Victorian House Boutique Hotel

Victorian House Boutique Hotel’s name is certainly a misnomer -- it’s actually one of three buildings that comprise the Exxtraordinary Resort – Bellamar property. The hotel takes advantage of its oceanfront setting, with the restaurants, pool, and most guest rooms all overlooking the coast; but unfortunately, the views are the beginning and end of this hotel’s charm. With its water-stained facade and dark, cavernous lobby, the hotel has a somewhat unsettling, abandoned feel. Guest rooms have older decor -- some even have tube TVs -- and the cleanliness level leaves a lot to be desired. The pool and restaurants are middling at best. Sosúa is known for its large numbers of sex workers and the hotel visibly plays a role in keeping this industry alive. Unregistered guests are allowed on the property if they’re accompanied by a registered guest, and it’s not uncommon to see prostitutes passing through.  

Victorian House Boutique Hotel is located on a quiet side street in Sosúa, wedged between bustling Sosúa Beach and smaller Casa Marina Beach. There are plenty of dining options and shops within walking distance, and during the day Sosúa draws a range of local, European, and North American couples, families, and solo travelers. At night, however, prostitution is rampant on the beaches and streets, and it’s generally best to travel in groups after dark. The more family-friendly beach destination of Puerto Plata is a 40-minute drive away, while Gregorio Luperon International Airport can be reached in about 20 minutes by car. 

Guest rooms at Victorian House Boutique Hotel are stale and dated, offering beds with busy, old-fashioned comforters as well as scuffed wooden furniture. Just about everything in our room was broken, including the personal safe, the wall-mounted bathroom hairdryer, the phone, and the balcony door. Our room also wasn’t very clean -- there was residue in the drinking glasses and a stain on one of the bed sheets.  All units include microwaves and minibars, but the minibar was not stocked in our room. Free Wi-Fi is standard and some rooms have flat-screen TVs, while others have outdated tube TVs. Tiled bathrooms offer shower/tub combos or shower stalls -- the water temperature never got hotter than tepid in our room. Off-brand soap and shampoo is provided. Most guest rooms have large balconies furnished with wooden loungers. White lattice partitions provide separation between neighboring balconies. Higher-floor rooms offer excellent views of the coast, while the lower floors feature nondescript views of the grounds. Junior Suites add small seating areas, while apartments and penthouses include dining tables and kitchenettes with hot plates. None of the kitchenettes we viewed were stocked with any cookware, aside from some drawers stuffed with loose cutlery. The split-level penthouse we checked out was more attractive than the standard rooms, offering a four-poster bed, light distressed wood furniture, and a whirlpool tub in the bedroom. 

All of the hotel’s features are shared with the larger Exxtraordinary Resort – Bellamar. The property includes a pleasant, three-tiered outdoor pool, which has a few plastic blue loungers arranged around the deck at each level. The pool offers lovely views of the ocean, and the lowest tier features a small swim-up bar and volleyball net. Victorian House offers direct access to Sosúa Beach, a curved stretch of golden sand backed by palm trees (although high tide obscured the access point during our visit). It’s a buzzing beach with good swimming and snorkeling conditions, along with tons of vendors, bars, and restaurants.   There are two restaurants, set on the upper two levels of an open-air building that overlooks the coast. One is a buffet reserved for guests who opt for the all-inclusive package, while the other is a la carte. Both are simply furnished with wooden and wicker furniture, but their arched ceilings, graceful pillars, and commanding ocean views make them among the more appealing areas of the hotel.   A hulking building across the street includes a casino and a nightclub on its ground floor. Guests also have access to the independently owned fitness center on the building’s upper floor. It’s a large, bright facility with modern Cybex equipment and an indoor squash court. A tiny counter shop in the lobby sells a limited selection of snacks and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, and there’s free self-parking in a nearby lot. Travelers with limited mobility should be aware that the hotel doesn't have an elevator.