| Date | Rating | Comment
[Guest Comments: 0 positive, 0 negative]
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| 10/10/08 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
Chalet Tropical is a beautifully crafted place to stay but what really stands out is Sarah, who is a wonderful and kind hostess. We thoroughly enjoyed the stay and would recommend meeting the cat - the dog - the giant frogs - the monkey - playing a sweaty game of football with the locals...then there's the music and atmosphere of the village. If you want a world away from the touristic parts of the DR, then you must come here - it's everything that packaged tourism isn't - it's real, authentic and down to earth...and yes, it's got some sublime beaches. Our thanks to Sarah for making it what it is...Tim and Carol
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Tim and Carol
UK
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| 08/30/08 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
A peine rentrés de Las Galeras et du magnifique Chalet Tropical, nous pouvons dès à présent affirmer que ces vacances furent paradisiaques!
D'abord l'environnement, c'est un petit village de pêcheurs adorable, des plages comme on peut en rêver, un calme et une tranquilité incroyable..Le Chalet est une véritable oeuvre d'art, très confortable, vraiment paisible et plein de charme.Et enfin, Sarah, la merveilleuse propriétaire qui sait vous accueillir, vous conseiller, et qui fera tout pour rendre vos vacances inoubliables!!
So thanks very very much Sarah!!For ever in our hearts.
Sébastien, Johanne et Elliot
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Sébastien, Johanne et Elliot
Nice, France
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| 07/03/08 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
After months of planning, my three children (ages 7,9,12) and I arrived in a dreamworld called Chalet Tropical. It was more incredible than I even imagined. Sarah and her husband have meticulously worked a magical touch on every inch of the chalet. They have artistically cut, carved, painted, every last nook and cranny to perfection. It´s a beautiful gem. My children loved playing on the handcarved chess game or playing tag in the lovely enclosed yard.
Her personality exudes the same love and care that she´s put in her home. From the moment I began email correspondence, I knew I would be in good hands. I was traveling alone with three children, and she took me under her wing. She offered some fabulous ideas for every day of our stay: we woke with horses in our yard for a beach ride, we went on ATVs and a couple of private boat tours. It´s truly like a dream vacation. I didn't want to leave! I wished stay there and work for her. Her generosity, warmth and kindness makes this trip truly extraordinary. We came from Club Med in Punta Cana, and I think this experience is above and beyond any we could have at a resort. To sum up, if you´re thinking of going anywhere else while in Las Galeras...you don´t need to look farther Chalet Tropical is your home away from home.
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Cheryl Eccles
California, USA
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| 07/10/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
from 5th to 17th of June 2007
There is no place more lovely than this part of the Samana peninsula and no hostess more hospitable than Sarah. I recommend not renting motorized transport and walking instead. You really get to experience the area and besides, what's the hurry? You're on frickin vacation fer cryin out loud! Get some much needed exercise and preserve the environment at the same time.
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Stacey
USA
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| 06/11/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
Chalet Tropical is an enchanting little Chalet. Something of the sort that one would only realize in one’s dreams or a child’s mind or deep in the thick of a fairy forest. To describe the more than gracious hosts Sarah and Danillo or the grounds would hardly do either justice ..but I will try…
Lush green land and delicate flowers and shrub surround the tiny Castle of Art- worked wood, scrolled, carved, stained, every inch meticulously placed-a display of magnificent artistry and talent. A fence of stone crowed with jewel toned shards of glass on one side and sharpened pillars of wood on the other- encloses the acre or so of manicured landscape. Beyond the fence a lush thick of native foliage and the occasional handsome cow to greet hello in the late afternoon.
A hazy pastel rainbow welcomes and receives you as you ascend its rouge stairway. The front door opens like the curtains of a stage and gives way to the Chalet’s main living room and kitchen.
A gas stove on stone island is strategically placed in the center of the kitchen. The dining table sits in the center of the great room and spaciously accommodates 4. It is all hand carved, with all the different types of native woods available in the country. It could easily be wheeled out to the porch.
The built–in sitting area to the right is very comfortable. A Chess set is inlayed into the seating area’s corner table.
Just beyond the kitchen, past the swinging doors, you will find a small dressing area, vanity and stone shower. Water is warm after 15-20 minutes at the touch of a switch and pressure is good. Just beyond that is a disco lit-private toilet area complete with bidet (a welcome for those of us Americans who have lived overseas and known it’s amenity).
The screened slatted windows when accommodated in the open positions allow for a fabulous cross breeze. No air conditioning needed.
The stairway to the loft should be navigated with care, as the slats are a bit narrow-- (not for the clumsy, and not ideal for small children, elderly, or disabled). The spacious loft, with cathedral-like ceiling and 2 beds which can be placed separately for friends, or together for lovers.
A few tid bits about Las Galeras/Samana.
1. It’s best to fly into Santiago, rent a 4x4 and arrive 3-3.5 hours later. Locals drive very aggressively.
2. The beach is a 10-15 minute walk away from the Chalet (we chose to drive there)
3. Isabella is a wonderful woman who will cook you a delicious meal for lunch (typical Dominican cuisine) on the beach.
4. Sarah provide you with a cell phone. Phone cards can be purchased in town.
5. There’s a wonderful surprise around every corner (especially Sarah’s pets and neighbors pets)
6. There is a little gourmet french bakery/shop in town (wine, muschrooms, pasta, fresh bread daily, assortments of meats, sausage, cheese, etc !) the proprietor is lovely.
7. Maya is the town shiatsu/Aruveda massage specialist ($35us worth it!) FABULOSO!
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Jennifer & Jason
New York, U.S.
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| 04/23/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
1st-5th March 2007
We really enjoyed our stay. The house and owner were amazing. The house was a rustic/artistic masterpiece and labor of love built by the owners. The all wood interiors include all custom made, irregular and whimsical, but highly functional design. Sarah worked very hard to accommodate our needs. The town and country were great too. Unfortunately, we had misunderstood that the property was on, very close to or in view of the beach. In reality, the closest beach was reachable only by a 10 minute walk including passing a security gate and ducking under a barbed-wire fence, and the sea was not visible from the property. Additionally, the property is a single unit about a 12 minute walk from the town or any activities. Not terrible, perhaps desirable for some, but not as convenient as we had expected. Also, as is a single unit. There are no other guests to mingle with, and if Sara or her husband are not available to assist you, you are on your own. If you are OK with the independence and isolation of a 10-12 minute walk from the beach and town (or plan to rent a car or quad, or Sara had offered us a motor bike to use as well) then everything else is great.
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Jeff
U.S.A.
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| 04/23/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
5th Jenuary - 2nd February 2007
If you enjoy a certain level of comfort and independance and you don't want to stay in a hotel Chalet Tropical is the perfect place. It's the kind of location that's perfect for unwinding and relaxing. The Beaches are fantastic some of them do take a bit of effort to reach on foot but then you get the whole place to yourself. The chalet itself is a work of art, it's individuality increases the enjoyment of being away. Sarah and Danillo are the perfect hosts, friendly and charming people that are genuinely lovely, they manage to look after everything for you,are full of local information but give you your privacy as well....a fine balance handled beautifully.As the chalet is self catering we were more than happy to cook for ourselves:mostly with fish delivered by a local fisherman straight from the ocean.The shops and restuarants of Las Galeras are an easy 5 minute stroll away.There's also transport by boat to the furthur away beaches like Playa Rincon.If you want to stay in touch with home there is a mobile phone provided:credit can be bought in the local shops. The icing on the cake is that Sarah and Danillo have a wireless internet connection,so if you bring a laptop as we did you can send and receive emails from the chalet.We can't think of a nicer place to relax and de stress.
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Amanda
U.K.
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| 04/23/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
22th Dec - 4th Jen 2007
Brilliant, idyllic place to stay - the cabin is equipped with everything you could need for a chilled, self catering stay, and was clearly built as a labour of love by the owners; you´ll be discovering fresh artistic details and homely touches for days after you arrive. Sarah and Danilo are the perfect hosts - far enough away to let you have your privacy, close enough to be on hand for any emergency or unexpected need, and friendly and generous with their time whenever you need them. We were treated pretty much like family from the moment we arrived - a birthday cake baked for us, invited along to Xmas and New Year festivities - and we´re going to miss everybody now it´s over. My only regret is it´s likely to be a year before we can get back out here again. MOST highly recommended
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Richard
U.K.
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| 04/23/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
8-15 septiembre 2006
El chalet es realmente bonito y acogedor, lleno de detalles para ir descubriendo día a día. La ubicación es inmejorable para visitar las mas bellas y paradisíacas playas del país, alguna de las cuales está realmente cerca, tan solo 5 minutos caminando desde el chalet. Junto al chalet, en la casa colindante vive Sarah, que es la dueña. Es una persona encantadora y siempre dispuesta a solucionar tus problemas o simplemente hacer tu estancia mas cómoda. El lugar es excelente para los amantes de la naturaleza, y la disfrutarán en primera persona desde el primer hasta el ultimo minuto. Mi mujer y yo estuvimos una semana y no tuvimos tiempo suficiente para disfrutar de todo el entorno. Agradecemos sinceramente la cordialidad y las atenciones de Sarah.
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Jordy
España
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| 04/23/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
19-24 August 2006
The Chalet was the most artistic and unique place that I have ever stayed. Every where that you looked there was some interesting and beautiful homemade artwork, the walls, the chairs, the bathroom, the floors even. It was all wonderful to look at and very comfortable, and we felt very much at home. In fact we wished we could make it our home. A great place if you like to cook because the kitchen was like a dream with pure rock counters. The Chalet is situated away from the cute little town of Las Galeras, at the end of a red dirt road, so the only noise you hear is that of the birds. It is surrounded by the rich tropical beauty of the Dominican Republic. One of the things that made the stay even more wonderful was the duenna, Sarah, who gave us everything we wanted and more. She is one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet, she baked me a wonderful vegan cake for my birthday, she is an excellent cook and baker, so it is a great place for vegans and vegetarians. I will never forget my stay at the Chalet and the kind owners, and I really hope that I will be so lucky as to stay there again.
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Vicky
Canada
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| 04/23/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
01-08 Mars 2006
"Nous sommes aller en amoureux dans ce magnifique chalet tres paisible et vraiment en pleine nature non loin de la mer en meme temps, et malgre que le premier jour on pourrait croire que l'acces est difficile et bien non Sarah vous montrera tout, les passages pour aller vers l'une des plus belles plages de la republique Dominicaine, et d'autres chose encore. le matin vous vous reveillerez avec les chansonnettes des criquets et le Meuh des vaches ( ainsi vous profiterez pleinement de votre journee), mais c'est vraiment sympas. location: c'est une maison qui est tres agreable a vivre, si vous aimez tout ce qui est boise, tres ergonomique meme presque marrante car c'est une vrai boite a idee, rempli d'astuce de decoration et de rangement. ..Le petit plus: Sarah est exceptionnelle, toujours la pour vous encadrer vous donner les bons conseils, elle vous montrera la ville et les alentours pour bien vous montrer ce qu'on peut vous offrir."
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Yasmine
France
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| 04/23/07 |
N/A |
Guest Comment Entered By Homeowner:
8-21 March 2006
Tres beau chalet en bois, propre, original, joliment décoré... le depaysement est total! Entouré d'un jardin bien entretenu, le chalet tropical est le lieu idéal pour les amoureux du calme et de la nature. Bien que Las galeras soit un petit village, on y trouve tout le nécéssaire et les plages à proximité sont magnifiques. Protégé jusqu'à présent du "tourisme de masse", Las Galeras se situe forcément un peu loin des grandes villes (et donc des aéroports), mais c'est aussi son charme! Pour s'y rendre, des bus et des taxis sont disponibles. De plus, Sarah, la propriétaire (dont la maison se situe à coté du chalet) connait très bien la région et se fera une joie de vous aider à trouver le moyen de transport le mieux adapté à votre situation. elle se plie en 4 pour rendre votre séjour inoubliable!
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Sophie
France
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