We went with 5 other couples for a long overdue reunion/vacation. When we pulled into the villa which is in a private gated community on the ocean we were all in Awe that a place like this could actual exist in this world. The photos on the web site do not compare to the real life atmosphere and views that the villa offers. We were immediately greeted with an extraordinary welcome by the Sunrise staff whom made us feel right at home and were accommodating, courteous and over the top friendly.
With 6 couples it did not matter which suite you stayed in because each suite has it’s own distinctive charm filled with all amenities of a 5 star resort for your group or family only. The suites offered each couple privacy, abundant space, comfort and easy access to the main house, pool, jacuzzi, beach, and the Manana bar which was a great gathering spot for lounging, socializing and enjoying refreshing beverages. You could spend the entire time never needing to leave the Villa however, our excursions to Manny’s Restaurant (awesome dinner and dancing), DuDu Lake, and Grand Playa Beach (with Lobster, Chicken and Red Snapper served on the beach provided by the villa) were epic events that will be remembered forever. Even though these were epic events our most cherished memories were those made at Sunrise. We spent our days relaxing poolside with friends and always welcomed the sound of the meal bell which still resonates in back of our minds. The meals were out of this world and everyone wanted to take the chef, Frank, home with them. The meals, served three times a day consisted of fresh fruit, vegetables and local dishes that were fit for a king. Another welcoming sound at around 2 pm was that of Ramon’s blender at the Manana bar, serving up frozen drinks and cocktails.
The staff at the Villa went above and beyond to provide A+++ service. Chris, the quintessential property manager and host, greeted us every morning and night asking us how we were and if there was anything he could do for us. No request was too big or too small and he ensured that all of our needs were met. He was always knowledgeable, efficient, friendly, accommodating and an awesome guy. What can you say about Ramon. He put a smile on everyone’s face from the minute we arrived. He is the ultimate cruise director making sure a good time was had by all. From his great bar tending skills, great dance moves and outgoing personality he really made his daily arrival something we all looked forward to. His happiness was definitely contagious. He is the Man. Sandy, Rosa and Vivi, Papito & Francesco pampered us with massages, pedicures, serving meals, taking immaculate care of the rooms and property. They were definitely the best staff ever!
Our experience at Sunrise was such that we dreaded leaving on the last day and wished we could stay forever. We can’t wait to get back.
If Fantasy Island existed today, it would be called Sunrise Villa.
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We had the most incredible family reunion at Sunrise Villa. We were a group of 21 - five families that had traveled from all over the world.. and sunrise villa did not disappoint. The location itself was spectacular... complete privacy and an incredible view. The night time sky was a sight to behold. Steps that lead right down to a beach. The sea breeze was a constant throughout the day. Unlike other resorts, since we had the place all to ourselves, there was no need to share the pool or other amenities with other visitors. The hot tub and pool were maintained impeccably. The accommodations were excellent. Our entire party could find space to sleep comfortably with a few spots to spare. The food was outstanding... a veritable selection of local delicacies prepared in house by the chef. The organization of transportation to/from the airport and other outings to nearby areas was done with great efficiency. The services provided at the resort like massages and mani-pedis were all very well regarded by our group. We even had a bonfire on the beach accompanied by a Meringue band!!
However, what makes sunrise villa stand above the rest is their staff and owners... From the very beginning, the communication with Kevin to book the place was smooth and easy. Chris the onsite manager was friendly and courteous. He called and spoke to us prior to our arrival just to make sure that all our logistics were taken care of. Once we arrived, he came by every morning to ensure that things were going smoothly. He took me to town to show me around and to change dollars to pesos at significantly better rates than the bank. He was even kind enough to take me around town to find a local barber for a truly Dominican hair cut experience. He also got us a few boxes of cigars and "Salsa Macho" to bring back home. Then there was the bar-tender Ramon who made drink after drink for us. In addition to the drinks Ramon was also our dance instructor and shared with us his football coaching stories. He is an incredible person. Rosa the masseur and Mariella the manicurist were all extremely friendly and professional. Frank the chef was outstanding and invited anyone who was interested into his kitchen to learn about his dishes. Sandy, and her house staff kept the place humming along like a well oiled machine.
All in all it was a truly memorable vacation...one of the best I have ever had. I would recommend the place wholeheartedly to anyone!!
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There is no need to restate what the recent guests have posted about this house -- they are spot on. This is our 2nd visit to Sunrise Villa. If you are reading this review and are considering a destination for your group then look no further. Do not waste your time at an all-inclusive cattle farm. Sunrise Villa is its own kind of all-inclusive - a personalized kind. Our group had 16 adults. Everything is taken care of for you. Everything....transportation, meals, clean up, maid service, entertainment, cocktails, massages, bonfires, babysitting (if needed), etc. Here are the must do's:
Manny's in Cabrera - magical Caipirinhas, fried plantains, and wonderful food ("Manny" is a helluva cool dude)
Bonfire on the beach - revelry at its finest
Massages - $50 for an hour overlooking the sea
Manana Bar - let Ramon serve you cocktails and beers while you relax poolside
Chris manages everything for you - this place is the essence of luxury and relaxation.
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We shared Sunrise Villa with another family for Spring Break and had a wonderful time. It was the first visit to the DR for either family and our girls (ages 4 to 16) all had a blast. Kevin and Chris were extremely helpful in answering questions in advance of the trip, helping with transportation to the villa, and arranging meals that accommodated one of our girls who has a severe peanut allergy.
The villa is located in a secure, gated community and is perfectly set up for a relaxing vacation, with beautiful accomodations, direct beach access and large swimming pool. We enjoyed both the beach at the villa and visiting two other beaches a short drive down the road. All of the girls had a big time swimming, reading, playing pool and ping pong at the villa, and also riding horses and sea kayaking (offsite). The staff were always ready to accommodate anything we needed and Ramon was endlessly creative with drinks for both adults and children.
Meals were a thrice-daily highlight - breakfast spreads with an abundance of options, light lunches and amazing dinners with freshly caught seafood based on our requests each morning (tuna, tripletail, snapper and Carribean lobster). There was always much more that we could possibly eat.
We've been to over a dozen Carribean islands and stayed at many premier resorts, and Sunrise Villa was easily the best value we've ever found (you will not find a resort where deep tissue massages are $50, and babysitting is $4 an hour). A comparably sized villa with a simliar number of staff in, say, St. Barth's, would be easily be several times as much. The DR citizens are very friendly, the island is beautiful, and the Sunrise Villa team is great -- overall a perfect vacation spot and very much worth a visit.
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