Photograph courtesy of Playa Grande Beach Club
If the Dominican Republic’s breathtaking beaches, bright and sunny climate and lush jungle foliage weren’t enough of a vacation draw, how about this: Playa Grande Beach Club, the chic hideaway on its north coast. Founded by interior designer Celerie Kemble and her husband, money manager Boykin Curry — plus investor friends including architect Richard Meier and actress Mariska Hargitay — the nine-bungalow resort features sweeping views of the island’s tropical scene not to mention Caribbean-by-way-of-Palm-Beach interiors: lattice woodwork, prettily patterned tiles, wrap-around porches, seashell-studded chairs… Here, you can idle the days away by the limestone pool with nothing more than a mojito in hand (from the club bar) or, for the adventurers, pack your itinerary with activities ranging from horseback riding and windsurfing to zip-lining and, yes, humpback whale watching.