We did a fair amount of research prior to committing to the Seadog. My wife and I had been to the DR several times, mostly staying at upscale resorts in Punta Cana. This was the first visit for our two teenaged children and my mother-in-law. We were looking for something more immersed in the local experience, and we found it.
Our group of five had a great time. We spent plenty of time connecting and spending time together at the property. It is designed for plenty of group interaction at the bar, pool and patio. But it is spacious enough to give everyone plenty of leeway to spend their own time reading or relaxing alone as well. The five bedrooms are split into four bedrooms in the main house and a separate mini-house with the final room, which is where my wife and I stayed. It is right at the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean. This is an undersold feature of the property and one of our favorite amenities.
Lucy and Anderson are as good as advertised. They are friendly, knowledgeable about the local area, and great hosts. We ate breakfast at the villa everyday and had dinner there all but four nights, when we ate at local restaurants with excellent suggestions and guidance from the two of them.
Prior to going, we had seen reviews describing the Seadog as rustic. That is a good description. Lucy and Anderson keep everything clean and in working order, but it is not a five-star resort, nor is it trying to be. We enjoyed the authentic local living experience, and we regularly headed into Cabrera to the Super Mercado, restaurants, town waterfront, just to take a walk, etc., interacting with the locals in the process. That is exactly what we were looking to do.
We did opt for the rental car and used it often. We went to Playa Grande / Playa Preciosa multiple times. It is about a 15 minute drive. It is a very nice beach area with a great sandy bottom and in-water experience. We went more more distant excursions to snorkel and to go canyoning (at Magic Mushroom, which you should consider if adventurous). Those attractions are out toward Sosua and an hour or more by car. By design, we were looking to be off the beaten path and many of the biggest tourist attractions are further way. There are great beaches, Laguna Dudu (worth a trip), some limited snorkeling right at the Seadog beach and other close-by activities, to be sure. But be prepared to drive to others.
Overall, we loved our experience and would definitely do it again.