Ecolodge Vistamar

We were especially happy with how warmly we were treated. Wolfgang was attentive and helpful, and made sure things ran smoothly throughout our stay at Ecolodge Vistamar. The breakfast was generous, and dinner was delicious. For a 3-star hotel, it felt surprisingly cozy and comfortable, with everything clean and well equipped. We’d happily return and recommend it.

The rural setting might throw you off, but we had a fantastic stay. The place was very clean and relaxing, with beautiful ocean views, friendly staff, and a welcoming owner. They have a kitchen and can cook for you, though the wait may be over an hour. Still a fantastic place for a good price.

The lodge is beautiful, well kept, and full of elegant little details. When we arrived, Wolfgang welcomed us with a glass of delicious fruit, and the service made my husband and me feel like royalty. It was unlike anything we’d experienced elsewhere. The concerns in some reviews are true: there’s no A/C in the rooms, no window screens, and the place can be hard to find. We had no problems, though, and felt safe there. Hopefully Wolfgang will have screens and A/C by summer. Either way, we’ll definitely come back.

Ecolodge Vistamar is a lovely-looking place, and the clean, well-kept building, garden, and pool show real attention to detail. Our studio was spacious, with two beds and a kitchen in an open layout. Still, several practical issues affected our stay. Getting there felt concerning. The area is rural, with abandoned buildings nearby, and the unpaved road past them made access and safety feel uncertain. When our car got stuck on a dirt road, we contacted the owner, but he didn’t help or offer a car service contact. Local people eventually helped us out. The owner and staff were friendly, but dinner prices seemed closer to New York than local Dominican Republic prices. Water came in pitchers, so it wasn’t clear whether it was bottled, which could be a concern in a rural area. The studio had no air conditioning, and its windows had shutters but no glass. With so many mosquitoes around, that worried me about health risks. Even with mosquito nets on the beds, I found three mosquitoes in mine, a possible, if remote, risk for diseases like dengue and malaria. These issues with the location, service, and room conditions led to our 2/5 stars rating. I hope this feedback helps improve the place.