We spent 11 days and 10 nights at this lovely apartment during the last week of March/first week of April. The 2-bed, 2-bath apartment is large and in a large co-op/condo type building (with designated parking place), only footsteps from the beach. Building reception is very helpful (and speaks English). There are two speedy lifts to the 14th floor. The wi-fi works well in the apartment, and the kitchen is sufficiently well provisioned with pots, pans, cooking utensils, and tableware that you can cook at home and dine on the terrace (enclosed on the sides and quite peaceful). It has an unobstructed view to the ocean and you can enjoy it round the clock without being in the sun's heat (we spent most of our time there).
A convenient gas station is just down the street from the apartment building, but you feel very much on the beach in the apartment. A pharmacy is located only a few minutes down the road, and within a ten minute drive there are several excellent restaurants (El Sueno and Paladart were our favorites), and Boca Chica is not too far for more of an urban experience.
The hosts responded quickly to the few questions we had, and we had no problems with washer/dryer, plumbing, etc. The hot water, air conditioning, ceiling fans were all in perfect working order and sufficient to the purpose.
The pool area is very nice with a snack bar open for burgers and cocktails on the weekends. This pool area is the only thing between you and the beach just beyond it. The beach immediately before the apartment is not postcard, white sand, turquoise water, etc., but this may be an advantage, as you have a diversity of marine life and different kinds of micro ecosystems to explore--perfect for observant small children. We saw lion fish, lots of sea urchins, a variety of small fish and crabs, and several rays while snorkeling within a few minutes' walk either direction.
We prefer this sort of do-it-yourself stay with local restaurants, find your own groceries, and drive where you want vibe to a much more expensive, generic all-inclusive resort--and this was the perfect place for a beautiful, relaxing vacation of our sort.
We drove an hour or so to Bayahibe (east) to join day-long tours offered by ScubaCaribe and Seavis, to Catalina Island and Soana Island. And best of all the hosts offered us a free night in their lovely Santo Domingo apartment (an hour or so west) in the Colonial City.
We would happily return--and stay longer! Thanks for a lovely time!
