Just Back: Dominican Republic
By Michael Abrahams
Returning from five blissful days at the mightily impressive Ani Private Resort, in the secluded and mountainous northeast region of the Dominican Republic, it cannot be overstated how seamless and needed (from a wellness, catharsis, and social perspective) the trip was for our entire group. For the vast majority, this was our first flight and journey outside a 200-mile radius of home since the beginning of the pandemic. Whatever apprehension lingered in the air quickly dissolved after experiencing an empty Logan airport, no security line, pristine sanitary measures in place, and a sparsely filled flight.
Upon entering Ani, outfitted with an impeccably attentive staff that had been properly quarantined and tested prior to our arrival, masks came off and we were allowed to enjoy each other’s company and the property to its fullest in a healthy bubble.
The Ani mantra “it’s all yours” is the greatest value of the sole-use model. The feeling of being at home, albeit in a luxurious and sprawling seaside compound, is powerful. Wearing a bathing suit to all meals (delicious multi-course surf-n-turfs daily!), cranking up music that evolved into late-night dance parties, meandering the property without concern for the awkward and anxiety-ridden run-in with a stranger, you know the one… fumbling for a mask, sidestepping the other, head down low.
For those looking to hit their daily calorie burn, the activities were endless: cliff jumping off the 29 or 18-foot cliff that surrounds the property, exploring the crystal blue waters with snorkels, SUPs, or sea scooters (a must), playing a neighboring private golf course that is truly Pebble Beach on steroids, or enjoying a day at Playa Grande an immaculate pristine white sand beach engulfed by towering palm trees, as the Ani staff serves fresh red snapper, Caribbean lobster, fried plantains, and ice cold beer. On the compound, we enjoyed inclusive spa treatments in a state-of-the-art spa and gym center complete with a host of different treatments.
But above all else, what makes Ani a magical place is the staff. Greeted on a first-name basis as you exit the car, specialty cocktails named in your honor, wakeup habits such as how you take coffee and eggs in the morning, whether your first imbibe of the day is a mimosa or a Presidente or something more extravagant, are learned within the first day. Impressively balancing the line of being present when you need them, and within calling distance when you don’t.
Escapism is the word that jumps to mind when I think about this trip. With SO much noise and input in our daily lives right now, the benefit of enjoying a private exclusive-use resort with close friends and family and truly unplugging from the chaos cannot be underestimated.
