With its prime surf conditions and a spirited avenue peppered with lively dining and nightlife venues, Cabarete attracts a steady crowd of water-sports enthusiasts and beach bums to the Dominican Republic's north shore year-round. The small outpost boasts an array of diversions for eco-lovers and adventurers, from windsurfing and kiteboarding to hiking and canyoning.
Check out the Top 5 Things to Do in Cabarete
For decades, hotel selections in the area have been limited to a handful of boutique eco-properties and two- to three-star hotels. Vacationers seeking fun-in-the-sun by day and plush accommodations by night have, historically, had scarce lodging options in the area – but not for long. Building on the successes of luxury Turks & Caicos properties like The Regent Palms and The Sands at Grace Bay, Caribbean developer Darren Law, President of North Island Development, saw potential for Cabarete to give visitors the best of both worlds, and the idea for the new five-star Palmera de Cabarete Resort & Spa was born. Slated to open in 2011, the 138-suite luxury community will lie just beyond Cabarete's core, and will occupy one of the Caribbean's largest expanses of uninterrupted beach – 1,000 feet of private shoreline on nearly 20 manicured acres.
"We're convinced that Cabarete will be the next hot destination," for Caribbean real estate and lodging, Law explains. And, when finished, the $200 million condo resort will be at the forefront of upscale accommodations on the island. Among the high-end amenities are three freshwater infinity pools, a 22,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, gourmet dining options including room service, shops and boutiques, a state-of-the-art tennis facility, and a 24-hour concierge service.
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The luxury suites – available for purchase or nightly rental – will range from 2,000- to 4,500-square feet and feature 10-foot-high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, marble floors and deluxe Wolf and Subzero appliances. All units will have a choice of three "beachside luxury" décor options at purchase – tropical, classic or traditional – and some units will even feature private infinity plunge pools and summer kitchens.
To complement the new development, the Dominican Republic government has pledged an incredible $1 billion in infrastructure enhancements along the north shore over the next five years. And the nearby airport in Puerto Plata is a short, direct flight from many U.S. hubs, making it easy for commuters and vacationers alike to enjoy even short weekend getaways to the resort.
Real Estate Essentials
Units: 138 suites from 2,000- to 4,500-square-feet
Opening: 2011
Purchase Price: From $1 million
Rental Rate: From $300 per night
Nearest Airport: Puerto Plata La Union (POP) – approx. 30 minutes from Cabarete
Sales Office: Palmera de Cabarete, Ocean Dream, Ste. 211. Kite Drive, Cabarete, Dominican Republic; 809-501-6205; www.palmera-dr.com
