Casa De Campo

Casa de Campo, a tropical seaside resort in La Romana on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic, was developed in the 1970s on 7,000 acres of the area’s former sugar mill land. It has turned into one of the world’s most prestigious holiday destinations for luxury travelers and one of the country’s most affluent communities. Casa de Campo has a modern, 400-berth marina, complete with a shipyard. The marina has played host to the Rolex Farr 40 sailing cup. Surrounding the harbor are more than 70 restaurants, many exclusive shops, bars, and gorgeous homes. What an ideal destination for a luxury vacation!

The dedicated LVH team ensures all guests receive the ultimate in service and satisfaction during their stays. LVH can arrange for private chefs, private jets, exotic cars, luxury yachts, and anything else you might require to make your vacation stay truly remarkable. Choose a one-on-one session with a certified yoga or pilates instructor, time with a private tennis pro to up your game, or complete pampering sessions with a massage therapist, hair stylist or barber, nail technician, and makeup artist.

Luxury home rentals, with full services and support, can be arranged to accommodate groups of varying sizes and are ideal for lavish events. A wide roster of specially curated properties makes up the lists of the world’s most exquisite vacation estates. No matter what your chosen destination, when you are seeking the best homes, you have the most elite selection from which to choose when booking your stay with LVH.

AREAS

One would be hard-pressed to find an area of Casa de Campo that isn’t truly lovely. Here are three of the most popular areas:

Altos de la Marina

This neighborhood is primarily made up of beautiful villas either right on the water or very close to it. It is also near a stellar golf course for those who like to shoot an 18-hole round now and then. Altos de la Marina’s pristine white sand beaches are close to all the nicest restaurants and bars as well as to the marina. It’s the ideal place to stay while in the area and Villa Punta MInitas 34 is one of the most beautiful Casa de Campo villas. With its prime private beachfront location, this villa has amazing sea views with breathtaking sunsets. Twelve air-conditioned bedrooms can accommodate up to 24 guests. An outdoor pool is set amidst a delightful garden. The outdoor areas feature cascading fountains, a gazebo, an outdoor dining area and a dock. Any luxury traveler would be proud to call this property home while staying in Casa de Campo.

Casa de Campo Marina

The Marina area is replete with elegant buildings, docks, and charming squares – the perfect combination of Mediterranean elegance and Caribbean flair. The Yacht Club is the hub of the Marina and is the place to be during water events and sport fishing tournaments. Five distinct areas offer a range of shops, art galleries, restaurants, and services. Portofino Plaza, reminiscent of the plazas in Italy, offers a collection of boutiques and restaurants.

Los Cajuiles

Los Cajuiles is a quiet area ideal for resting and regenerating. This area is close to the Teeth of the Dog golf course. Exclusivity abounds with access to incredible beaches providing those much-appreciated tropical breezes. Homes in Los Cajuiles are definitely high-end with most selling for higher than the million dollar price tag.

RESTAURANTS

Casa de Campo has many wonderful fine dining establishments. These five are especially worth a visit:

Causa

Vacationers looking for a culinary treat in Casa de Campo head to Causa for some authentic Peruvian fare with a worldly flair. The menu is eclectic and includes dishes such as lomo saltado (a stir fry that typically combines marinated strips of sirloin with onions, tomatoes, and other ingredients, and usually served with rice), and ceviche. Fresh fish dishes are bountiful and deliciously prepared. Those wanting to relax with a cocktail might want to try the watermelon caipirinha.

La Cana

At the heart of the Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, La Cana Bar & Restaurant takes its name from the sugar cane crops surrounding the town of La Romana that have driven the local economy since the 1900s. The restaurant highlights and elevates local ingredients within its French-inspired fare. Guests congregate at the bar and lounge area nightly to enjoy the sounds of live music as well as hand-rolled cigars and an extensive selection of Dominican rums.

La Casita

The shimmering waters of the Caribbean Sea have long been a source of inspiration. Everything at La Casita is influenced and inspired by this great body of water. Its Spanish-inspired dishes focus on fresh, local seafood which complement this stunning location. Dine on La Casita’s famous paella in the open air and watch yachts coming and going, or simply watch as the sun sinks from the sky into the calm ocean beyond.

La Piazzetta

In a setting reminiscent of a Mediterranean medieval village overlooking Altos de Chavón, La Piazzetta was the first restaurant in Casa de Campo. The space, originally decorated by Oscar de la Renta, is the ideal venue for a family meal or a cozy dinner for two. The eatery offers a seasonally changing selection of Italian classics as well as Italian-inspired signature dishes, including a vast variety of fresh, handmade pastas prepared in-house by La Piazzetta staff.

SBG

Featuring an exquisite international menu with a Mediterranean flair, SBG is a luxurious and elegant venue for a casual dinner, or an evening’s worth of entertainment. Main courses feature a healthy variety of fish, meats, and pastas. Start off with an appetizer like tuna carpaccio, move on to a main dish such as miso sea bass over fried Thai rice and appease a sweet tooth with a dessert like a macadamia tart with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream. Dine by the pool, enjoying a chic and sophisticated vibe, with an occasional DJ appearance or live band.

THE ARTS

When not sipping a cocktail or sunning by the pool at one of the most incredible Casa de Campo villas, vacationers may want to soak up some culture of the area. These two venues look engaging:

Altos de Chavón Regional Museum of Archaeology

With a home in the stunning replica 16th century Mediterranean village of Altos de Chavón, the Regional Museum of Archaeology fits right in even though relics inside go back earlier than the 16th century. The museum focuses on artifacts and artwork from the days when the Dominican Republic and Haiti were known as Hispaniola. Thousands of pieces from this pre-Columbian era, many of which were excavated from the nearby region that borders the Chavon River, are housed here. Many artifacts were left behind by the Tainos, an indigenous group drastically affected by the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the late 1400s, which led to devastation for the population.

Amber World Museum

Visitors to this museum will find historical and scientific data on the creation of amber, the animals and vegetation of that era fossilized in these gems, and everything concerning its formation and characteristics. All pieces on display, dioramas, audio-visual and interactive technology, will transport guests back to the origin of amber. Fine pieces of amber jewelry are available for purchase.

NIGHTLIFE

Being on vacation means being on downtime and enjoying nights out. The nightlife scene in Casa de Campo goes from relaxing to exhilarating. These three venues have something for everyone:

Genesis Nightclub

People have been partying at the Genesis Nightclub since its inception in the 1970s. It is the place to go in Casa de Campo for upscale cocktails, music, and dancing. The club was totally revamped with a new layout, sound system, lights, and infrastructure now on par with top clubs in the world. World-class DJs bring their talents to the club ensuring a hip scene for those wanting to have a good time. Genesis is the ideal venue to enjoy a favorite cocktail while dancing the night away.

Minitas Beach Club

The upscale Minitas Beach Club offers great food, fab drinks, incredible views and a terrific place to dance and lounge. The beach club is immersed in a tropical beachfront landscape, and has one of the best sunset views on the island. Discover the expansive deck with its infinity pool, enjoy specialty house cocktails at the ocean-view bar or delight in a memorable meal at the restaurant.

Onno’s Bar

Onno’s is a restaurant/bar duo. It offers a wide selection of bar food such as tapas, pizza, wings, tacos, and then there are more unique offerings such as avocado fries with sriracha aioli or chicharron (pork belly with a garlic sriracha glaze). They can whip up a classic beverage like a mint julep or mai tai, but they also have their own “tiki tails” like passion, a mix of pineapple, Bacardi rum and mango; el cielo, a mix of licor menta, Curacao, rum and Limon. They also offer shots, wine, champagne, and beer.

EVENTS

There is always something to do and see in Casa de Campo. Travelers may wish to consider one of these four events:

Annual Latin America Pro AM

The Latin American Pro Am is the leading event in Latin America. Teams consist of one professional and four amateurs, and all tournament rounds are played on the world famous Teeth of the Dog course! Travelers who love to play, might consider entering the prestigious tourney which lasts for a week.

Casa de Campo Open

For those who love playing golf, there is nothing like the energy, excitement and enthusiasm of a golf tournament. The Casa de Campo Open is played on all three world-famous golf courses: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore, and The Links. The format is a 54-hole Individual stroke play competition using the Stableford scoring system. The best three net scores per course per day win the Country’s Cup. Men and women will compete in flights by index and age. Visitors from the same country who can rustle up at least two other players are able to enter the tournament.

National Biennale of Visual Arts

The National Biennale of Visual Arts is one of the most important artistic events in the Dominican Republic and consists of a large central exhibition space in the Museum of Modern Art in Santo Domingo. A panel of judges selects the winners. The event emphasizes the development and exposure of national talent, as well as advancement in the field of artistic research and is open to citizens and foreign artists who have been living in the Dominican Republic for a minimum of five years. Winners are featured at The Gallery in Altos de Chavon where they can be viewed by locals and visitors.

ProCigar Festival

This very popular festival is a celebration and journey of discovery for cigar enthusiasts. Following a stay in Casa de Campo, cigar aficionados will journey into the heart of cigar country – Santiago de los Caballeros, about 160 miles from, La Romana – to choose from a number of options including cigar factory tours to General Cigar, Davidoff, Matasa, La Aurora and Tabaquisa; beer and rum factory tours; city tours; merengue lessons; seminars; sailing on a catamaran along the north coast; playing a round of golf or just relaxing in the tropical scenery and breezes of Puerto Plata beach.

ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES

There is no shortage of things to do to create lasting memories in Casa de Campo. Remember to have a camera ready for these four:

Catalina Island Beach Day

A boat trip to paradise? Yes, please. Spend an amazing day on Catalina Island and getting there is all part of the fun. Hop aboard a catamaran to get to this popular destination for tourists and those who own/rent villas at Casa de Campo. It’s a smooth, scenic half hour sail to the island. Once there, visitors relax on the beach on loungers there for the use. Swim in the crystal blue sea and do some snorkeling. Guests staying at one of LVH’s Casa de Campo rental villas can take their own treats for a beach picnic or purchase items available at the beach.

Cigar Factory Visit

The Tabacalera de Garcia was established in 1971 and is the world’s largest hand-rolled cigar factory with a long and varied history, making it an absolute must place to visit for avid cigar lovers or casual aficionados. During the tour, visitors are led through the entire cigar-making process. Learn all about the different types of tobacco that go into making fine cigars and how they are blended to keep a consistent flavor. The factory is enormous. Every stage of production is done by hand – the old fashioned, traditional way.

Spelunking/Cave Exploring

Cueva del Chicho is one of the most outstanding underground caves, tucked inside Cotubanamá National Park. Its aquamarine, sparkling fresh waters draw many hikers, but it also holds numerous petroglyphs – proof of the Taino’s presence in these parts. Hikers can take a dip in its fresh water – azure blue waters that resemble a lake, or certified cave divers can venture deeper on a one-tank dive with a licensed operator. Near La Romana, Cueva de Las Maravillas reveals hundreds of pictographs. Scape Park, in Cap Cana, takes the adventurous into the tunnels of Iguabonita Cave, with its impressive limestone formations. Los Haitises National Park is home to caves only reached by boat. The most challenging and adventurous of all is Cueva Fun Fun. Trekkers here will have no option but to rappel into its entrance. The least visited, yet most impressive caves are in the southwest, including El Pomier, and Las Caritas de los Indios.

Rio Chavón

There are several ways to explore Rio Chavón or the Chavon River and its nearby areas. One of the favorite ways for luxury travelers is with a private guide on a tranquil river cruise. Get close to all the wildlife that make this river their home. Make a stop at the lovely, historic town of Altos de Chavón. A river full of mysteries, Rio Chavón was used in colonial times for the transport of precious woods, as well as providing a hideout of fabulous treasures of legendary Caribbean pirates.