GUEST SATISFACTION IS IMPORTANT; EVERY COMMENT IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Nothing gives us greater pleasure than to get enthusiastic fan mail from our guests. We love this country and its people, and most of all we love our home here. We try to tell it like it is; the good and the bad so that our guests will have realistic expectations.

We pay attention to all constructive feedback and make adjustments when possible. For example, past guest feedback prompted us to offer additional optional services such as initial food package set up and ongoing grocery shopping, and convinced us to make changes/ additions to the villa: king beds, larger sun terrace, full outdoor bath, etc. Every comment is appreciated and read thoroughly.

We have been in this hospitality business for almost 30 years and have a genuine interest in matching adventurous guests with a comfortable affordable and amenity-rich vacation home. If we have done our job correctly we will find guests who will be enchanted with our villa, our staff and this dynamic, colorful country.

Although we still have handwritten notes dating back to 2004 you can read the more recent comments at our Guestbook.

Here’s is a sample of what guests have said over the years:

Christmas 2009
In our group we had 15 people 7 of which were under the age of 8. We weren’t sure if the house was going to be big enough to handle 4 families and also have enough space for breathing room. Del Mar delivered!!!

We spent an additional 4 days at the beginning of the trip at an all- inclusive resort, however it felt like our real holiday started once we got to the house. The house and patios are broken up to give big groups unique space for alone time, or to cater to big gatherings.

The bedrooms are spacious very clean and have A/C. The kids (dormitory) room is a fantastic setup, it became Head Quarters for all of the skull duggery that went on.
Trust me the photos on the website don’t accurately capture the space and beauty.
The staff at the house delivers first class service and take pride in not letting you lift a finger. There was never a moment we felt house-bound with the kids opting to be in the pool more then the beach. The days were spent playing with the kids, drinking pina coladas, Presidente Cerveza, smoking good cigars, swimming, playing cards and eating amazing food. The nights were spent playing with the kids, drinking pina coladas, Presidente Cerveza, smoking good cigars, swimming, playing cards and eating amazing food….

Thank you, Julio, Nelsida and Mercy. We will never forget you and your warm hospitality.

All the families on our vacation are very well traveled so trust me when I say you can’t ask for a better coordinator then Cindy! She was prompt in every correspondence; the process in getting the house ready for our group was flawless. We were never unsure of how things would work out. So from our whole group thank you so much for making our holiday one we will never forget.

Travis
Edmonton Canada

August 2009
Our stay at your beautiful villa was beyond our wildest dreams! Even though the website was so inviting, we were absolutely overwhelmed with the “real thing”!!!! Following flights from Philadelphia via San Juan we were warmly greeted by Julio and Gabino, our luggage quickly claimed and we are on our way. The ride through Puerto Plata gave us our first impressions of the Dominican Republic…vey lush, warm and yes poor, as we travelled to the Villa. There we were warmly welcomed by Nelsida and Mercy and overwhelmed with the beauty of the villa as well as the friendliness of the staff…we knew we were “home”! As we walked out onto the veranda we were stunned by the breathtaking beauty of the pool and the surrounding views of the ocean, Mount Isabella, the other villas near but not too near, this was the villa of our dreams!

After a quick tour of the house we changed into bathing suits and head to the pool. Almost instantly Mercy appeared with a tray of Pina Coladas and cold beer…..we were in heaven. Our stay at Villa Vista Del Mar had begun! Every day was like a dream filled with long, lazy hours in and around the pool interrupted only by the delicious meals and beverages graciously served by Nelsida and Mercy. To say that the food was fantastic is an understatement…our every wish was met with a warm smile! The staff truly became like family.

During the week we ventured off to enjoy a day of sailing and snorkeling on a catamaran and a second adventure which took us out into the glorious countryside through small villages where we were greeted by the smiles and laughter of the beautiful children culminating in a trek through the jungle and swimming in cool, emerald pools at the base of several waterfalls. As the week came to an end we all agreed that it would nearly impossible to find more a more luxurious way to spend a holiday. It is unanimous that we hope to find ourselves back at the villa very soon!

Frankie & Libby
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

July 2009
“Neal’s Vacation Journal”

Emailed Pre Vacation
You have been a delight to work with through all this pre planning stage and I posted your web-site at my workplace for others to peruse. Many people have expressed real interest in the property and I have been keeping them abreast on how our business dealings have been. So far, I have gushed about how professional and thorough you've been. You really have made it a pleasure so far. Thank you –

Emailed Upon Guest Arrival in Cofresi
You lied to us. You said this is paradise. This isn't paradise, it's heaven. Julio, Nelsida and Mercy couldn't be nicer or better at what they do. We love it here. Went on the jeep safari today and all I can say is OMG. We are already planning a trip back next year with at least 8 people. You'll have at least two more billings this year after we get home. Thanks for an unbelievable vacation. I'll write an extensive review when we get home. PS - the art work here in the house is beautiful. Buenas dias.

Emailed Post Vacation
Just a follow up thank you for one of the most enjoyable, relaxing, beautiful vacations I can remember. Our stay at the villa from July 25 to August 1 was a week we’ll never forget. We arrived at the airport and Julio was waiting for us as promised. As we drove to the villa, he stopped at a market so we could buy some last minute items. He is so easygoing and friendly, we fell in love with him instantly. When we arrived at our vacation home, we found the front door open and the aroma of something wonderful cooking. Two very friendly, smiling faces, Nelsida (Na-see-da) and Mercy (May-see) could not have been cuter. They acted as if we were family they haven’t seen for years. Julio insisted he carry our suitcases upstairs and immediately we were served cold drinks and snacks.

I would come down stairs in the morning and my coffee was being poured as I walked into the kitchen. If I tried to pick up my coffee, I got a stern “no” from Nelsida. I was not to carry my coffee. With a sly smile, she gladly carried it out to the poolside table for me to enjoy. The whole week was the same.

Nelsida and Mercy would not let anyone do anything but relax, all while they smiled and worked away. They truly are amazing. You were right, we all wanted to bring them home with us. At the airport, I teased Julio that my suitcase was heavy because I had Mercy and Nelsida in it. He laughed and said, “No, my Mercy stays here with me”. We have their e-mail address and will stay in touch with our Dominican, extended family. I can’t accurately convey how fond we grew of them.

My son learned a tremendous amount of Spanish from the staff and they were impressed at how fast he caught on. The house itself is beyond description. It looks as if it was built yesterday. It is in perfect condition in all respects. Julio keeps the pool sparkling and it was amazing how clear the water stayed all week. We went on the “Jeep Safari” and I highly recommend it. To summarize our experience at the villa – we are already planning our trip back next year with more people. We can’t wait to see Julio, Nelsida, Mercy, the villa and all the wonderful, beautiful Dominicans we met, again. Thanks for a remarkable vacation.

Neal
Hopewell NJ

October 2008
Words cannot describe how wonderful our stay was at your villa. Truly. Jane and I agree we have never had a more relaxing, blissful - just heavenly week in our entire lives. That is no exaggeration.

The villa itself is wonderful, of course, with its spacious, airy, beautifully decorated rooms that feel at once homey and luxurious (which is pretty amazing, since we don't live in luxury at home), its meticulously kept pool, and its many amenities. The location, up on that hillside overlooking the beaches, the ocean, the mountain...is stunning. The people of the island - be they expatriates from the mainland or natives - are as warm and kind as any we've met anywhere. And there are far more places to see and enjoy than we could find the time to explore in our eight days.

I could go on and on about our stay, as you can probably tell! But I have to say, what made it extra special and memorable was your staff. Julio and Nelsida are wonderful! They waited on our every need like pros but treated us like family. Neither of us speaks Spanish beyond por favor and gracias yet Julio's pretty-good English and Nelsida's infinite patience made it so we never missed a beat. By the time we were due to pack our bags to go, we knew we would not only miss the paradise that is the island and your villa, we would miss Julio and Nelsida even more.

So thank you, Cindy, for that home away from home. It's like an alternate universe, where our stresses and troubles are nowhere to be found, but a sense of comfort and well-being - not to mention joy and plain fun - is as pervasive as the air we breathed. God, we miss it!

Tom and Jane
Boston MA

January 2008
Thank you so much for the use of the Villa. We had a wonderful time. I knew that having a cook and maid would be a bonus, but I didn't realize just how much I would come to appreciate it. It truly made this a vacation like one I've never had before. It was like going out to a restaurant every morning, afternoon and evening but never having to choose where to, never have to primp to go out, or having to be drill sergeant to get everyone moving and out the door. Nelsida and Mercy worked so hard to make this relaxing for us.

While I enjoyed the white water rafting, beaching, and horseback riding, the service from Nelsida and Mercy is considered my favorite thing. We are deeply grateful to them. And Julio is most knowledgeable, dependable and personable. They are all great people and we all truly enjoyed them. You are fortunate to have such a dedicated, hardworking staff. But then I am sure you take care of them well and that is why they are such.

The villa is beautiful! And it fit our family and our lifestyle perfectly. The outside patio and pool were our favorite spots. We also found the Dominican people to be very lively and happy. They always made us feel comfortable. It is very obvious how much they appreciate tourists.

Thank you again for such a wonderful stay! We hope we may be back again soon. Or at the least, may have some referrals to give you for some friends.

Cynthia
Orange Park, Florida

July 2007
I wanted to send you an email to tell you how much we LOVED your home. I cannot tell you enough how wonderful your extended family are at the house. Julio, Mercy and Nelsida are just the most wonderful people and it was sad to leave them yesterday, it felt like they were a part of our family. They were so good to us and the food that they cooked was the most wonderful in the world. I have a request for a couple of the recipes if you don't mind. The fried yucca, how they made the beans so tasty and the paella.

I also wanted you to know that Gus was awesome! He set us up on a horseback trip, jeep safari so we could see Dominica life and climb the waterfall and we also went snorkeling and to Ocean World. He was terrific and most pleasant with all of us. I can tell how you Daddy fell in love with the place; this will definitely be somewhere we come back to again and again.

If anyone ever needs a reference for your home, please feel free to contact me as I will give you a reference. We are all trying to figure out how to come back next year. I also would like for you to know that we thought the paintings in the house were stunning, the ones done by your Mother are beautiful. We had asked Julio where we might go to buy one and he told us that it was your Mom :-)

Thank you again for sharing your home with us and allowing us to be a part of the Dominican life and meet Julio, Nelsida and Mercy. If you are talking to them, please, please tell them again that we appreciated everything that they did for us and made us feel at home in their country.

Dawn
Cumming, Georgia

June 2007
I have been meaning to send you an e-mail about our trip. We had a fabulous time! I wish I could be back there right now. Thanks so much for everything on your end. Julio, Nelsida and Mercey took such great care of us--they're truly wonderful people. Having been to the house before, I cannot really think of anything that didn't meet our expectations. Here are a few random thoughts I had meant to share with you...

Good call on the new air conditioning! Our week was pretty hot--and we used them. And we were happy with the improvements to the house!

Did I mention that Nelsida, Julio and Mercey are FABULOUS? And Gabino came by to check up on things, he is so nice.

As for the food shopping situation, I am not sure how most of your guests work it, but we really had Julio do almost all the shopping. We did do one stop by the market almost for fun (and bought junk food!) but I think that's the way to go. We paid him for each trip and had everything we needed.

We went to dinner and played a few rounds of blackjack at the (Ocean World) casino. Nice place!

We did the tour of the Gri Gri Lagoon, and we didn't like it. We LOVED the Playa Grande part--it was so beautiful--but the van ride was really uncomfortable (very hot and slow) and the lagoon and boat ride was nothing great.

We went horseback riding, per your recommendation in the mountains, and it was a blast!

Cindy thanks a million! Your house has now hosted two of our best vacations ever. Feel free to use me as a reference--I just LOVE the house, and I think it's a fabulous vacation. I am telling MY friends and family--

Keith
New York, NY

October 2006
I just wanted to drop you a quick line to let you know what a fantastic time we had at your villa. Nelsida, Mercey and Julio were a great joy to have around and did their utmost to ensure our comfort and enjoyment throughout our stay. Indeed some days we had to force Nelsida and Mercey to leave they were so keen.

The pictures on the internet could not do the terrace and pool area justice- they were an absolute delight - we are missing it so much now we are back to the harsh reality of life - work, supermarket shopping, driving in the rush hour etc. Oh for the quiet of the pool once again!

All that it remains for me to say is thank you so much for creating such a beautiful villa in the most gorgeous of surroundings - we had a fabulous time and hope to return one day.

With kindest regards, Debbie

November 2006
Our vacation was beyond amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful and comfortable home with our family. Cofresi villa is beautiful on so many levels. Not just because it is a beautiful home but the energy and spirit in that house is one of love and peace and togetherness! Your staff treated us like family, leaving us with the desire to go back to the DR, not only to vacation, but to see them

Our family will never forget this vacation. My parents love the country and the people, just as I thought they would. My niece had the best birthday party she could dream of. We were fortunate enough to be able to share her day with some of Gabino's and Nelsida and Julio's children who were so thankful to be invited to share her birthday -- they even bought my niece a gift!!! Amazing people.

Cindy, EVERYTHING, was perfect. The birthday cake was HUGE and beautiful, with tons of Pony's on it. The piñata was a hit, the horses they brought, WOW. The band became friends with my Father who had them over on another night to play again. The baptism was really beautiful too. Everyone in the church treated us like family. They genuinely showed joy for my niece and nephew to be baptized.

Julio, Gabino, Nelsida, Mercy, Jose and everyone who was there, was kind, generous, loving and very, very courteous. My Mom, as I predicted, enjoyed getting in the kitchen with Nelsida and Mercy to talk to them and help. She took it upon herself to take care of Jose. Every night, she would serve his dinner and would give him water and fruit.

What a trip! Ocean World was a blast; we were there early and were the last to leave. We spent countless hours in your lovely pool and enjoyed every day, every moment. Once again, thank you for your willingness to share the love of your home and your staff! We can't wait to come back.

Adriana Moret

July 2006
I wanted to let you know that we enjoyed our time in the DR. Words simply cannot describe the week that we spent. We Loved It!!!

Mercey, Julio, and Nelsida were absolute delights; we thoroughly enjoyed their help and smiles. Gus was a blast and the tours that he recommended were great: Catamaran, Safari, and the Horseback riding. Chris and Mady's was a nice place to eat and drink while watching the locals and taking in the beach and ocean. Thank you for allowing us to spend this wonderful week in your home. Among the 8 of us there is not one that would not wish to go back. I'm sure we'll be in touch again in the future. Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Sincerely, Patti Conway

Christmas holidays 2005

Just to let you know that all the Lewis' had an absolutely marvelous time in your house at Cofresi. We all felt very comfortable and happy right from the minute we stepped in the door- and after the week flew by we were quite reluctant to leave. Everything was very attractive and just right. How do you manage that with so many people traipsing through all the time? Nelsida and her crew looked after us very well. Our favorite dishes were her Paella and Sanscocho. We even asked her to make Bacalhao the Dominican way one morning- The weather couldn’t have been nicer- with sun every day except the day we left. We appreciated the dirt track road with wandering roosters and horses, the empty land around. It was a very successful tropical holiday for us. Thank you- and Happy New Year-

Kirsten Lewis

June 2005
We have stayed in numerous villas in Italy, Spain, Portugal and France and have always vowed to never return to the same place twice. But we enjoyed your villa so much this year (2003) that we just can't stop thinking about it. So we have decided to break with tradition. If there is availability next summer then we would like to return. Please let us know what dates you have available for next summer. We are looking for 10 days, anytime from early June through to early July.

Simon and Judy Watt (Repeat guests)

September, 2004
Walter and I want to thank you for allowing us to rent your beautiful villa for the last three and a half weeks. Our family had a WONDERFUL time. We cannot say enough how wonderful Nelsida and Julio were during our stay. So helpful, responsible and kind.

We met a few times with Lou, who even stopped by to make sure we were okay for Hurricane Francis (one day of rain, then the sun came shining through as usual). Gus and Gabino helped us with everything from tours to questions about property we saw in the area. You have a great team in place. We hope to be "return guests" next year to the DR and hope you'll allow us to rent your lovely home once again. Again, many thanks, and we wish you all the best.

Joy and Walter Taylor (and Brent and Emery, too!)

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