Tortuga Bay, Puntacana Resort & Club

It wasn’t all that long ago that the Dominican Republic was known chiefly as the place where baseball players come from — as a travel destination it came into its own only recently, and as a high-end one, more recently still. The apex, though, has to be the opening of the Tortuga Bay Villas, at the (itself not at all un-luxurious) Puntacana Resort & Club.

Located within a vast gated residential community, the 13 villas and their 30 suites were designed by none other than Oscar de la Renta, and they’re a fine example of the new minimal-luxe, with just enough of the bells and whistles: home theaters, miniature kitchens, huge and indulgent bathrooms, and views of the Caribbean or at least the golf courses. Some come with Jacuzzis and all come with golf carts, for when you’re too blissed-out to move under your own power.

Privacy and exclusivity are obviously the name of the game, but Tortuga Bay’s special relationship with Puntacana means that if you need more than one pool, one beach, one restaurant, you’re free to roam the larger resort at your leisure — an especially fortuitous arrangement when it comes to leisure activities, as it means Tortuga Bay can offer diversions few other 30-room hotels can manage: from diving and sailing to a kids’ program and a full-service marina.