Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
include dinner, but you can negotiate out of that, which is the way to go - you're walking
distance from better choices.
Casa de Campo
( 800-877-3643; www.casadecampo.com.do ; Av Libertad; r from US$570, villas from US$2144, all-incl
supplement per adult/child US$275/150; ) Known as much for its celebrity guests
(LeBron James, Kanye West) and villa owners (Shakira, Sammy Sosa) as for its facilities,
Casa de Campo is an all-inclusive, super-sized place that remains discerning despite its
enormity. The 285 or so hotel rooms have hardwood furnishings, wonderful local art,
42-inch LCD televisions, Nespresso machines and a golf cart for all. The 28-sq-km com-
plex is home to 16 restaurants, an equestrian center, polo fields, an exclusive beach, a
shooting range - the list goes on and on. It truly resembles a city-state, albeit one with G8
conference security and a disproportionate amount of 'beautiful people' per capita.
Catering mostly to celebrities, golfers and families, Casa de Campo feels less like a re-
sort than a tropical Beverly Hills, mainly due to the independent design of the 2000 or so
extravagant villas. All-inclusive rates include unlimited horseback riding, tennis, one
round of skeet/trap shooting and nonmotorized water sports at the beach. Other available
activities include kayak trips down the Río Chavón (per person US$30) and buggy tours
through sugarcane country (per person US$87). Four Pete Dye-designed golf courses and
Altos de Chavón, a Tuscan-style 'village' and a Mediterranean-style piazza overlooking a
massive marina round out the resort's offerings.
Day passes (US$75) are available for nonguests and can be purchased at the informa-
tion office on the right before the entrance gates. Whether this is good value is debatable:
you are allowed to enter the property, access the beach (towel included) and have a meal
and one alcoholic drink at the beachside restaurant. A property tour pass (US$25) includes
a visit to Altos de Chavón and the marina - no lunch or beach access.
Most guests arrive at the resort by air, either at the private landing strip or the airport
that serves La Romana, and are then driven onto the property. If arriving by private
vehicle, follow Av Libertad east across the river, and stay in the right lane for 4km until
you see the entrance on your right.
All of the resort's restaurants - the best in the region - are open to nonguests. You must
email the concierge ( a.concierge@ccampo.com.do ) for a reservation and be prepared to show
identification at the security gate.
RESORT $$$
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