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This article previously published on Forbes
Written by Debbi Kickham - Former editor of Robb Report, Debbi has written about luxuries from Asprey to Zegna.
I came, I saw, I had a two-therapist massage.
This delightful, fun-filled experience happened at Casa de Campo, a AAA four-star luxury resort in the Dominican Republic. The haute hotel, situated on 7,000 acres, exudes silken service and cashmere care, and is an ideal escape, especially when you factor in the spa.
I experienced – and highly recommend – the Yamoca massage ($258 for 50 minutes), in which therapists Doris and Yesenia proffered upon me continuous caresses and sybaritic simultaneousness. Have you ever had a four-hand-massage? In my humble opinion, it’s a ultimate luxury that’s twice as nice as a plain ‘ol Swedish. Both sides of your achin’ bacon are stroked at one time, making it so easy to be Zen and in-the -moment. Perhaps the best part was having one therapist perform reflexology on my feet, at the same the second therapist massaged my head, neck and shoulders. I emerged from this feeling so much like jelly I was officially Smucker’s – it’s one of the best massages I’ve ever had.
The spa also offers other indulgent ways to have fun, including the $66 head, neck and shoulder massage, a $60 mini facial for kids (only available later on, after COVID), and $154 reflexology – among many other posh pamperings. The spa also has a labryinth where you can walk away all your worries, and yoga classes, providing excellent amusement. A salon is next door, for more gorgeous gratification.
Want more amusement? The ritzy resort offers all kinds of non-motorized watersports, a fitness center, golf, and horseback riding, in addition to my favorite activity of doing absolutely nothing but basking in the sun on picture-perfect Minitas Beach. Back up in the lobby, you can order your favorite libation, and have dinner at La Cana (yes, you must wear a mask) where I highly recommend the Cajun shrimp entrée and of course, the chocolate lava cake for dessert.
If the shoe fits, flaunt it
Carmen Sol makes gorgeous handbags and sandals in a rainbow of vivid colors that shout "Summertime!"
After my spa treatment, I had even more fun as I made a fabulous discovery at Casa de Campo. The ultra luxe resort has a high-end boutique featuring Carmen Sol handbags, purses, tote bags, flat and wedge sandals and other luxury accessories. You may recognize the brand – there’s a Carmen Sol boutique in New York at Hudson Yards and another in Palm Beach. This is the made-in-Italy accessories company of your dreams, featuring a wealth of super styles in a rainbow of colors. In fact, there are 15 vivid colors to select – everything from white and pale pink (which would make Lilly Pulitzer proud), as well as tropical colors such as sunset red and sunny yellow. Carmen Sol accessories scream “Summertime” and a high-end trip at that. Also interesting is that the merchandise is all made of a special plastic “jelly” – “but it doesn’t smell like a shower curtain,” Carmen Sol told me with a laugh. Instead, all of the items are infused with a rose scent. These adorable fashion accessories can easily go from beach to brunch and dinner and are sure to dress up any outfit, adding va-va-voom to your vacation at Casa de Campo.
For more about my Wanderlust Travels, please follow me on Instagram at @Debbikickham. To read more of my Travel stories, please subscribe to Forbes.com.
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