Ultravioleta Boutique Residences

Nightclubs, bars, and crowded restaurants line both sides of the main road leading to the chic Ultravioleta Boutique Residences in Cabarete. However, the feel here is decidedly relaxed and friendly: Twentysomething travelers kite- and windsurf by day and party at waterfront clubs at night, with no real need to leave the beach at any point. The minimalist Ultravioleta Boutique capitalizes on these tan crowds and the typical guest here is young, international, and wealthy. Of course, families also enjoy this place for the privacy and spacious kitchens. We even met some guests who like it so much that they stay for months.Designed by GVA Architects, the hotel is mostly a lesson in uber-modern style. Most interiors and exteriors are sleek and cool, like the outdoor fire pit area, with its grassy lawns and low-slung bench seating. Funky purple sculptures are used tastefully throughout to pump up the white-and-tan color scheme, and lines throughout the hotel are clean and sharp. Other areas are a bit of a miss, like the pool area, which is a classic example of fashion over function. While the pool itself has a sharp tilted-rectangle design (and there’s a cold-water jetted tub), the lounge seats are cube-shaped and uncomfortable. All in all, though, things here are a huge step up from some of the offerings in the Cabarete area, and rates definitely reflect that fact.

Ultravioleta Boutique is in Cabarete, a haven for kitesurfers, expats, and young people with a penchant for nightlife. The main road leading to Ultravioleta Boutique is crammed with banks, restaurants, hotels, bars, and nightclubs -- it has incessant traffic and almost everything an international tourist would need. On Kite Beach, though, the experience is strikingly different, and the vibe is water-sport laid-back, with sunglass-sellers cruising by lazily and other vendors set up in beach shacks. At night the urban-beach atmosphere feels reminiscent of a low-key version of Miami Beach, and everyone’s over-dressed -- but in flip-flops.It's a 10- to 15-minute walk to the center of town for a wide selection of restaurants, bars, and the like, though there's also a cafe right next door for anyone needing a quick bite. Alternatively it takes less than five minutes to reach the center of town by taxi or motoconcho. For surfing and other beach activities, walk along the sand behind the hotel and within 10 minutes you’ll pass at least three surf schools. The closest international airport is in nearby Sosua, about a 20-minute drive from the hotel.  

The 21 apartments here are a sight for sore eyes -- tall floor-to-ceiling glass walls, enormous beds, and airy kitchens. It’s here that the hotel’s design team got the details just right, and where the hotel’s hefty price tag might just feel worth it. Both patterns and color are strikingly absent from the decor -- expect white tones, clear glass and wood, and not much except for the spare punch of the hotel's signature purple and beachy art on the walls. The minimalism actually helps make these spaces seem brighter, cleaner, and more soothing overall. In fact, the overall effect is downright sexy: massive stand-alone mirrors lean against the far wall, soft shag rugs are placed right next to the beds, and some penthouse rooms come with a rooftop hot tub and outdoor lounge. All apartments include ultra-modern kitchens with stoves, microwaves, coffeemakers, and full-size refrigerators -- almost all appliances are done in stainless steel to create a cool, cutting-edge look. Dishware and cookware are also included. The quantity of outlets spread throughout the apartments seems designed with modern travelers in mind, and all apartments also include air-conditioning, safes, free Wi-Fi, and large flat-screen TVs with DVD players and surround sound. Bathrooms are large, with premium Damana toiletries and walk-in showers with multi-function shower heads. Some apartments do have minor oversights, like missing irons or ironing boards. It's perhaps an obvious note, but all of the glass means that rooms on bottom floors will likely want shades drawn at most times of day, and the lack of privacy might be annoying for those with first-floor bedrooms. Shady outdoor patios offer lounge chairs and tables for outdoor breakfasts, and face the garden path toward the pool and beach. Daily housekeeping is provided.

The amenities at Ultravioleta are limited. There’s just a pool, a beach, and a few places to relax. Aside from a sharp, grassy fire pit, the pool might be the only place to mingle with fellow guests, as there’s no hotel restaurant or bar -- a bummer for those hoping to avoid the crowded restaurants downtown.The pool is at the end of a short winding path behind the rooms. It’s cool-looking, with geometrically angular bathing areas plus a swank travertine and wood deck. There’s also a cold-water jetted tub next to it for anyone who wants to cool off in the DR's heat. While it all has a sleek look, ignore the awkwardly-shaped cube seats in the lounge area and relax on one of the daybeds instead. Towels are plentiful and staff is constantly on-site to keep debris from the pool.   The pool overlooks Kite Beach: a long, wide, and windy shoreline that can sometimes be too rough for swimming. While the hotel's website advertises palm trees everywhere, there’s actually a striking lack of shade here, especially at the hotel’s beach entrance. Their remedy isn't the best solution, but it's functional: a half-exposed lounge area with daybeds underneath the hotel, somehow on a downward slope and with no views whatsoever. The beach is still pleasant and quiet enough, and there are a handful of regular beach chairs for those who crave the sun. Wi-Fi is free and functional everywhere on the property -- including the beach. Parking is also free and secure, as the lot has gated security.