Kite Beach Hotel

Like many of the other mid-range hotels in Cabarete, Kite Beach Hotel is a small, no-frills property where kite surfers and wind sport enthusiasts come to enjoy Cabarete’s world renowned wind conditions. Starting around 11 o’clock each morning,  gaggles of bare-chested, bed-headed surfers emerge from their rooms and hang around the pool, beach, or restaurant. They’re clearly comfortable here, as they spread out across lounge chairs and rest with their feet up on restaurant tables. To say the scene is laid-back would be an understatement. As the day progresses and the wind picks up, the surfers hit the beach, and their kites can be seen flying along the horizon line until the sun goes down. Some head back to their rooms, others hang out at one of many nearby beach bars, and the rest will head downtown for a little taste of Cabarete’s nightlife. But be sure, by 11 o’clock the next morning, the daily ritual will begin again.   

The lobby has a palapa-style roof and bold graphic art painted on the walls. Wicker furniture is topped with soft cushions. Outside, the lawn looks a bit patchy and faded but ocean views and towering palm trees liven up the tropical vibe.   

Kite Beach Hotel is a beachfront property that’s a bit removed from downtown Cabarete. Although it’s a five-minute drive to downtown, the hotel is certainly not within walking distance. The property’s beach is somewhat small and quite windy, which is ideal for windsurfers, but not for anyone looking for a relaxing beach vacation. From noon until sundown each day it is almost impossible to enjoy the beach without getting pelted by whipping sand. Gregorio Luperon Airport is a 23-minute drive from the hotel, while downtown Puerto Plata is about a 40-minute drive.     

Rooms at Kite Beach Hotel are simple, but there are a wide range of accommodations options -- ranging from budget rooms without air-conditioning to three-bedroom penthouses with full kitchens and rooftop decks. While decor varies, rooms generally feature plain white walls, Walmart quality bedspreads, bathrooms with cheap tile (and in the unit we saw, dirty grout), and standard shower/tub combos. The One Bedroom Duplex Apartment we saw did have some beachy appeal, with wicker furniture, blue, white, and yellow color accents, and lots of light, but it was definitely no-frills. There are two buildings at Kite Beach, one older and one newer. Rooms with descriptors like Superior or Deluxe in their names are generally in the newer building and tend to be nicer than their Standard counterparts.  

While there’s nothing crazy spectacular about Kite Beach itself, its windy location is enough to attract the majority of its clientele. The on-site kite school is a major draw for those looking to learn the sport, as well as for pros who want to sharpen their skills. But besides kiting, the hotel doesn’t focus on much else. The pool is small, the beach chairs are worn, and the restaurant is certainly nothing to write home about, though it does provide a substantial breakfast buffet (for a fee) and popular happy hours in the early evening. There are free parking and Wi-Fi.