Casa De Campo

Carved out of the lush sugar cane fields on the southernmost coast of the Dominican Republic, the Casa de Campo estate was carefully chosen for its climate, terrain and oceanfront properties. For visitors to the Dominican Republic who are searching for unsurpassed beauty and luxury, Casa de Campo is the ideal choice. Nestled along the southeastern coastline of the Dominican Republic, this sprawling 7,000-acre oceanfront community boasts everything you could desire. Your complete privacy begins at the entrance to this gated community.

Just a few of the amenities you will be able to enjoy at Casa de Campo include the world class Teeth of the Dog golf course. There are also several tennis courts, a skeet shooting center, three polo fields, and an equestrian center. After a long day of playing hard in this tropical oasis, you are welcome to treat yourself at one of the spa and fitness centers. If less active pursuits are more to your taste, there is also a private beach where you can stretch out and enjoy the soft tropical breezes and swaying palms overhead. Alternately, you can also opt to visit the local artist village, Altos de Chavon, or browse through one of the many fine boutiques here. In addition to being considered the most prestigious resort in the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo also boasts over 1,700 private villas, which range in price from US$500,000 to US$24,000,000, making it also one of the countries’ most affluent communities, comparable to the Hamptons.

SPA / WELLNESS

Holistic in nature and devoted to the art of relaxation, The Casa de Campo Spa is a retreat unto itself. Hidden away among the rolling hills, rivers and tropical foliage of the resort, the spa offers an eco-friendly sanctuary complete with Zen garden, spa suites, private villas and gazebos on sandy beaches. Inspired by nature, treatment products are made on site using indigenous ingredients. Services include massages with essential oils, exfoliating body treatments, tropical fruit essence body wraps, skin detox rituals, facials, anti-aging and after-sun treatments and aromatherapy.

THE SPORTING LIFE / GOLF

For golfers, this is heaven. Six great Pete Dye golf courses including the famous, ‘Teeth of the Dog’ course, with seven holes right on the ocean is ranked Number 35 in the world and Number One in the Caribbean. Now there is a rival: ‘Dye Fore, ‘ the designer’s sprawling manifesto recently carved on bluffs 300 feet above the Chavon River and with spectacular views of the ocean. Pete Dye is considered in many circles to be the most influential golf course architect of the last 60 years. And Casa de Campo is delighted to have three of his courses on the grounds. Golfers will witness some of the most spectacular views found anywhere in the world. Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine Reader’s survey ranked it Number One Best Golf Resort in the Caribbean ahead of the Four Seasons in Nevis and the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica. Other activities include tennis, water sports, horseback riding, fitness center, sport shooting, and eco excursions.

LA MARINA

Casa de Campo has a modern, 400-berth marina, complete with a shipyard with a 120-ton TraveLift designed by Italian architect, Gian Franco Fini to resemble Portofino. The slips and boatyard were designed to highlight the beauty of the Chavon River flowing into the Caribbean Sea. Soon after it opened, the facility expanded in 2006 to become the largest shipyard in the Caribbean. Designer boutiques (Gucci and Versace), art galleries, jewelry shops, gourmet restaurants, and a stately Yacht Club attract sailors, tourists, and local residents who enjoy gazing at the fabulous boats in port. The Marina offers an array of chartering options, a sailing school, and facilities capable of handing repairs on most private vessels. In 2010, the Casa de Campo Marina played host to the prestigious Rolex Farr 40 sailing cup.

SPORT FISHING

Marina Casa de Campo Fishing Closes with 855 Blue Marlin Released

Casa De Campo, La Romana, Dominican Republic – Whomever said February is not a a prime month off the DR needs to get their head examined. In fact, we all need to get a reality check when it comes to Blue Marlin. It seems we are all getting a little spoiled, when catching five (5) Blue Marlin in a day is not even noteworthy. I have never known a bad day when you catch a Blue Marlin and I am sticking too that. In two days of fishing we released eight (8) Blue Marlin and had eighteen (18) bites, including a quad and a triple. If you have not experienced that before, that means that almost every bait in the water was covered by a Blue Marlin. For a marlin enthusiast, that is pure nirvana. For both crews, we were lucky enough to fish with some top notch folks who were completely focused on us catching Blue Marlin and having an overall great experience. We feel very fortunate to have been to some of the finest resorts and marinas in the world. Let us say, that without a doubt, the entire campus of Casa de Campo from the Hotel to the facilities was one of the best we have ever experienced. The word “world class” is so over used, yet it could not be more appropriate here. There is just something about a well established and well run resort that makes us want to come back again. Written by Hook on 05/15 “The BillFish Report”

DINNING / RESTAURANTS

The Casa de Campo resort has six restaurants: “La Caña by Il Circo” (seafood, meats and wine), “The Beach Club by Le Cirque” (elegant oceanfront dining), “La Piazzetta” (gourmet Italian food), “Chinois Bistro” (Cantonese food and sushi), “La Casita Marina “(seafood and tapas at La Marina Casa de Campo), and “Lago Grill” (casual dining). Just recentely the Casa de Campo administration has named Anthony Masas Diaz as its new executive chef. Anthony Masas will have the responsibility to enrich the culinary concept of the resort, innovating the menu of each of the 6 restaurants inside Casa de Campo, for which he will created new dishes to offer guests an exquisite new culinary experience. Casa de Campo is striving to be known as a top gastronomic destination in the Caribbean. Their aim is to give the Casa de Campo villa owners, residents and visitors of Casa de Campo an experience they won’t be able to find anywhere else”. The new chef has several years of experience and has worked in destinations like Monaco, Barcelona and Ibiza under the tutoring of world-renowned chefs such as Martín Berasateguí, Carmen Ruscalleda and Ferrán Adriá, among others.

ALTOS DE CHAVON

Altos de Chavón is located atop the Chavón River in Casa De Campo in La Romana, Dominican Republic. It is the most popular attraction in the city and hosts a cultural center, an archeological museum, and an amphitheater. Altos de Chavon, is an architectural wonder, a 16th century replica of a Mediterranean village perched high above the Chavón River. The village was designed by Dominican architect Jose Antonio Caro, and created by Italian master designer and cinematographer Roberto Coppa. Dominican artisans handcrafted the stone pathways, decorative ironwork, furniture and enchanting buildings, reviving almost forgotten crafts of metal work and stone carving. Under Coppa’s direction, each stone was hand cut, each wooden door frame was handcrafted and each wrought-iron detail hand-forged. Construction of the village began in 1976 and the village was inaugurated in 1982 with the concert of Frank Sinatra at the amphitheater. Altos de Chavon was built as a center of culture for the Dominican people. Dominican residents, tourists and working artists, flock to this magically inspirational locale.

St. Stanislaus Church (Iglesia San Estanislao de Cracovia in Spanish) with its plaza and sparkling fountain that is a popular wedding venue. The Church of St Stanislaus was named after the patron saint of Poland in tribute to Pope John Paul II, who visited Santo Domingo in 1979 and left some of the saint’s ashes behind.

LA MINITAS BEACH

La Minitas is one of the most exclusive beaches in the Caribbean. It is also one of the region’s most alluring. Part of the allure lies in the numerous watersport activity options. These options include snorkeling, sailing around in a Hobie Cat, windsurfing paddle boating, and kayaking. Should relaxation be the aim, a session at the open-air massage pavilion is always possible. Those who have relaxation in mind can also claim a cozy sun bed and perhaps kick back with a beverage in hand. The pina coladas served in pineapples are especially popular. If you should need anything at Minitas Beach, one of the things that you will find there is a beach shop that sells such things as sunscreen and beach toys. Also available to take advantage of is the “La Palapa” beach hut. It offers games and other fun activities that are designed primarily for kids and families. These aren’t the only Minitas Beach facilities that are worth highlighting, however. There’s also the fantastic Beach Club by Le Cirque. Affiliated with the Le Cirque restaurant in New York City, this beachfront club serves up delicious food in a wonderful setting As a side note, guests of the amazing Casa de Campo Resort have several tempting beach experiences to choose from. There is Minitas Beach, and excursions to Catalina Island or Saona Island can be arranged. These islands are part of the Parque Nacional del Este (National Park of the East), and their beaches are nothing short of glorious.