Xeliter Vista Mare Samana

The hotel’s main common area is a mixed-use space that serves as its de facto social hub. Equal parts, bar, restaurant, and lounge, the large, open-air terrace is bedecked in a clean, modern decor with bright, resin lounge chairs and subtle, tasteful splashes of color. A full bar serves liquor, beer, and wine alongside amazing water views, setting a relaxed tone for upscale, waterfront lounging. Unfortunately this one space and the two adjacent pools constitute the hotel’s entire social, nightlife, and activity scene. There's a small white lobby set with wicker chairs, a glass coffee table, and potted plants but it doesn't see a lot of action.

The vast majority of guests here are international couples on a romantic vacation, though families with older kids stay here too. 

Once inside the property gates, guests are only a few minutes walk from a small, private, white sand beach. Outside the gates, the Xeliter Vista Mare Samana is situated on a busy, well-traveled stretch of road with few services in the immediate area. For additional restaurants, bars, shopping opportunities, and other essentials, the central core of Samana is approximately 20 minutes away by car. 

The hotel is an hour's drive from Samana’s El Catey International Airport. The hotel can coordinate private (though pricey) shuttle service to and from the airport. With larger groups, this can prove to be a better option as rates are typically determined on a per vehicle basis. Taxi service is readily available between the hotel and airport, however, rates are typically high.

Renting a car is the most affordable option for travelers landing in Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo. The two-and-a-half-hour drive to Xeliter Vista Mare runs mostly along a clean, modern tourist highway with numerous gas and service stations along the way. However, note that tolls must be paid in pesos and the total cost will run in excess of 50 U.S. dollars round trip. Parking at the hotel is free and easy in a secure lot. 

The clean, modern simplicity of Xeliter Vista Mare Samana is consistent throughout the hotel, including the guest rooms. The Scandinavian-meets-tropical design scheme -- including resin wicker furniture, a reserved, monochromatic color palette, and glass and brushed nickel surfaces -- is bright, contemporary, and luxurious. Air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and ceiling fans in most rooms are all included. Unfortunately, bottled water must be purchased for an additional fee and Wi-Fi is only available in the restaurant and pool areas.

Every room is spacious, starting with the entry level One-Bedroom Apartments, up to the massive Four-Bedroom Apartments with five full bathrooms. All are well-appointed with separate living and dining areas, large, private terraces, washer and dryer, and multiple flat-screen TVs. Modern, fully-applianced kitchens include a full-size refrigerator, oven and stove cooktop, essential utensils and cookware, and multiple small appliances (including coffeemaker, toaster, and blender). Four-Bedroom Apartments offer private hot tubs and massive balconies with sea views. All of the rooms have full ocean views. 

Ample, private bathrooms have upscale features like enormous, walk-in shower stalls, rain showerheads, and glass wash basins. Modern metal fixtures, handles, and accents complete the well-coordinated, professionally designed interior. Past guests have occasionally complained about maintenance issues with water and door locks, though we did not encounter problems on our visit. 

The on-site, open-air restaurant offers beautiful water views of Cayo Levantado. Free continental breakfast is included in all room rates and the restaurant is also open all day for lunch and dinner.  The menu changes regularly, although most entrees are heavily influenced by local seafood. The food gets wonderful feedback and is offered a la carte or as part of the hotel’s prepaid meal packages. Room service is also available.

Steps from the restaurant, the hotel’s two infinity pools are set into the side of the hill with the same stunning water views. The surrounding patios offer a surprisingly limited number of lounge chairs relative to the size of the hotel. Throughout the day, shade is limited to the areas directly under the few patio umbrellas which could be an issue for children.

Two on-site white sand beaches along the Atlantic Ocean are calm and pristine. They’re tucked away into a small, private cove, so they feel especially secure and secluded. Beach services and amenities are limited to an adequate number of lounge chairs, a volleyball net, and a small building with restrooms. Unfortunately, getting to the beach requires walking down a long, steep staircase that may be an issue for some. As the hotel is situated on a sloped hill, guests at the back of the property -- away from the beach -- will need to trek even further.

Additional services are typical of a hotel of this caliber. The on-site fitness center is clean and modern and located below the restaurant with the same excellent pool and ocean views. Immediately adjacent are a mini-mart store with basic essentials and a small game room with pool and ping-pong tables. Wi-Fi is available for free in the restaurant and by the pools, though the signal is spotty.