Beyond its La Romana postal coordinates, Casa de Campo clearly has nothing whatsoever in common with the first all-inclusive in which I stayed in the Dominican Republic over 30 years ago.
That place had relatively little going for it beyond the fact that I met my wife there, having bonded over undrinkable domestic wine and inevitable stomach issues from what passed for food.
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has its own polo grounds introduced by an Indian Maharajah and its own heliport.
That place had a buffet so close to the pool that meals were literally “dip and dine.”
Casa de Campo has 21 restaurants spread across its 3,000 hectares, which take over 30 minutes to navigate end to end in the small touring carts provided to guests.
And while Casa de Campo welcomes guests like Jennifer Lopez, Drake, Beyoncé and Jay Z, as well as prominent athletes, former US presidents, and other notables – many of whom own villas there – that place welcomed me.
It’s true that resorts in the D.R. have come a long way since the “cheap and cheerful” days in which I first visited, but it’s fair to say that none compare to Casa de Campo, a world-class gated resort community complex (rated by some to be best in the Caribbean and amongst the top 10 in the world), which also makes claim to being the Dominican Republic’s first resort – originally developed by Alvaro Carta of the South Puerto Rico Sugar Company and Gulf + Western Americas (parent company of Paramount Pictures) in the late 1960s.
Located on the southeastern coast of the D.R., the property took on new ownership in the 1980s by the Cuban-American sugar baron Fanjul family, but continued development as a lavish and “cloistered world unto itself” anchored by three top-rated golf courses.
Additionally, the self-sufficient community boasts a replica Mediterranean village, marina, beaches, private island, 5,000-seat Greek amphitheatre, tennis, equestrian and shooting centres, and, oh, that polo facility. Indeed, visitors need never leave the resort – with shopping, dentist, financial services, etc., all on site.
The resort itself has 247 rooms and 50 villas, many of the latter that can be rented when not occupied by owners. And while villa rates range from US$2,000 to as much as $25,000 per night, it should be noted that guests can find a resort room for as little as US$295 a night, making the destination more accessible to travellers in more modest snack brackets than the likes of Taren Egerton (“Rocket Man,” “Kingsmen”) who celebrated a milestone birthday there a week before I visited.
So, what can a guest of modest financial persuasion expect? Here’s a quick look:
ROOMS & VILLAS
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the five-star resort offers luxurious rooms and suites in a variety of categories that reflect the property’s sugar heritage, with contemporary comforts and chic décor that includes rich mahogany wood and native stone.
Meanwhile, 50 private villas, which resemble sprawling Spanish haciendas, range from three to seven (oceanfront) rooms and include private pools and come fully staffed. Guests have access to all the resort and community amenities, including restaurants.
FOOD
Seven resort restaurants and 14 more scattered through the Casa de Campo community range from Mediterranean cuisine in Altos de Chavón to gourmet sushi, tapas, pizza, seafood, and Caribbean at the beach club.
BEACH & ISLAND
Guests have a choice of several secluded Caribbean beaches, each with its own personality. Minitas Beach is the most popular and accessible and boasts a full compliment of amenities, including a beach club with its own pool and restaurant. Those wishing to “escape” can book a catamaran trip to pristine Catalina Island for sunbathing or watersports, or Saona Island for Palmilla Beach, which teams with wildlife, including turtles, parrots, manatees and dolphins.
GOLF
The joke goes that golfing at Casa de Campo is “to Dye fore!” That’s because the community’s four courses (one is members only) were created by noted golf course architect Pete Dye. Choices include:
• Teeth of the Dog (18 holes): This course, with seven Caribbean-edged holes, has been ranked No. 1 in the Caribbean by a variety of experts and challenges players with “devilish doglegs, signature Dye obstacles and trade winds courtesy of Mother Nature.”
• Dye Fore (27 holes): Notable for seven spectacular cliff-side holes that drop a staggering 90 m. to the Chavón River below and Par three holes, #12 and #15, which are rated as two of the greatest in the world.
• The Links (18 holes): An authentic links-style course reminiscent of the British Isles. Recently renovated and planted with Paspalum greens, the course is situated inland with water on five holes, grass roughs and multiple sand traps.
ACTIVITIES
Beyond golf, there are plenty of other options:
• Water Sports: Fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, snorkeling, scuba
• Spa: Focusing on holistic wellness through a blend of ancient and modern healing therapies. Programs include Zumba, Pilates, Jumping, Kickboxing, Functional Training, Step, and Aerobics. The More than 50 machines are available, including cardio equipment.
• Tennis: 13 fast-dry Har-Tu courts are situated on a bluff overlooking the entire resort and Caribbean Sea beyond and 10 are lighted for night play. Games are attended by ball boys.
• Shooting Centre: Features 300+ stations for trap, skeet and sporting clays, as well as pigeon rings across the 100-hectare site. One of the largest towers in the world (110 feet). Instructors offer basic shooting orientation for guests ages 12 and up, as well as advanced instruction, if requested.
• Equestrian/Polo: Trail rides, jumping lessons and polo matches are just a few equestrian activities at the equestrian centre. Polo matches are played weekly during the November-May season and guests can also receive instruction and take party in family friendly games on ponies. Meanwhile, guest can explore on horseback or have a picnic at the resort’s ranch, Rancho Peligro.
MEDITERRANEAN VILLAGE
Inspired by a 16th-century Mediterranean village, picturesque Altos de Chavón is the top attraction at Casa de Campo. Visitors can shop, dine, gaze at the Chavón River 92 metres below, and, of course, pose for requisite selfies in the authentic stone village with cobblestone streets. Home to artists’ studios, craft workshops, art galleries, restaurants, clubs and boutiques concealed behind coral stone buildings, visitors can also watch international painters, designers, writers and musicians teaching their craft as a part of an “Artists in Residence” program, or within the Altos de Chavón School of Design.
AMPHITHEATRE/CONCERTS
The 50,000-seat onsite open-air amphitheatre was inspired by ancient Greece and is a fitting companion to the Mediterranean village. Since inception in 1982, it has hosted dozens of diverse performances from Joan Jett to Julio Iglesias and Elton John and Sting to Sinatra (Frankie was the first-ever performer). Tickets are extra.
MARINA
Even if guests left their yacht at home, the Marina district welcomes visitors with a Mediterranean-inspired seaside village that boasts boutique shops, stores, services (like bank and dentist), and array of entertainment and dining facilities, including Spanish-influenced La Casita and Pubbelly Sushi overlooking the 350-slip marina. The Yacht Club offers sailing lessons.
FAMILIES
If the resort’s extensive list of activities and cultural attractions isn’t enough, kids can take part in hands-on educational programs at the museum in Altos de Chavón or in several daily professionally supervised programs for toddlers, kids, tweens and teens (ages 1 to 17), as well as Kids and Teen’s Night Out evening programs guided by two counselors Friday-Sunday nights 7 p.m.-12 a.m. (including dinner and non-alcoholic beverages). Professionally trained nannies are also available by day and night.
WEDDINGS
From barefoot nuptials on the beach to a ceremony under the stars in the Grecian-style amphitheatre or at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Altos de Chavón, there countless settings in which couples can tie the not or renew vows.
GETTING THERE/TOUR OPERATORS
La Romana International Airport (LRM), privately owned by the resort, is five minutes away, while Punta Cana is about 45 minutes away and Santo Domingo 90 minutes. A transfer service is available from all gateways. Canadians can book packages through Air Canada Vacations, Sunwing, TravelBrands (including Lajure), Merit Travel, Voyages Gendron, Gryphon Golf & Ski Tours, Golf Away Tours, Luxury Retreats, and Hosted Villas.