Escape to Samaná
A Women’s Luxury Getaway
Three nights in a private four-bedroom villa on Playa Las Ballenas during peak humpback whale season. Enjoy a sound healing ceremony, restorative spa experiences, and whale watching on Samaná Bay. We’ll close our escape with a private-chef farewell dinner in the villa and a beautiful final evening to savor together.
MarriottBonvoy
Escape Travel Advisor
Karen Merced Lanzas
Travel Advisor · Dorian Destinations
This is the Dominican Republic without the all-inclusive. A beach town on the Samaná Peninsula, a villa with our name on it, and three days built around rest, water, and each other.
Las Terrenas is a fishing village that European travelers discovered in the ’70s and never left — four languages on one street, French bakeries beside Dominican colmados, and some of the least crowded beaches in the country. Donoma Las Terrenas Resort & Villas sits directly on Playa Las Ballenas, and our group takes over one private four-bedroom villa: four master suites, a plunge pool, a full kitchen, and ocean views. Karen has stayed here herself. That is why we are going back.
Inside the Villa, Dining & Resort
Four master suites, a private chef, three restaurants and bars, and a beachfront spa — take the full tour before you land.
Fly in, slow down, stay put
One airport, one villa, one bay. Samaná El Catey is forty minutes from the resort, and once you arrive, nothing on the schedule is more than a boat ride away.
Four days, logged
Arrival & welcome
Land at Samaná El Catey and transfer forty minutes to the villa. Settle into your suite, take an hour of hydrotherapy at Arena Sense Spa to shake off the flight, then gather on the terrace for a welcome evening — the slowing down starts now.
Wellness & Paint Night
Morning on the beach across from the resort, then your Deep Ocean Release massage and a guided sound bath at the spa. After dark, Paint Night at the villa — wine, brushes, Caribbean colors, and zero pressure.
Whale watching & private chef dinner
A day on Samaná Bay at the peak of humpback season, lunch included, along the wild coastline of the peninsula. Back at the villa, our private chef takes over the kitchen for a farewell dinner with wine for the group.
Departure
One last slow breakfast before checkout and transfers to the airport. Staying on? Karen can extend your villa nights or add El Limón waterfall and Los Haitises before you fly.
Built into the escape, included
Sound Bath
A guided sound bath in the spa’s sunlit treatment space — the reset Karen still talks about from her own stay.
Deep Ocean Release Massage
A signature treatment for every guest, plus 20% off any additional spa treatments booked during the escape.
Hydrotherapy Hour
A private hour in the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit on arrival day — the fastest way to leave the flight behind.
Whale Watching with Lunch
February is the peak of humpback season, when thousands of whales arrive in Samaná Bay to breed and calve. A day on the water, lunch included.
Paint Night
An evening of wine, brushes, and Caribbean colors in the villa’s living room. No talent required, just a good mood.
Private Chef Dinner & Farewell Wine
A chef-crafted dinner served in our villa, built around fresh local ingredients and Dominican flavors, with wine for the group as we toast the weekend.
What’s included, what isn’t
Included
- Three nights in the private four-bedroom villa at Donoma, taxes included
- Round-trip airport transfers from Samaná El Catey (AZS)
- Deep Ocean Release massage, guided sound bath, and one hour of hydrotherapy
- 20% off additional treatments at Arena Sense Spa
- Whale watching experience on Samaná Bay with lunch
- Paint Night at the villa
- Private chef farewell dinner with wine for the group
Not included
- Airfare to and from the Dominican Republic
- Travel insurance (recommended for every guest)
- Meals and drinks outside the included experiences
- Additional spa treatments and optional excursions
Two ways to stay
Double Occupancy
Share a master suite with a friend — or let us match you with a roommate.
- Private four-bedroom villa with plunge pool, terrace, and full kitchen
- Every included experience, transfers, and taxes
- Roommate matching available on request
- Deposit and payment schedule confirmed by Karen
Single Occupancy
A master suite to yourself, everything else shared with the group.
- Your own king suite with ensuite bath and balcony
- Every included experience, transfers, and taxes
- Same villa, same table, same boat
- Deposit and payment schedule confirmed by Karen
Pricing is per person and covers the full escape package. Airfare is not included. Eight spots total — reserved in the order booking forms are received.
Karen Merced Lanzas
Karen is a travel advisor at Dorian Destinations who specializes in river cruises, group travel, and wellness-focused getaways — trips that feel personalized, seamless, and genuinely restorative. Her background in Human Resources and Industrial-Organizational Psychology shows in how she plans: anticipating needs, simplifying the process, and learning how you like to travel before she books a thing.
She built this escape after her own stay at Donoma, where a guest’s passing mention of mamajuana turned into a house-made batch by the next evening. That kind of attention is the whole point — and she chose February so the humpbacks would be there too.
Stories from the Samaná Peninsula
History
From Fishing Village to the Caribbean’s Best-Kept Secret
How a remote fishing village became one of the Caribbean’s most effortlessly cosmopolitan corners.
Beaches
A Field Guide to the Beaches of Las Terrenas
Las Ballenas, Bonita, Cosón, Morón, and the boat-only cove of El Ermitaño.
Whale Watching
Samaná Bay: The Humpback Capital of the Caribbean
Thousands of humpbacks arrive every winter — and our February dates land at the peak.
Nature
El Limón Waterfall & the Wild Side of Samaná
A jungle waterfall reached on horseback and a national park of limestone islets and sea caves.
Food & Culture
Mamajuana, Fresh Catch & a French Bakery
Pescado con coco at the fishermen’s village and the Dominican infusion you’ll be toasting with.
The Resort
Inside the Villa, Dining & Resort
The four-bedroom private-pool villa, three restaurants and bars, Arena Sense Spa, and the beach at Playa Las Ballenas.
Booked through Dorian Destinations
Karen Merced Lanzas
Karen handles every booking for this escape — suite selection, roommate matching, deposits, payment schedules, and any extra nights or excursions you want to add. Reach out and she’ll walk you through it.
Reserving takes two steps. Step One is the Escape Booking Form — traveler details, your package, roommate preferences, and special requests. Step Two, the secure Credit Card Form, is being finalized now; complete Step One and you’ll be notified the moment it’s live.
The booking form opens in Dorian’s secure Travefy form and goes straight to Karen. Card details are never collected on this page. Prefer a person? Call or email Karen and she’ll book it for you.
Who is this escape for?
It’s a women’s wellness escape hosted by Karen — for friends, sisters, colleagues, or solo travelers who want rest, connection, and a beautiful place to do both. Eight guests share one private four-bedroom villa.
What does the price include?
Three nights in the villa with taxes, airport transfers, a Deep Ocean Release massage, a sound bath, an hour of hydrotherapy, 20% off additional spa treatments, whale watching with lunch, Paint Night, a private chef dinner, and wine on the final night. Airfare is not included.
Can I come solo or book a private suite?
Absolutely. Solo travelers can book double occupancy and ask Karen about roommate matching, or take a master suite privately at the single-occupancy rate.
What’s the payment schedule?
Complete the booking form first; the secure Credit Card Form and deposit details follow from Karen. Spots are held in the order forms are received.
Which airport should I fly into?
Samaná El Catey (AZS) is closest — about 40 minutes from the resort. Santo Domingo (SDQ) is the alternative at roughly 2.5 hours by road. Transfers are included; just share your flights on the booking form.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Yes. Karen can extend your stay at Donoma before or after the escape and add excursions like El Limón waterfall or Los Haitises National Park. Mention it on your booking form.