The Most Unique Airbnb in the Dominican Republic
Photo credit: @curadord
Have you ever dreamt of staying in a castle? I’m talking about a middle ages type of castle… a fortress perched on a hill, built with natural elements, stone floors with epic metal doors.
Do you enjoy a cozy cabin? Connecting with nature in a peaceful setting away from the hustle and bustle.
What if I told you there is a place that feels like staying in a castle with cabin vibes? Well, there is.
It’s in San José de Ocoa in the Dominican Republic.
The Area
It’s understandable if you haven’t heard of San José de Ocoa before. It’s certainly not a tourist-centric spot. However, since our visit, it has been hard to get it out of my head. I am desperate to return to this peaceful place.
San José de Ocoa is a southern province, one of the newest in the Dominican Republic, with a central town that bears the same name. We will refer to the town as many people do for short, Ocoa.
The area also has a long history. The first known inhabitants of the island, the Taíno people, named the river that crosses the province, Ocoa, which means “a place with many mountains”. The region was used by runaway slaves as a place of refuge in the 17th century because it was difficult to access. The area was also a main stage for events during the Dominican War of Independence (1844-1856) and the Restoration War (1863-1865).
Despite the turbulent past, the San José de Ocoa of today is a peaceful, mountainous region, rich in agriculture. One source states that this province produces at least 35% of the Dominican Republics’ agriculture. The main produce goods that come from the area are coffee, potatoes, beans, carrots, cabbage, peanuts, avocado and a variety of tropical fruit.
The climate in the mountains of San José de Ocoa is very pleasant and makes you forget you are in the Caribbean. With the morning fog, chilly evenings and pine trees, it could easily feel like you are in the Shenandoah mountains of North America.
The Story
18 years ago, Todd and Monica moved from California to the Dominican Republic. They settled in the area of Ocoa. Todd is from a family of architects and builders and decided to venture into building their new home in their new country. The construction project on their home began in 2008, and the upstairs “cottage” was built in 2016. Casa de Sanchez came alive!
Photo credit: @rustyjamesphotos
The modern rustic style house was designed by Todd’s father. Todd and his father constructed the house themselves using natural elements like wood, concrete, and steel. There is no paint or tile to be found on this property. You will find certain design elements that were the signature style of Todd’s brother, Conrad Sanchez, co-founder of the architecture firm in California, Conrad Asturi Studios, Inc.
Join us for a tour of the space!
The Space
Along the road past Naranjal and before the entrance of La Cienaga, the two-story Casa de Sanchez sits unassumingly on the right. It resembles an unfinished property, as is common to see in this country. It resembles a fortress of some kind.
Upon closer inspection, the intricate construction details become clear, such as the custom light fixtures, and the design on the gray concrete outer wall. There’s more to this place than is expected. However, there is no way to tell what’s in store for you on the inside based on the exterior walls.
The upstairs cottage is accessible by an iron gate that leads you up steps made of stone flooring that continues on for the entirety of the property.
After you pass a small outdoor foyer, another iron door opens into the kitchen area, with all of the necessary appliances at your disposal.
The kitchen and dining area leads to large, imposing, 10-foot, retractable iron doors that separate the kitchen from the open-air courtyard area. The concept starts to unfold, this is an indoor/outdoor living space.
The heart of the cottage is the open-air courtyard that connects the kitchen area to the secondary bedroom and living room. When the castle-like doors are open, the space is an open concept.
For privacy or weather-related reasons, you may choose to close these doors at times, which we did at night and when it rained.
Remember the castle-cabin concept: this really comes alive when you enter the master bedroom. The furnishings and decor resemble what could be found at a luxury hotel, but the natural building elements put you in the mind of a castle.
What takes your breath away is the 10-foot opening in the wall that gives you a direct view into the valley. I don’t use the word, “window”, because there is no window. There is a metal door that opens to the outside. There is no screen or glass barrier.
Imagine waking up with the doors open as the world brightens at the level of the treetops. It’s spectacular.
The master bathroom has a similar opening. I will admit that at first, I was hesitant to use the bathroom or shower with the doors open. When you realize though, that nobody can see you at such heights, keeping the doors open is a very freeing experience. And who doesn’t love a shower with a view?
The inside and outside living areas are completely inviting. You may struggle with whether you want to curl up on the big leather chair and read a book…
…or sit on the sofa on the patio and gaze at the mountain skyline. It’s a pleasant struggle, I must confess. Whether you are enjoying your coffee in the chill of the morning or a glass of wine for the perfect sunset, the outdoor living area was our favorite spot.
Next to the kitchen and across from the living area, is the second bedroom that doubles as an office or another living space. There is a second bathroom that is accessible from the main area as well as the bedroom.
On a clear night, make sure to pull out some pillows and blankets and go to the open-air courtyard to stargaze. You will be sure to catch a few shooting stars before getting into bed under your warm, feather blanket for one of the most peaceful nights of sleep you will have.
This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom “cottage” is great for a family, a group of friends or anyone who wants to enjoy this epic experience.
If the upstairs space is too much for your needs, you can stay at the studio guesthouse downstairs. If you think that being downstairs compromises the view, think again. In fact, somehow, it is better.
The guesthouse has the same unique furnishings and modern rustic decor as the upstairs space. This studio has a king-size bed and a private bathroom. There is a small kitchen with everything you need to make your meals. The studio and the comfortable outdoor living area share the epic view of mountains and the town of Ocoa in the distance.
The guesthouse is perfect for a solo or a romantic trip for two.
Photo credit: Airbnb
The Details
During your stay at one of Todd and Monica’s properties, you will notice how much of their heart and soul went into creating this unique living space.
Most of the furniture was handmade. The walls are decorated with custom abstract art created by the owners themselves. These pieces of art are also available for purchase. At every point, you can see the passion that went into this project.
The Activities
Photo credit: @curadord
During our stay at Casa de Sanchez, we did very little outside of the house. The property itself is a destination. Eco-tourism is emerging in the nearby mountains of Tatón. There are nearby activities, especially if you have a passion for the outdoors and adventure.
Hiking: This region is filled with beautiful countryside, and is great for hiking. One trail that doubles as a swimming spot with remarkably green waters is called, Charcos Dos Aguas near the Jigüey Dam.
Zipline Ocoa: Check out this fun adventure nearby Casa de Sanchez. Open Saturday & Sunday from 9am-7pm for $300 DOP per person.
Ask the hosts about 4-wheeling, biking, and fishing activities in the area.
The Journey
Driving
From Santo Domingo, take Route 2 west towards Bani. The road to Ocoa from the south is found between Bani and Azua. From there, the town is a pleasant 30 min drive. The main attraction and highlight of this post, the Casa de Sanchez, is an additional 15-20 min drive past the town of Ocoa and Naranjal, up in the hills towards Tatón. Follow the signs posted for “Airbnb”.
Public Transportation
1. Bus: From Santo Domingo, take a guagua or minibus to Ocoa (2.5-hour ride). Near Independence Park in Santo Domingo (close to the Colonial City), on Calle Simon Bolivar, you will find a bus terminal with buses that take you to Ocoa. Pay the ticket either at the counter before you board or on board. Cash only.
2. Taxi: Once you arrive in the town of Ocoa, ask for a Taxi (vehicle) or a concho (motorcycle taxi) to take you to Naranjal Arriba to “la casa de Todd y Monica, la Airbnb”. Make sure to negotiate the price before you agree to the ride.
Travel Tips
Bring groceries. There are a few small supermarkets in Ocoa, but we recommend stopping at La Sirena or Bravo in Bani to stock up on food for your stay here. There is a colmado next door to replace some essentials as needed.
Bring warm clothes. The beds are equipped with warm, feather blankets. Depending on the season you visit, you may need to bring warm clothes like sweaters, hats, socks, etc.
Be on guard for bugs. If you decide to leave the doors open at all times, be mindful that there may be some creepy crawlers that want to share your space. If you are averse to those creatures, bring bug spray and keep the doors closed at night.
Bring activities. Reading or playing games are pleasant pastimes here. This is also the kind of place that fills you with inspiration, so maybe it’s time to break out those art supplies or journals.
Street parking only, no wifi, and no drones allowed. Keep these things in mind when you book here. The house does have good local cellular service if you have your own phone with data or a portable modem.
Don’t Wait to Book Your Trip!
