Right now, Punta Espada is the top Punta Cana golf course to play on a Dominican Republic golf vacation.
If you’ve been reading our golf vacation advisories for awhile, you may recall us tipping you off about the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana region and how it is poised to become the next great Caribbean golf vacation destination.
Well, we recently came across a golf vacation package offering two-for-one green fees at Punta Espada, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that can currently lay claim to being the best Punta Cana golf course (there are several more under contract and construction).
We also happen to think that Punta Espada is one of the best layouts among the entire Caribbean golf scene. The whole thing glistens with limestone ridges, brilliant white sand, emerald fairways, and the Caribbean Sea is almost constantly in view. If you dream of balmy rounds filled with heroic shots played beside and over turquoise waters, you’ll love this immaculately groomed links that features eight seaside holes.
The offer is this: Guests of the brand new Golden Bear Lodge & Spa can get unlimited two-for-one green fees (including caddies) for the duration of their stay. The regular, high-season green fee is $195 per person.
There are no restrictions on when and how much two-for-one golf can be played, and believe it or not, this golf vacation package is valid from December 15, 2008 to April 19, 2009, encompassing the heart of high season.
As far as the accommodations go, the Golden Bear Lodge & Spa features 98 luxury condominiums:
- 70 two-bedroom suites: $500 per night (high season)
- 14 one-bedroom suites: $416 per night
- 14 studios: $333 per night
Now for the fine print: Valid for new bookings only; there is a five-night minimum; all bookings are subject to the daily 16% VAT [value-added tax] and 10% gratuities; reservations must be made by December 15, 2008.
So, is this a deal…or no deal? Tough call. While the accommodations can be expensive (made less so by sharing a two-bedroom suite, for example), the ability for two people to play this phenomenal Punta Cana golf course for the price of one during high season and with caddies is pretty attractive, especially if you were thinking about a Punta Cana golf vacation already.
The official website for this golf package is: LuxuryRetreatsAtCapCana.com, but you won’t find much there other than some pretty pictures and a phone number that you shouldn’t use. When I did, and asked for the Golden Bear Lodge & Spa, the folks on the other end seemed perplexed, transferred me a couple times, then disconnected me. Probably the result of the GBL&S being so new, but use this website, capcana.com, and Miami, Fla., phone number just in case: 305-665-3305.
If you’d like to read our full report on Punta Espada, and the other worthy Punta Cana golf courses to play on a Dominican Republic golf vacation, take a free trial to Golf Odyssey, our flagship publication. You’ll get instant access to our online, back-issue archive AND I’ll send you the next two monthly issues. As always, there is absolutely no risk or obligation to subscribe.
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