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We needed
just one look at the inn and the panoramic view to believe
them when they say : " We created a spot where we would
like to go on vacation . " They, being former teachers
Marie-France Paquette and Claude Bouthillier, now the happy
owners of La Catalina, an inn on a hillside in Cabrera. "
This is one of the most beautiful parts of the Dominican Republic,
" says Claude - and it doesn't take much to convince
us. At least, it's true of the less showy part of the Dominican
Republic, far from the crowded beaches of Puerto Plata and
Sosua, the noisy nightime revelry, and th restaurants with
their ho-hum food. " Our priorities were to have a view
of the sea and some privacy, " adds Marie-France; indeed,
we have her to bless for the design and layout of the inn,
whith its 12 rooms (plainly appointed yet charming ) and 20
apartments; she managed to position the balconies so that
guests can sunbathe without being seen by the nearest neighbour.
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La Catalina is set in flowering grounds that give off a lush
variety of fragrances; it is terribly photogenic! From the
moment the inn opened in 1988, it attracted a clientèle
seeking tranquility and fine food rather than discos and casinos.
Artists come here for inspiration, couples for an enchanting
and romantic hideaway, and regular people like you and me
for the balmy climate.
La Catalina is bathed in a kind of hush broken only by birdsong,
the wind, and the rustling pages of your book as you contemplate
the ocean or gaze at the stars. It is utterly peaceful.
In summary, then : inventive cuisine, two pools, one tennis
court, massage service, a lovely terrace on which to loaf,
a library, a quiet corner to play board games, sea and sun.
It's a little piece of paradise and we're glad we found it.
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