Casa de Campo Resort & Villas

Set on 7,000 acres of manicured grounds that include a river and a stunning replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, the posh Casa de Campo Dominican Republic is one of the top properties in the region. Unlike at most Dominican resorts, no one's piled on top of one another here. There's plenty of room to roam, and rooms, suites and villas are spread over a huge area with an appealing mix of manicured gardens and wilder areas. Although the hotel’s Minitas Beach is somewhat smaller than others found in the area, finding a lounger is never a problem and the vibe is relaxing, with parents sipping sparkling water with lime while watching their children play with plastic shovels and buckets by the calm oceanfront. However, Casa de Campo certainly does not feel deserted and has a lively atmosphere, with some foot (or golf cart) traffic in common areas, and dozens of activities (mostly sports) to take part in.
Interiors are elegant and stylish but don’t feel stuffy. The lobby is bright and airy, with an indoor-outdoor feel, high wooden ceilings, and lots of white seating. Natural wood finishes and dark contemporary lamps stand out against the beige marble-like floors and white walls. Huge windows let in lots of light and bring in the outdoors. This elegant yet streamlined design continues in restaurants and other common spaces, where comfortable seating on wooden decks surrounded by palm trees gives the property a laid-back, peaceful vibe.
Golf is the main draw here, although it’s certainly not the only. Teeth of the Dog, the daringly named signature course, is easily one of the best courses in the Caribbean, alongside the White Witch course at the Ritz-Carlton in Jamaica. On the walkway adjacent to the course, you can even spot maintenance staff pruning the foliage and picking up dead leaves by hand -- it's that kind of place.
There are a lot of white-collared shirts and slacks at this massive resort co-owned by the Fanjul brothers; they also run Flo-Sun, a huge sugar and real estate empire that owns, among other companies, Domino Sugar. Casa del Campo draws mostly Americans and Spaniards, some of whom own private villas on the property, whose peaceful, elegant atmosphere feels worlds away from the bustling resorts in other areas of the Dominican Republic.

Casa de Campo Dominican Republic contains 7,000 immaculately manicured acres on the southeastern coast of the island. Though technically in La Romana, which has some of the D.R.’s best beaches, the resort feels like its own separate city-- it even has its own signs on the highway. Guests will need to use their golf cart liberally (included with the room rate) to get around the property. The main area with the pools, spa, and a few bars and restaurants is manageable by foot, but the beach can be a 10-minute drive (by golf cart), depending on room location. It can take between 15 and 20 minutes to get to the marina, and that's putting the pedal to the metal. The tennis courts and the town of Altos de Chavon are also about 15 minutes via golf cart from the main area.
Thanks to a new road, the resort is now only about a 45-minute drive from the Punta Cana Airport. Some guests fly into Casa de Campo/La Romana International Airport (sometimes pricier than Punta Cana), fly via helicopter to the resort's private heliport, or sail their yachts to the marina.

The 270 rooms and suites at Casa de Campo La Romana are spacious and chic. Decor is subdued but elegant in all, though Casitas and entry-level Deluxe units have been redesigned and feel sleeker. These renovated rooms have marble-like floors, dark wooden furniture with white accents, and small seating areas in neutral hues. Units on top floors have high vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams painted white. Non-renovated Elite Rooms and Elite Suites have a darker palette that makes them a tad less contemporary but still elegant. Big windows open to furnished balconies that offer views of the grounds.
Suites range in size between 1,291 and 1,894 square feet and have either one or two bedrooms. These units also have half-baths and separate living areas with dining tables.
Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs, minibars, iHome docks, espresso machines, and air-conditioning. Elite Premier Rooms add sofa beds. Bathrooms have his and hers vanities, as well as separate showers and soaking tubs. Robes, slippers, hairdryers, and a selection of upscale toiletries are provided in all units as well.
A significant chunk of Casa de Campo's property consists of privately owned homes and villas, many of which are available for guests to rent through the resort. Size and price vary greatly, but all feature fully equipped kitchens, private pools, and private maid and butler service. There are four main villa types: Garden, which have three or four bedrooms; Classic, with four or five bedrooms; Exclusive, offering up to 11 bedrooms, and Oceanfront, for up to 27 guests.

Minitas Beach is immaculate -- there is not a single piece of garbage to be found anywhere. The sand is soft, and a manmade reef several hundred feet out keeps the water especially calm and safe for young children. Lifeguards are on duty daily. Water sports are available, and all non-motorized sports are included in the all-inclusive supplement plan.
The Beach Club serves as the beachside restaurant, offering tasty (but expensive) lunch and dinner options. In addition to some shops and a massage pavilion, the Beach Club also features three pools, including an infinity adults-only pool, a kiddy pool, and a family-friendly one with panoramic sea views. Loungers around the adults-only pool are an extra charge.

On a Caribbean island where enormous pools serve as the nexus of many a mega-resort, the pools at the Casa de Campo can seem small. There is a total of six pools, including two in the main area, one by the tennis clubhouse, and three at Minitas Beach Club. Despite their relatively compact size, they are pristinely kept and rarely loud or rowdy.

The intimate, secluded spa takes advantage of its natural setting among lush greenery with numerous outdoor treatment areas. Special water treatment areas feature outdoor hot and cold tubs. Pre- or post-treatment, guests can relax in the outdoor meditation area. The spa menu includes Ayurvedic techniques performed with local organic ingredients, aromatherapy, salon services, and kids’ and couples’ treatments.

The fitness center at Casa de Campo is big and modern. Located in the main area of the resort, it features two large rooms -- one equipped with cardio machines with personal TVs, balls, mats, and free weights; the other with weight-training equipment. Personal trainers are available for private sessions, as are group fitness classes, some of which are an extra charge.
Set overlooking the river, Altos de Chavon is a striking replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village, with streets, a main square, several buildings, and even a church. It also features gorgeous views, tasty restaurants, numerous shops, and the hotel's small archaeological museum.
Unlike the mega-resorts of Punta Cana, Casa de Campo does not offer the sometimes kitschy (but often fun) daytime activities such as poolside dancing or limbo. But it does offer plenty of nighttime entertainment for adults and families. Although not offered every night, live music -- which often leads to dancing -- at the restaurants and bars is a frequent occurrence, and the amphitheater at Altos de Chavon has brought in plenty of big names for concerts and shows.
As a huge resort community, Casa De Campo has plenty of on-site activities to offer. There is a great trap and skeet shooting range, a full-service marina, and a tennis club with 13 courts and a pool. The beautiful equestrian center features horse stables and polo fields. The all-inclusive package includes unlimited horseback riding lessons.

Casa de Campo has plenty to keep families entertained, including a beautiful beach and activities such as horseback riding and tennis. The kids' club is split into three categories by age: Toddlers 'n Casa for ages 1 to t3, Kidz 'n Casa for ages 4 to 7, and Casa 'Tweens for ages 8 to 12. All include games and activities and are available for half or full days. Some activities are an extra charge.
A teens' room includes games and movie nights, and the family fun zone hut offers indoor and outdoor activities. Families can also hire nannies to either assist with children during the day (while parents are present) or babysit in the guest room or villa at night.
The kids' club also offers a "kidz night out" for children which includes dinner and activities, or families can opt to hire a hotel-appointed nanny.
All restaurants have children's menus and high chairs.

There are about a dozen restaurants in the Casa de Campo La Romana community, providing a wide variety and outstanding food. However, the excellent quality comes at a very sizable price tag. Guests on the all-inclusive plan can order up as much as they'd like, but some items include a surcharge.
Lago Grill is the only option open for breakfast, while the rest serve both lunch and dinner. The most noteworthy two are Minitas Beach Club, a chic international restaurant on the beach with a casual vibe by day and a romantic, candlelit scene at night; and La Piazzetta, which serves up delicious homemade pasta in Altos de Chavon, a section of the property that's open to the public and is an exact replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village. The poolside La Cana, Chilango Taqueria, and two food trucks by the beach offer snacks between meals as well. La Casita, a Spanish restaurant located at the Marina, opens for dinner only.
Casa de Campo has several bars spread out across the main area of the hotel, the marina, the beach, the tennis center, the equestrian center, and Altos de Chavon. Like the food, cocktails are excellent but pricey.

Almost everything at Casa de Campo is pricey -- from the restaurants to the room service. However, an all-inclusive package is available that some may consider worth it. Aside from all meals, it covers cocktails and drinks at the included restaurants, bars, and lounges; unlimited horseback riding; unlimited use of the tennis courts; unlimited non-motorized water sports, and one round of 25 shots of skeet or trap shooting at the shooting range.
Guests should be aware, however, that the all-inclusive plan still comes with plenty of additional fees -- including a delivery charge for room service, surcharges on certain menu items at the restaurants, and fees for minibar items. Plus, only hotel-run restaurants are included, which limits dining options.
There are also several types of more expensive all-inclusive packages that cover extras such as daily choice of spa treatment or round of golf per person (the Teeth of the Dog course is not included), and even unlimited golf.

Casa de Campo golf options are excellent, as there are three courses on the property, including Teeth of the Dog, Dye Four, and The Links, all of which were designed by World Golf Hall of Famer Pete Dye. Each course has a few dozen groundskeepers assigned to it, which doesn't come as a surprise -- it's hard to find a blade out of place.
The signature course is Teeth of the Dog, which has won numerous awards. It is considered by some to be the best course in the Caribbean and one of the best in the world. Many holes offer spectacular sea views. It features a pro shop, a restaurant, 150 caddies, and even night golf facilities. Clinics and camps are available for guests and non-guests alike, and tournaments take place from time to time. Past competitions include the LAAC Golf Tournament, Caribbean Golf Classic, Latin America Pro Am, and the Parent-Child Tournament.

Casa de Campo wedding ceremonies are popular thanks to the beautiful, expansive resort grounds. The recreated 16th-century village of Altos de Chavon even boasts a small chapel for an intimate ceremony. The resort offers several packages, all of which include the help of a wedding planner, a bouquet and boutonniere, and a cake.
There is a total of 17 venues available for the reception, most of which are located at Altos de Chavon, in quaint spots such as the terrace overlooking the golf course and the central plaza. Newlyweds can also opt to celebrate on the beach or by the main pool. Reception size can range from 40 to 600 people.

The upscale resort features over 27,000 square feet of event space, plus a 5,000-seat amphitheater. There are meeting rooms of all sizes and shapes, including boardrooms, larger halls, nine breakout rooms, and numerous outdoor venues.
The on-site business center offers secretarial services, printing and faxing, and cell phone and computer rentals.