This lovely hotel is just off the main drag and is only a 5 minute walk to the beach. The road is unlit but certainly not "unnerving" and is actually lined with the most friendly people who give you a smile a wave and an hola every time you pass. Getting away from the pumping and noisy bars on the front is a real relief at the end of the evening. We went for the cheapest room and got our own beautiful little thatched roof cabana with full kitchen, bathroom and seperate loo. We turned up late for breakfast every morning and were greeted with a smile and freindly service. Jerome's restaurant advice is spot on too (eat in El Mambo if you're foody & appreciate value for money). Hotel is well kept, the pool is a good size and all the paths are lined with palms so each cabana is pretty private. Breakfast of toast and fruit, coffee and juice is simple and delicious. Would definitely stay here again.

Our party of 5 (two adults, two girls 20 and 18) spent three nights at Garden Hotel Lomita Maravilla in late December 2008. My wife had booked it in consultation with our friend who was traveling with us, because we wanted to see a different part of the D.R. (we usually have stayed in Cabarete).

Overall it was pretty nice, but there are some drawbacks. One is the location: it's not on the beach, as others have noted, and the streets leading to the beach can be a little sketchy. Another is that if you don't speak French or Spanish, I'm not sure how much service you will get.

We arrived after an interesting drive from Cabarete, which took us about 4 hours including a lunch stop in Sanchez. The road from Sanchez to Las Terrenas terrified everyone but me (I was driving), and in truth it was steep, narrow, winding, and in poor condition. But we got there OK; had some trouble finding the hotel, in spite of a map.

They were a little disorganized when we got there, as I remember -- the boss ladies were not there for whatever reason, so we couldn't check in right away. But that eventually got sorted out and we went to our villa, which was very spacious, clean, and pleasant. The advertised jacuzzi, however, for which we had paid extra, was empty and cold. On request to the front desk, they filled it, but it was never warm.

We never really used many of the facilities at the hotel -- laid out by the pool a little, but we only went to the bar twice and never ate there. We made a couple of runs to the local supermarket, recommended by the manager; it's far enough you would want a car, but it was pretty good for coffee, bottled water, wine, and quick foods. Most days we made breakfast in our villa, then went to the beach and had lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants.

Las Terrenas is very different from Cabarete in that it's much more French and Italian as opposed to U.S./Canadian/British. My wife found a shop in which only German and French were spoken; I had to go translate for her and our friend.

The beach about a mile from the hotel (go toward the water, then turn right) was really nice, with a beachfront bar/restaurant that had great food.

The hotel manager recommended a pizza place, since our girls didn't want to go out one night, so they ordered in -- it was mediocre. Another pizza place they found on their own was much better.

But the manager also recommended Club Mambo, where we all went for dinner one night. I'd go back there in a hot second: wonderful fresh seafood, pasta, drinks, you name it, and great informal atmosphere. The Italian owner seated us in the bar area because we got there too early, then he took us to our table and personally kept an eye on our entire dinner. His English is quite good, and he also speaks French and Italian at a minimum. Entertainment came from, among other sources, two kittens that live at the restaurant. (They're probably grown cats by now; this was December 2008.)

When we left Las Terrenas, we had to be on the road fairly early in the morning. We waited around at the desk, but no one showed up, so we left the keys on the desk. As we drove down the street, the manager arrived in her car and flagged us down because we had an unpaid bar bill. I assumed it would have just been charged to the room, and they had our credit card on file, but she absolutely insisted on being paid separately, in cash. I finally handed her 500 pesos through the car window, and we were on our way.

That was a little weird, but hey, it's the Caribbean, it's a French-run hotel, and things are different. I would go back, and I would recommend it, but just be aware it isn't the Best Western in Kearney, Nebraska.

Lot of Roaches, the Jacuzzi filled with tadpoles and had to be cleaned, the pool greenish and filthy. The breakfast is horrible I suggest you to skip it and buy your own food.

The cleaning staff does not wear uniform so you really do not know if is hotel staff or not.

The pathways are covered with moss and when it rains it gets very very slippery.

I tried to book in Alisei Hotel and it was full so I had to stay in this rathole. Alisei is the only hotel I would recommend to stay in terrenas.

I booked from friday to monday but left on sunday, when I told the lady I was leaving the day before she didn't even ask, but I told her it was the filthiest hotel I ever stayed in.

Bottom line: Do not go here ever.

The Lomita Maravilla is great, secluded and really romantic place. The bungalows are comfy and picturesque! My boyfriend and I had many great afternoons relaxing with a drink by the (small) pool. However, in the interest of full disclosure: the hotel is a 10 minute walk to the beach/town down an unlit, dusty road that can be a little unnerving at night. Also - there is plenty of construction nearby so while you may never see the workers and noise from the secluded hotel - you can sure hear it. Not too much to say for the management. When we arrived and they discovered we were American we were treated with a mild neglect. Never asking about our stay or even thanking us for our stay - but mingling all day with the other European guests.

Overall - a nice isolated place with superior accomadations - perfect for couples.