Casa Yaya

Casa Yaya is a five-bedroom villa in Puntacana Resort & Club with the Caribbean Sea and the La Cana golf course in view, a private chef, a butler and a housekeeper included, and a heated pool and jacuzzi. Twelve guests, seven bathrooms, the nearest beach a short stroll away and the tennis centre three minutes by golf cart.

Five en-suite bedrooms sleep twelve: three kings, a queen and a room with two queens. We’d put it forward for two families who want a chef included rather than quoted, or for a group of friends who’ll use the jacuzzi more than the golf. Of the Punta Cana villas we place, it’s the one with the cook already in the kitchen.

THE HOUSE

The living areas have high ceilings, air-conditioning, a sofa lounge, a dining room for twelve and seating indoors and out on the terrace, balcony and patio, with a laptop workspace for anyone who has to log on. The kitchen is fully equipped, with a dishwasher, an ice maker and a coffee machine, and an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue and gas grill is there for eating outside. Smart TV, speakers, Wi-Fi, a safe, a washer and dryer and a welcome pack are in the house; a baby cot can be hired.

THE BEDROOMS

Every bedroom has its own bathroom, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan. Three have king beds, one a queen, and the fifth two queens for a family of four. Two of the seven bathrooms have a bath; all have hairdryers and toiletries.

THE POOL AND THE JACUZZI

Both the pool and the jacuzzi are heated; the jacuzzi heating is included, while heating the pool carries an extra charge. There’s a lawn and garden with a patio, the golf course at the front and the Caribbean in view. Beach towels are in the house, the La Cana Clubhouse beach is moments away and the nearest beach a short stroll, and guests may use two private beach clubs. The resort runs seven restaurants and bars, 45 holes of golf, twelve tennis courts, two beaches, a nature reserve and a marina.

THE STAFF

A private chef, a butler and a housekeeper come with the house; the butler serves drinks and snacks by the pool. A bilingual concierge books tee times, tennis courts and excursions and can arrange grocery shopping, airport transfers, golf cart rental, yacht and catamaran charters, fishing, car and bike rental, a personal trainer, a massage therapist, live music and decorations, all on request. Breakfast can be booked. Cameras cover the front and side of the house, none facing the pool or private areas.

THE RULES

Quiet hours are 10 pm to 9 am, parties and events need written approval, smoking is for designated outdoor areas, and pets are accepted only with written authorisation before arrival. The resort asks for every guest’s ID or passport at least 48 hours before check-in. A refundable damage deposit of 10 per cent of the rent is taken on arrival and returned five days after check-out.

THE LOCATION

Puntacana Village, just beyond the gates, has eight restaurants, plus bars, shops and a pharmacy, and the Blue Mall is a brief journey away. For what a chef in the house means in practice, our guide to provisioning a Punta Cana villa follows a family week from the grocery list to the last dinner.

To check dates or request a quote for Casa Yaya, write to [email protected].