This week we travel from the north to the west and southern points of the Dominican Republic to visit some of the Caribbean’s most iconic resorts, and one of my favorite destinations.
The best resorts of the Dominican Republic and their spectacular suites and residences are the subjects of this week’s newsletter. Bring your golf clubs!
1. Casa de Campo
2. Amanera
3. Eden Roc Cap Cana
4. Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort
1. Casa de Campo
Forbes Travel Guide inspectors say, “Located in the Dominican Republic’s historic sugar mill town La Romana, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has lured a long line of A-listers (Bill and Hillary Clinton, Julio Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z, and Beyoncé) to its sprawling, 7,000-acre resort. Here, peace, quiet, and privacy are important tenets, and you’ll find a professional, discreet staff…You’ll also find plenty to do — the resort is teeming with amenities, from three Pete Dye-designed golf courses, an equestrian center, and a shooting center to a spa and tennis courts. Fifteen bars and restaurants provide a breadth of choices with a few standouts. Because of its size, Casa de Campo offers complimentary use of golf carts to get around the resort grounds easily…The luxury hotel gives you plenty of options — horseback riding, fishing, shooting, boating, tennis, golf, fitness and even some shopping.”
They add, “For those who just want to relax, treat yourself to a massage using local organic ingredients at the spa or pick a chaise lounge by the resort’s new beachside pool complex, where you can snack on casual cuisine from two food trucks…The family-friendly resort offers an array of activities for kids of all ages. All activities are supervised by designated staff and include age-appropriate games such as basketball, table tennis, playground time, art, puppet shows, beach Olympics, tennis lessons, pony rides, water games, pool play, and a whole lot more.”
Casa Stravaganza
Six-bedroom Casa Stravaganza is a truly beautiful two-story villa complete with ocean and golf course views. The exterior area features a terrace with comfortable furniture to enjoy a day of jacuzzi or pool. This incredible vacation home can accommodates up to 12 adults and 6 children in its completely furnished and luxurious guest rooms.
Villa Infinidad
Vacation bliss is the only way to describe Villa Infinidad haven. The four-bedroom home was built with pure pleasure in mind, with plenty of picture-perfect spots to socialize, soak up the sun, or simply sit and admire the spectacular scenery.
For golfers, Villa Infinidad is a quick eight-minute trip to the pro-shop by golf cart, and the 12th, 13th, and 14th holes of the Teeth of the Dog course are located nearby.
View more suites and villas at Casa de Campo.
2. Amanera
According to Forbes, “Revered Asian luxury boutique operator Aman never did a golf resort before opening Amanera on the North Shore of the Dominican Republic in late 2015, but the first time was the charm. The golf course, a rebuild of a classic Robert Trent Jones design by his esteemed architect son Rees Jones, has more coastal exposure than any other in the Western Hemisphere, and is arguably the best in the Caribbean.”
They add, “The real magic of this luxury beach resort is that many guests don’t even play golf and still love the place. The 2,000-acre property has a huge, gorgeous, private beach, private mountain with hiking and mountain biking trails, and much more, all for just 25 decadent casitas…Evoking Bali, these are large, beautifully designed, and crafted, and full of creature comforts like private pools and outdoor showers. Designed by London-based Heah & Co., main building Casa Grande is an architectural gem of curvaceous poured concrete in the shape of a wave, perched on a cliff at the edge of the sea.”
Two-Bedroom Bay View Casa
Surrounded by lush gardens, Amanera’s two-bedroom, 2,626 sq. ft. Bay View Casa occupies the most prime position on the Playa Grande coastline. At the heart of the casa, a private swimming pool, terrace dining area and expansive sundeck form a central space to gather and enjoy the Caribbean outdoor lifestyle, ideal for entertaining surrounded by panoramic ocean views.
The casa also affords guests ample privacy, with king-sized beds and en suite bathrooms housed in separate free-standing pavilions. To ensure a seamless stay, the casa has a personal host on hand to tend to every need, including transporting guests around the resort in the casa’s private buggy. In line with the resort’s nature-inspired ethos, there are four tranquil ponds surrounding the casa.
There are expansive sundecks and terraces, two free-standing bedroom pavilions with king-size beds, both en suite bathrooms with dual showers and oversized tubs.
In total there are two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, and 1,238 sq. ft. of reflection pools and outdoor living space, divided into four private landscaped courtyards.
More casitas at Amanera.
3. Eden Roc Cap Cana
Forbes Travel Guide writes, “The Dominican Republic’s Eden Roc Cap Cana feels like a posh village rather than a traditional resort. A 15-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport on the country’s easternmost tip, Eden Roc has a design that celebrates the aesthetics of the 1960s French and Italian Rivieras while managing to stay relatively true to its Caribbean setting…Part of the Dominican Republic’s 30,000-acre Cap Cana enclave, Eden Roc is a Relais & Châteaux property flush with lush gardens, jewel-toned villas and one of the prettiest sugar-white sand strips on the island.”
They add, “You’ll enjoy complimentary use of a private, electric golf cart to zip around the expansive (and gorgeous) grounds. The hotel’s private beach club is a seaside haven with a host of amenities: beach butlers, infinity pool, restaurants, beach bar, spa, gym, and a colorful kids club so you can drop the little ones for a few hours of total relaxation…The recently revamped Eden Roc Wellness & Spa is a must-visit for anyone in need of a little extra luxury. Boasting 12 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a dedicated 1,200-square-foot anti-gravity yoga area, a stunning Aqua Garden with a freshwater pool, and a state-of-the-art gym (complete with juice bar), you’d be remiss to skip an afternoon of relaxation here.”
Four Bedroom Imperiale Villa
The jewel of Eden Roc is the luxurious 6,180 sq. ft. bi-level Four Bedroom Imperiale Villa. An open-air courtyard with verdant gardens and cascading waterfalls welcome guests. The first floor features a shared living space with a dining room, half bath, and full kitchen. A butler is on call 24 hours a day and a personal chef will prepare all meals. There are two bedrooms on the first floor with private living rooms and baths as well as outdoor relaxation areas. The second floor’s two bedrooms have private baths, balconies and a shared veranda overlooking the garden, free-form infinity pool and lagoon.
Bathed in canary yellow, vibrant ambers, and glorious gold, the Imperiale Villa is the definition of opulence. The lower level’s pièce de résistance is an elegant dining room table suitable for up to ten guests complete with chair backs made of fine white vanilla fabric evoking a laced corset adorned with suspended gilded shells.
More villas and suites at Eden Roc Cap Capana.
4. Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club
Inspectors at Forbes write, “Although the hotel is a mere six minutes from the airport, it seems like another world. Unlike the big all-inclusive resorts on the island, the 30-suite Tortuga Bay is hushed and relaxing…Three miles of barely populated private beach fronts the grassy villa yards. An eco-reserve (free for hotel guests) is dotted with lagoons where you can take a dip.”
They continue, “The late powerhouse designer Oscar de la Renta co-owned the hotel with singer Julio Iglesias and entrepreneur Frank Rainieri, all of whom have homes in the gated community surrounding the resort…Enjoy a stunning day on the links with the resort’s two championship golf courses, both with pristine Caribbean Sea views. The turquoise water lagoons of the Ecological Reserve and the aquatic center provide the ideal place to scuba, snorkel, sail on a catamaran or take a private cruise…Relax at the Six Senses Spa with a knot-busting Punta Cana Signature Massage, which uses fresh oil from local coconuts.”
Four Bedroom Villa
The four-bedroom villa is ideal for larger families or groups visiting Tortuga Bay. Down-floor rooms include one king and two full-size beds. The third and fourth bedrooms are accessible via an exterior staircase for ultimate privacy and include two king-size separated bedrooms (two queen-size beds also available upon request).
More suites and villas at Tortuga Bay.
