Villa Serena Hotel

The Villa Serena Hotel is relaxed and intimate with an atmosphere that’s slightly upscale and romantic. The decor is a blend of Spanish Colonial architecture and dated, beach- and Victorian-inspired furniture consisting primarily of aging wicker and rattan. The lobby is decorated with framed maps, potted plants with nestled seashells in the dirt, and a white plantation-style fence above a cluster of rattan furniture. While less than a 10-minute walk from the center of Las Galeras, its relatively secluded beachfront location feels worlds away from anywhere. The indoor and outdoor lobby lounge serves as the hotel’s main social hub with lovely views of the ocean, pool, and garden. The on-site restaurant provides additional communal space, both indoor and al fresco, for dining and cocktails. Kids are welcome here, but the majority of guests are couples and honeymooners. 

Villa Serena Hotel is situated on a quiet road adjacent to a number of other hotels and homes. The services of Las Galeras -- including restaurants, bars, shopping, and other essentials -- are all a short walk from the hotel. Playa Grande and Playa La Playita beaches are both less than 10 minutes away on foot while the famous Playa Rincon is accessible via a 10-minute boat ride.

The hotel is 90 minutes by car from El Catey International Airport in Samana. As with many small hotels, the hotel does not provide a dedicated shuttle, however, private shuttle service is easy to arrange upon arrival at the airport. This is typically a better option with larger groups traveling together as rates are often determined on a per vehicle basis. Taxi service is readily available between the airport, and rates are high.

From Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo, a rental car is practically required. The three-hour drive to Las Galeras runs mostly along a clean, modern tourist highway with numerous gas and service stations along the way. Drivers should note, however, that tolls must be paid in pesos and will total more than 50 U.S. dollars.

Each of the 21 rooms at Villa Serena offers an individual design scheme that feels slightly upscale and a bit dated. Colonial architecture is charming and typical of the Dominican Republic, but aging Victorian furniture is dated and slightly out of place. Most rooms offer a white, minimally furnished interior with pastel curtains, artwork, and accents that recall '80s era beach hotels.

All rooms offer either a single king or two full-size beds and are similar in size, layout, and amenities. The size in some rooms, however, seems to overwhelm the furniture which is sparse in some cases. Our room offered little more than a bed and small writing desk with a chair, even though there was ample floor space for additional seating and furnishings. Air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and bottled water are standard in all rooms. Notably lacking, however, are televisions, a minibar, and Wi-Fi -- all expected amenities in a hotel of this class.

The bathrooms are clean and amply sized but look outdated as well. A stark white design aesthetic carries through from the floors, to the walls, to the shower, and lends a clean but sterile feel. The fixtures, as well as the only touches of color -- such as faded pink tile and tacky shower curtains -- are in desperate need of updating.

Rooms make excellent use of the Villa Serena’s beachfront location as each offers a private balcony or patio with water views. While the property is located along a road with other hotels and homes in close proximity, rooms are quiet, especially at night.

The on-site, Caribbean-meets-Colonial restaurant shows the hotel’s age perhaps more than anywhere else on the property. Think: Dark rattan chairs, faded paisley seat cushions, and servers in antiquated uniforms. The restaurant serves a simple, free continental breakfast each morning. The lunch and dinner menus are Caribbean-inspired and available for indoor or al fresco dining on the restaurant’s outdoor garden terrace. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes like fish and chips, gazpacho, Caesar salad, and local seafood. There is no dedicated bar area, but the restaurant offers a full menu of liquor, beer, and wine.

The private beach at the back of the property provides lovely views of the Atlantic Ocean. Rows of lounge chairs are set back from the water -- some in a shaded area -- providing a nice sense of seclusion and intimacy. The hotel also offers basic snorkel and watersports equipment. The water around Las Galeras is typically quite rough and strong currents can be a concern.

The single on-site pool is clean and cute with a semi-circle of palm trees along the pool’s eastern edge that provides sufficient shade throughout much of the day for guests looking to escape the direct sun. The pool’s central location adjacent to the restaurant is ideal for guests looking to grab a poolside cocktail.

Staff works closely with local excursion providers to arrange off-site activities for guests. Free self-parking is available in a small, adjacent lot within a safe, residential neighborhood. Free Wi-Fi is limited to the lobby.