The History of Casa de Campo: The Most Exclusive Resort in the Caribbean
More than a resort, a kingdom When you cross the entrance to Casa de Campo, you are not arriving at a hotel, you are entering a self-contained universe of 7,000 acres on the coast of La Romana. Here, the Caribbean air and the scent of bougainvillea replace the noise of the outside world, and the pulse of life is marked by the silent golf carts gliding along its avenues. But what is Casa de Campo really? The history of Casa de Campo is a saga of transformation that defies imagination, a journey from vast sugar cane fields to becoming a haven for presidents, Hollywood legends, and global icons. Join us as we uncover the story of how the world’s largest sugar mill became the most exclusive resort in the Caribbean.
The History of Casa de Campo: Charles Bluhdorn’s Vision
Before the villas and golf courses, this land was the heart of Central Romana, the largest sugar empire on the planet, owned by the Gulf + Western conglomerate. The transformation began with two men: Charles Bluhdorn, the charismatic and formidable CEO of Gulf + Western, known as “The Mad Austrian of Wall Street,” and Alvaro Carta, the Cuban executive who ran the sugar mill.
Bluhdorn’s genius was to merge his two worlds: heavy industry and Hollywood glamour, as he also owned Paramount Pictures. He didn’t think like a hotelier, but like a film producer. His vision was not just to build a resort, but to create a “world,” a perfect setting that would attract his friends, from Frank Sinatra to Oscar de la Renta, and eventually transform the Dominican Republic into a mecca for tourism and cinema.
Teeth of the Dog: The #1 Golf Course in the Caribbean
Every great vision needs an anchor, and Casa de Campo’s was golf. Alvaro Carta hired legendary designer Pete Dye, who, after ruling out several sites, chose a coastal coral rock wasteland that was considered useless. What followed was an epic feat of craftsmanship.
Instead of using heavy machinery, a team of 300 Dominican workers, armed only with sledgehammers, picks, and chisels, carved the course directly from the stone. The workers called the sharp coral rock “dog’s teeth,” and from that vernacular expression was born the course’s legendary name: Teeth of the Dog®. Opened in 1971, it was immediately hailed as the best course in the Caribbean, especially for its impressive seven holes bordering the sea. This course not only attracted golfers from around the world; it was the economic and marketing engine that justified the creation of the airport, the marina, and the entire community of luxury villas.
Altos de Chavón: A Mediterranean Village in the Heart of the Caribbean
If Teeth of the Dog is the engine, Altos de Chavón is the soul. In 1976, Bluhdorn decided to use stone from a dynamited mountain to build a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village. For this task, he hired Paramount Pictures production designer Roberto Coppa.
This is the key to understanding Altos de Chavón: it is not a historical reconstruction, but a permanent and functional movie set. Each stone was hand-carved to create a vibrant cultural center, with galleries, an archaeological museum, and the prestigious Altos de Chavón School of Design, affiliated with Parsons in New York. The crown jewel is its Greek-style amphitheater for 5,000 people, inaugurated in 1982 by an immortal legend: Frank Sinatra, in a concert televised worldwide.
The Fanjul family era and the creation of the Casa de Campo Marina
Following the unexpected death of Charles Bluhdorn in 1983, Casa de Campo was acquired in 1984 by the Fanjul family. They made a strategic decision that changed everything: transforming the resort from a private Gulf + Western executive retreat into a luxury destination open to the global public.
This change sparked an era of massive expansion. The “Casitas” and the conference center were built, and the airfield was expanded to become La Romana International Airport (LRM). The touch of elegance was provided by Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta, a friend of Bluhdorn’s, who designed the original interiors, infusing them with a timeless style. The culmination of this era was the inauguration in 2000 of the Casa de Campo Marina, a world-class port inspired by Portofino that became the new nerve center of the resort.
Casa de Campo Today: Villa Rentals, Real Estate, and Luxury Activities
Today, Casa de Campo is a self-sufficient luxury “micro-nation.” Within its 7,000 acres, you will find:
- Exclusive Accommodations: From elite rooms to more than 2,300 private villas, ranging from $500,000 to $40 million, earning it the nickname “the Hamptons of the Caribbean.”
- An Ecosystem of Activities:
- Golf: Three Pete Dye courses, including the legendary Teeth of the Dog.
- Sports: The “Wimbledon of the Caribbean” tennis center, an equestrian center with polo fields, and a shooting range.
- Sea and Beach: The private Minitas Beach and a vibrant marina for yachts and sport fishing.
- Gastronomy: More than eight world-class restaurants offering a diverse and sophisticated menu.
- Culture and Wellness: The Altos de Chavón experience, a luxury spa, swimming pools, and family programs.
How to experience Casa de Campo
The story of Casa de Campo is a testament to vision, craftsmanship, and constant evolution. But it is a living history, written every day by the experiences of its guests. The most authentic way to become part of this legend is not just to visit, but to inhabit it. To ensure a seamless experience, it is helpful to know what things you need to consider when booking a villa.
Once you have chosen the perfect property, our practical checklist for planning and packing will help you with all the preparations for your trip. A Casa de Campo villa rental is the key to unlocking a level of privacy, freedom, and service that represents the true essence of this Caribbean paradise.
➡️ Explore our exclusive inventory of villas for rent for your next vacation.
