Review: Secrets Cap Cana Resort and Spa, Dominican Republic
Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, October 6th, 2017
Categories: Golf For Women • Golf Life • Golf Lifestyle • HOG World Tour • Life • Reviews • Travel
Tags: Caribbean • Caribbean Golf • Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Travel
Categories: Golf For Women • Golf Life • Golf Lifestyle • HOG World Tour • Life • Reviews • Travel
Tags: Caribbean • Caribbean Golf • Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Travel
If you were considering a Caribbean vacation but thought otherwise due to recent hurricane damage, think again. The Dominican Republic was not directly hit by Hurricane Irma or Hurricane Harvey, and their tourism industry is 100% open for business. If you’re looking for an all-inclusive Caribbean resort suggestion or Caribbean stay and play golf ideas, read on.
Secrets Cap Cana Resort and Spa
Overview
Secrets Cap Cana Resort and Spa is a sparkling brand new all-inclusive, adults only Dominican Republic resort which opened in November of 2016. The resort features 457 suites in several different buildings. Some rooms feature lovely swim-outs as seen below. In addition there is a spa, fitness area, beach, and massive pool area with bars all over so one isn’t far from a tasty and refreshing island beverage of choice, all included of course.
The resort features a spectacular open-air lobby area which contains resort registration, a bar, shops, coffee shop, and live entertainment most evenings.
Suites
My suite at Secrets Cap Cana was comfortable and spacious. The bed was so fantastic I wish I could have taken it home with me. I slept so well on it. Inside the room is a desk, sitting furniture, linen closet, large screen TV, safe, dressers, and secret box. The secret box is where you can request staff to put items you request, like room service.
The shower in the room was huge with three water spouts, two in the ceiling. The bathroom featured two very cool sinks, great lighting, and an isolated toilet.
The deck area in my room had a great view (night shot above). On the deck was a nice sitting area as well as a bathtub. I quite enjoyed my evening outdoor bath. It was, liberating. Yes I washed behind my ears.
Next time I get back, and I hope it is soon, I hope to get a “swim out” room. They’re rooms on the ground level with their own semi-private swimming area. See picture below:
Dining
Secrets features eight gourmet restaurants, all included with the all-inclusive resort fee. If you want to eat sushi every day of your vacation, there’s no extra cost. There are also restaurants featuring French, Italian, Japanese, buffet, snacks, and more. I really enjoyed the spectacular buffet for breakfast and lunch (below). There are numerous themed areas for meats, fruit, beverages, breads, entrees and custom prepared items. The meats and cheeses were fantastic. My go-to places were the buffet and the coffee shop. I enjoyed numerous lattes, shakes, and snacks in the coffee shop.
The resort occupies a massive acreage on the southeastern shore of the Dominican Republic, just 30 minutes or so from the Punta Cana airport. The Punta Cana airport is home to flights from most major airlines.
Activities
Naturally the fantastic weather and warm shallow waters of the Caribbean provide many possible activities. On property of course is the beach, with soft, fine sand. The water is very shallow and warm, and the shallow area extends hundreds of feet out. My guess is 500 feet. I thoroughly enjoyed relaxing on the beach as the service folks came by with my beverages of choice. One must stay hydrated of course. Other water activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, fishing, yachting, water sports and even working out in resort provided classes on the beach.
My group enjoyed a catamaran excursion which was very fun. The excursion included a scenic cruise along the shoreline, snorkeling, and even chilling out sipping beverages served up in a floating bar.
Secrets Cap Cana features a huge pool area. Sections and slivers of the pool wind in many directions. Numerous areas have a small connected pool area which is surrounded by a small number of lounge chairs. The pool could easily accommodate hundreds of people, yet each person would feel like it isn’t crowded because of the layout.
There are several bars in the pool area and plenty of service people to make sure the fun is flowing. There’s also a hot tub, but it didn’t make sense to use it when I was there.
The Dominican Republic is undoubtedly the golf capital of the Caribbean. It’s home to the 39th ranked golf course in the world, Teeth of the Dog, the masterpiece of famed architect Pete Dye. Teeth of the Dog is located at Casa de Campo, roughly a 60 minute drive from the resort. A mere 30 minutes away is Punta Cana, a Jack Nicklaus signature design which is ranked the #1 course in the Caribbean and Latin America. These two courses produce some of the most scenic and dramatic oceanside golf you’ll ever experience. There are nearly 30 other courses to choose from in the Dominican as well, including another famous Pete Dye called Dye Fore.
On most nights one can enjoy live entertainment at Secrets, ranging from small combos to full bands, and DJ’s.
Meetings/Banquets
If you have a group or business need, there is a business area with computers. There are some great meeting areas and banquet rooms which can handle very large groups.
Staff
Service is very important in the travel industry. The staff at Secrets works hard to provide their part of a fantastic experience. Despite only being open for about a year, the management at Secrets has their system down and have trained their staff to be courteous, knowledgeable, and ready for anything.
Photo courtesy of Greg Corbo
I was warmly greeted by every staff member and all were extremely polite and helpful throughout my entire 5-day stay.
Weather
The weather in the Dominican Republic doesn’t fluctuate much, except in rainy season. I was there in rainy season and it rained for 10 minutes on the way to the resort from the airport. That was it. Year-round the temperatures are always going to be somewhere between 75-90. The humidity is quite high and I did have to adjust, coming from a desert. Be ready to sweat when not in the pool or the ocean. Stay hydrated and bring plenty of sunscreen.
Final Comments
Secrets Cap Cana Resort and Spa is a fantastic choice for a romantic, all-inclusive trip with your loved one. The crisp new facilities are warm and welcoming with great dining and activities and of course, great weather.
Secrets and the fantastic golf courses nearby would also make for a great golf buddy trip. Forget Florida, South Carolina or other golf destinations. Make the Dominican Republic the location of your next golf buddy trip.
HOG World Tour Visits the #1 Golf Course in the Caribbean and Latin America, Punta Espada Golf Club
Written by: Tony Korologos | Thursday, October 5th, 2017
Categories: Golf • Golf Course Architecture • Golf Courses • Golf For Women • Golf Lifestyle • HOG World Tour • Travel
Tags: Caribbean • Caribbean Golf • Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Golf Travel
Categories: Golf • Golf Course Architecture • Golf Courses • Golf For Women • Golf Lifestyle • HOG World Tour • Travel
Tags: Caribbean • Caribbean Golf • Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Golf Travel
I had to take a moment to soak in what was happening yesterday. I was in one of those “special golf places” which leaves memories for a lifetime. The contrasting green of Punta Espada Golf Club and the blue waters of the Caribbean were really making me thankful for the opportunities I’ve been able to capitalize on through my 11+ years of hard work on one of the internet’s top golf blogs.
Punta Espada Golf Club is a Jack Nicklaus signature design golf course in the Dominican Republic. Hole after hole lines the Caribbean with dramatic views and thrilling and challenging tee shots over the water. I couldn’t help saying to myself numerous times, “Pebble who?”
I’ve played more Jack Nicklaus courses than I can remember, but this one is different. Many of Jack’s courses can look a little too similar to me, but this one is a one and only, unique experience. Perhaps it’s the terrain. Perhaps Jack was completely in the zone when he designed it. Probably a bit of both.
I’ll be posting my full review in the next few weeks. If you’re planning a Caribbean golf stay and play, I strongly recommend Punta Espada Golf Club.
HOG World Tour Visits Pete Dye’s Teeth of the Dog Course, Dominican Republic
Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, October 4th, 2017
Categories: Golf • Golf Course Architecture • Golf Courses • Golf For Women • HOG World Tour
Tags: Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Pete Dye
Categories: Golf • Golf Course Architecture • Golf Courses • Golf For Women • HOG World Tour
Tags: Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Pete Dye
The day I could write this post has been on my golf blog bucket list for a long, long time. I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to play Pete Dye’s “masterpiece,” Teeth of the Dog in the Dominican Republic. Pete Dye is one of the most famous and respected golf architects in history. You may have heard of some of his other courses like TPC Sawgrass or Harbour Town Golf Links. I could go on.
Teeth of the Dog is located at the resort and beach club Casa de Campo.
Above is the par-3 5th hole, one of three par-3 holes which are by the water. Not sure I can think of a course which has three such stunning par-3’s.
I’m still on location in the Dominican Republic. I leave for the now cold HOG World Headquarters tomorrow with tanned skin, lots of photos, and memories for a lifetime.
Stay tuned for my full Teeth of the Dog review soon.
HOG World Tour Visits the Dominican Republic’s La Cana Golf Club
Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, October 2nd, 2017
Categories: Golf • Golf Courses • HOG World Tour • Travel
Tags: Caribbean • Caribbean Golf • Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Pete Dye
Categories: Golf • Golf Courses • HOG World Tour • Travel
Tags: Caribbean • Caribbean Golf • Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Pete Dye
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, so here is 4,000 words describing my round of golf today at La Cana Golf Club in the Dominican Republic. La Cana is a P.B Dye design, the son of architect Pete Dye.
The last two are the 5th hole on the “Tortuga (turtle)” nine. This hole has shades of #17 at Edgewood Tahoe and the 15th at Kingsbarns Golf Links. The Tortuga nine gets its name from the “turtle cave,” found by one of the greens.
Stay tuned for my full review over the next few months, when I’m back home and there’s snow on the ground.
Checking in from the Dominican Republic
Written by: Tony Korologos | Sunday, October 1st, 2017
Categories: Golf For Women • Golf Life • HOG World Tour • Life • Travel
Tags: Caribbean • Caribbean Golf • Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Secrets Resorts
Categories: Golf For Women • Golf Life • HOG World Tour • Life • Travel
Tags: Caribbean • Caribbean Golf • Dominican Golf • Dominican Republic • Dominican Republic Golf • Secrets Resorts
Greetings from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. I’ve arrived at my home base for the next few days, Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa. I’m here for a HOG World Tour stop to review a couple of Dominican Republic golf courses and resorts. Check out this amazing place.
While I’m here I will have quite a full schedule so I won’t be able to do a ton of blog posts. I will however be making social posts often so tune into the HOG Twitter, HOG Facebook, and HOG Instagram for more of a live stream.
I spent the afternoon relaxing on the great soft sandy beach here, sampling some of the all-inclusive “beverages” as seen in the photo below. I swam in the warm waters. The depth is about three feet for probably 300 yards or more from the shore. It’s great.
Contrary to popular belief the Dominican Republic was not destroyed by hurricane Irma or xxx. Fortunately for this island in the Caribbean the hurricanes didn’t hit here directly like they did Puerto Rico. One may have heard that “Dominica” was decimated, but that is a small island; not the same as the Dominican Republic.
Coming up I’ll be checking out golf architect Pete Dye’s Teeth of the Dog course as well as Jack Nicklaus’s Punta Cana course.
Stay tuned here and on the social networks mentioned above. I can guarantee it’s going to be great stuff.
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