A very well-equipped home, great layout and design, plenty of bedrooms and baths, commercial kitchen, pool, views and extras in the form of housekeeping and concierge staff that make the stay even more enjoyable. The listing description was accurate but does not really do the home justice. Property was clean and well maintained. Power went off a few times during our stay (not unusual for DR) but the house has a generator that kicks in automatically. Security was not an issue, although the owner does provide 24 hr security. The property is located east of Las Terrenas enroute to El Limon. There is only one other house nearby. The driveway is steep but navigable.
Communication with the owner was prompt, courteous and straightforward. Alaine speaks/writes in several languages, including English. The staff are fluent in Spanish and French. Alaine was kind enough to arrange a dinner on the night of our arrival (we were arriving after dark) and did some grocery shopping for us to accommodate breakfast the next morning. We were impressed enough with the chef (Chef Daniel) that we asked him back to prepare a dinner for us later in the week.
Las Terrenas is nearby. Grocery shopping is readily conducted in one of two super mercados... plenty of good restaurants abound if you do not want to cook. We visited Samana for whale watching. Would recommend the "Walk the Plank" zip line in El Valle (also visit the El Valle beach). We also drove to Playa Rincon, Coson, and other beautiful beaches nearby. We also visited the El Limon cascade... a beautiful waterfall, very swimmable, but be prepared for hawkers as the only real viable way to get there is by horseback (requires guides). The people were all very gracious and hospitable.
The family (6 of us with children from 8 yrs and up) enjoyed the house and related trip and would readily do it again. Thank you Alaine for helping make our trip to DR a very pleasant memory.