More than golf at Casa de Campo

While perhaps best known for its world-class golf courses, Casa de Campo resort is looking to increase the number of Canadian travellers by showcasing all the resort has to offer beyond the links.

Casa de Campo's Rafael Torres, president, and Leandro Cruz, vice president - sales, sat down with PAX this week to discuss this Dominican Republic property and its various tourist draws, from sun to sports and all points in between.

“I think a lot of the Canadian agents are aware of us for golf but we’re much more than that,” Cruz explained. “Also, people want more than sand, water, sun and palm trees – we’re more than those four things. We have that and much more.”

The property

In addition to its 274 hotel rooms, Casa de Campo features three- to ten-bedroom villas for guests. The resort, which offers guests golf carts to travel across the property, also boasts the only private beach in the Dominican Republic, where no motorized watersports are permitted. Cruz said that a new dance club for the property is also set to open this winter.

Foodies can choose from 12 restaurants at Casa de Campo, which is partnered with the Le Cirque restaurant chain. A unique feature to the resort is Altos de Chavon, a replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village which boasts some permanent residents amongst its homes. Altos de Chavon also serves as a centre for the arts, hosting performances from the likes of Andrea Bocelli as well as an art school and a gallery dedicated to the works of the Caribbean's native Taino people.

Golf and beyond

With ‘the sporting life’ as its slogan, Casa de Campo offers guests an all-star lineup of activities for every taste and level of athleticism. The property’s best known feature is perhaps Teeth of the Dog, an 18-hole golf course created by world-renowned designer Pete Dye, who also crafted the resort’s two other courses. The resort also offers 13 tennis courts, which will soon host a school from professional tennis player Jim Courier.

Polo and shooting sports (including skeet, trap and hunting for pheasant or quail) are also offered, and for soccer players, a summer clinic currently hosted by FC Barcelona will  also soon take place during holidays such as Christmas or Easter.

Weddings and groups

Destination weddings are a big part of Casa de Campo’s offerings, Cruz explained, with opportunities for ceremonies of all denominations including Catholic, Hindu and Muslim weddings. Two conference centres – at capacities of 300 and 500 – provide plenty of space for wedding ceremonies as well as business and incentive groups, another segment that Torres and Cruz are looking to increase in the Canadian market.

For agents

Travel agents looking to explore Casa de Campo for themselves can take advantage of special agency rates; interested agents can contact Cruz at lcruz@ccampo.com for more details.