Metro de Santo Domingo

ORLANDO, Fla., PRNewswire.- Hard Rock International and Palace Resorts announced an agreement to bring the world’s first “ultimate all-inclusive” Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Slated to be re-branded in Spring 2010, the 1800-room Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will combine the distinctive atmosphere and unparalleled guest experience of the Hard Rock brand together with the five-star Moon Palace Resort all-inclusive experience.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana’s expansive 121-acre property rests on Macao Beach, one of the most beautiful, palm tree-lined beaches in the Caribbean that overlooks perfectly clear blue waters on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. The property will combine Hard Rock’s signature “Rock Star” suites with Moon Palace Resort’s signature all-inclusive luxury accommodations, including double Jacuzzis and double showers. The property will also feature an extensive collection of Hard Rock’s authentic music memorabilia, highlighting both international and local artists, as well as incorporating diverse music genres throughout. (more…)

The all included resort Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada will resume operations on December 11, after concluded the works of remodeling which it was put under in the last quarterly of this year.

Viva Wyndham Resorts Vice-president of Sales and Marketing Amanda Santana said the changes in the hotel include improved rooms, lobby and swimming pool, as well as the redecoration of the buffet restaurant “Las Palmas”.

New York.- Only 10 Dominican Republic hotels have been classified with more than 20 pearls by Oyster Hotel Reviews, the company specialized in the industry, which in an extensive assessment of the most important lodgings in the Caribbean country’s tourist resorts granted 35 points to two, 30 to seven and 25 to one.

The Oyster Review rated lodgings in Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Bávaro, Samana, Boca Chica, Santo Domingo, Sosua, Cabarete, La Romana, Playa Dorada among others, whereas most of the facilities are located in Punta Cana and La Romana, both in the eastern region. (more…)

Dominican Republic’s farmers and hoteliers on Tuesday adopted a strategy to supply with local products the beverage and food demand of the tourism industry’s more than, whose yearly earnings top RD$10 billion.

To identify products of highest demand and diversify production is at the core of an agreement the National Hotels and Restaurants Association (Asonahores) and the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) signed today.

Asonahores vice president Arturo Villanueva and JAD Osmar Benítez director said the agreement stems from the third Farm and Agribusiness Product Consumption Survey, conducted by the hoteliers. (more…)

The Dominican Republic Environmental Law Institute (IDARD) and the Jury of the International Blue Flag awarded the Blue Flag Beach certification to the hotels Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach and Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace.

This certification is issued to acknowledge the environmental commitment of the hotels the chain Viva Wyndham Resorts operates in the country, especially in the destination Bayahibe.

In 2002 Bayahibe’s beaches became the Americas’ first Blue Flag certified, a distinction again received for the 2009-2010 period.

SANTO DOMINGO.- Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia Tuesday said investors want to build two tourism projects in Pedernales (southwest) at a cost of more than RD$8.5 billion, which would mark the start of the new resort region’s development.

The Tourism chief said the same development is expected for the Montecristi zone (northwest), where investors will soon announce projects and investment amounts in that region. (more…)

Punta Cana.– After twenty five years as the value leader in providing all-inclusive luxury in the Dominican Republic, Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort raises the bar once more, announcing a comprehensive renovation program that will transform the five-in-one hotel complex into the most spectacular resort in the entire Caribbean, once again.

The first phase of the rejuvenation program was completed in December 2008, with the addition of 488 junior suites as Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe. As the new luxury wing of the resort, Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe also brought with it a new concierge-style check-in as well as a new buffet restaurant, Las Brisas. (more…)

New York.– More beach resorts are offering pools with water slides, no-cost children’s programs and other amenities that make them attractive, affordable alternatives for families looking for one-stop vacations, Parents magazine reports.

The magazine evaluated more than 200 beach resorts in the U.S. and the Caribbean, based on room rates and other costs, quality of children’s programs, variety of family activities, pool and beach area and other factors. The May issue of Parents lists the 10 resorts deemed best.

“Our winners are practically rolling out the red carpet for families on a tight budget,” said Sally Lee, editor in chief of Parents. (more…)

SANTO DOMINGO.- The country’s tourist resorts will make it easier for their personnel to go to the ballot boxes on Friday.

Employees who vote in localities far from their work places will have a more flexible schedule, said Hotels and Restaurants Association (Asonahores) executive vicepresident Arturo Villanueva. “They’ll receive facilities. That’s an inalienable right of the worker, to be able to vote.”

He said if interested, each employee will coordinate their temporary absence with their area manager. “Turns will be organized so the work in the hotel isn’t detained.”

Villanueva asked politicians and the population to behave in a civilized manner on elections day, so the productive work immediately recovers its normality. “the country has advanced much, this is a mature democracy.”

Source: DominicanToday.com

Santo Domingo.– Viva Wyndham Resorts, with five all-inclusive properties in this country, has summer rates as low as $72 per person per night, double occupancy.

In La Romana, the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach is priced at $85 per person per night now through July 2, $98 July 3 through Sept. 1.

Also in La Romana, the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace runs $98 now through July 2, $112 July 3 through Sept. 1.

Rates include all meals and snacks, unlimited rinks, cocktails and wine, taxes, gratuities, non-motorized water sports, spa, daily activities, night entertainment and kid activities.

For more information: 800-996-3426, www.vivawyndhamresorts.com.