During our vacations we stayed three nights in the hotel in November 2004. We reached the hotel with a rented car. The drive to the farthermost point on the peninsular is really nice with just little traffic and spectacular landscape.
The little hamlet of Las Galeras is really remote. Just a main street with shops and a few bars and restaurants that ends directly on the beach, where the hotel is located. There are more individual smaller hotels around and the Bonito appeared to us as the most attractive (Villa Serena has no beach!).
We stayed in a room upstairs and had a nice look through palms on the shore.
ROOMS: Unbeliveable big, with dimensions of a junior suite and well kept in adobe style with comfortable beds and attractive furniture. We were a little disappointed by the bathroom: Corroded tabs, no warm water for the sink and the showerhead would have needed a descaling. Also the air condition was too noisy (where not...). We enjoyed the evenings on our huge balcony, watching the stars and drinking our self prepared "Cuba Libre" (the staff will provide you with ice. Ron, lime and coke is available for small money in the shops arround).
GROUNDS: Well maintained and beautiful, a medium sized pool - which was pretty enough - behind bushes to keep away the sometimes gusty winds and views from the seaside. Nice.
STAFF: The owners are italian, the employees are friendly, not over average in their behaviour. Just as you can expect in hotels in that category. No disappointments!
MEALS: Due to low occupancy, we had no buffet breakfast which was tasty but could have been more in quantity and selection. I wonder why no hotel in the DR is able to prepare nice and fresh juices on an island full of fruits... We had dinner once which was ok, but not overwhelming and in quality price relation too expensive. Alternatively try the fresh fish from the ladies in the shack across the street on the beach (avoid the salad, you know why) and the airy restaurant under a thatched roof on the crossing 100 meters uphill from the hotel (then on the right side). Both are better with bigger portions, equal tasty and cheaper.
NIGHTLIFE: A good chance to mingle with the Dominican folks in the surrounding bars and open discos.
All in all we can recommend the place if you like tranquility, and have an own car. If we decide to return to this part of the island we would love to stay there again.
We can really recommend the hotel for a relaxing time