A luxurious travel escape to Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic

The snow is piling up, the wind is howling, and the furnace is on full-blast. Could there be a better time than now to travel to the Caribbean?

In early January, I packed my swimsuit and escaped to Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. With 7000 acres of palm trees, white sand beaches and top-rated restaurants, it’s easy to see why this resort is a favorite among rock stars.

If you’re feeling the winter blues, here’s why the Dominican Republic is the perfect tropical getaway.

Casa de Campo was established in 1974, but recent renovations have modernized the buildings with a warm feel. As soon as I arrived, I understood why this is considered the most beautiful and luxurious resort on the island.

I headed straight to the pool deck, featuring inviting cabanas and an in-water bar.

As a professional traveller, I appreciated non-touristy peaceful vibe of the resort. The staff was fantastic at meeting our needs, and helped us practice speaking in Spanish.

At the main bar La Caña, the friendly bartenders knew us by name, and prepared our favorite rum drink with a generous pour.

Casa de Campo has breathtaking villas for rent, with picture-perfect views of the Caribbean Sea. No wonder celebrities vacation here regularly, including Drake, Beyonce, J-Lo, A-Rod and Jay-Z.

The oceanfront villas feature a long outdoor pool, flanked by an inviting gazebo. It’s a scene straight out of a kingpin movie.

The spa was another place to rejuvenate both body and mind. Casa de Campo incorporates Ayurvedic techniques and local, organic ingredients in their menu of treatments.

Guests can join group fitness classes, or visit the physiotherapy center. We did a functional private fitness class with David, who did a great job of assessing strength and adjusting workouts with a smile.

As a “Mario Kart” fan, I was happy to learn that every guest received a golf cart for personal use. The resort covers thousands of acres, and these carts made it fun and easy to get around.

We drove to Minitas Beach Club. I admired the minimal white design of the oceanfront deck and bar, while Molly took off her shoes to wade in the infinity pool.

The Dominican Republic is known for its pristine beaches. One of the best is Playa Minitas, Casa de Campo’s private stretch of soft sand. Here, guests can try snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding or windsurfing.

At Minitas Beach Club Restaurant, we sat down to panoramic views of the sand and waves, and sipped on rum with coconut cream.

The casual menu is inspired by Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine. We tried fish ceviche served clean and bright, as well as arepas, fried plantains, and burrata.

Casa de Campo’s all-inclusive package encompasses seven restaurants, which will delight even seasoned foodies like us. We watched the sun set while dining on Japanese fusion at Pubbelly: dates with chorizo, brussel sprouts with miso, and creative sushi rolls.

The package also includes activities like horseback riding. I enjoyed exploring the ranch’s lush pathways by walk and trot. The horses are very well-trained, and will never dart off.

We were excited to try skeet shooting for the first time. Our patient instructor showed us how to use a two-barrel gun, and aim to hit the clay pigeons.

Many come to Casa de Campo because of its reputation as the best golf resort in the country. We saw groups of friends playing the three award-winning Pete Dye courses, including “Teeth of the Dog.”

The staff suggested that we visit Catalina Island, and we were glad we took their advice. We rode a fast and furious catamaran for 25 minutes, and disembarked onto six square miles of white sand and turquoise waters.

One of our favorite dining spots was The Marina, where you’ll find yachts bobbing in the calm waters. We enjoyed the airy setting at La Casita, a Spanish restaurant with addictive sangria and seafood paella.

Don’t miss out on Altos de Chavón, a recreated 16th century Mediterranean village with a church, artisan studios and amphitheater. At the rustic Italian restaurant, La Piazzetta, we indulged in black truffle risotto, green pea ravioli with Parmesan, and plenty of wine.

Molly and I ended the trip with a nightcap and live music at La Cana bar. The singer showed us how to dance the bachata, a Dominican dance style.

Casa de Campo exceeded our expectations, with world-class food and amenities in a lush Caribbean setting. Now that I’m back in cold weather, I’m keen to return as soon as I can.

Gracias Casa de Campo for the beautiful experience in the Dominican Republic.

See more travel stories from around the world on La Carmina blog. All photos by La Carmina and Molly Weingart.