I'm just going to put it out there: I've never considered myself an "all-inclusive" kind of traveler. I usually like to go a bit more off-the-beaten-path, true adventure style. But when Cosmo invited me to take a CosmoTrip to Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, I just couldn't say no.
What's a CosmoTrip, you ask? It's an editor-approved itinerary that outlines exactly where you should stay, eat, and play in various (extremely cool) destinations around the world. I brought my fiancé Patrick along for the ride to the D.R., and we both loved it so much. Not only was the island gorgeous beyond measure, the hotel also did a great job highlighting the local Dominican culture (which, in my experience, is not always the case at all-inclusives!).
TL;DR? I've officially revised my "no all-inclusives" rule—now it's a "if an all-inclusive resort is this sick, then I'm totally there" rule. I would absolutely return to Casa de Campo in a heartbeat, and if you want to follow my lead, here are my tried-and-tested recs:
Stay
Casa de Campo: As I mentioned, Casa de Campo—which is Spanish for country house—is legit stunning. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. The hotel—which has 185+ rooms and suites—is a pretty major celeb hotspot. The Bachelor was filmed there, and the Kardashians have stayed there, too. Not surprisingly, there are enormous yachts in the harbor that give off major A-list energy, and the hotel is also home to a world-famous golf course, gorgeous pools, and the ultimate private beach (seriously, find me some softer sand...I'll wait).
As if that's not enough, there are tons of other activities and restaurants to fill your time, too—you truly cannot get bored at this hotel! Equestrian program? Check. Polo matches? Check. Tennis courts? Yup. Movie theatre? Got it. Fishing excursions? Of course. Nightlife? No place makes my list without one.
Play
Take a stroll around Altos de Chavón. Yes, you're in the Dominican Republic, but this beautiful spot will make you feel like you're in Italy or Greece—and that's the whole point. It's a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village smack dab in the middle of the tropics, complete with a gorgeous amphitheater, cobblestone streets, mountain views, and lots of charming shops and restaurants. There's even an archaeological museum that provides a good history of the local area—something I always try to learn about wherever I travel. Pro tip: Go around sunset for absolutely stunning magic-hour light! The whole area is so idyllic, it honestly feels like you're in a Disney movie.
Do a boat trip to Isla Catalina. As part of my CosmoTrip, Cosmo arranged a boat trip for me and Patrick to Isla Catalina, a little island about one and a half miles from the shoreline. The ride there was stunning, with perfect skies and crystal-blue water (seriously, it almost looks radioactive). When we arrived, there were already umbrellas and towels and snorkeling gear waiting for our group (we traveled with a few other guests from the resort), courtesy of the hotel. There's also a bar on the island, and drinks were included in the experience, so Patrick and I grabbed a couple piña coladas and just chilled. It was perfect!
Live the private cabana life at Minitas: This was undoubtedly my favorite part of the trip. Cosmo hooked us up with a private cabana for the afternoon—lunch included!—and the whole thing felt really exclusive and VIP. The restaurant is known for their piña coladas, so we got more of those (delicious!), plus some fresh seafood and a Greek salad before going for a dip in the infinity pool.
Go skeet shooting (yes, skeet shooting): For those who don't know, skeet shooting is basically where you shoot moving clay targets. My fiancé and I had an instructor with us who taught us the basics, and by the end of the 30-minute course, I had hit three in a row!
Eat
Dinner at La Caña: As part of my CosmoTrip, Cosmo curated a special off-menu dinner at the hotel for me and my fiancé, prepared by the executive chef. The whole menu was inspired by local Dominican foods, which I loved because I always try to learn more about the local cuisine when I travel. Everything was tapas style, and almost everything had plantains in it. We had coconut shrimp with rice, a farmer's cheese toast, and a tres leches dessert. My favorite was the cheese toast, but that could also be because I’m just really, really into cheese. Also of note: If you go, make sure to check out La Cana after dinner, because they have live music there every night in the lounge area outside the restaurant. You can even buy cigars from the cigar factor next door.
Drinks at Chilango Taqueria: This is such a great happy hour spot at the resort, with colorful decor and a lively feel. We went before our dinner and got palomas—they were so delicious! They bring them in smoky glasses; it's all very Instagrammy and fun.
Dinner at La Piazzetta: If you're looking for some classic romance dinner vibes during your stay, this place is for you. Think delicious Italian food, dim lights, white tablecloths and a very fun fact: It was originally decorated by Oscar de la Renta (no wonder it's so beautiful). They even had a Mariachi band who played songs on request! My favorite: Bamboleo.
Breakfast at Lago: This is another one of the restaurants at the hotel (there are so many!), and what's really cool about eating here is that it overlooks the golf course on the sea—so you start your day with a real sense of ~place~. The views are just gorgeous. The food itself is buffet style, and you can go for literally anything, from omelets to crepes to typical, traditional Dominican food. All so good!
I’m a marketing professional based in the New York tri-state area, and I run the travel and lifestyle brand Svadore. (I adore everything travel and lifestyle, hence the name Svadore.) Travel has been a part of my life since birth: I was born in Hong Kong, lived in Japan, spent summers in my parents’ Italian hometowns of Milan and Lake Maggiore, and then moved to the US when I was 11. I speak three languages, including Italian and French, and devote my free time to globetrotting and sharing my experiences with the world.
