Considering booking a villa in one of the Dominican Republic’s gorgeous resort communities for your next holiday – but having a hard time determining which one is right for your travel group?
It can be a complicated and overwhelming choice when you’re doing all your own research (and the last thing you want to do is end up having a sub-par holiday as a result of ending up at a resort community that’s not ideal for you!).
But never fear – it’s possible to ensure you end up exactly where you’ll be happiest! This article will break it all down for you, by sharing insider knowledge directly from our team of Villa Specialists here at Rental Escapes. They regularly help our clients (people just like you!) to understand which resort community will be best for their needs, and then guide them in selecting the perfect villa inside that resort community, too.
In short, we have the scoop on everything you could possibly want to know about Cap Cana, Casa de Campo, and Punta Cana Resort and Club – so read on to be empowered to plan a vacation that feels like your perfect fit!
First things first.
To begin, let’s answer a very important question: What is a “resort community”, exactly? And how does it differ from staying at an all-inclusive resort, a hotel, or an independent villa?
Well, a resort community is a large, gated property that contains dozens (sometimes hundreds!) of villas. It’s different from staying at an independent villa (even one in a gated community), because guests who stay in a villa in a resort community have access to the resort community’s various amenities, from private beaches to restaurants to kids’ activities to nightlife (whereas if you were in a standalone villa, you’d need to organize, and probably drive to, your own).
And it’s different from staying at a resort, because you get to enjoy the serenity and privacy that comes with having your very own villa, often with a private pool and lush gardens.
That’s why when it comes to planning a stellar vacation, you might say a resort community is the best of both worlds!
The Dominican Republic’s three preeminent resort communities
The D.R. boasts three fabulous resort communities, each with its own collection of incredible villas to choose from, and a spectacular set of amenities to complement your luxurious accommodations. They are Cap Cana, Casa de Campo, and Punta Cana Resort and Club.
Below, we’ll explain exactly what those unique amenities are at each resort community, but in case you’re short on time, we’d like to share our Villa Specialists’ thoughts on what makes each resort community special:
What Cap Cana does best, according to our Villa Specialists: Cap Cana’s style can best be described as “upscale luxury”, with villas that are quite modern in feel. Cap Cana offers the Caleton Beach Club, with beach butlers and at the Eden Roc Hotel, fine dining, spa services with a holistic center, and golf.
What Casa de Campo does best, according to our Villa Specialists: Great golf, exciting live shows and entertainment, ideal for weddings and corporate retreats, has a world-class shooting center and fine dining, and its accommodations (villas) are particularly luxurious. Plus, there’s the fun of getting around the resort community on your own private golf cart!
What Punta Cana Resort and Club does best, according to our Villa Specialists: Punta Cana Resort and Club has the best beach among the resort communities (it’s three miles long), 45 holes of championship golf, and villas at all price points. It’s close to Punta Cana’s nightlife, great for families, has its own beach club, and offers watersports (such as kitesurfing) and tennis.
Ok – now let’s take a closer look at each of the resort communities, and what sets them apart!
We’ll do this by examining the following seven categories: location, food, staff, activities, beach, kids’ stuff, and villas.
Location
What all three resort communities have in common: Each is within a 20-minute drive of its closest airport. Whichever option you choose, you won’t be stuck taking a long airport transfer. You’ll be just minutes away from tasting your first tropical beverage by the edge of your villa’s private pool!
Where the three resort communities differ:
Cap Cana:
You’ll find Cap Cana (which has an area of about 30,000 acres) on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, just 20 minutes from Punta Cana airport. It’s located directly beside Punta Cana Resort and Club, so the view from the beach is similar, although it’s got a lot of undeveloped areas, creating a more “spread out” feel.
Casa de Campo:
Located in the La Romana area of the Dominican Republic, and set on 7,000 beautiful acres, Casa de Campoo is just minutes from the La Romana airport. Be sure that your flight lands here, as opposed to at the Punta Cana airport, if you want to get to your villa quickly.
Punta Cana Resort and Club:
Consisting of 15,000 acres of land, Punta Cana Resort and Club is located in the Punta Cana area (as the name suggests). Cap Cana is next door. The grounds of Punta Cana Resort and Club feel more “dense” than Cap Cana in terms of the number of villas and other buildings that are found there, and how close together they are.
Food
What all three resort communities have in common: Each resort community has quite a few dining options (including fine dining) that you can avail yourself of. The cost of your meals is not included, but you have priority making reservations, which can easily be made via the Rental Escapes concierge team. Speaking of which, we advise planning your restaurant reservations ahead of time, especially if you’re traveling with a large group, or if you’re going to be in the Dominican Republic during a peak travel week.
Where the three resort communities differ:
Cap Cana: For those looking for a diverse gourmet culinary experience, Cap Cana offers 26 different eateries ranging from fine dining to beachside restaurants to gelato parlours and cafes.
Casa de Campo: Casa De Campo has some of the best restaurants on island, including SBG and La Cana.
Punta Cana Resort and Club: Offers six different restaurants, including La Yola, a stunning oceanfront option for those who enjoy dining with a direct view of the Caribbean sea.
Staff
What all three resort communities have in common: All villas in the resort communities come with daily housekeeping, and some will include a chef and butler. If the villa you’ve fallen in love with doesn’t include chef or butler services, however, they can always be arranged for you – either for your entire stay, or a special meal or occasion that you plan to celebrate during your holiday.
With that being said, service at Cap Cana’s Caleton Beach Club is widely known to be second to none. It features private beach butlers who are standing by to keep you fed and refreshed!
Activities
What all three resort communities have in common: You’ll find plenty of ways to entertain every member of your travel group at any of the resort communities, whether you’re a golfer, a fan of cultural discoveries, a music lover, or an adventurer who loves to get out into nature.
Where the three resort communities differ:
Cap Cana: Inside the gates of Cap Cana, all kinds of excitement is waiting for you at Scape Park. Scape Park is an eco theme park that offers ziplining, off-road truck expeditions, a beautiful cenote (a cenote is a natural swimming hole that’s partially underground, filled with crystal-clear water), bike trails, and exotic animals of all stripes. The Rental Escapes concierge team can arrange your entire Scape Park package for you according to your unique preferences.
Casa de Campo: On the grounds of Casa de Campo, you’ll find an authentic 16th century Mediterranean village called Altos de Chavon. Exploring the village offers an unforgettable cultural experience that you’ll want to document with plenty of photos! There are also three world-class golf courses (designed by Pete Dye) just waiting for you to hit the links, as well as a night golf driving range and chipping and putting contests. And finally ,Casa de Campo is one of the few spots where you can catch a Ricky Martin or Enrique Iglesias show on a regular basis!
Punta Cana Resort and Club: Athletes will adore the amenities at Punta Cana Resort and Club, which include two championship oceanside golf courses (Corales by Tom Fazio and La Cana by P.B. Dye), tennis courts, and a fitness center. There are also stunning freshwater lagoons right on the property (with their own Ecological Foundation) – and let’s not forget the world renowned Six Senses Spa. You can access Scape Park with relative ease from Punta Cana Resort and Club, but you’ll need to take a shuttle or drive over. As always, your Rental Escapes concierge can assist you with all your transportation needs.
Beach:
What all three resort communities have in common: All three offer a beach of some kind, but they vary significantly in terms of size and layout.
Where the three resort communities differ:
Cap Cana:
Cap Cana’s beach isn’t especially big, but you’ll enjoy terrific service and an exclusive feel as you bask in the sunshine there on your own chaise with palapa (straw umbrella).
Casa de Campo:
At Casa de Campo, you’ll find one small beach, so this may not be the top pick for you if you’re a true beach bum – or if you love to take long walks with your toes in the sand.
Punta Cana Resort and Club:
Ideal for groups looking for larger beach spaces. There are two main beach clubs – Playa Blanca, and Playa Serena – set on three miles of sugary white sand. Truly one of the best beaches in the Caribbean!
Kids’ Stuff
What all three resort communities have in common: Kids are welcome at all three resort communities, so as a parent, the only thing you’ll need to worry about is keeping up with your little ones as they play the day away!
Where the three resort communities differ:
Cap Cana:
Cap Cana is a kids’ paradise, offering the Children’s Farm inside Scape Park (your children will have a blast petting the baby goats and ponies!) as well as tennis and surf lessons and a mini spa for tykes at “Koko’s Club” (photo above).
Casa de Campo:
If your kids get bored of playing sports, horseback riding, or splashing in the pool or ocean, Casa de Campo provides special supervised programs for various age groups, which include arts and crafts, puppet shows, music, treasure hunts, and more! And parents can also avail themselves of the resort community’s professional nanny and babysitting services.
Punta Cana Resort and Club:
You won’t find any shortage of kids’ activities here. From snorketing to horseback riding to kayaking to the petting zoo, Punta Cana Resort and Club has plenty to keep their littlest guests entertained.
Villas
All three of the Dominican Republic’s resort communities offer a plethora of villas designed and decorated in various styles, at various price points. Below, we’ve included three of our favourite villas from each, to give you a sense of the diversity that exists.
Our Reservations Team is standing by to talk to you about what you’re looking for and help you find the villa of your dreams at Cap Cana, Casa de Campo, or Punta Cana Resort and Club!
Cap Cana:
Yarari Royale – A brand new 9-bedroom property:
Villa Varadero – Secluded and exclusive:
Casa de Campo:
Darsena 20: Great for large groups and multi-generational families:
Cacique 28 – Affordable and spacious:
Las Canas 20 – Ideal for entertaining:
Punta Cana Resort and Club:
La Palapa – Modern and very budget-friendly:
Tortuga Bay C19 – Excellent for big groups:
Villa Blanca (Tortuga Bay) – Remarkable staff who go the extra mile:
So – how to decide?!
In closing, the most important question to ask yourself about which resort community is for you, (before moving on to choosing the villa you desire), is this:
What “makes” a vacation for you?
If you love to be pampered and not have to lift a finger, Cap Cana’s top-notch service may be what you’re after.
If playing golf on the best courses the world has to offer is your thing, Casa de Campo is likely your best bet.
If you love to hang out on, or stroll the length of, a postcard-perfect beach, Punta Cana Resort and Club is undoubtedly for you.
What next?
Now that you’ve gotten a sense of which resort community is best for your travel group, the next step is to pick your perfect villa within that community – which is what we specialize in helping you with here at Rental Escapes!
When you book your villa in Cap Cana, Casa de Campo, or Punta Cana Resort and Club through Rental Escapes, you’ll immediately start accumulating loyalty points that you can use towards all kinds of villa add-ons that you can enjoy during future stays at Rental Escapes properties.
And let’s not forget – our concierge team is standing by to assist you in curating a seamlessly smooth, unforgettably perfect experience that will unfold over the course of your Rental Escapes vacation.
- Click here to begin the hunt for your perfect villa in Cap Cana
- Click here to begin the hunt for your perfect villa in Casa de Campo
- Click here to begin the hunt for your perfect villa in Punta Cana Resort and Club
Alternatively, we invite you to give us a call at 1-800-208-5097 to chat directly with one of our Villa Specialists. Whether you already know exactly what villa, resort community, and dates you’re after, or you need help talking things through from the beginning of the process, we’re standing by to assist!
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