The Feel:

Part of the Velero Hotel, this restaurant has prime beach-front real estate.

The Beach club sits on the tip cabarete bay: view of the sunrise to the east, view of the sunset, cabarete beach, and Mount Isabel de Torres to the west.

Because it’s part of a four and a half start boutique hotel, it caters mostly to tourists here to enjoy a peaceful vacation, and is a little fancier than our usual hang-outs, but this week Gabriel is taking a lifeguard training course which happens to be hosted in the hotel’s swimming pool, so I went to join him for lunch.

Now when I say “fancy” don’t get me wrong, you can still enjoy your post-pool happy-hour snacks in casual-wear, it is the tropics after-all, but your Presidente will come with a glass, and your shrimp cocktail with cloth napkins.

It’s romantic, it’s clean and fresh, it’s tranquil, it’s everything you’d expect from a waterfront beach club, white curtains flowing in the breeze and all.

The Food:

Yum. Period.

But, I have to be honest, you’re also paying for real estate.

Today I just had a chicken Caesar, which was very juicy and crispy, topped with grated strips of parmesan. Gabriel had the Res Guisado and rice which came with the training . Also yum. the side of veggies were glazed with a garlic butter that were so yummy it made me wish I’d gotten shrimp.

Gabriel has eaten there before and says they have really nice chicken.

Of course the menu isn’t short of seafood and lobster options, as well as some more traditional Dominican meals.

The Staff:

The staff here is keen and devoted.

Well trained and considerate, you will be well taken care of. I’ve had nothing but good experiences here every time I’ve come. It’s five-star treatment, like you’d get in an all-inclusive, but genuine.

Plus it’s just not stuck up. When you’re asked where you’re going, it’s so you may be helped to your destination, not as a judgment call because you look like you don’t belong, even when you stroll in in your lime green peruvian pyjama pants. (guilty as charged)

The Whole:

The Velero Beach Club is a great place for a romantic dinner, but it’s also a great place to get your morning coffee and watch the sunrise, or your happy hour drinks and watch the sunset, or talk some business over lunch. It’s really very versatile.

It’s separated enough from the main drag to feel exclusive, but close enough to take a beach-side, post-dinner stroll to  the party scene.

Relax and let the sea-breeze refresh your lungs.