Hi Bob,
You have picked a great area of the DR! Las Galeras is a very small fishing village with real Robinson Crusoe type of feel. This is the place to get away from it all. I am SO glad you're staying at Villa Serena, and PLEASE post a review of it when you get back.
Regarding the hotel, it is beautiful, very small. It is not unusual to have the whole place to yourself depending on the season. I have visited this hotel several times, but did not stayed there. However, I know the property well - my husband and I saw the guestrooms, the small restaurant and the gardens. I would STRONGLY suggest that you book room #1, on the first floor. It is a gorgeous room, with a wraparound veranda that includes a hammock and cozy rattan chairs. Inside the room, you wiil find a four poster bed draped with mosquitoe netting (more for a romantic effect than for actual mosquitoes). You have the perfect view of the ocean in front of your room.
The gardens of Villa Serena are very beautiful. It includes a kidney shaped pool. A stone path leads to the white sand beach. The beach is small, but perfect. When you tire of the hotel beach, a short walk leads you to the public Galeras beach, which is lovely. Lots of fishermen there and their wives selling food and drinks. My husband and I ate the best snapper there, and got each the most delicious grilled lobster for about $10 USD! The hotel can also escort you to Rincon beach via boat. Rincon has been consistently ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean, if not the best. There isn't much to do at Las Galeras or at Villa Serena for that matter, except relax, and hit the beaches. You can do a lot of exploring of the peninsula if you want as well. If you're going with a partner, then this the best romantic getaway imaginable. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions. Hope this helps.
Regards, Natasha
