Once upon a time in the Caribbean, a wealthy American built an exclusive enclave for his closest friends to share his island paradise - the unspoiled coast of the Dominican Republic. He brought in his dear friend, a fashion designer, to work his magic on the interiors.
That enclave was Casa de Campo, started in 1975 by Gulf & Western CEO Charlie Bludhorn and his designer friend was Oscar de la Renta...the rest is history.
But as we know history tends to repeat itself...flash forward 40 years to the
Playa Grande Beach Club.
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| Photo by Patrick Cline for Forbes |
Located on the relatively undiscovered northern coast of the Dominican Republic, the
Playa Grande Beach Club, makes you feel as if you landed on a deserted island and turned back the clock to the mid 20th century. A visit to this boutique island resort feels like an invitation to the private retreat of a well heeled friend. Until recently, that is exactly what the resort was - originally, it was reserved for owners and their families and friends - until November when it opened as a boutique hotel.
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| Via Playa Grande Beach Club |
Owner and designer Celerie Kemble renders a classic and beautiful interior design reminiscent of Slim Aaron's and Lilly Pulitzer's Palm Beach.
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| Via Playa Grande Beach Club |
Not surprising given her highly regarded aesthetic of preppy, beach chic. The pictures speak a thousand words...
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| Via Playa Grande Beach Club |
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| Via Playa Grande Beach Club |
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| Via Playa Grande Beach Club |
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| Via Playa Grande Beach Club |
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| Photo by Patrick Cline for Forbes |
The Beach Club’s bungalows stay on point classic Caribbean touches and kitchens with a vintage feel.
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| Via Playa Grande Beach Club |
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| Photo by Patrick Cline for Forbes |
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| Photo by Patrick Cline for Forbes |
Other
investors in the Playa Grande community are Kemble's husband, financier Boykin Curry, architect Richard Meier,
talk show host Charlie Rose, journalist Fareed Zakaria, actress Mariska
Hargitay and fashion designer Lela Rose. Imagine them all there at once - talk about a perfect dinner party!
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| Via Laurie Kahle for Forbes |
A mile long virgin coastline set against the backdrop of lush mountain
forests adds to that feeling of having landed in a time warp.
Until
recently the northeast coast of the island was relatively undeveloped
by the tourism world. That is about to change in a big way - the larger
Playa Grande project includes the recently opened ultra-luxe Amanera and
the Playa Grande golf club. Future plans include a 2000 acre
development to include polo fields, a tennis center, an organic farm and
quite a few residential lots for new homes.
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| Via Playa Grande Beach Club |
Until then...step back in time to a place where life just seems slower and simpler.
