Once we arrived at the location we were greeted with a hostile welcoming. The host accused us of smuggling people into the complex and having a party which we had no intentions of doing. We were awaken by armed guards at 3 am on our second night there for having my cousin father-in-law with us after a night out. I didn’t think it would be in issue since the booking stated it can hold up to 10 guest. Before we could explain what happened to us to the guest, she demanded we leave the property. There was no warm running water, she just advised to take cold showers and there was a leak in the kitchen which one of my guest almost slipped on. DR is a beautiful country but this guest made my trip horrible.

1st trip since the Pandemic started, and our family of 10 was Very Ready to get away! The Villa was extremely private, secure, peaceful, and beautiful. Our Family ranges from 80 - 21month. The house was very spacious and clean. Lilly, and Kenzia were nothing short of spectacular in maintaining the Villa, and started the day with a delicious breakfast of our choice. ( we supplied the food) Although, the 1st morning is provided for. The Beach and ocean are a short five minute walk towards the beach club restaurant. Full service facility, with food choices for everyone. Outstanding pina-colada’s, but be careful, they free pour the 151 proof rum, so if you have more the one you definitely feel it! LoL. Finally dealing with Claudia is effortless and she is very responsive to anything and everything we asked her. In summary, this was the perfect way to ease us back into travelling, due to the private Villa, and no crowds at all.

Very nice property for a family and friends. It is located very close to a cozy beach, it has a great private swimming pool and the common areas are very nice and also have other swimming pools in a nice setting. The property is very close to a restaurant with great views in front of the ocean. Maid Lily is a sweet heart that made our stay very enjoyable with her help and attention to our needs. We will come back for sure.

Very nice property for a family and friends. It is located very close to a cozy beach, it has a great private swimming pool and the common areas are very nice and also have other swimming pools in a nice setting. The property is very close to a restaurant with great views in front of the ocean. Maid Lily is a sweet heart that made our stay very enjoyable with her help and attention to our needs. We will come back for sure.

We had a wonderful stay at Claudia’s home. The home is large and clean as well as very well appointed for a holiday home. Claudia is incredibly helpful and responsive. Lily, the housekeeper, is such a sweetheart and was exceptional with our children. It is worth noting that the house is open on the lower level, iron doors with no glass and it allows bugs in, although we didn’t have a horrible time with mosquitos. It took a bit of getting used to the fact we couldn’t lock the house at night but there were armed guards all around. By the time we left we felt safe and had made peace with sleeping in a home that we couldn’t secure. It is also a bit nerve wrecking having a toddler with the stairs so I’d say if you are traveling with really little ones do take into account the stairs and security rail upstairs that a small child could slip between/under. Lily was a Godsend helping me watch our daughter. She is incredible with children and such a willing, loving help. The bedrooms were super comfortable and the AC worked wonderfully, a welcome respite from the humidity and heat in the common areas. We slept very well. The pool and garden are beyond gorgeous, perfect for lazy breakfasts and pre dinner Apreos! The common area pools were a hit with our older children and the views from the clubhouse restaurant were stunning. The clubhouse is undergoing an overhaul and could use it in terms of the food quality. Location is second to none and the staff were friendly, kind and welcoming. The little beach isn’t ideal for swimming but perfect for a quick dip. It is picturesque and steps from the villa. Overall we loved our stay and would go back in a heartbeat. The home was wonderful value for money and a perfect pied à terre for kiteboarding in Cabarete.

What a beautiful property and a lovely community of people.

We can not stop talking about our stay with our family and friends. The conversation is when are we going back and can we stay longer than a week. My answer is YES, YES, YES. The ultimate luxury is being able to relax and enjoy your experience. The villa is impressive and grounds lush, expansive, and afford a sense of privacy. The Beach Club was a short walk away. Chef Johnny prepared several restaurant quality dinners. Lilly made everyone feel special and our 5 year old fell in love with her. Breakfast by Lilly was a hit everyday. Claud

What a beautiful property and a lovely community of people.

We can not stop talking about our stay with our family and friends. The conversation is when are we going back and can we stay longer than a week. My answer is YES, YES, YES. The ultimate luxury is being able to relax and enjoy your experience. The villa is impressive and grounds lush, expansive, and afford a sense of privacy. The Beach Club was a short walk away. Chef Johnny prepared several restaurant quality dinners. Lilly made everyone feel special and our 5 year old fell in love with her. Breakfast by Lilly was a hit everyday. Claud

We had an amazing time at the villa- the staff were incredible, the location amazing and the villa perfect in every way. We definitely did not want to leave. The owner was incredibly accommodating and helpful. We are already looking forward to a return visit and could not possibly stay anywhere else. Many thanks for a wonderful week.

We had an amazing time at the villa- the staff were incredible, the location amazing and the villa perfect in every way. We definitely did not want to leave. The owner was incredibly accommodating and helpful. We are already looking forward to a return visit and could not possibly stay anywhere else. Many thanks for a wonderful week.

We stayed at this Villa for 3 nights over the Memorial Day weekend. This was our first trip to the Dominican Republic and we booked based upon the strong reviews. The Villa is excellent - built with the finest materials and maintained very well. Booking and working with Claudia was a pleasure. She has a thoughtful “Pre-arrival” letter and was helpful with some one-off requests, We landed at 11:15 am to Puerto Plata and we were in the pool by 12:30 pm! The house is everything that is pictured and more. The five bedrooms - we only used four - were large and had their own bathroom. (We envision coming back with a few other adults and would have more than enough room!). The pool was large, warm, and the place we spent much of our vacation. Lily was the true star of our vacation. She cooked a great breakfast, cleaned the villa, washed our clothes (don’t pack too much as she launders clothes daily), and offered other assistance. Most importantly, she was great interacting with the children helping them practice their Spanish. The Seahorse Ranch in general is beautiful. The villa is a 2 minute walk to two beaches that we enjoyed. It’s also equally close to the Beach Club restaurant where we enjoyed lunch, drinks, and dinner during our time there. (Cabarete - a wonderful and safe town - is only 10 minutes away and it was easy to get a driver there.) We’ll return to this villa and left with lasting memories. Thank you Claudia!

We stayed at this Villa for 3 nights over the Memorial Day weekend. This was our first trip to the Dominican Republic and we booked based upon the strong reviews. The Villa is excellent - built with the finest materials and maintained very well.Booking and working with Claudia was a pleasure. She has a thoughtful “Pre-arrival” letter and was helpful with some one-off requests, We landed at 11:15 am to Puerto Plata and we were in the pool by 12:30 pm!The house is everything that is pictured and more. The five bedrooms - we only used four - were large and had their own bathroom. (We envision coming back with a few other adults and would have more than enough room!). The pool was large, warm, and the place we spent much of our vacation.Lily was the true star of our vacation. She cooked a great breakfast, cleaned the villa, washed our clothes (don’t pack too much as she launders clothes daily), and offered other assistance. Most importantly, she was great interacting with the children helping them practice their Spanish.The Seahorse Ranch in general is beautiful. The villa is a 2 minute walk to two beaches that we enjoyed. It’s also equally close to the Beach Club restaurant where we enjoyed lunch, drinks, and dinner during our time there. (Cabarete - a wonderful and safe town - is only 10 minutes away and it was easy to get a driver there.)We’ll return to this villa and left with lasting memories. Thank you Claudia!

Had an amazing time. Lily and her husband cared for us like family and cooked the most amazing meals!!! They made us feel like we lived there and didn’t treat us like outsiders. Lily took us anywhere we wanted to go and made us amazing breakfast in the morning and catered to our every need. Will be going back soon. House was breathtaking.

Had an amazing time. Lily and her husband cared for us like family and cooked the most amazing meals!!! They made us feel like we lived there and didn’t treat us like outsiders. Lily took us anywhere we wanted to go and made us amazing breakfast in the morning and catered to our every need. Will be going back soon. House was breathtaking.

Villa 72 at Sea Horse Ranch is absolutely beautiful! The villa itself is stunning, with high ceilings, large rooms, and marble floors, all making for a luxurious, airy feel. Each bedroom is spacious and well appointed, and has its own full bathroom. The living areas are similarly spacious, beautiful, and comfortable. The stunner, though, is the pool. Crystal clear water, deep enough for swimming but shallow enough to touch the bottom and just walk along. The pool is flanked on one side by a waterfall!! Around the pool are plenty of lounge chairs to move around as the sun does -- to keep you in the sun or in the shade to your preference. The trees (palms and other tropicals) surround the yard to give a sense of privacy and seclusion while the birds chirp their pretty songs. Once in awhile you'll see a tiny gecko skitter about too! There are three beautiful beaches within a couple of minutes' walk, as well as the clubhouse where you can get delicious meals (and cocktails!) while overlooking the ocean. If you are looking for a beautiful, peaceful slice of paradise for a friends or family getaway, this is it!

The property is perfection. This is the 4th year we have stayed here. The development is very safe and high end. The house is gorgeous. The housekeeper Lily makes amazing breakfasts each day. The setting is just stunning with lush landscaping, a pool, and a waterfall. Just steps away from the ocean and clubhouse pool and restaurant. Such a great location- close to Sasoua and Caberete and just 17 minutes from the airport.

This is our second year staying in Claudia's villa. We are two couples and four children among us (ages 3-8). The villa is really beautiful and sparkling clean and comfortable. Pool right in the backyard is such a bonus. You can hear the ocean waves from the house and there is a small beach steps away. Restaurant in walking distance is great too. Can't say enough about Lily (the housekeeper) and Johnny (the chef). Loved having a delicious breakfast made by Lily, lounging around in the morning by the pool, spending the day at Cabarete beach, then heading back to the house for afternoon drinks and snacks and dinner at the property restaurant or made by Johnny. A true relaxing tropical vacation. We miss Sea Horse Ranch and Claudia's villa already and can't wait to come back again next year!

Claudia's beautiful Sea Horse Ranch rental is the perfect place to get away from it all, and relax. Our vacation in this well appointed, spacious home was ideal. The bedrooms, with adjoining private bathrooms were spotless, had plenty of room, and were very comfortable with air conditioning and windows looking out onto the gorgeously landscaped grounds. The pictures do not do it justice, with flowers, and lush greenery that is perfectly maintained. The staff is so friendly, and available if you want to hire them for cooking or entertaining on site, I highly recommend Lily's delicious and healthy breakfasts! A small sandy beach is a quick walk away, or you can hang out at the pools by the restaurant and order drinks poolside. Food and service at the restaurant, located on the waterfront just steps away, is excellent, you never have to leave the resort if you don't want to, but you should. Sea Horse ranch is ideally situated between two lively towns with plenty of shopping, great restaurants, and sight seeing. Claudia provides lots of information on things to do, and recommendations for where to eat. You will have a relaxing, and care free time in this beautiful paradise.

We spent a week here - two families (four adults and four little ones all under six). The place was amazing. Plenty of space for us to spread out. Pool was awesome - the kids had a blast playing all week. Beach is a minute away as is the club restaurant which we used many nights - super casual and it worked well for our families. We hope to return next year!!

Wonderful, relaxing stay. Wish we could have spent more time here. Thanks for accommodating us!

Just back from a fantastic few days at this villa with our group of 9 (3 kids, 6 adults), and can't say enough about the experience. The house is truly lovely. It's well built and maintained, and extremely true (if anything, it's undersold) by the photos. The space is extremely spacious- several areas for lounging- both inside and outside. The bedrooms were comfortable and well-appointed. The private pool was fantastic to have- lots of fun for the kids. Lily, the housekeeper, was delightful. She made a great breakfast every morning, and kept the house spotless. The house sits inside of a gated property, and we felt extremely safe (lots of friendly guards everywhere). Just a few steps away from the house you can find two great "natural" swimming pools- man-made, but designed to look like organic swimming holes. Just beneath, a few elevated platforms that overlook the ocean. A few more steps down, and we what essentially amounted to a private ocean cove. Small, but spectacular. Once we discovered, we didn't leave the property again, with the exception of dinners out and trips to the grocery store. Lastly- and having rented several houses in the past, Claudia (the owner) is extremely attentive, honest, and easy to work with. She was unbelievably responsive, she made sure that everything was sorted and crystal clear. Great experience, and I highly recommend.

My family, after suffering an enormous tragedy, needed to be in our own idyllic world, while still having the capacity to very easily step into an exciting place of adventure at our own leisurely pace. We needed to be free of worry as much as we could possibly be. And if I am ever granted the opportunity again, I hope that Claudia will welcome my family back into her home. And for anyone that can either make these kinds of journeys often, or only once in their lives, go here. Seriously. Go here. The villa is a haven of proportions that would allow a large group (although in our case it was just my wife and I, and our adult daughters) to spread to feel more like smaller groups. For reasons that remain unclear to me, despite the enormous size, it made our little family come together in so many ways. We had many spaces of retreat and instead, found ourselves on the terrace, or at every opportunity, actually in the pool. Although unnecessary, We ate at the club several times and of course, the beach is wonderful. Lily. For anyone that has stayed there that is reading this review, I could have just stopped the sentence at "Lily". For the rest of you, she is simply amazing. She is the only person I have ever met that has mastered the art of being next to me, having a conversation with me, all while making me feel as if I am in the safety of solitude. She is present and then not - probably off getting in the way of yet another of the most basic of everyday concerns. Where there was lily by our side, there was Claudia beforehand, and a phone call away. She sent us a prepared package of information that is better than any I've ever seen. Almost anything we could think to ask had already been answered. We referred to it all the time. Everything else, Claudia answered or suggested. She did not have to become for us, a liaison with exactly what we needed, but she did it anyway. We rented her villa, and she threw in the heart that gives it the power that it has. And she will forever have our gratitude.

I can't imagine any way to improve upon the experience we had at this lovely villa. We Just booked another stay for the spring of 2017. No detail has been overlooked. Lilly, the housekeeper took such great care of us, fed us a delicious breakfast everyday and kept the villa spotless. From the spectacular accomodations, lovely pool and grounds and breathtaking location, I can't think of a better place to vacation. Claudia was such a pleasure to deal with. Before we even set foot on her property, we felt well informed and welcome. Be sure to check out Restaurant Pappi on the beach, Sosua beach and the great shops in Cabarete. Can' wait to go back.

The villa is beautiful. There were 5 of us in the home, 2 adults, 3 kids. Each kid had their own spacious room & my husband & I shared the upstairs master with outside shower & the balcony overlooking the pool. The guards made us feel safe & protected. Claudia was very helpful in setting up our first night's meal with Johnny as well as giving us tips on things to do in the area (restaurants, etc..). When we arrived, we had a wonderful Chicken Cordon Bleu, garden salad & rice and mixed vegetables. For dessert, flan! So yummy! The next day, we had asked Lily to make us the Dominican Stew. We gave her the dollars to get the ingredients for that, which was also delicious. She also made us Mangu for breakfast one morning with ingredients I supplied to her. We rented a car from OK from Monday to Friday. They delivered the Suzuki SUV to the villa & picked it up that Friday. Cabarete Beach - vendors were relentless with jewelry, massages, tours, braids, fruit, etc... Playa Alicia - waves were HUGE & knocked down my 5'9" 14 year old son. No vendors here to speak of. Playa Sosua - water was calmer, but vendors were again relentless. Horseback riding at Sea Horse - very nice, 1.5 hour ride around the ranch - to the beach, but not on the beach (per my request). Restaurants: Lax Ojo, The Waterfront in Sosua, Morua Mai (for Thanksgiving dinner), were all very good. Grocery Stores: the Playera & Super Pola were both good. Janet's in Cabarete wasn't as user friendly. The pool at the villa was huge, but COLD! There were just 25 straight days of rain, it didn't have a chance to heat up. The resort pools were also cold & in full shade, which is probably nice when it's hot out, but not when it's been raining so much. The biggest disappointment we had was that the restaurant burned down about a week before we arrived in the DR. So, we had to rent a car for groceries, go out every night, or have Johnny cook. There is no other onsite restaurant (think: frozen drink at the pool). On another note - the beach at the resort isn't really big enough (or safe enough because of the rock formations) to sit on or swim in. Pools or traveling to a local beach are the way to go. Our transportation from STI airport was through Cocotours, which was great. All in all, it was very good. Only 4 stars because of the restaurant not being there :(

The pictures of the property were spot on. It is hard to capture the beauty and ambiance for the property. We rented this property along with two families, there were 11 of us and we never felt cramped. There was plenty of space and rooms for everyone to stretch out. We can't say enough about Lilli, she is an amazing addition and had the best breakfast prepared for us everyday. We enjoyed having Johnie her husband cook for us on two days. Those two days, the kids devoured their meals and the adults had all they could do to finish, as the portions were great and we can't say enough how much we enjoyed every dish. The house was very clean, the property was secure and we never felt as though we had to watch our stuff. We visited the beach club, property pools and beaches almost daily, along with using the pool at the house multiple times a day. We had a hard time leaving as we all wished we could extend the vacation more. Claudia answered our many questions leading up to the trip and while we were there. The staff at sea side ranch were all very responsive and checked in (not over bearing) to ensure we had what we needed and were enjoying our time. We were able to take advantage of the horse stables and trail rides during our visit. We highly recommend this property for other families or groups looking to spend a week on the Domimican.

Sea Horse Ranch is a beautiful community and this villa does not disappoint. The private swimming pool with a water feature was so relaxing and peaceful. Just a short walk from the yard is the club restaurant and more swimming pools. Property is very clean and well-maintained. The housekeeper, Lili, made our vacation extra special with her impeccable service. She only speaks Spanish, so we were lucky to have a Spanish speaker in our group! Owner was very easy to communicate with. Fingers crossed that we get the privilege to return here again soon! Note: Highly recommend flying into Puerta Plata if possible. Santiago airport is a 2 hour drive.

Receiving the detailed information that was provided to us before our stay outlining what to pack, where to go for food, fun, shopping, etc. was a great start to our trip! It not only eliminated the guesswork about knowing what to do and what to expect, it also got us super excited about our trip! Having never been to the Dominican Republic before, it was extremely helpful to have. It also gave me the sense that the owners really wanted to ensure that we had a good time, and all of their advice was spot on. Upon arrival, we were blown away by the beauty of the house and of Sea Horse Ranch in general. We had seen wonderful photos, but it was even more amazing in person. The open-air lifestyle can be enjoyed in the main living area as well as the lovely outdoor verandas, and we enjoyed many hours sitting and conversing with the ceiling fans providing a very pleasant breeze. One morning we even practiced yoga on the large outside veranda overlooking the pool! The house is very spacious, and there is plenty of room to spread out if that is what you desire. Sleeping was comfortable as each room has it's own air conditioner and bathrooms are a plenty, each with their own flair (loved all of the tile choices). It was obvious that great thought and care was put into every detail of this home and it is maintained to the highest standards. We saw landscapers, pool cleaners, etc. doing whatever needed to be done. They were never obtrusive, and they do a fantastic job of keeping everything in perfect condition. It was so nice to be able to relax and spend time in the pool at the house and also be able to walk to the club pool and private beach to get a change of scenery without having to travel. When we did venture out to the public beach, we enjoyed that experience as well. The locals are very friendly and eager to please. As for the food, Lily made us a delicious breakfast every morning and I personally enjoyed the fresh fruit -- both the colorful presentation and the taste! When we ate out, every restaurant we tried was as promised; from La Casita de Papi on the beach amidst the local nightlife and twinkling lights, to Castle Club on the hilltop, with it's breathtaking views. I’d say there is something for everyone on a vacation to Sea Horse Ranch and I can’t wait for my next opportunity to return!

I had the best vacation in the DR! And I owe it all to Claudia. Her welcoming, charming and luxurious home was way more than I'd expected. And the care and thoughtfulness from her and Lily, her housekeeper, made all the difference. As this was our first visit to the DR, we really appreciated her information of where to go and what to do. Highlights were the beach, dining at Papi's on the beach and our gourmet dinner at the Castle Club. I wish we were there now relaxing by the pool and enjoying the villa! We can't wait to go back! I've already recommended it to others.

By far, one of the best vacations I have ever had! Gorgeous dream home in a gated community with exquisite marble and wrought iron detail, private swimming pool, and huge stone patio. Went with large group of friends and all of us were blown away by the beauty and comfort of the home in addition to everything this location has to offer. We had a blast! Incredible dining, breathtaking ocean views, walking paths, and horse riding. All of the staff we encountered in the resort went above and beyond to make sure we were safe and all of our needs were met. No detail spared and I can't wait to go back!

This is the second year we have stayed at this fantastic home and we were still as impressed as we were on our first visit. This well maintained home is in a perfect location to either sight see or just relax by the pool and enjoy the amenities offered at Sea Horse. Everything is so clean and well appointed and secure that you will never want to leave.

Stunning! The villa has an open, airy feel. It is beautiful, clean and uncluttered. Roomy without being cavernous. The garden is perfect: wonderful swimming pool, elegant landscaping, comfortable patio. You can take a pretty walk to the ocean and the natural-style community swimming pools. (Of course it helped that the weather was perfect and our fellow travelers were lots of fun.) Everything is well maintained and immaculate. We recommend the Castle Club for a spectacular dinner experience. The meal was outstanding and the location is world class. The local beaches are beautiful and have many restaurants. We enjoyed Papi. The vegan spaghetti was brilliant. Altogether a beautiful place, highly recommended.