Chalet Tropical Village

The winding country road that leads to Chalet Tropical Village is lined on both sides by bursts of tropical flowers. Cats lounge under the grassy shade of trees at the hotel’s entrance and lazily purr their greeting to incoming guests. It’s a perfectly idyllic welcome to the smattering of wood-and-thatch villas make up the hotel, each of which is a one-of-a-kind creation of Sara Paradiso, the Italian owner and chief designer.

It’s a small property, but it makes good use of the space that's on offer. Green lawns are carefully maintained and massive palm trees line the walkway -- even the parking lot is pretty. All of the villas are made of hand-carved wood, and blend in effortlessly with the natural surroundings. Paradiso’s hands-on approach means it’s nearly impossible to be overlooked, something that’s reflected both in the service and the hotel’s decor. That plus the peaceful setting makes this a cozy paradise that's a home-away-from-home. Keep in mind that the hotel lacks anywhere for guests to gather -- there's no bar or restaurant -- so it's best suited to independent travelers. Couples are often attracted here by the romantic setting, and European and American families sometimes stay for a week or more.  

This hotel is on the Samana Peninsula, in Las Galeras, an area of the Dominican Republic known for its lush and wild landscapes, including beautiful beaches, stunning waterfalls, and hike-able mountains. It’s a popular spot for eco-tourism, as well as whale-watching and visiting one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, Playa Rincon. The hotel is about a 45-minute drive from that famous beach, but many guests won't even need to make the trek, as it's just over a 10-minute walk to La Playita, a smaller and equally pretty slice of sand nearby. For those in search of outdoor activities, the Parque Nacional de Los Haitises is about a 35-minute drive away.

The actual town isn't much: There’s only one ATM in the sole bank, and it is often broken, and most restaurants are closed in the low season. Those looking for vibrant nightlife might prefer to stay in Cabarete or Santo Domingo. This is a relaxed hotel in a sleepy town, but those who appreciate nature will still find plenty to do to in the surrounding area -- the all-inclusives thankfully have yet to find this stretch of the ocean.

The international airport in Santo Domingo is a solid three hour drive, depending on traffic, but there’s a closer one in Samana that takes 40 minutes to reach. Samana is also the closest major town. 

The five villas here have a different shape and size, though all adhere to an all-natural aesthetic that's expressed beautifully in wood, thatched roofs, and stone. This is where the owner’s personal touch becomes recognizable: The no-plastic rule extends to the bathrooms, so even the shower curtain hooks are made of wood and wicker. It gives a creative, DIY-feel to the villas, which mostly works -- like in the hand-built wood closets and the elaborate woodwork of the tables (one of them has a chess board imprinted on top of it). Sometimes it doesn’t, though, as in the wooden TV stand, which is tied up by ropes and hangs precariously from the ceiling rafters in one of the villas. Steep stairs in some rooms lack railings and guests with mobility issues or small children should check ahead. Interiors can be a little dark, which helps keep things cool, but they are brightened up by funky paint jobs, as in some of the bedrooms we saw in Chalet 4.

The villas are well set-up for an independent stay. Kitchens have plenty of cookware, dishes, and propane stoves to cook a proper meal, and there are enough books, games, and magazines to last a while. On par with the hotel's back-to-nature ethos, there are few televisions, telephones, and other technological trappings here. This also means no air-conditioning (except in Chalet 3). Instead, strong fans are set up in every corner of the villas. For those traveling on a budget, Chalet 4 -- a four-bedroom villa that can be rented in its entirety -- is also able to be split into a shared guesthouse, with private bedrooms and a shared kitchen, living area, and bathroom. 

Bathrooms are compact and modern, with tile walk-in showers, tile floors, bidets, and a bit of space around sinks to store toiletries. Towels are provided, as is daily housekeeping. Each villa comes with a spacious outdoor terrace, with hammocks, chairs, or tables. 

Breakfast here is both a visually stunning and delectable experience, delivered fresh to the private terraces of each villa and with a handful of options that include gluten-free dishes and Dominican specialties, like mangu, made from seasoned, mashed plantains and onion. Additional options include fresh fruit, smoothies, toast, and pancakes with homemade coconut or pineapple jam. It’s served in coconut-wood mugs and bowls, and bright flowers decorate the plates. While there is no lunch or dinner service, the kitchens in villas are set-up for cooking meals and there’s also an outdoor grill available for guest use. 

Wi-Fi is free and functional throughout the property. The staff are very involved in organizing tours and guided trips around the island -- from horseback riding trips to hikes to waterfall tours, and everything in between (and all with an eco-friendly focus). The hotel can also arrange everything from local transport to laundry service