Samana & Saltwater

A saltwater pool wrapped in tropical landscaping sits at the heart of this Las Terrenas apartment – a private retreat in a gated community on the Samaná Peninsula. The double-height living room and skylit dining area let the outdoors in, and one bedroom with a glass roof means you can fall asleep under palm fronds and open sky. Beyond the terrace, the Samaná coastline beckons: turquoise Caribbean shores, humpback whale watching in the bay during winter, and the option to sail out to Cayo Levantado's white-sand island.

Home truths:
* Air conditioning is only available in the bedrooms. You're asked to switch off air conditioning when you head out or when rooms aren't in use.
* You will be given a beach token to access the private beach here. It's shared with the community's other guests. Lost tokens incur a $50 replacement fee so make sure you keep it safe.
* This is a quiet residential community, so the vibe here is peaceful rather than social. Visitors who aren't registered guests can't access the apartment or common areas, and external speakers or sound systems aren't permitted inside.
* Guests have access to all areas of the home, apart from one locked owner's storage room.