Hotels Overview

The Dominican Republic has the largest hotel inventory (at this writing some 67,000 rooms, with more than 15,000 under construction) in the Caribbean and draws large numbers of stateside visitors. That is a far cry from the mid-1990s, when most Americans thought it was a country in Latin America if they thought about it at all. Surfers can still find digs for $25 a night in Cabarete, while the new generation of luxurious all-inclusives in Punta Cana and Playa de Uvero Alto is simply awesome.

Santo Domingo properties generally base their tariffs on the EP plan -- though many include breakfast -- and maintain the same room rates year-round. Beach resorts have high winter rates, with prices reduced for the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall (summer has become another strong season). All-inclusives dominate in Punta Cana. Cabarete was a stronghold of the small inn, but each year it's getting more all-inclusives. Villa rentals are gaining in popularity all over the island, with the new Guavaberry complex in Juan Dolio among the most popular and upscale offerings.

Santo Domingo

The seaside capital of the country is in the middle of the island's south coast. In Santo Domingo, most of the better hotels are on or near the Malecón, with several small, desirable properties in the trendy Colonial Zone, allowing you to feel part of that magical environment. The capital is where you'll find some of the most sophisticated hotels and restaurants, not to mention nightlife. However, such an urban vacation is best coupled with a beach stay elsewhere on the island.

La Romana

La Romana is on the southeast coast, about a two-hour drive from Santo Domingo and the same distance southwest of Punta Cana. An international airport here has nonstop service to both the United States and Canada. Casa de Campo's Marina Chavón, with its Mediterranean design and impressive yacht club and villa complex, is as fine a marina facility as can be found anywhere. The shops and restaurants are a big draw for all tourists to the area, as is Altos de Chavón, the re-created 16th-century Mediterranean town on the grounds of Casa de Campo. The resorts in nearby Bayahibe Bay, which has an idyllic, horsehoe-shaped beach and a real fishing village, have always been popular with capitaleños and Europeans. As it has become difficult to get a room in Punta Cana, North Americans are checking in here and leaving satisfied. They don't miss the high density of Punta Cana. Often when guests want to party down, they buy an inexpensive night pass to the Viva Wyndham. The actual town of La Romana is not pretty or quaint, although it has a lovely central park and is a real slice of Dominican life.

Punta Cana

The easternmost coast of the island has 25 mi (40 km) of incredible beach punctuated by coco palms; add to that a host of all-inclusive resorts, an atmospheric thatched-roof airport, and many more direct flights than any other D.R. resort area, and it's easy to see why this region -- despite having some 24,000 hotel rooms (more than on most other Caribbean islands) is often sold out. It has become the Cancun of the D.R., and although you can usually get a room during hurricane season (late August-October) booking far in advance is advisable. Look for resorts with spas, which offer a soothing atmosphere away from the madding crowds, and a litany of both therapeutic and fun body treatments.

Playa de Uvero Alto, a miraculous virgin beach shaded by idyllic coconut groves and unobstructed views of the sea, is amazing. Unfortunately, it's nearly an hour from the Punta Cana airport on a road that, despite repairs, is still a tough go. There are now four resorts there, with three others underway. Sivory Punta Cana, a non-all-inclusive boutique hotel (with an all-inclusive option), is the newest. This area also books up fast because the resorts tend to be newer and less expensive than an equivalent property in Bavaro/Punta Cana. Guests don't seem to mind being away from the masses, and usually opt for an excursion or two -- one might be a guided shopping trip.

Boca Chica-Juan Dolio

The Boca Chica-Juan Dolio resort area is immediately east of Las Americas International Airport. Boca Chica, a seasoned destination, is popular mainly with Dominicans and Europeans. Juan Dolio, a bit farther east from the capital, has a string of mid-rise hotels fronting its golden beach, and a few more Americans -- often first-timers to the D.R. -- visit here. A growing condo and villa development, Guavaberry Golf and Country Club provides an upscale residential atmosphere with resort amenities to golfers. Nearby and closer to the airport and Metro Country Club is a recent and recommendable Embassy Suites. Sun Village Resort and Spa's new property (www.sunvillageresorts.com) should be open by the time you read this and their 54-foot yacht, The Independence, will be available for chartering.

Samaná

Samaná is the name of both the peninsula that curves around the eponymous bay and of the largest town. Las Terrenas is at least a 2 1/2-hour drive from Cabarete. The nearest major international airport is Puerto Plata International Gregorio Luperon, more than a three-hour drive away, but a small domestic airline, Takeoff Destination Services, flies here from Santo Domingo, as does Aerodomca. And a new international airport has opened in nearby Cathay, with the big carriers now lining up for service.

North Coast

The northern coast of the island, with mountains on one side, is also called the Amber Coast on account of the large quantities of amber found in the area. The sands on its 75 mi (121 km) of beach are also golden. Major resort areas are Playa Dorada, Cabarete, and Sosúa. Plan to fly into Puerto Plata International Gregorio Luperon Airport.