The Peninsula House

"Located on the Samaná Peninsula, 300 feet above Playa Cosón and the Atlantic Ocean, this 18th-century, plantation-style home impresses with Victorian trim and wraparound terraces perfect for sipping cocktails in the shade. Inside, antiques from Asia, Europe, and Turkey; rugs from Istanbul; and details like Brazilian hardwood floors and French doors add further charm. The six guestrooms, all housed on the second floor, feature four-poster beds, mahogany soaking tubs, and private terraces—rooms 5 and 6 have the best ocean views. Breakfast and dinner are served on vintage china in the main house, while lunch takes place a seven-minute shuttle ride away at the Beach Club. This is where you’ll also find the inn’s pristine beach, a nearly 90-foot stretch of sand that’s mostly empty, great for swimming, and considered one of the country’s best places for kiteboarding. When you’re not lounging here, visit the town of Las Terrenas (just 10 minutes away) or try to spot the humpback whales that migrate from as far off as Greenland and Iceland to mate and calve in the warm waters surrounding the Samaná Peninsula (every January through March)."

"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? The antithesis of the traditional Caribbean beach resort , it's as if a storm dropped an 18th-century house from Charleston on a remote hillside perched 1,000 feet above the sea. The surprises continue inside. The jewel box of a space could double as a museum, tastefully filled with everything from Louis XIV furnishings to intricate Tibetan prayer books. What's the backstory? The French owner, Marie-Claude Thiebault, is an avid collector of antiques and art. Her life partner, Cary Guy, used to own hotel Le Mas Mireille in Saint-Rémy-de- Provence. Her charming son, Thomas Stamm, is a big golfer and windsurfer and now oversees the hotel as General Manager. Once the owners found the land—originally a wild field of overgrown jungle—they hired French architect Serge Robin to design the home and Theibault filled it with her global finds. They don't disclose names of guests, but the property is known to attract models and pro athletes.  Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? Each of the six suites is decorated differently. I stayed in the Taupe Room, one of two oceanfront corner rooms. The ceiling stretched nearly 12-feet high, making it feel indulgently spacious. The decor felt grand without being stuffy, and the bathroom was all marble. My favorite feature was the large French doors that looked out to the ocean. The room had all of the expected tech, including satellite TV, and it was easy to work. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? Free and speedy. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? Breakfast on the veranda is included and was one of the highlights—it's served on a different set of china every day. Everything felt prepared with care and was made-to-order, from the freshly squeezed juices, to the fresh fruit plates and homemade jams and breads. The Beach House serves lunch and it's quite acceptable to go barefoot. (I couldn't resist ordering a scoop of housemade ice cream every day.) In the evening, there's a fixed three-course menu, which leans toward lighter, healthier options and rotates between imported meats and local fish and veggies, like the pan roasted red snapper finished with fresh mushrooms, thyme, lemon grass and tons of lemon. Dinner is served in the brick courtyard, surrounded by stunning orchids and illuminated by hurricane lanterns. And the service? I love when a GM or owner is front and center and that is truly where Stamm excels. You feel like he's welcoming you into his home and that makes the experience incredibly comfortable and welcoming. Check in and out were effortless, and the pace is flexible—no set meals times. The hotel doesn't have a spa but the concierge arranged a massage in the privacy of my balcony overlooking Cosón Bay. I love to run on the beach in the morning and Stamm directed me to Playa Cosón, a 4-mile stretch of beach where you never see more than five people. What type of travelers will you find here? Francophiles in search of a low-key alternative to St. Tropez. They're sipping white Burgundy on the veranda, and asking Stamm the story behind the carved wooden statues on the patio. Men in Vilebrequin swim trunks and women in metallic Marie France Van Damme swimsuits lounge by the pool reading Vogue and GQ . What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? Las Terrenas is on the Samaná Peninsula on the northeast coast. When the hotel opened there was truly nothing around, but development has crept in and the owners have bought up land to protect their view. Despite all this, the area still feels largely undiscovered compared to places like Punta Cana, although there's definitely an expat vibe of Europeans and Americans who have opened business in town. El Lugar is a favorite for simply prepared seafood and great rum cocktails, and the El Limón waterfall and Los Haitises National Park are a short drive away. Is there anything you'd change? A three-course meal is a lot every night if you're staying somewhere for a full week. A la carte options would be appreciated. Any other hotel features worth noting? The beach, Playa Cosón, is a ten-minute drive down the hill and feels like your own private stretch of sand. The water can be rough at times, but the lovely pool is a nice alternative. There is an impressive selection of rare rums you should take advantage of, too." - Jen Murphy