Personal Review of Casa De Campo based on my two night stay in Sep 2023

Casa de Campo is not a typical beach resort property. If you are hoping to get gorgeous ocean views and fall asleep to the sounds of the waves crashing to the shore, you will not find it at this property. The view for all the rooms, regardless of which section you will be staying at is to the golf course or gardens. In fact, most of your stay you’ll probably forget you are on the beach altogether, as this massive resort offers a lot of diversity, but the beachfront itself plays a small role in its appeal.

Getting around on the property is an adventure in itself.  Funny enough, even the employees joke about how if you haven’t gotten lost at least once, you can’t claim that you’ve been in Casa de Campo. Each reservation comes with its own golf cart. You get the keys to it at checkout, you have a private parking spot in front of your building and you use it to go pretty much anywhere on the property. It is actually a very fun activity, but it does require you to schedule your day a bit more strictly, as getting from place to place may take even 30 minutes- as remember the speed limits on the golf carts is not that high.

The appeal of this property is definitely in the diversity of available activities on site, as well as in the choices of villa accommodation.  

The resort is split in many different parts or villages, each with its distinct feel and appeal. The marina has a nice cinema, grocery store, shopping and restaurants. The Italian village is completely unexpected- and to me quite a vow factor. Perched on top of a cliff, its cobblestone streets and medieval-looking stone architecture transported me back to a time reminiscent of old movies. It was charming, romantic, and picturesque. The little chapel in the middle of the square let my imagination flow, and I could picture how some of our destination wedding guests would appreciate this different setting for the most cherished day of their lives. At the Italian restaurant, the food is complemented by the sounds of Italy, as a live bad goes from table to table serenading guests. The open-air amphitheater reminded me of ancient Rome, and I sure would be thrilled to attend a concert there one day.

The food at Casa de Campo was delicious at all the restaurants. I particularly liked all the seafood options available, and the steak was also very delicious. The chef put as much effort into the presentation of the dish as it did in the taste, and it showed. Hardly anyone left anything on their plates at the end of each meal.

Now, let’s talk about the villas- as that is the reason many people choose this property. Each villa is different, as much in the design as it is in the layout. Many are owned or frequented by celebrities, which only adds to the allure of it. Each villa is staffed, and the housekeepers come daily to tidy up, to turndown service and anything else you need. Full kitchen, indoor-outdoor dining room, and even butler’s pantry is available in the larger villas. They can arrange for a private chef and an intimate dining experience in your own villa if you wish. Most villas are 3,4 or 5 bedrooms, and the layout is super convenient- with each bedroom having its own bathroom and outdoor area (complete with outdoor showers)- it is a perfect place for large multi-generational families or groups- where you’d want your privacy but also want to enjoy some time together without feeling like you are on top of one another. The pools are large, with ample room to spread out and enjoy the sun. If I were to go back again, I’d definitely opt for a villa experience.

The beach…after all, most of us who go to the DR, do so because of the desire for a beach vacation. Considering the size of this resort, the beachfront itself is not exactly proportional….That being said, it is smartly done- divided into 2 parts, one for families and one for adults only. The adults-only section has an infinity pool that overlooks the ocean, and a beach club called Minitas- which has not only delicious food, but also a signature drink that I may or may not have overindulged in a bit….Definitely try the Minitas mojito, it’s a strawberry mojito with a twist, not too sweet, and refreshing for a hot beach day.

The family section has 2 distinct pools- one looked really shallow, so I assumed it was the kids pool. Plenty of beach chairs and hangout areas, and if you get hungry during the day, there are 2 different food trucks to satisfy your cravings. Of course, an ice-cream shop compliments the choices, because as any parent could tell you- a sunny day without ice-cream on vacation is not an acceptable day in the eyes of a toddler.

As far as activities are concerned, I’ve seen none while I was there….I heard there were some scheduled kids activities, but the beach was pretty empty during my stay. Most guests who stay in villas typically enjoy their private pools, so for that reason the beach doesn’t ever get too crowded we were told.

As far as activities are concerned, I’ve seen none while I was there….I heard there were some scheduled kids activities, but the beach was pretty empty during my stay. Most guests who stay in villas typically enjoy their private pools, so for that reason the beach doesn’t ever get too crowded we were told.

Activities- the choices of activities on this resort really make this property quite unique. Golf is a huge attraction of course, with the famous Teeth of the Dog course being just one that you can play on at this property. In addition, the resort has a big equestrian center, so if you love horseback riding or polo, you’ll find no shortage of options here. Kids can enjoy a petting zoo over the weekends, and even ride ponies if so they choose. Tennis, and soon pickleball are other big attractions guests can take part in.

My favorite activity though was skeet shooting! For someone who doesn’t like guns in general- and who’s never held any type of gun in my hands before- I handled a rifle surprisingly well. During our “lesson” we had to shoot moving targets, and I sure felt as western hero when I managed to shoot the flying targets out of thin air..

Following my bad-ass shooting adventure, and calling this day’s activities my “yin yang”, I continued my stay with a spa visit. I indulged in a 50min relaxing massage, followed by a hydrotherapy session. I’ve done hydrotherapy circuits before, but at each, I either couldn’t resist the cold or the heat, so I pretty much just half-done it. This time I was determined (or forced, depending on how you want to look at it) to do each part property. One of the spa attendants was in charge of making sure we do them in the correct order, for the right amount of time, so I complied with each of his instructions. While at one point I wanted to send him off to Lalaland, at the end of it I was so happy he took this “stricter” approach that made me do the entire thing. The cold plunge was the most difficult for me- especially since I had to submerge neck deep and stay there for 3 whole minutes, but the sense of accomplishment, relaxation and rejuvenation I felt when it was all over it made it all worth it.

Overall, my stay here was very enjoyable. Was it what I had in mind? No! But the reason it wasn’t was because of my biases and what I thought this resort was vs. what it actually is. Was it the most luxurious beach getaway I could think of? No, definitely not- but not because it lacked in luxury, service, or amenities. It was because I would not consider this a beach resort at all, but instead, a vacation place that offers an array of attractions -where the beach is just one of them- , diversity, and experiences that are very unlike those you find at other resorts in this destination. It offers tranquility, quietness, relaxation, a sense of intimacy, and connectivity with your travel companions. For the right client, it is exactly what is needed for a carefree, upscale vacation, with great food, attentive service, and early evenings.  

Ready to give Casa de Campo a try for your next vacation?  

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