Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
rows. Rooms are airy, especially the split-level doubles, but the furnishings are aging.
There's a nice pool area with lounge chairs, but unfortunately no view.
Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus
RESORT
$$$
(
809-688-3600;
www.iberostar.com
; Playa Dominicus; all-incl s/d from US$220/360;
)
An impeccably maintained resort doused in soothing pastels, the Iberostar Hacienda
Dominicus has beautifully landscaped grounds - most of the buildings surround quiet in-
terior courtyards with beautiful historic Spanish tiles and there are duck-strewn ponds and
tranquility-inducing fountains throughout. Some big, gaudy art means the whole thing
teeters precariously on the fortunate side of Vegas flamboyance, but it wins points for re-
straint in the end. Standard rooms aren't as grandiose as the common areas - they're even
cramped - but the awesome pool (with its Jacuzzi island), huge beach (with a picturesque
lighthouse bar) and newly renovated spa is where you'll be spending your time, anyway.
Eating
Bayahibe has a surprising number of good restaurants for a town of its size. Most offer re-
laxing waterfront seating and fresh seafood, with Italians running the show in most cases.
Dominicus Americanus has a number of modern tourist-ready restaurants serving a mix of
international standards and fish, though few have views.
ICE CREAM
$
L'Angelo di Liz
MAP
(Calle La Laguna, Dominicus Americanus; gelato RD$80-150; 8am-12:30pm & 3:30-10:30pm)
The
good Italian gelato here helps ward off heatstroke. Illy espresso as well.
Mama Mia
MAP
ITALIAN
$
GOOGLE MAP
(Plaza La Punta, Bayahibe; mains RD$150-250; noon-3:30pm & 7-10:30pm Tue-Sun)
It's hard to eat
this well for these prices in the DR, but this place specializes in classic pasta recipes like
all'amatriciana
(tomato sauce, bacon and chilli - our fave), carbonara,
all'arrabiata
and
aglio, olio e peperoncino
(garlic, olive oil and chilli powder), as well as local adaptations
(lambi
, or conch, in fresh tomato sauce). It's an endlessly charming dive near Bayahibe
Beach, overseen by a one-woman-show in the kitchen. Dishes are simple - concentrating
on flavor nuance rather than huge portions or other bells and whistles - and priced to
please.
