Luxury holidays in Playa Grande

You’d be forgiven for thinking Playa Grande’s miles of soft sand were the preserve of slothful sunbathers – but you’d be wrong, as the world-renowned golf course makes the beach a putter’s heaven. The Dominican Republic’s northern coast is populated with super-swish resorts nestled in pristine Caribbean jungle. The wide, white-sand shores may be busy, but you’ll never feel crowded under the swaying palms, as attentive beach-boys dash to your side with cocktails, towels and cushions. Brave the surf for a swim, and when the waves get too wild, retreat to the beach restaurant for a fresher-than-fresh seafood lunch. For a change of scene, head to nearby Puerto Plata to admire the 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe, a Spanish fortress that’s now a treasure trove of historic and military relics.