Casa Veintiuno

Casa Veintiuno is a small boutique bed and breakfast hotel in Sosúa, with just three rooms and a distinctly personal scale. Tropical gardens, carefully designed interiors and a private pool give you somewhere to slow down without disappearing from the town entirely.

The style leans towards European design rather than standard Caribbean resort furniture. French designer linen, Dutch Auping mattresses and Italian espresso machines are part of the room setup, while the team speaks English, French, Spanish and Dutch. English is spoken on site, so you can discuss an early start, a late meal or the practical details of your stay without resorting to underwater hand signals.

You are in Sosúa, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, with Sosúa Beach a five-minute walk away. Alicia Beach is also within walking distance, while Laguna Beach is about 2 miles away and Encuentro Beach about 4 miles away by road. The coast is close enough for a swim or a wander, but your room is not planted directly on the sand.

Gregorio Luperón International Airport is roughly 4 miles away and about a 15-minute drive. Cabarete is around 10 miles from the hotel, and Fortaleza San Felipe in Puerto Plata is about 17 miles away. For a wider outing, the Lagunas Cabarete y Goleta National Monument lies around 10 miles away.

All three rooms are designed for two people, with an extra-large double bed, air conditioning, a private bathroom, a minibar, a desk and a balcony with sea views. That makes the choice less about squeezing in a third suitcase and more about how much room you want around the bed. The larger Mystique Suite suits a couple who prefer space to spread out, while Secret Room #3 is the more compact option for a shorter stay.

Tranquility Suite #2 brings a double shower; Mystique Suite #1 combines a bath and shower. Each room has a private entrance, soundproofing, a wardrobe or dressing room, slippers and a bathrobe. After salt, sun and a day of bending yourself into dive gear, the air conditioning, minibar and proper coffee machine are the useful luxuries. WiFi reaches the rooms, pool, gardens and restaurant, and daily housekeeping keeps the practical side of the stay moving.

Upper floors are reached by stairs, so bear that in mind if knees and luggage have started negotiating their own travel plans. The rooms are non-smoking and include a fan as well as air conditioning, with a flat-screen television and a seating area for the evenings when the sensible option is to do very little.

Breakfast is continental and included with the bed-and-breakfast arrangement. It is served in a property that also offers breakfast in the room, useful when the day begins early and coffee takes priority over conversation. A minibar and room service give you a fallback when you want food or a drink without heading back out.

Dinner has more ceremony. Casa 21 Restaurant serves international cuisine from Wednesday to Sunday, between 6pm and 10pm, with dishes built around organic, locally sourced ingredients. The presentation is clearly part of the kitchen's identity, while the beef is Prime CAB Certified Angus Beef. It is the sort of table that gives you a reason to dress properly, even if the morning's wardrobe involved neoprene.

The property has two restaurants listed on site, along with a bar and an outdoor dining area. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices are available, and special diet menus can be requested. The setting can be modern or romantic, so you can keep dinner relaxed or make an evening of it without leaving the hotel.

The private pool sits among palm trees and tropical planting, with a view, a sun terrace, loungers and umbrellas. Pool towels are available, and the garden gives you a place to sit when the idea of another organised activity feels faintly absurd. There is also a games room and a shared lounge with television for slower afternoons.

A fitness centre covers the straightforward option of moving before or between outings. Beauty services and wellness packages are available too, including facial and body treatments, manicures and massages. A couples massage is on the menu if both of you have decided that the day's main achievement should be remaining horizontal.

The tour desk and concierge can help arrange activities beyond the property, while nearby options include golf within 2 miles and the beaches around Sosúa and Cabarete. Cycling, hiking, canoeing, horse riding, snorkelling, windsurfing and fishing are available in the surrounding area, rather than as hotel-based facilities.

An airport shuttle is available, with private and shared arrangements to be booked with the hotel. Car hire, luggage storage, currency exchange, concierge assistance and a 24-hour front desk are also available. Free WiFi covers the whole property, and free on-site parking is available in a garage; parking needs to be arranged in advance.

Check-in runs from 3pm to 8pm, and you need to tell the hotel your expected arrival time. Check-out is from 8am to midday. A photo ID and credit card are required at arrival, while payment can also be handled by PayPal or bank transfer according to the booking arrangements.

Children of any age are welcome. Cots and extra beds can be requested, subject to availability, and babysitting is available. Three friendly dogs live on site, so this is worth knowing if you are particularly keen on canine company or prefer your hotel companions to have gills.