The Dominican Republic is known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and world-class golfing. But beyond the postcard-perfect shores, this Caribbean island nation also boasts some of the most luxurious, exclusive resorts in the world.
From celebrity hideaways to eco-chic boutique hotels, the Dominican Republic offers luxury travelers an array of high-end amenities and elite services. Here, you can dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, sip vintage champagne in glitzy nightclubs, get pampered in posh spas, and tee off on PGA-quality golf courses.
But with so many options, where do you begin? This guide will cover two of the top luxury resorts in the Dominican Republic: Casa de Campo and Cap Cana. We’ll go in-depth on what makes these resorts so special, who stays there, and why you should choose them for your next Caribbean vacation.
Summary
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Casa de Campo | World-class golf, amenities, dining, and seclusion in a 7,000 acre Caribbean oasis. |
| Cap Cana | Exclusive gated community with elite amenities and modern, elegant style. |
| Comparing Resorts | See how Casa de Campo and Cap Cana differ in setting, style, and strengths. |
| Punta Cana Guide | Overview of Punta Cana regions, including exclusive Cap Cana and Puntacana. |
| Puntacana Resort & Club | Legendary La Cana golf, elite service, and privacy draw A-listers. |
| Choosing A Resort | Flow chart simplifies deciding between Casa de Campo, Cap Cana, and Puntacana. |
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas
Dubbed the “crown jewel” of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo is 7,000 acres of luxury set along the Caribbean Sea. Frequently ranked among the top resorts in the world, it’s a favorite for celebrities, royalty, and the uber-wealthy.
Amenities & Activities
Casa de Campo offers an astounding array of amenities and activities for its guests. From world-class golf to luxurious spa treatments, there’s something for everyone.
Golf
Casa de Campo is a golfer’s paradise, with 90 holes designed by Pete Dye, the legendary golf course architect. The resort’s three championship courses – Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore, and The Links – rank among the best courses in the world. The undulating greens, Caribbean Sea vistas, and ocean breezes make for an unforgettable golfing experience.
Beach & Watersports
Altos de Chavón beach offers a beautiful stretch of golden sand along the Chavón River. Guests can relax on chaise lounges or under shaded cabanas. Watersport activities like kayaking, windsurfing, and snorkeling are also available. Three luxe infinity pools provide more swimming and sunbathing options.
Tennis & Equestrian
The resort has 13 Har-Tru tennis courts, two of which are floodlit for nighttime play. Private lessons, clinics, and daily round robins are offered. The equestrian center features an air-conditioned polo pavilion and arena for polo matches. Trail rides, polo lessons, and show jumping classes are also available.
Spa & Wellness
The world-class La Spa features Natura Bissé beauty treatments and Hydrotherapy circuits. Guests can indulge in relaxing massages, nourishing facials, and rejuvenating body treatments. State-of-the-art fitness centers, yoga, and spin classes round out the wellness offerings.
Dining
Casa de Campo offers 19 restaurants ranging from fine dining to casual eateries. Le Cirque, from NYC’s famed Le Cirque restaurant, provides a gourmet French-Italian dining experience. La Caña by Il Cielo serves up authentic Italian cuisine. And new seafood restaurant The Beach Club overlooks the sea.
Nightlife & Entertainment
After dark, guests flock to the resort’s glamorous bars and clubs. Iconic late-night spot The Amphitheater comes alive with dancing and live music. Casa de Campo also hosts exclusive concerts and events, like the invite-only GOAT Polo Match.
Accommodations
Casa de Campo features three types of luxury accommodations: hotel rooms and suites, private luxury villas, and private homes.
The 205-room The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club overlooks the golf course, while the neighboring Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club has 16 exquisite suites and a private beach. Villa rentals range from three to seven bedrooms with luxe amenities like infinity pools, butler service, and personal chefs. And for the ultimate in luxury, private homes are available to buy within the resort.
Who Goes There?
With its reputation for privacy and security, Casa de Campo attracts celebrities, royalty, politicians, and business moguls. Famous names spotted here include Jay-Z, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and the Kardashian family. It’s also a longtime favorite of financial titans and former presidents like Bill Clinton.
Why Visit Casa de Campo?
Here are the top reasons luxury travelers choose Casa de Campo:
- World-class golf on Pete Dye’s Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore, and The Links courses
- Total privacy in a relaxed, exclusive atmosphere
- Elite amenities like La Spa by Natura Bissé and gourmet dining
- Luxurious hotel suites, private villas, and estate homes
- Breathtaking setting along the Caribbean Sea
- Convenient private airport with customs and immigration
For the ultimate luxury vacation in the Caribbean, Casa de Campo covers all the bases with privacy, top-notch amenities, and privileged service.
Cap Cana Resort & Villas
On the eastern shores of the Dominican Republic, Cap Cana is an ultra-exclusive resort community inspired by the luxury marinas of the Mediterranean. With its sparkling white beaches, modern architecture, and laid-back ambiance, Cap Cana embodies the chic side of Caribbean luxury.
Amenities & Activities
At Cap Cana, guests can fill their days with rounds of golf, indulgent spa treatments, watersports, and gourmet dining. The resort truly has an amenity for every interest.
Golf
Cap Cana features three Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses: Punta Espada, The Lakes Barceló, and Corales Golf Course. The oceanfront Punta Espada course is often named among the Caribbean’s best, with eight holes bordering the sea. Golfers can enjoy preferred tee times, club storage, and complimentary transport between the courses.
Beach & Pools
Over seven miles of pristine beach allow for long, peaceful walks along the Caribbean Sea. Beachside food and drinks are served at Caletón Beach Club and Duarte Beach Club. Three infinity pools offer more lounging and swimming options.
Dining
Cap Cana offers 16 excellent restaurants ranging from formal Mediterranean to casual beachside eateries. Blue Marlin serves fresh seafood and prime cuts with ocean views, while Saffron specializes in Pan-Asian cuisine. Le Grill provides a classic steakhouse experience.
Marina & Watersports
The Cap Cana Marina features luxury yacht slips and boutique shops for strolling. Guests can embark on deep-sea fishing charters, sailing trips, snorkeling excursions, and more. Scuba diving, kayaking, wave runners, and paddle boarding are also available.
Spa & Wellness
The Caletón Beach Club & Spa provides relaxing massages, body treatments, and facials surrounded by zen gardens. State-of-the-art fitness centers allow guests to maintain their wellness routines while traveling.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Cap Cana offers exciting nightlife options like the Vegas-style Marina Casino, the stylish Onno’s Bar, and live music at El Balin Dance Club. Guests can also book tables at the famous Juanillo Beach Club party spot in neighboring Punta Cana.
Accommodations
Cap Cana features world-class hotel accommodations and private luxury villas. The Sanctuary Cap Cana has 324 all-suite rooms along the marina, while the adults-only Secrets Cap Cana offers gourmet dining and swim-out suites.
Who Goes There?
Discerning travelers, celebrities, and athletes often choose the refined luxury of Cap Cana. Stars like Rihanna, Vin Diesel, and Justin Bieber have vacationed here. Athletes including Novak Djokovic, Rory McIlroy, and David Ortiz are also fans of the exclusive enclave.Why Visit Cap Cana?
Here are the top reasons to choose Cap Cana for your luxury Caribbean getaway:- Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, including the famed Punta Espada
- Over 7 miles of picturesque white sand beaches
- Luxurious hotel suites at Sanctuary and Secrets resorts
- Exclusive villa rentals by Simply Dominican
- First-class dining with 16 restaurants to try
- Caletón Beach Club & Spa for indulgent treatments
- Vibrant nightlife and entertainment options
- Exclusivity within a private, secure community
How Do Casa de Campo & Cap Cana Compare?
Both Casa de Campo and Cap Cana deliver a five-star luxury experience, but they each offer something unique for different travelers. Here’s how they compare:
| Casa de Campo | Cap Cana | |
| Setting | Along the Chavón River overlooking the Caribbean Sea | On a stretch of Caribbean coastline by the Marina |
| Accommodations | Hotel suites, private villas, estate homes | Hotel suites, private villas |
| Golf | Three Pete Dye-designed championship courses | Three Jack Nicklaus-designed courses |
| Dining | 19 restaurants, including outpost of Le Cirque (NYC) | 16 restaurants from gourmet to casual beachside |
| Ambiance | Exclusive, private, relaxed elegance | Refined luxury with a chic, modern vibe |
| Amenities | World-class tennis, equestrian center, spa | Marina with luxury yachts, casino, nightlife |
Experience Punta Cana Like an A-Lister
Most travelers stick to Punta Cana‘s Bavaro beach strip. But for true luxury seekers, the exclusive Cap Cana and nearby Puntacana Resort & Club are where the Dominican Republic’s jet-set frolic in style.
Punta Cana Guide
First, let’s orient you to Punta Cana. This region on the eastern tip of the island encompasses over 45 miles of coastline and several distinct zones:
Bávaro/Punta Cana: This area comprises the world-famous beach strip with all-inclusive resorts and tourist amenities along the Caribbean Sea.
Puntacana: Home to Puntacana Resort & Club, an elite enclave with hotel suites, residences, restaurants, and the legendary La Cana Golf Course.
Uvero Alto: A more relaxed region of Punta Cana with small luxury boutique hotels.
So while most tourists experience the vibrant, but crowded, Bávaro beaches, those in the know head to Cap Cana or Puntacana for privacy and pampering.
Puntacana Resort & Club
Puntacana Resort & Club is located within the exclusive Puntacana community, just 10 minutes from Cap Cana. The resort spans 15,000 tropical acres and feels akin to a country club, with only 760 members at any given time.
The resort has everything you’d expect from Punta Cana’s most prestigious address:
- 45 holes of golf designed by Tom Fazio
- Access to the private Puntacana International Airport
- Miles of pristine beach
- Luxury shopping at the Galerías at Puntacana
- Six hotels ranging from The Westin to Tortuga Bay by Marriott
But the main draw is the world-famous La Cana Golf Course. Surrounded by swaying palms and the Caribbean Sea, the course regularly ranks among the best in the Western Hemisphere. With elevation changes up to 160 feet (50 meters), its ocean views and challenging design thrill golfers of all skill levels.
After a day on the links, relax by one of Puntacana’s sparkling pools or book a treatment at the Six Senses Spa. As the sun sets, dine at lauded restaurants like Playa Blanca, serving fresh seafood with fine wines. Retire to your elegant suite or private villa nearby.
With its privileged service, natural beauty, and access to Punta Cana’s best amenities, Puntacana Resort & Club delivers the ultimate Caribbean luxury experience. Guests consistently rank it as one of the top resorts not just in Punta Cana, but worldwide.
Why Visit Puntacana?
Here are the highlights that make Puntacana Resort & Club such an alluring choice for discerning travelers:- The #1 golf course in the Caribbean, La Cana Golf Club
- Over 45 holes designed by legendary architect Tom Fazio
- Miles of stunning Punta Cana beach
- Elegant accommodations at Tortuga Bay and The Westin
- Fine dining, especially at Playa Blanca and La Cana Restaurant & Lounge
- The largest Six Senses spa in the Western Hemisphere
- Exclusive, private ambiance within Puntacana
- World-class service catering to members’ every need
- Convenient customs/immigration at Puntacana International Airport
Luxury Villa Rentals Nearby
To live like a celebrity in Punta Cana, rent one of Simply Dominican’s stunning luxury villas near Cap Cana and Puntacana Resort & Club. With private pools, beachfront settings, and lavish details, these exclusive villas rival the amenities of the area’s best hotels. Some recommended options include:- Villa Beachfront F – 6 BR beachfront villa near Cap Cana
- Cocotal Mansion – 8 BR palace near Puntacana Resort
- Villa Paradise Punta Cana – 10 BR oceanview villa in Cap Cana
- Villa El Encinar – 5 BR villa with golf course views
Which Luxury Resort is Right for You?
When planning the ultimate luxury vacation in the Dominican Republic, you’re faced with a wonderful dilemma – choosing between world-class resorts like Casa de Campo, Cap Cana, and Puntacana Resort & Club in Punta Cana. It comes down to the type of experience you want and your must-have amenities. Do you require total privacy, or do you prefer a lively social scene? Is golf your top priority or the beach? Which design style speaks to you – traditional elegance or modern chic? By taking your personal preferences into account, the decision becomes much easier. You can zero in on the resort that truly matches your vision of a dream Caribbean vacation. If you desire complete privacy, tradition, and world-class golf, Casa de Campo is likely the resort for you. Its exclusive atmosphere, Pete Dye golf courses, and suites/villas fit the bill. Travelers wanting refinement, nightlife, and island modernity are better suited to Cap Cana. Its fashionable aesthetics, beach clubs, and unique marina ambiance offer the height of chic luxury. And for those seeking elite service, checkpoints for your private jet, and the Caribbean’s #1 golf course, only Puntacana Resort & Club will suffice. Its membership exclusivity and amenities are unrivaled in the DR. No matter which you choose, the Dominican Republic offers a luxury resort to exceed your expectations. With glittering beaches outside your door, indulgent spa treatments, and gourmet dining, you’re guaranteed an incredible Caribbean vacation. Just be sure to book your elite accommodations with Simply Dominican Villas for personalized service and support. Now that you know which resort fits you best, you can start dreaming of lounging by the pool, strolling pristine beaches, and toeing the tee box on that legendary golf course. Your luxury escape to paradise awaits!Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the top luxury resorts in the Dominican Republic?
Three of the top luxury resorts in the Dominican Republic are:- Casa de Campo – Famed 7,000 acre resort with elite amenities and services.
- Cap Cana – Exclusive gated community with modern luxury style.
- Puntacana Resort & Club – Elite enclave with legendary La Cana Golf Course.