Santo Domingo veterinarians Nora and José, a gourmet Italian chef named Mirko and a gaggle of Italian greyhounds are your hosts at this extraordinary six-room B&B that practically tumbles out of the jungle into the sea below. Room 5 (nicknamed 'Africa') is completely open on two sides, framing jungle, mountain and sea as you've never seen.
The other rooms, flush with Indonesian and Indian furniture, solar-heated showers and rustic recycled elements such as headboards from sunken ships and candlelit coral walls, have similar views, so you can't go wrong – nor can you tear yourself away from the gorgeous pool and hot tub, which also captures those vistas (private hot tubs were due to be added to rooms 1 and 5 when we visited). Birders might delight in the outdoor bathroom of room 6 ($150), which is exposed to a small aviary with macaws. Groups of four, including families with older kids (none under 12 are allowed), can rent room 3 and 4 as their own private little house for $225.
With Mirko whipping up some of the best food in Las Galeras (three-course dinners for guests only run between US$40 and US$70), excellent Dominican breakfasts that include fruit from the garden, an on-site reflexology and reiki massage therapist and a rainforest of lush hospitality around every corner, the name couldn't be more appropriate. It's 5.6km south of the main intersection in Las Galeras and about 1000m off the highway – reachable in a standard car. Coming from town, look for the turnoff on the left and signposted 'La Guazuma.'
