Cabana Elke

Cabana Elke is a excellent example of a middle-of-the-road property that isn’t trying to be something it’s not. This is a simple budget hotel that's a reliably clean and pleasant place to crash within an easy walk of the beach. It also has a bit of authentic charm, in part because of it's low-key Caribbean decor and a bar that draws a steady stream of locals all day long. A handful of palapas, a modest amount of poolside gardening, and an eclectic Italian restaurant provide a relaxed vibe that’s worlds apart from the faux sophistication of most neighboring resorts. During the day, most guests are out at the beach or doing nearby hikes. Even so, the on-site Palu bar acts as a social hub where guests and locals gather from late morning until well after dinner. While children are allowed on the property, it feels aimed squarely at couples, and Italian guests make up a majority of the people who stay here.

While the hotel is situated in Bayahibe’s quieter, less touristy quarter, it’s within a short walk of a handful of restaurants and bars. The map suggests otherwise, but the hotel is not situated directly on the beach. However, it’s just a 10-minute walk to Dominicus Beach, which is one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on the Dominican Republic’s southeastern coast. There are also a number of day hikes available at nearby Parque Nacional del Este, which is best accessed by hiring boats to designated spots along the peninsular coastline. The hotel is located 75 minutes east of Las Americas International Airport and 20 minutes east of La Romana International Airport. Taxi and shuttle service are inexpensive and easy to arrange almost everywhere on the island -- both are safer than trying to drive yourself. 

Rooms are simple, but clean, with a haphazard mix of '90s-era and flat-box furniture, ranging from whitewashed rattan seating to IKEA pieces. There's an abundance of white, which is punctuated by bright pop-influenced art and color-block accents. We did spot a bit of wear on some of the furniture. There's plenty of space and all layouts are large enough to accommodate a dining table and a private patio or balcony. Apartments have wet bars with mini-fridges, as well as separate bedrooms, though proper kitchens are missing. The list of standard amenities -- free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and cable TVs (although we spotted a few old, tube-style sets) -- is decent for a hotel of this caliber. Limited bottled water is provided and the tap water (like that found in most of the country’s hotels) is non-potable. Bathrooms are spacious and basic, though many have colorful tilework to perk them up a bit. Walk-in shower stalls without a curtain are standard. Bath amenities are limited to one bottle each of generic shampoo and liquid body wash.

Features are slim here, though what's on offer adds a bit of value to this simple property. The pool is situated in an airy, garden-style space, and is more than capable of accommodating the number of guests, even at capacity. Adirondack chairs, basic lounge chairs, and patio sets ring the space. Instead of poolside drink service, guests can grab a beverage at the nearby bar which offers a full beer, wine, and cocktail menu. Da Elio Restaurant is surprisingly large and eclectic. The walls are adorned with a ramshackle collection of old menus, fishing tournament photos, and empty liquor bottles. Vintage cash registers, old bicycles, and stray cats pepper the space to create a vibe that’s a bit funky, and both traditional Italian dishes dominate the menu, though local Dominican fare is also available. The adjacent Palu Bar is small attracts a steady stream of mostly locals throughout the day. Parking is available on the lightly trafficked adjacent street. Wi-Fi is free, and we found the service to be relatively fast and reliable.