Casa Veintiuno

With its bright white facade, high walled gardens, and sun-drenched terraces, Casa Veintiuno is truly a tropical oasis. Perched on a hill, with views of the sea from its top floors, Casa Veintiuno feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Sosua Beach below. Saskia and Marc, the hotel’s incredibly hospitable Belgian owners, welcome guests like friends into their home. Upon arrival, guests will notice the white-walled courtyard -- covered by bright pink and yellow flowers and accented by pink towels and pillows that have been perfectly placed atop each of the pool’s lounge chairs. The pool is small and rectangular, with a separate whirlpool area. Opposite the pool is the covered terrace that serves as both the reception and the restaurant. The white walls are livened by billowy white curtains and Gustave Klimt canvases; there are vases overflowing with birds of paradise, and a refrigerator full of Belgian beer -- creating a Europe-meets-Caribbean vibe around every corner. Although children of any age are welcome, the majority of guests at Casa Veintiuno are adults -- many of whom are honeymooners. The clientele is split between Europeans and Americans, but most are well-heeled couples who have come to the Dominican Republic looking for a quiet escape.          Note that the owners keep their two friendly dogs, Botti and Pooka, at the hotel. 

Casa Veintiuno is located in Sosua, a scrappy Dominican beach town that’s about a 10-minute drive from Gregorio Luperon International Airport. While Sosua is known for sex tourism, Casa Veintiuno is not located downtown, where much of this undesirable activity takes place. Casa Veintiuno also has a strict registered guests only policy that doesn’t allow temporary guests. The hotel is located within a five- to 10-minute walk of Playa Sosua and Playa Alicia, Sosua’s two beaches. Playa Sosua is an authentic Dominican beach, where locals set up shops and restaurants on the perimeter of the sand. Travelers and locals alike flock to Playa Sosua for its beautiful waters and good snorkeling conditions. Playa Alicia is farther from the hotel, but tends to be quieter and less crowded. It is not advisable to visit either beach at night. The hotel is also within a 10-minute walk of a full-service grocery store, and many of downtown Sosua’s shops and restaurants. 

Each of the three rooms at Casa Veintiuno is exquisitely decorated and chock-full of nice amenities. Each room has a modern white-on-white color scheme with bright pops of purple in the wall art and accent pillows. There’s funky artwork on the walls (monkeys with headphones and headbands), Egyptian cotton sheets, Italian espresso makers, Alexandre Turpault bathrobes, Hydro Basics toiletries, Havaianas flip-flops, and minibars stocked with Belgian beers. There are flat-screen TVs and separate seating areas in each of the rooms, along with free Wi-Fi  -- look in the snow globe for the password. Closets are more like dressing rooms, and include full-length mirrors, tons of hangers, and a few drawers. Bathrooms vary from room to room, so if a whirlpool tub or a two-person shower is important to you, be sure to enquire about different room types when booking. 

Almost all of Casa Veintiuno’s features are visible upon arrival. The small, rectangular pool is flanked by German-made patio furniture, including a few cushioned lounge chairs and a large, round lounger covered by an umbrella. The restaurant, which also serves as the hotel’s lobby and reception room, is one of Sosua’s best, and is typically packed each evening with guests and non-guests alike. At night, white cloths cover the tables, candles flicker around the room, and colorful lanterns float in the pool, giving the restaurant a romantic feel. The menu is European with a Caribbean flair, and includes items like local shrimp and lobster (seasonally), but also salmon, filet mignon, and a few pasta dishes. For dessert, there's Belgian chocolate mousse, pineapple creme brulee, and cappuccino -- made the Belgian way with freshly whipped cream. The only caveat? The restaurant only accepts cash. Though the restaurant is not open every night for dinner, breakfast is served each morning for hotel guests. Breakfast includes a whopping basket of exotic fruits, freshly made breads and pastries, and a selection of ham and cheeses. It also includes freshly made juice and coffee by illy. Champagne breakfasts can be ordered for an extra charge.On the second floor of the hotel, there is a large communal space with sofas, a TV, and a large telescope. Guests who’d like to watch a movie or read at night can choose from the hotel’s hundreds of DVDs and books on display in this room. Off of the communal living room is a large patio with a few sun loungers. On this level there is also a gym -- which really looks more like a home fitness center with a few mismatched machines, workout DVDs, and some free weights. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, and free parking on the street, and also has its own, on-site water purification system, which means the tap water throughout the hotel is safe to drink.