The DR joined two of the world’s most prestigious lists of hotels in 2006 – Small Luxury Hotels and the Leading Hotels of the World, an acknowledgement of their outstanding promise of outstanding architectural and interior design, rest and relaxation, in an ambiance of privacy and personalized five-star service.
Both Casa Colonial and Sivory Punta Cana were included in the March 2006 Travel & Leisure feature on the 12 new hot spots around the world where the visitor finds “pristine sand, local culture and picture-perfect sunsets”. Tortuga Bay, the newest of the three, which joined the Leading Hotels of the World organization in fall 2006, is sure to make the top lists soon.

    Casa Colonial in Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata was the first Dominican hotel to join the list of Small Luxury Hotels. Among its guests this year was fashion designer and jet setter Donatella Versace, who visited with her two children, Allegra and Daniel. A fusion of old world charm and modern sensibilities, the Casa Colonial Beach & Spa is a 5 Star luxury ‘all suite’ boutique hotel with an incredible spa, a rooftop infinity pool with four Jacuzzis.
    The hotel’s romantic, colonial architecture creates an elegant atmosphere with tasteful, contemporary décor, providing an upscale ambiance for the most demanding guests. Puerto Plata-born Sarah García’s exquisite taste is easily recognizable; García is currently one of the most highly quoted architects and interior designers in the Dominican Republic. Joining her to make Casa Colonial a Caribbean special choice is one of the Dominican Republic’s best chefs of all time, Rafael Vásquez, who was also born in Puerto Plata, an international award-winner for his creative and delicious food with Caribbean ingredients for taste bud tantalizing dishes.

   Spanish-owned, the 55-suite Sivory Punta Cana, decorated in minimalist tropical style is now open. Situated on an expansive and secluded private beach, Sivory Punta Cana offers a luxurious and exclusive oasis that combines Polynesian and Caribbean influences with style and modern sophistication (surround-sound plasma TVs, wine cooler stocked with vintages). The fivestar luxury property is the first in the region to become a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group. It features 55 spacious suites, right on the beach, personal plunge pools and a private beach club with seven lavish oceanfront suites, its own pool, bar and exclusive beach area. Pool and beach valet service, plus butler service is available to all guests. The 24-hour room service features a vast list of gourmet menu items, as part of the royal treatment that is the hotel’s standard.

   Tortuga Bay in Punta Cana is one of the newest members of The Small Leading Hotels of the World organization. The villas with 50 rooms were decorated by world famous Dominican couturier Oscar de la Renta.
   This new jewel of the Caribbean is located within Punta Cana, a 15,000-acre gated community with five miles of white-sand beach where Oscar de la Renta, Julio Iglesias and Mikhail Baryshnikov have homes. A P.B. Dye’s superbly designed oceanfront golf course offers panoramic views of the breathtaking Caribbean Sea in this untouched serene location. Guests can indulge in a full service Six Senses Spa (yoga, Reiki and tai chi lessons), several international and Caribbean gourmet food restaurants, modern conveniences such as plasma TVs, DVD players, Jacuzzis in the rooms, and wireless Internet in the pool area. Starting with a personal welcome at Punta Cana International Airport, guests are taken directly to their private villas, where they are registered and introduced to their own villa manager (one manager for every two villas).