Villa Serena is a 21 room hotel, built in old Victorian Style and fully integrated into its Caribbean setting. It has been in operation since 1993 and it has provided hospitality, comfort and retreat to a wide range of international guests. It is located in a wide Bay of Las Galeras, where Nature has been preserved and coconut forests turn into white sandy beaches. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Dominican_Republic/villaserena/hotel/922/22/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:55:54 EST The Rooms 21 elegant, spacious and comfortable rooms: nine on the ground floor and twelve rooms higher up in the cooling sea breeze. Some are equipped with air-conditioning and others are with ceiling fans. Some rooms have a king size bed and others have two queen size beds. All the rooms are tastefully decorated with meticulous attention to detail. Every room face the ocean and has a private terrace with rocking chairs or a chaise longue. The Lobby Very spacious with quiet game tables, sitting nooks and rocking chairs lulling you to sleep in the breeze and shade. The view is irresistable for the spawning poetic thoughts. AMENITIES: OFFICE - RECEPTION We provide safety deposit boxes and are able to exchange foreign currency and travelers checks. The reception also functions as an information center regarding activities in the area - our managers know the land very well. Languages spoken: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian and Dutch SWIMMING POOL Perched on a mound in the garden between the hotel and the ocean, it is nicely shaped and lined with natural stone. We have sun chairs for the sun lovers. GIFT SHOP Precious local jewelry made of amber, Iron Wood Tainos statues, ahh ... hammoks to bring home and memories attached, Haitian Art, naturally sented candles,seductive beach pareos, and ... fine cigars. GARDEN We have two acres (8000m2) of lush tropical garden with native stone walk-ways. You can stroll around and discover plants whose beauty and fragrance join with the Neptunic orchestra of the ocean waves. Other soloists will sing, such as mourning doves. Palm trees rustle in the rythm section but the ocean keeps the beat. Lift your eyes and you will see pelicans fish in front of you. ACTIVITIES: For those, who are still able and willing to move, there is excellent snorkeling right in our front yard ocean and its reefs. If you didn't bring your own snorkeling equipment, you can rent it from us. You can also use our bicycles for the exploration of the land and neighborhood. We have our connections with the fishermenn and when the time is right, they will show you humpback whales, take you diving in reefs or simply take you to other empty beaches. A few hours on their colorful boats costs around $30 (for up to four people). There are lots of wonderful beaches within walking distance from the hotel. We can arrange for a hiking party along the coast or to the villages and highlands of the interior. Other activities include: scuba (we have a great wall), golf - fifteen minutes away, horse back riding (have you wondered what it is like to race along the beach on a horse who just loves doing just that...), dude ranch trips to the mountains can be arranged $20 - 40 per person and day. Want to visit the Bacardi Island (Cayo Levantado)...? thought so. Go fishing with the locals -- if they like you, they will take you to the spots where the fish are... but most of all - this is the place where you can be totally surrounded by no telephones, no computers and no stress - just come and be. DINING/RESTARUANTS: RESTAURANT Now THAT is a subject that brings a warm smile to us all. Hmm ... La Cuisine -- it is excellent. The chef is an inventor who is too busy for patents. He is in constant celebration of the Caribbean spices and raw materials. Close your eyes and feel this: SHRIMP IN PAPAYA SAUCE, LAMB WITH HONEY (Oh so ...mmmh), CARAMELED LANGOUSTE and then ...CHOCOLATE WITH LEMONGRASS DRESSING -- FIRE WORKS and A SMALL DIGESTIF :-) Type: Villa No. of Rooms: 21 Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Dominican_Republic/villaserena/hotel/922/22/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:55:54 EST