The opening of Donoma Las Terrenas Beach & Spa, Autograph Collection marks a new chapter for Las Terrenas tourism and, in general, for the entire Samaná peninsula. More than a hotel, the property arrives with a clear mission: to boost the destination, attract high-end international tourism, and encourage more luxury brands to come to the area.
An Autograph Collection with "Terrenas Essence"
According to Liliana Puga, the hotel's Sales Director, Donoma is born under the Autograph Collection by Marriott International brand with a very clear proposal: to offer Las Terrenas a completely different essence from the usual, in tune with what the destination is: a tourist area with its own personality and unique charm.
The concept combines:
- Boutique design and intimate atmosphere.
- Strong focus on wellness, gastronomy, and personalized experiences.
- A narrative that connects guests with nature, the beach, and the authentic life of Las Terrenas.
The hotel features:
- 94 units in total, configured into 146 rooms thanks to its villa structure.
- One and two-bedroom villas, plus a main four-bedroom villa, all two-story, with:
- Private pool.
- Terrace.
- Complete equipment for long stays or family stays.
Luxury Looking to the United States, Canada, and Especially France
Although the US market remains the main source of tourists to the Dominican Republic, Donoma doesn't want to depend on a single country.
The hotel's strategy focuses on:
- Consolidating the United States as a key market.
- Increasing flow from Canada.
- And, very especially, boosting the French-speaking European market, with a focus on France.
At this point, Puga highlights the importance of new air connectivity:
The start of Air Caraïbes flights to the Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport – El Catey (AZS), with a non-stop Paris–Orly–Samaná link, opens a direct door for French visitors to the region.
"We want to attract customers from this international market. We are happy with this inaugural flight, but more flights to El Catey are also needed, like those in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, to make it much easier to reach Samaná directly," Puga notes.
Additionally, at the local level, the goal is to attract more visitors from Santiago and other Dominican cities that have not yet discovered everything Las Terrenas has to offer.
Donoma Wants to Mark a Before and After in Las Terrenas
The hotel management's message is ambitious:
"Donoma wants to mark a before and after in Las Terrenas. It arrives to make history in the destination."
This translates into three major axes:
Luxury Positioning
- Become a reference for high-end boutique hotels in the area.
- Raise the standard of service and experience in Las Terrenas.
Cascade Effect for Other Brands
- Motivate other international chains and luxury projects to invest in Samaná.
- Favor the economic spillover of the destination: more employment, more local consumption, more services.
Contribution to Samaná's International Positioning
- Leverage the strength of Marriott Bonvoy and Autograph Collection to give global visibility to Las Terrenas.
Wellness Beyond the Spa: Gastronomy and Lifestyle
One of the keys to Donoma's proposal is its focus on integral wellness:
"We are a wellness-focused hotel, but wellness doesn't just mean massage or meditation; it's a whole, it's a set," explains Puga.
This includes:
- Environments designed for rest and disconnection.
- Wellness activities and services.
- And, very especially, gastronomy conceived as part of the health and pleasure experience.
A Cuisine That Blends World and Caribbean
The hotel develops a very unique culinary proposal, where:
- International cuisine is fused with local ingredients and touches from Samaná.
- Fresh products, Caribbean flavors, and contemporary presentations are prioritized.
- It also features a Mexican pastry chef, who adds creativity and personality to the pastry area.
A Boutique of Villas by the Sea
The hotel's structure responds to the current taste for spacious and private spaces:
94 total units, organized into:
- 1-bedroom villas.
- 2-bedroom villas.
- A main 4-bedroom villa for groups or large families.
Thanks to this villa + internal rooms configuration, the property reaches 146 usable rooms.
Each villa offers:
- Two levels, beach house style.
- Private pool and terrace, ideal for groups, families, retreats, or couples seeking privacy.
- Complete equipment for extended stays, combining the comfort of a home with the services of a luxury resort.
Samaná, Connectivity and Opportunity
Donoma's bet is framed in a key moment for the region:
- The Presidente Juan Bosch International Airport – El Catey is about 30 minutes from Las Terrenas, which facilitates direct arrival to the destination without passing through other saturated hubs.
- The new Paris–Orly–Samaná route by Air Caraïbes, with regular operations in winter season, reinforces Samaná's role as a gateway to the Caribbean for the French market.
- If more flights to El Catey materialize, as the hotel's management wishes, Las Terrenas could consolidate as one of the most interesting and least massified luxury destinations in the country.
Conclusion: A New Luxury Beacon for Las Terrenas
With Donoma Las Terrenas Beach & Spa, Autograph Collection, Samaná gains:
- A luxury boutique hotel under a prestigious international brand.
- A proposal centered on wellness, design, gastronomy, and authentic experiences.
- An actor that actively bets on attracting more connectivity, more high-spending visitors, and more investment from global brands.
For travelers, this means that Las Terrenas is no longer just a well-kept secret of the north coast, but a destination that begins to speak on equal terms with international luxury tourism.
And for Samaná, it may be the beginning of a before and after in its history as one of the most special—and now better connected—corners of the Dominican Republic.
