We read the other reviews on TripAdvisor and were really excited to
stay at the Acaya, but were sadly very disappointed and left after one
night to stay at another hotel on the beach.

We are definitely not fancy hotel people (my boyfriend had just
finished four weeks of medical service in a rural village without water or
electricity so you can be assured this is not a review from some spoiled
all-inclusive travelers). We used Trip Advisor to choose Acaya and
wanted to make sure to provide some additional information so future
visitors had more information and could make even better decisions about
where to stay.

The other Trip Advisor comments did not include descriptions of the
types of rooms at Acaya and I think that was a big part of the problem.
There are some nice rooms at the Acaya- they are the superior rooms- $76
at low season, $86 at high season. If you want one of the superior
rooms with AC (there are four of them), it is an additional $10. We think
all superior rooms have fridges and mosquito nets and safes.

Unfortunately, these superior rooms were all booked and not knowing the
real difference between rooms, we booked the standard room, which was
still $65/night.

You can check out the rates at (--). Though, it seemed to
be high season at the Hotel Acaya and the higher rate even though
every other hotel on the beach said it was low season and were charging low
season rates.

I would discourage people from booking the standard room. It was more
expensive than many other better rooms at other hotels on Playa Bonita
(Coyamar for example) and was disappointing.

There was no hot water, there was an overhead fan almost falling off
the ceiling (though it moved quickly), there was a safe that was so old
that it very hard to open and close, and mosquitos easily got into the
room through the cracks in the doorways and there was no mosquito
netting over the bed. The room and bathroom was very bare bones and
unattractive.

Our sad room was a stark contrast to the rest of the Hotel Acaya,
which had a truly beautiful bar and restaurant area looking right onto the
beach (though restaurant was overpriced and not particularly good).

We were so excited to get to Playa Bonita (after the 5 hour trip by
bus, taxi and gua-gua from Santo Domingo), but made a real mistake booking
a standard room at Acaya. But, if you get a superior room, you might
have a much better stay.

But, superior rooms are pretty expensive- $25-$45 more than other nice
rooms on the beach- though Acaya has some rooms with air conditioning
so if that is important to you, make sure you get get one of the AC
rooms...

I stayed there over a year ago, and I still have such strong, fond memories of the place...so much so that I feel compelled to review it so maybe it'll take the #1 spot here! Every other review of Acaya here echoes my experience: amazing spot on the beach, looks like a deserted island, quiet, undeveloped (unless you do the long walk to the all-inclusive); absolutely outstanding food; really friendly proprietors (though Sebastian is a bit moody!). Completely relaxing and gorgeous. I can't wait to go back.

For those of you daring enough and lucky enough to make it to the Samana Peninsula, you can choose to stay in the town of Las Terennas or on Playa Bonita which is where Acaya Hotel is. Las Terennas is very noisy but beautiful near the water. Hotel Acaya is located on a remote beach just a 5 minute drive from Las Terennas. The french chef at their hotel is amazing and you will eat incredible meals accompanied by a great wine selection.

We are so in love with Samana that we are buying land there.

The hotel is more like a bed and breakfast. The kindness of the staff is fantastic. We travel extensively and this is the most relaxing and reasonable priced stay. You are lulled to sleep by the waves and awaken to the sound of the waves as well.

There was no television or phone in our room. No crowds or heavy traffic.,, the miles of beach the first week of Nov. are for the most part secluded. We walke the deserted beach for miles to the ?Wyndam AI?

The best part is the French restaurant and cocktails. We never had dinner anywhere else for 7 days.... the menu was extensive and unbelievably good no it was superb. You may think this insane for the Dominican but I had enough faith and tried and loved the steak tartar.