Inside one of many world’s most unique journey retreats masterminded by Casamigos tequila entrepreneur Mike Meldman

Tucked away on a peaceable jungle-strewn nook of the Dominican Republic sits an unique journey playground for the wealthy and well-known and, as I not too long ago came upon, letting your hair down is the phrase of the day with an excellent dose of tequila thrown into the combo. 

Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Membership, masterminded by tequila entrepreneur Mike Meldman who co-founded Casamigos in collaboration with George Clooney and Rande Gerber, and the Amanera resort had been bought collectively by New York hedge fund Third Level LLC for simply over $150 million eight years in the past. 

Now the 2 ventures provide unapparelled companies by way of luxurious lodging and out of doors actions, with a roster of celebrities and billionaires amongst their consumer record. 

Venturing on a personal tour of the Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Membership with Chris Skidmore (the director of golf and retail operations), I all of a sudden develop into extra enamored with the sport of golf, because of beautiful ocean views, completely manicured grounds and a seemingly endless unfold of tiki-esque bars hidden amid the foliage. 

‘We would like our members to have enjoyable, this is not a stuffy form of place. We’ve world well-known golfers who’re a part of the membership however we even have amateurs who need to take a look at their steel on what I believe is likely one of the world’s most stunning programs,’ Chris (a PGA golf professional himself) explains. 

Ricardo Bonnet’s job title on the membership is the ‘Chairman of Vibe’ and Sadie says he ‘definitely fulfils the position, with a giant smile frequently planted on his face, an enthusiasm for tequila and a spread of golf trick photographs up his sleeve’

Securing a membership at Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Membership isn’t any straightforward feat. 

First, potential members should buy a slice of actual property on the grounds – both lots, villa or pre-built condominium – with costs ranging from $5 million. 

Then, the initiation charge for the membership is $200,000, with annual dues upwards of $25,000 on high of that. 

At present, there are 58 members of Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Membership. 

Different individuals who can acquire entry to the membership are friends on the Amanera resort, which sits like a slick Bond villain lair additional alongside the coast, overlooking the golden sands of Playa Grande seashore. 

Like the opposite motels within the Aman portfolio (such because the Aman Venice the place George and Amal Clooney tied the knot), the Amanera prides itself on providing privateness, exemplary inside design and distinctive service. 

The resort solely has 25 villas – which it refers to as ‘casitas’ – so it by no means feels full and there are 4 employees members to each visitor. Charges begin from round $2,400 an evening, and that is earlier than meals and drinks are accounted for. 

Wheeling to a cliff edge in Chris’ golf cart, we make a pitstop on the 18-hole course and he lifts up a chunk of turf to disclose a bottle of Casamigos tequila hidden in a pint sized cooler field together with some shot glasses. 

The non-public members membership boasts one other arrange down on the seashore subsequent to Playa Grande, with the facilities together with a ‘surf shack’ decked out with water toys and a zipline strung above the ocean

Sadie gave the overwater zipline a whirl whereas she had entry to the members-only membership 

The Casamigos seashore bar full with swings because the bar seats is one among many on the property

Simply in time, Ricardo Bonnet – aka Ricky Ricardo – pulls up alongside us. 

The charismatic Dominican’s job title on the membership is the ‘Chairman of Vibe’ and he definitely fulfils the position, with a giant smile frequently planted on his face, an enthusiasm for tequila and a spread of golf trick photographs up his sleeve. 

Such is his means to appeal, Mark Wahlberg not too long ago elected him for a brief talking position in his 2024 film Arthur The King. 

After sharing a shot and watching Ricky try to putt a ball backwards, we proceed on our method across the course with electro music blaring from the cart and an ocean breeze cooling us as we go. 

One other pitstop leads us to a shack serving contemporary ceviche and punchy margaritas, whereas one other takes us to an axe throwing station earlier than a last cease leads us to an ocean-facing bar and air conditioned refreshment station stocked with each snack possible, from chocolate brownies to contemporary cheese to Snickers.

With some enterprise to take care of, Chris steers my companion and I to a different nook of Playa Grande Golf & Ocean Membership, which appeals to the extra adventurous traveler. 

The non-public members-only membership boasts one other arrange down on the seashore subsequent to Playa Grande, with the facilities together with a ‘surf shack’ decked out with water toys, a Casamigos bar full with swings because the seats for friends and a zipline strung above the ocean. 

One other Tiki-style shack on the golf course, serving and array of drinks and ceviche

One of many indicators on the golf course states the advantages of consuming tequila, with one being ‘fixes damaged hearts’ (left) and golf professional Chris Skidmore reveals a secret stash of tequila on the golf course for a refreshing libation (proper)

Different individuals who can acquire entry to the membership are friends on the Amanera resort, which sits like a slick Bond villain lair additional alongside the coast, overlooking the golden sands of Playa Grande seashore 

Like the opposite motels within the Aman portfolio (such because the Aman Venice the place George and Amal Clooney tied the knot), the Amanera prides itself on providing privateness, exemplary inside design and distinctive service

To make Playa Grande and Amanera much more accessible – as at the moment the closest worldwide airport is round a 90-minute drive away – there are plans to construct an airstrip close by

Different actions on provide embrace a UTV course by means of the jungle, paintballing, axe throwing and horse driving. 

We take a look at the UTV course which snakes by means of the luxurious terrain to a ridgeline serving up very good views, earlier than swinging again to the protection of the Casamigos bar through the zipline. 

To high it off, one of many journey guides, Dylan, takes us out to go to a shipwreck utilizing Seabobs.

These underwater scooters which value greater than $10,000, go as much as 14mph, and also you definitely really feel like an motion hero ducking and diving by means of the water.

Though attempting to maintain my bikini on whereas skimming alongside at max velocity did not really feel fairly as slick.

With one final shot on the bar, it was time to bid this slice of paradise a goodbye. 

Discussing his Dominican Republic enterprise, founder Mike Meldman stated stated that Playa Grande is designed for ‘exactly the skilled barefoot member, surrounded by the great thing about the ocean and luxurious rainforest. 

‘The character is beautiful and the vibe is even higher.’ 

And on trying out the place out, I can definitely concur that the character and vibe make for a profitable combine. 

All that is wanted is a few tens of hundreds of thousands within the financial institution first, to make a return in the future. 

To make Playa Grande and Amanera much more accessible – as at the moment the closest worldwide airport is round a 90-minute drive away – there are plans to construct an airstrip close by, which is able to be capable of accommodate a fleet of personal jets and helicopters.