Rincon Rubi

Rincon Ruby is a great place to stay, just 10 minutes from beautiful, unspoiled Rincon Bay. This part of Samana still doesn't feel like a tourist trap. I've visited the DR six times and stayed at Rubi twice. I'll definitely return.

I only stopped for lunch, not an overnight stay. The food was delicious and the views are incredible. They cook everything fresh when you order, so expect it to take around an hour. The staff were really nice, but their card machine was down, so I paid with the little cash I had left. Bring pesos if you can, since the dollar exchange rate is a rip-off. The beach is just five minutes away.

The place itself is lovely and the service was good. The food, though, is another story. The ceviche tasted great, but I couldn't find any shrimp in it. The fried fish had no seasoning. The octopus in coconut sauce seemed to have lost every tentacle in a fight with sailors, because I couldn't see any. The filet mignon, to my surprise, was good in every way. We didn't use the hotel, so I can't comment on that. The place has lots of potential if whoever runs the kitchen improves the food quality.

The animals kept the kids entertained, with cats, a bunny, and chickens around the property. When my family was at Rincon beach, someone came to pick us up and drive us to the hotel. It's family-run, and service is mostly handled by an English-speaking family member. Dinner was the highlight: well prepared and nicely presented, and worth the short wait. My family had a great time. This place really is a hidden gem.