Each week our holiday hero, Neil Simpson, delves into a great holiday theme and does all the legwork so you don’t have to. This week: Luxury hotels in the Dominican Republic.
History and luxury collide at the five-star resort Casa de Campo, which has welcomed guests from Henry Kissinger and Bill Clinton to Hugh Grant and Justin Bieber.
It has hosted polo games for five decades and even built an airstrip so Frank Sinatra could sing in its Greek-inspired amphitheater and fly on excursions in a private jet. But surprisingly, the hotel is on an island where prices don’t necessarily break the bank: the Dominican Republic.
“We’ve spent years reviewing the best hotels in the Dominican Republic, and they’re every bit as luxurious as those on other Caribbean islands,” says expert Hugh Graham-Watson of travel website thehotelguru.com. “But while some prices are high, many can be good value for money.”
Casa de Campo offers guests other luxury extras like a marina and villas overlooking the beach that tumble into a grove of swaying palms, and will open a lavish spa and wellness center this spring.
Holiday hero Neil Simpson reveals the best luxury hotels in the Dominican Republic, including five-star resort Casa de Campo (above) on his list
Casa de Campo is opening a spacious spa and wellness center this spring. Above is the hotel’s Teeth of the Dog golf course
Casa de Campo has hosted guests from Henry Kissinger to Hugh Grant (pictured above in the hotel)
It is now taking reservations for its other expansion: a hotel within a hotel with 58 large suites with private entrances and a dedicated staff. Book seven nights all inclusive in a Premier Club Suite from £3,715 pp including flights (british airways.com/dominicanrepublic). Or opt for seven all-inclusive nights in a traditional Casa de Campo room from £2,266 per person, including flights (tui.co.uk).
The Dominican Republic also offers a fashionable version of the Tortuga Bay Hotel designed by Oscar de la Renta. Located on the grounds of the larger Puntacana Resort & Club, it features an exclusive enclave of 13 villas on a private beach.
The Dominican-born fashion designer selected the furniture, artwork and interior designs of each villa – and guests can relax by Tortuga Bay’s private pool or enjoy the golf course, Six Senses Spa and other amenities at the Puntacana Resort. Seven nights in a one-bedroom Tortuga Bay Suite in Spring starts from £2,830 per person, including flights and breakfast (loveholidays.com).
Another Dominican Republic hotel with a unique twist is the Eden Roc in Cap Cana, part of the luxury Relais & Chateaux family.
The 34-suite hotel has a mix of beachfront rooms with separate living and sleeping areas, as well as a range of bungalows with white walls, vaulted ceilings and private pools. It features a spa, personal trainers for fitness sessions on the sand, and access to three Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses.
Bill Clinton waves on the shores of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Enjoy a fashionable stay at the Oscar de la Renta-designed Tortuga Bay Hotel (photo)
Remote: Pictured is the exclusive 34-suite Eden Roc Beach at Cap Cana Resort
A short golf cart ride from the hotel is one of the newest and most unique attractions: a candlelit underground cave where you can book a romantic dinner for two on a wooden platform suspended in the middle of an ancient cave. A four-course meal with champagne, a private waiter and musicians costs from £1,000 per couple, with a couple’s massage the next morning as an extra. Book a 7-night holiday at the Eden Roc in Capa Cana from £2,500 per person, including flights (scottdunn.com).
While beaches, water sports and golf courses are the island’s main attractions, the Dominican Republic also boasts a colonial-style capital, Santo Domingo. The city walls, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are home to palaces, a cathedral, museums and markets galore.
It is also home to the Casas del XVI boutique hotel, with 20 large rooms spread over five buildings – one of which was once the home of the country’s president. Guests can expect private courtyards with mango trees, palm trees and swimming pools. A full alfresco breakfast is included in room rates from £293 per night (mrandmrssmith.com).
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
