enjoying new experiences, as well as relaxation. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Becky C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Vacation Ever

We absolutely loved everything about our stay here. The house was just as described. Nicole was very helpful, answering questions and arranging everything from the first day groceries to our mandatory Covid tests to return home. Bina and Mimio were both gracious and kind. Bina is a fantastic cook and was very patient with our attempts to communicate in Spanish. The beach was beautiful and relaxing and very convenient. We will definitely come back!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christie F., Charlotte, NC USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Vacation

This is an awesome house right on the beach with a great pool and very scenic views. Our trip was one of the most relaxing ever! Bina was great at keeping the house clean and cooking some excellent meals for us. As other reviews have stated, mosquitoes did come out in the evenings but we brought mosquito spray and it was no problem.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just Lovely!!!

We had the most wonderful family get away. Nicole was so helpful during the planning process for us. She answered any questions we had and had great suggestions for things to do and what to know about the house and country while there. She was also fabulous at communicating with us while we were on the trip if we had any questions. Bina was a wonderful cook! My son especially loved her Chicken Creole. The house and beach were beautiful. There is a nice path right in front of the house that you can use to walk to other beaches or take a nice jog/stroll. We went down to the right each day to swim in front of Mosquitos restaurant. Their beach had no rocks It is only a 2-3 minute walk. We had fun at the house playing frisbee, flying kites, and shooting some basketball! My kids loves seeing the basketball goal attached to the palm tree in the yard! We never even turned on the tv. The internet is fast at the house. Do bring bug spray. We didn't notice them during the day, but at dusk the bugs came out some. Overall, it was just lovely and we would love to return again to this house!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

William T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Villa on a lovely beach.

This is our 3rd year in a row coming back to this gorgeous house. Two families sharing the house. Four adults and three children. The house is the perfect spot for a relaxing beach vacation. Days starting with walks on the beach followed by delicious breakfasts prepared by Bina, and then surfing and swimming and a few excursions. Great dinners a short walk from the house at restaurants along the Playa Bonita beach, or a short ride into Las Terrenas for a wide choice of good, affordable dining options. We will be back!
Stayed 11 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Vacation!

Our family of six – Mom and Dad, Grandmom and Grandad, and two kids under the age of eight – spent a wonderful week at Villa Estrella de Mar on Playa Bonita in Las Terrenas. The house is gorgeous, beautifully furnished, lovingly maintained, open to the sea and the tropical breezes. All the furniture, the bathroom and kitchen fixtures, the swimming pool, seem new and in excellent working condition. The location is also perfect. Playa Bonita is indeed a beautiful beach with sandy beaches, some calm and shallow protected spots for the kids as well as open sea with surf for all levels of surfing and boogie boarding – or just jumping through the waves. The surfing school next door to the Villa rents boards and gives lessons if you want. There are a number of restaurants, from casual beach shacks to more formal restaurants within walking distance along the beach. But perhaps the best food in the area was right at home for us. Bina, Villa Estrella’s housekeeper, is a terrific cook, and most evenings she served us wonderful meals with fresh fish, delicious Dominican sauces, and wonderful salads. She made kid-friendly things for the kids, and served everything beautifully and with grace. She is very special! And our hostess, Nicole, was very attentive and helpful. Both our arrival and departure were easy and stress-free, and the house was in perfect condition when we arrived. Nicole made sure we had all the information we might need or want about the house and the area. She also provided this information in advance of our stay so we could plan accordingly. This is our fourth time staying in Las Terrenas and this property was above and beyond the best of all of our stays. We recommend Villa Estrella most highly!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2020

About the host

Hosted by Nicole Glur

Host profile image
We are a Swiss Dominican couple with 5 children living in Santo Domingo. My wife and I met in Mexico working for the same hotel chain and moved to Santo Domingo together. We spend as much time as we can in Las Terrenas and love traveling.

Why they chose this property

When we spent our first family vacation in Las Terrenas in 2004, we knew this was our place. We checked many buying options and found our "Estrella del Mar" during Christmas holidays 2005. The owners were Swiss too and coming from the same small Swiss village than my wive's father. This house was meant to be ours.

What makes this property unique

La Estrella del Mar, a beautiful tropical ocean front villa, designed by a French architect, is the perfect family hideaway. The private pool, big terrace, integrated kitchen with ocean view and the waves in front of the house for surfing and boogie boarding are definitely worth a stay. The calm beaches with no waves are only 5 walking minutes away.

The fisherman village Las Terrenas is very different from many Caribbean and Dominican destinations. It existed already long before tourism started in this area of the island. You will find a combination of Dominican happiness, European gastronomy and beautiful nature. Playa Bonita is just next to the village but very quiet and residential. You have great waves for surfers in the center of the bay and no waves walking 5 minutes to the right or to the left. You can take long beach walks to Coson (next beach) where you find some very nice restaurants.

Languages:

English, French, German, Spanish