Honestly, most people think they know what luxury looks like in the Dominican Republic. They think of Punta Cana. They think of all-inclusive buffets and crowded beaches. But then there is Casa de Campo Resort & Villas. It is different. Totally different. Spanning 7,000 acres in La Romana, this place isn’t just a hotel; it’s basically a small, very wealthy country with its own marina, an artisanal village, and more golf carts than cars. If you’ve ever wondered where the world’s elite actually go when they want to disappear, this is the spot.
It started back in the 70s. Gulf+Western turned a sugar mill into a retreat, and it’s been evolving ever since. You don’t just "stay" here. You inhabit it.
The Golf Reality Check: Teeth of the Dog
Most people come for the golf. Specifically, Pete Dye’s masterpiece: Teeth of the Dog. People talk about "bucket list" courses all the time, but this one is actually terrifying in the best way possible. Pete Dye famously said, "I built eleven holes and God built seven." He wasn’t kidding. Seven holes hug the jagged coral rocks of the Caribbean Sea, and if the wind is kicking up, your golf ball is basically a sacrifice to the ocean.
It’s consistently ranked as the number one course in the Caribbean. But here’s what most people get wrong: it’s not the only course. You also have Dye Fore, which sits on the edge of a 300-foot drop-off over the Chavón River, and The Links. Most resorts would kill for one of these. Casa de Campo has all three.
If you aren't a golfer, you might feel left out. Don't. The equestrian center is legit. We aren't talking about "pony rides for kids," although they have those. We’re talking about high-stakes polo matches and a dude ranch atmosphere that feels surprisingly authentic for a tropical resort.
Living the Villa Life
Let's talk about the room situation because it's confusing for first-timers. You can stay in the hotel rooms—which are great, especially the newer Premier Suites—but the soul of the place is in the villas.
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The villas range from "pretty nice" to "I might be a billionaire now." Most come with a private maid and a butler who makes breakfast in your kitchen every morning. Imagine waking up to the smell of fresh Dominican coffee and mangú without having to leave your pajamas. That’s the vibe. Each villa also comes with its own golf carts. These are your primary mode of transportation. You’ll see teenagers driving them, grandmas driving them, and everyone in between buzzing around the winding paths of the property.
- Garden Villas: Tucked into the lush greenery, usually near the golf courses.
- Classic Villas: Traditional Dominican architecture, often with massive outdoor living spaces.
- Exclusive Villas: These are the oceanfront monsters.
The scale of the property means you’re never on top of other guests. You could spend a week in a villa and only see another human when you head down to Minitas Beach Club.
Altos de Chavón: The 16th-Century Village That Isn't
One of the weirdest and coolest parts of Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is Altos de Chavón. It looks like a 16th-century Mediterranean village perched on a cliff. Except, it was built in the late 1970s.
It was designed by an Italian cinematographer, Jose Antonio Caro, and Roberto Coppa. They used local stone and hand-crafted ironwork to make it look ancient. It’s home to an amphitheater that has hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to Elton John. There’s an art school here, too—affiliated with Parsons School of Design.
Walking through the cobblestone streets at sunset is arguably the most romantic thing you can do in the DR. It feels like a movie set because, well, it kind of was. It’s a strange, beautiful architectural flex that shouldn't work, but it does.
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Eating and Drinking Your Way Through La Romana
Food is where a lot of Caribbean resorts fall flat. They get lazy. Casa de Campo doesn’t.
La Caña is the heart of the main hotel area, great for French-inspired seafood. But the real winners are scattered. If you want to feel like you're in a Bond movie, head to the Marina. The Marina at Casa de Campo has 370 slips and can handle yachts up to 250 feet. It’s modeled after Portofino. You can sit at SBG (Sibuet) and watch millions of dollars worth of fiberglass float by while eating sushi.
Minitas Beach Club is the "see and be seen" spot. It’s got that chic, Mediterranean beach club energy with a pool that seems to merge with the ocean. The grilled octopus there? Incredible.
A Quick Reality Check on Costs
Let’s be real. This place is expensive.
Between the "resort fee" (standard in the DR) and the cost of dining, your bill can climb fast if you aren't careful. If you’re staying in a villa, the smartest move is to have your butler stock the fridge. Hit the local supermarket in La Romana on your way in. Get some beer, wine, and snacks. It saves a fortune and makes the villa feel more like a home.
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The Sports Enthusiast’s Playground
Beyond golf, the shooting center is a major draw. It covers 245 acres and features one of the tallest towers in the world for sporting clays. If you’ve never shot a shotgun before, the instructors are patient. If you're a pro, the 200 stations will keep you busy for days.
Then there’s the tennis center. People call it the "Wimbledon of the Caribbean." It has 13 Har-Tru courts. The ball boys are incredibly fast, and the humidity makes for a workout that will melt the calories off from last night’s dinner at Chilango Taqueria.
What People Often Miss
Most visitors stay within the "bubble." They never leave the gates. While the resort is safe and massive, the town of La Romana is right there. It’s a working-class city built on the sugar industry. If you want a break from the manicured perfection of the resort, take a quick trip out to see the local markets.
Also, don't sleep on the spa. They recently did a massive overhaul, and the hydrotherapy circuit is top-tier. It’s the perfect antidote to a day spent fighting the wind on the golf course.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
- Fly into LRM: La Romana International Airport (LRM) is literally five minutes from the gate. If you fly into Punta Cana (PUJ) or Santo Domingo (SDQ), you’re looking at a 60 to 90-minute drive. It’s worth the extra flight cost to land at LRM.
- Book the Golf Cart Early: If you aren't in a villa that includes one, rent a 4-passenger or 6-passenger cart the moment you book. Walking is not an option here.
- The Inclusive Experience: They offer an "Experience Plus" package that includes meals and drinks. If you plan on eating at the resort restaurants every night, this is usually a math win. If you want to cook in your villa, skip it.
- Dress Code: It’s "resort elegant." Flip-flops are fine for the beach, but for dinner at Altos de Chavón or the Marina, you’ll want linens and loafers.
- Check the Event Calendar: Polo season runs from November to May. Even if you don’t understand the rules, the atmosphere at the polo fields is unmatched.
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas isn't just a vacation. It's an ecosystem. Whether you're there to conquer Teeth of the Dog or just to ride a golf cart through a man-made Italian village, it leaves an impression. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s arguably the most complete resort experience in the Western Hemisphere.