Villa Cristina is, quite simply, breathtaking. This opulent five-bedroom villa in the exclusive gated community of Cap Cana welcomes up to 12 guests with expansive living areas, divine gardens and a beachfront location. This is a villa where every single detail, no matter how small, has been considered, from the Romanesque columns and cathedral-like ceilings to the bespoke artwork on the walls. This is a villa fit for royalty.

Cap Cana is regarded as one of the finest resort communities in the entire Caribbean. Sitting on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, it’s a 30,000-acre site with three miles of private beach, a Jack Nicklaus championship golf course, spas, and more than 20 gourmet restaurants. But above all, it has that essential ingredient for any holiday – peace. This ecologically important area has been sympathetically developed to protect the delicate ecosystem, connecting you with the island's natural beauty.

Located just ten minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, transfer times to the villa are incredibly short, so you can start to enjoy your vacation sooner. Step into the huge living and dining areas, and you're stopped in your tracks at that ocean view from every angle. The centre of the villa forms an internal courtyard with a magnificent staircase leading up to the bedrooms on the upper level. Here, you'll find two king-size bedrooms, two queen-size bedrooms, and a final bedroom with two single beds. All have ensuite bathrooms that make copious use of marble and traditional tile designs. Back downstairs, you have a gourmet kitchen with ultra-modern appliances and a large breakfast bar, just the place to cook up some local dishes like fried yucca or super-fresh seabass accompanied by a delicious serving of Mangú.

Outside, the gardens are carefully manicured, and the scent of jasmine fills the air. A large pool takes centre stage, and covered walkways surround the central area, connecting the various parts of this expansive villa. A few short steps take you to the beach, where you can sink your toes into warm, soft sand and watch the sunset with a rum cocktail in hand - what a fantastic way to end the day.