When I was a kid, I spent many summer weeks in this sprawling resort project in the southeast portion of the country. A few days ago we went to visit family who were staying here and I got to revisit some old haunts.

Casa de Campo is the original luxury resort/club in the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana Resort & Club was based off the Casa de Campo idea). Like Punta Cana Resort & Club, you can choose between staying in a hotel room or renting a villa. And with 28 square kilometers of grounds to choose from, odds are you’ll find something to tickle your fancy here.

The pros: Like Punta Cana Resort & Club, Casa de Campo offers a huge number of amenities including world-class golf courses, critically acclaimed restaurants, a beautiful marina, stables, a private, very calm beach (great for the kiddies!) and much more. And guests at Casa de Campo get free access to my favorite attraction in the area, Altos de Chavon.

The cons: It’s pricey, but money isn’t a problem for most of the guests here. For a more affordable option, rent an inland villa and split with a big group (we were known to fit 10-15 in a 3 or 4 bedroom house here). Also, as wonderful as the beach-side services are here, I found the beach itself to be rather small. This problem may be solved by renting a beach-side villa, but that will cost you!

Overall: I think Casa de Campo is a great option for families with a little bit of cash to spare. My childhood memories of this place trump all other DR experiences of those times. Casa de Campo definitely gets a few more points from me than Punta Cana Resort & Club, but they are mostly awarded due to nostalgia.