We had an excellent experience at the Ocean Villa at Encuentro Surf Lodge. Our company provides service-based retreat programs in the central mountains of the DR, and we end our trips with a couple nights on the coast to work with another service organization, decompress, and process the experience. We've been working in the area for more than 20 years and know it well. We've had our groups stay in a wide range of places: retreat centers, basic lodges, private AirBnBs, etc. For a while now, we'd been looking for the right balance of privacy and proximity to amenities. Sometimes one comes at the expense of the other. Not so at Encuentro. We found that the Ocean Villa provided us with plenty of space, great facilities that were in excellent condition, and easy access to amenities in the area. The on-site restaurant was excellent, and was an easy 2-minute drive (or ten minute walk) from the Villa. (The Villa is separate from the main hotel property). The included breakfasts were excellent. The staff was very helpful but not overbearing. We had only a few very minor recommendations – again, very minor things: 1) the private pool at the Villa was a few degrees too warm – the water was probably 100 or so, and therefore not very refreshing. Maybe just a matter of the filtering system or building in some shade structure over part of the pool? 2) it would be good to put some new, larger-sized safes in the rooms (the size that could contain a laptop). 3) the outdoor shower by the pool didn't work (maybe it was just shut off) 4) the kitchen was very well appointed but only a couple of the burners on the stove worked, and you need some more pots and pans, as well as a strainer for cooking pasta One important note: If you're looking for a quiet beach where your kids can swim and play in the gentle waves, Encuentro's beach is not for you. It's a high-surf beach (hence this is a surf lodge ;) Let me wrap this up by saying that the Villa experience at Encuentro was excellent and the price was fair for the provided space, amenities, and services. We have already requested to return with two future groups in 2024. Thank you to the staff for welcoming us and providing an excellent experience. Paul Principal, Camino Institute Buffalo, New York
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