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able to answer travel-related questions. The twin rooms are distinctive in having two bath-
rooms, one for each guest. Ask for a 'mountain-facing' room, if only to avoid street noise.
It's nearby sister hotel, the Brisas del Yaque was closed due to extensive renovations when
we visited.
Hostal Jarabacoa
MAP
HOTEL
$
GOOGLE MAP
( 809-574-4108; Calle Hermanas Mirabal; r with fan/air-con RD$900/1300; )
A good-value
option if staying in town is a priority. There's no real lobby or public spaces to speak of,
only clean rooms with small bathrooms and TVs lining a long hallway. Even though it
feels like a hospital, the owners are friendly and welcoming.
Out of Town
Soon after we visited, a charming and tranquil retreat called
Villa Celeste Estate
(
201-381-1875;
www.villaceleste.com
;
Calle Los Pinos; r incl breakfast US$100-150;
)
opened on Rte
28, only 12km from La Vega.
Rancho Baiguate
RESORT
$$
(
809-574-6890;
www.ranchobaiguate.com
; Carretera a Constanza; all-incl s US$77-107, d US$126-163,
tr US$170-220, q US$252; )
A wonderful base to explore the mountains, Baiguate
is a rustic resort set in an enormous 72-sq-km leafy compound. Ask for a room in the low-
slung building along the river - large, comfortable, tile-floored rooms have private patios
with wicker chairs. There's a pool on the other side of the river that runs through the com-
plex, a beach volleyball court, table tennis and pool tables, and good bird life for those
who just want to sit still and chill.
Large groups of students pack the place on weekends and holidays but midweek in the
low season you might have it all to yourself. An on-site veggie garden supplies the com-
petent Dominican cook, and a worm farm and a gray-water treatment plant reduce the re-
sort's impact on the environment. The friendly staff speak English; the best adventure tour
company in the area is here. The hosts can pick you up from town.
Hotel Gran Jimenoa
HOTEL
$$
