I sat down with Thomas Stam the Director of The Peninsula House, the newest boutique hotel to open on the north coast of the Samana Peninula in the Dominican Republic. The province of Samana boasts not only tranquility but a combination of history and charming character. Thomas explains that with the attention to detail, natural surroundings and a highly attentive staff, this exclusive boutique hotel offers a sensuous and captivating experience.


Tell us a little bit about what you do at The Peninsula House?

The Peninsula House is not really about what a single individual does during the day but more what we as a the team accomplishes during the day and the constant goal to achieve the highest customer satisfaction possible. The idea when putting the together was that all of us have different skill sets but that at the same time anyone can do the job of another. Therefore our day to day changes constantly, one day I will be organizing the staff at the house the next I will be replacing the Barman down at the beach club. I think that this flexibility gives each individual the ability to learn and grow and also different opportunities with which to interact with guests.

What inspired you to get into this line of work?

Each person who works here has their own unique story. Cary has been in the hospitality and restaurant business his entire life and had a similar establishment in the south of France (Mas Mireille, St Remy de Provence). Marie-Claude was looking for a new challenge in life and finally Xavier loved the service industry and thought it was a place where he could make the most of his passion for food and cooking. Personally I decided that being a beach bum was more pleasant than working in an air conditioned office all day.

Tell us what makes your property unique?

The obvious answer would be the setting however as incredibly beautiful as the location is I don’t believe that that is what necessarily sets us apart from other similar properties. Firstly the tangible aspects which make us unique are of course the house itself and its decoration. All the artwork and furniture pieces have been collected over the years on different continents by each of us. This mixture of styles has allowed us to give each room its own unique atmosphere. More importantly though are the intangibles. The atmosphere that exists within the house. The idea that when guests arrive they immediately feel at home and relaxed. The privacy of the setting is extremely important, that all the guests feel as if they enter another world away from the pressures and stress of everyday life.

What is special about the location of your property?

There are two main parts to the hotel and each ones location is unique and special. Firstly the beach club which is situated on Playa Coson. This 15km stretch of beach is often completely deserted. On most days you can walk up and down the beach or go swimming in the warm tropical waters and be completely alone. Secondly, the House itself which is surrounded by lush tropical gardens with a stunning view of the coast line, Punta Bonita and the Las Baleinas islands. The hotel is also situated just 15 minutes from Las Terrenas where guests have access to bars, restaurants and discos.

Tell us about your clientele, who are they and where do they come from?

Having just opened coming up with a generalization about our clientele is a bit difficult. However, if I base it on our Beach Club clientele (which has been open for 9 months) it is a mixture of Dominicans, Europeans and Americans. Basically, people who come to our restaurant or hotel come because it is different from anything else available in the area, people who enjoy the privacy and exclusiveness of the lieu.

What are a few of your favorite rooms/suites on the property?

Having grown up in Africa I must admit a weakness for suite 6 which has the most African feel to it. The room contains some of Cary’s best artwork as well as stunning antique cupboards with hand crafted doors. The pleasure though is that each suite is unique therefore you can always change according to your mood or tastes.

Is there anything not to be missed at your property?

Everything! More seriously though, the beach club is well known for its exquisite desserts…croquant au chocolat, tarte au noix etc…. Then of course a wonderful candle lit dinner in our indoor patio or breakfast watching the sun rise over the lomas. One cannot forget mentioning the Dominicans themselves. Their joy for life and all around friendliness makes the Dominican experience all the more extraordinary.

Other than your own property, tell us about one or two of your most memorable stays?

Gran Hotel Villa Serbelloni: This stunning hotel on Lake Como really helped us decide on the type of atmosphere we wanted to create. This family run hotel is everything many hundred room hotels are not. The personnel is friendly, the atmosphere is convivial and relax, you are not just another anonymous client but a guest of the family who wishes to fulfill your every need.

Peponi Hotel: Its hard to break it down into specific points, just simply the best small hotel experience one could dream of.

Lastly, tell us something unusual about your property that guests might not know.

I would have to say that most people don’t believe that this isn’t an old house but one built over the last 3 years and finished a mere 4 months ago. 3 years ago we were hiking up the loma with machetes trying to see the view and position the hotel.

That concludes our interview!

Thank you Thomas, for sharing and participating in this interview for TravelerWIRE.