Sea Horse Ranch

The long, curving road that leads to the entrance at Sea Horse Ranch is lined on both sides by wide green pastures -- dozens of handsome horses gallop with their riders or calmly graze on tufts of grass. The sprawling, lush 250-acre property meets the sea along one side, where well-to-do guests dine at the open-air Beach House Restaurant perched on the farthest edges of a cliff overlooking the ocean. It’s not hard to see how Sea Horse Ranch gained a reputation for being the most idyllic, prestigious gated community on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.The resort’s eco-friendly design, which emphasizes the use of natural materials and minimal alteration of the tropical landscape, certainly helps this place feel special. The ranch was designed by Edward Durrell Stone and Associates, the firm once helmed by the famed architect (of the same name) who is responsible for Radio City Music Hall and the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. While the ranch here might not necessarily represent a feat of modern architecture, it’s a fittingly prestigious name to attach to a place that has an equally sophisticated clientele list.Sea Horse Ranch has a wide range of amenities that make it convenient for families as well as older couples looking for a tranquil, pampering stay in the DR. Aside from the Tennis Academy and Beach Club Restaurant (which are open to the public), the rest of the ranch is strictly available to resort guests only. That plus the tennis courts, two swimming pools and horse stables ensure plenty of activities for teens as well as adults. Villas here are mostly sold or rented to families coming from Europe and the U.S., with occasional visitors from South America and the Caribbean as well.  

Located right on the ocean in Cabarete -- the kitesurfing capital of the Dominican Republic -- Sea Horse Ranch feels more secluded than it actually is. True, there's nothing to do within walking distance of the property, aside from strolling its beautiful natural forests. However, in a car it’s just 10 minutes from both Cabarete town and downtown Sosua, with their respective shops, restaurants, and beaches. A handful of beaches are all within short driving distance, like Encuentro Beach (eight minutes), Sosua Beach (10 minutes), and Kite Beach (eight minutes). Mundo King Art Museum is an 11-minute drive away. The closest international airport is Gregorio Luperon International Airport, about a 20-minute drive from the resort. Otherwise the airport in Santo Domingo is just about a four-hour drive away.  

This resort will go far and beyond what most guests are expecting, as the villas here are more like private luxury homes. Most of these are four to 12-bedroom homes available for sale, or short and long-term rental, each with varying rates and amenities. The style varies, though the units we visited had rustic-chic details like wood-beam ceilings, stone and marble details, and lots of heavy, wrought-iron accents. Some are more sober in their decor, while others feel more exuberantly tropical. These are massive, fancy places to rest your head, and they offer the lavish amenities to prove it -- like maid service and a private chef, for example, as well as private pools. The hotel does try to reflect a relaxed vibe in addition to preserving the elegance of the spaces. Couches are super comfortable, oversized bathrooms include variable features like huge hot tubs, and the kitchens are exceedingly well-equipped for large families.

Given its luxury status, it's no surprise that features here go above and beyond what most area resort's and hotels offer. Sea Horse Ranch is most well-known for its Equestrian Center, a full-service facility that incorporates organized tours, private lessons for beginners through advanced riders, and over seven miles of trails to explore along the beaches and in the forests that surround the resort. Private lessons are also available at the Tennis Club, with five courts, two of which are lit up for playing at night. The Tennis Academy is open to the public and is considered among the best in the area -- long-term residents often train there.  The waterfront Beach Club Restaurant is also open to the public for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant features a monthly live music series, which regularly brings international performers to entertain the guests who dine here. It helps bring a bit of excitement to an otherwise secluded and relatively remote community. Besides the excellent cocktails and remarkable variety of dishes here, it’s hard not to gush over the location: it’s a circular, open-air restaurant, perfectly designed to maximize the sea breeze and vast ocean views surrounding it. Even better, despite the sophisticated menu, there’s no dress code here -- guests can show up barefoot and in their bathing suits and nobody will blink an eye.It’s a useful policy because the two hotel pools are right next to the restaurant. It’s here where the eco-friendly design is most visible. Known as the El Bosque area, this is a natural reserve that has over 15 tree species and a range of indigenous birds and marine life -- like gulls, herrings, and hermit crabs who hang around the tiny “beach.” While there’s sand and water here, this beach isn’t quite big enough for lounging -- it’s essentially nothing more than a convenient place to enter the water. Luckily the pools are big enough to satisfy most, with a winding stone path leading from a shallow kiddie pool to the curving, large pool ahead. Trees hang over a handful of daybeds and grant shade over the water, and stacks of rocks create mini natural waterfalls.   Additional resort features include a dedicated concierge, summer camps for kids, and free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel also has free self parking.