CASAS DEL XVI
SUBLIME SAMANA
D O M I N I C A N R E P U B L I C
> CASAS DEL XVI AND SUBLIME SAMANA A SUBLIME VACATION... COMBINING
Each casa was more beautiful then the next, featuring a cornucopia of exotic artifacts and furnishings sure to delight themost seasoned design junkie. Our time spent in the city was just the right amount to see the sites as we looked forward to the next leg of our trip. casasdelXVI.com Two hours away, Sublime Samana emerges like an oasi s. is boutique property on the Atlantic coast in the northeastern part of D.R. is comprised of 18 suites in the main building and eight modern free standing “casitas.”All feature oor-to-ceilin gwindows and awe-inspiring views of the property’s stunning matrix of pools, distant views of the mountains and crystalline palm-fringed beach just steps away . is unique hotel resort recently opened a 5,382 square foot spa with two indoor treatment rooms, Vichy shower and a “Temazcal” or sweat lodge surrounding a tranquil patio with Jacuzzi where guests are treated to fresh chilled coconut water a er their treatments. ere’s quite a variety on the spa menu from which to choose and all used natural ingredients such as herbs, honey, powdery sand for exfoliation, stones from the Samana River and coconut, which is the main ingredient for realigning the chakras. A er our chakras were duly aligned, we dressed for a delicious dinner at Bistro, one of the two restaurants
CULTURE AND HISTORY WITH RELAXATION AND PAMPERING
SUBLIME SAMANA
On a trip to the Dominican Republic, we embarked with the hopes of immersing ourselves in history and culture and then relaxing beachside and recharging with spa services. Our Caribbean odyssey began with a 2 night/3 day stay in the colonial city of Santa Domingo at Casas del XVI , a group of recently renovated historic buildings dating back to the 1600s that were converted to luxurious villas. ese “Casas” provide an exclusive oasis in the heart of Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the New World discovered by European settlers in 1492. Boasting an abundance of Spanish colonial architecture as well as the very rst cathedral, monastery, university, hospital and palace, there was no shortage of sites to explore. e “Casas” each had a theme, and ours was named Casa del Diseñador, for the designer, Oscar de la Renta, who lived there. ese villas were reminiscent of riads in Morocco, where a rather unassuming exterior leads to hidden splendor built around an interior courtyard. While the casas varied in the number of bedroom suites they featured, ours had just two and is rented as a private villa by the night complete with a four person sta .
at the resort o ering a fusion of French and Mediterranean cuisine. During our stay, we also enjoyed the beachside grill, which o ered the best ceviche and grilled octopus. Daytime activities besides lying on a private and secluded beach and enjoying the ocean breeze included the use of a small gym, a visit to El Limon waterfall on horseback, paddle boarding, biking, shing and much more. e resort also o ers an excursion to the National Park, Los Haitises, with its calci ed hills, caves, mangroves, and multitudes of bird species and exotic sea turtles. Visitors between January and March will get to see the humpback whales arrive to mate, give birth and nurse their youn g! sublimesamana.com Whether it be a family vacation with children or a romantic getaway, Casas del XVI and Sublime Samana together make for an ideal vacation and the “best of both worlds.” Culture, history, a beautiful beach, gourmet food and highly personalized service combine to make this a duo not to be missed.
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