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| Villa Interiors at Casa de Campo have soaring high ceilings and windows that let plenty of light in. |
If you’re in search of a Caribbean resort with sprawling space and a wide range of activities, n Casa de Campo might just be the ticket. On the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo spreads widely over 7,000 acres, and has a lengthy list of ways guests can unwind or stay entertained throughout their stay. Welcome Addition: A recent renovation resulted in a new category of suites, giving guests more options and flexibility than before.
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| The Lobby at Casa de Campo blends refined nature and discreet elegance. |
Casa de Campo’s recently refurbished rooms and suites are divided into three categories. Ground-floor Elite Patio rooms are the most basic, each featuring one king or two double beds, a 42-inch flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, a walk-in closet, a bathroom with a walk-in shower and whirlpool and garden views. Second-story Elite Balcony rooms offer the same amenities but are a bit more dramatic, courtesy of their cathedral ceilings and balconies with golf course (and, in some cases, ocean) views. Casa de Campo’s new Elite Suites, also on the second floor, are the top option, each with a king-size bed, a master bath and a separate living area complete with an additional flat-screen TV, a half bath, a dining table and a second balcony. For added flexibility, families and multifamily groups can book adjoining rooms and suites.
For complete privacy, however, high-profile guests (including Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and LeBron James) have booked stays at the resort’s private villas. Spread throughout Casa de Campo’s grounds, these villas are offered in Classic, Exclusive and Oceanfront categories. The resort’s website offers a handy Villa Finder tool, but Reservations Manager Denisse Ulerio ([email protected]; 809-523-8698) can personally assist with bookings, from choosing the best-fitting views (from golf course to ocean) to keying in on preferred amenities and architectural style. Once on site, villa guests are treated to the service of an Excel Concierge, who handles planning of activities, dining and any other need that arises during a stay.
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| Poolside cabanas are a great space to unwind in privacy. |
What We Love: Each guest room, suite and villa at Casa de Campo is provided its own four-passenger touring cart, allowing guests to easily zip around the property’s expansive grounds.
We also enjoyed the variety of activities offered at the resort. During our three-day stay, we took an hour-long horseback tour, had a skeet-shooting lesson at the Clay Shooting Center, went snorkeling aboard a privately chartered boat and indulged in a Swedish massage at the poolside La Cygalle spa. Guests can also go kayaking, sailing, or deep-sea fishing; play tennis on one of 13 lighted Har-Tru courts; test their horse-jumping skills at the Equestrian Center; watch a polo match (played seasonally); or take excursions to nearby Santo Domingo, Las Maravillas Cave or Catalina Island. One highlight from the list of activities, however, is a visit to Altos de Chavon, a replica medieval European village set cliff-side above the Chavon River at the eastern edge of the resort. There, guests can stroll the village’s cobblestone streets, have an Italian meal at La Piazzetta, shop for locally made wares at its boutiques, tour its archaeological museum, snap photos or take in a show at its amphitheater (Frank Sinatra once performed there). They can also check out students’ works at the Altos de Chavon School of Design, a branch of New York City’s elite Parsons The New School for Design. Tip: Shuttles run between the resort and Altos de Chavon, but adventurous guests can make the trip in their touring cart.
Back at the main resort, guests have a number of restaurants to choose from—think Spanish cuisine by the marina or fine dining at La Cana by Il Circo—but the highlight of our Casa de Campo dining experience was dinner at The Beach Club by Le Cirque, an outpost of the Maccioni family’s famous New York restaurant. The Beach Club serves light-as-air fish dishes, savory risottos, perfectly grilled meats, freshly caught seafood and heavenly desserts—all set to the tune of softly breaking waves. Resort staff suggests making reservations for The Beach Club (and for all restaurants and activities) prior to guests’ arrival—sound advice, as this is one dining experience they won’t want to miss.