This magnificent villa in the community of Cabarete is a revelation in design concepts. Contemporary in design but with a laid-back, comfortable feel, this vast space has ten bedrooms and welcomes up to 20 guests for the ultimate Caribbean getaway. Surrounded by palm trees and with a private beach, Villa Cristal is quite simply in a league of its own.

Just 11 miles from the airport, Cabarete is one of the Dominican Republic’s finest tourist destinations. Elegant properties sit surrounded by lush tropical gardens and miles of white sand beaches. It is everything you could want from an island holiday, and the place to be if you love water sports. The onshore breezes make it a perfect spot for windsurfing, while the crystal-clear waters and vibrant reefs will keep divers and snorkellers happy for hours. Sunsets are exquisite in this part of the world, and there's nothing better than tucking into freshly fried red snapper or seabass on the beach, washed down with a cold beer or rum punch as the sun sinks beneath the horizon.

Villa Cristal's designers have ensured that the spectacular ocean view is the villa's most prominent feature, with floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the vistas from every angle. That makes the interior light, bright and airy, and the living and dining spaces have that classic indoor/outdoor configuration with a natural flow between the two. The neutral tones are enlivened with pops of colour. The dining room has multiple tables rather than one large one, allowing groups to sit together in a more relaxed environment. The bedrooms all have ensuite bathrooms, and the three king-size master bedrooms on the ground floor all have ocean views. Four bedrooms offer two queen beds each, while all the remaining bedrooms have king-size beds.

Outside, the vast garden and sun deck are dominated by a huge infinity pool, with a jacuzzi for easing tired muscles at the end of a busy day on one of the island's many golf courses. But while the BBQ area and sun loungers may be tempting, that private beach has to be the ultimate draw and the only spot to be as the stars come out and total peace descends on Villa Cristal. Sheer bliss.