The front lobby

The Hotel Gran Jimenoa quietly resides on rolling tropical mountains, co-existing cozily in lush layers of green foliage. While sitting in a wooden rocking chair in the early morning, I reveled in the humid air that gives the only “cool” relief from the summer heat I knew was to come later in the day. All I could keep thinking was how green it is everywhere! Here, the different shades of green are endless. From my perch in the rustic-wood gazebo, I could see the river rushing just below. The powerful sound of cascading water can be constantly heard, like the continuous sound of waves crashing on a beach. It’s like a boisterous laughter rather than the teasing ebb and flow of the ocean tides, both having a lovely hypnotic effect. This boutique hotel provides not only a quality relaxing experience, but also a unique way to enjoy the Caribbean.

The turn-off for the hotel is just as you enter the town of Jarabacoa and is only a fifteen minute drive from the center of town (to learn about how to get to Jarabacoa and enjoy the journey, visit and read my post: How to Get to Jarabacoa). The lobby and other public areas are constructed of beautiful wood framing with only a few windows as walls and the rest left open to the air outside. It fits so snugly among the endless trees and bushes that it feels to me like being in a huge tree-house. All the rooms have balconies that overlook the white-water river, the manicured tropical gardens, or the expansive pool with fountain streams of water shooting up from the tiled-patio floor. The restaurant has three sides exposed where it extends out over the river bank below, providing views and sounds of the cold mountain water rushing down over large boulders. Even in these waters, the iridescent shades of turquoise-green and blue beckon to visitors to take a dip. Stairways in varying places of the hotel, lead down to the river where a deep swimming hole has formed just below the rushing boulder-filled rapids. A bridge spans across the river to the rising green hill on the other side, looking as if it came out of an Indiana Jones movie, but a lot more secure and safe to cross, I promise. This bridge leads to a beautiful cabana-style building, enclosed with wood. Inside, one can enjoy drinks from the bar and get to dance on the dance-floor and sing Karaoke if you’re feeling brave and daring.

Crossing over to the Dance Hall & Karaoke Bar

When booking a stay at the Hotel Gran Jimenoa, you can choose between a basic reservation that includes breakfast in the cost or you also have the option of an all-inclusive package, which provides the quality of service and experience only found in a boutique hotel setting. At the Piedras del Rio Restaturant, you can enjoy the local Dominican foods and other gourmet dishes. If you’re visiting with children, and just to indulge in that child-like spirit, you have the playground to climb all over and swing about on. Other activities to enhance your tranquil and relaxing experience are the spa, Jacuzzi, and sauna. If you need a place to host a reunion or private group event, the banquet hall provides another beautiful space that draws the outdoor paradise indoors.

The restaurant and one of two buildings with prime rooms featuring river views.

The hotel is within convenient proximity to the center of town, while still immersing one into the tranquility and beauty of the tropical mountain forests. I have stayed there more than once and every time, the service was great and the staff were warm, friendly and helpful. There are a range of different accommodation types and I always look forward to staying there whenever I visit Jarabacoa.

Enhance your reading experience with more pictures by visiting my online album: Hotel Gran Jimenoa in Jarabacoa