Options in Casa de Campo — Bayside Travel

By Carlos Castro

This past May I had the opportunity to visit the Casa De Campo resort in La Romana, Santo Domingo.  It was raining upon arrival into La Romana airport but we were met and provided with umbrellas. Going through immigration and customs was a breeze and the ride to Casa de Campo was less than 10 minutes away.

During my visit I learned that recent renovations resulted in new categories of suites offering clients more options and flexibility. They were divided into three categories, Ground floor Elite patio rooms which are the most basic, each featuring one king or 2 double beds, a 42 inch flat screen TV, Wi-Fi, a walk-in closet, a bathroom with walk-in shower and whirlpool with garden views.

Second Story Elite Balcony rooms are a bit more dramatic, with high ceilings and balconies that offer a golf course view and in some cases, ocean views. Casa de Campo's new Elite Suites are also on the second floor.   These are a great option for families or multifamily groups. Each comes with a King Size bed, a master bath and a separate living area with a second balcony. 

We did a site inspection of the resort's privately owned villas, which are located throughout the expansive grounds of the property. These villas are offered in 3 categories, Classic, Exclusive, & Oceanfront. Each villa is beautifully designed and decorated uniquely to its style from Caribbean decor to a more contemporary design with modern finishings. They are surrounded by lush vegetation and they come with a private pool(s). A concierge handles all of the villa guests dining, planning of activities, etc. 

A great feature at Casa de Campo is that each guest room, suite and villa comes with a touring cart that allows guests to move around the resort.

There are a variety of activities offered such as skeet-shooting, horseback riding, kayaking, sailing, tennis and deep sea fishing. You can also plan a day trip to nearby Catalina Island or Santo Domingo. I personally enjoyed the horseback riding and the gentleman who rode with us was very friendly.  I also had a 50 minute massage at Casa De Campo Spa which was very soothing and relaxing. They currently have 8 treatment rooms and are in the process of adding more.

One highlight of this trip that I will always remember was the visit to Altos De Chavon, which is a replica of a medieval village set upon the Chavon River. There you can stroll through cobblestone streets, take photos, shop at boutiques, tour its archaeological museum or see the amphitheater (Frank Sinatra once performed there). You can also check out the Alto's de Chavon School of Design, a branch of the Parsons New School for Design. To reach Altos de Chavon you can either take a shuttle that runs from the resort or for the more adventurous, you can make the trip in your cart.

There are plenty of dining options at Casa de Campo but I only dined in a few of them. La Cana by II Circo is located in the main area of the hotel and offers air-conditioned indoor or outdoor fine dining. The Beach Club by Le Cirque is a newly renovated restaurant right on Minitas Beach that offers delicious fish dishes, grilled meats, freshly caught seafood and amazing desserts. Lago Grill is located in the main area of the hotel as well, facing the Teeth of the Dog and the Caribbean Sea and it is great for either breakfast or lunch offering traditional and popular Dominican cuisine. Although I enjoyed all the restaurants the highlight of my dining experience was at La Piazetta in Altos de Chavon, a small cozy restaurant featuring gourmet Italian dishes. It features a rustic ambiance and the food and service were absolutely phenomenal.   Resort staff suggests making reservations for all restaurants and activities. 

Overall, I was truly impressed by all that the resort has to offer. It is definitely a good fit for tennis and golf pros or anyone looking for a great Caribbean experience with wonderful service. Also, I would like to pass along my thanks to the General Manager Daniel Hernandez with whom I had the pleasure of meeting and his excellent staff. Together, all of you definitely made it a trip to remember! Please contact Bayside Travel for your reservations to receive exclusive virtuoso amenities offered our clients at the Casa De Campo resort.