Resort to be re-branded as the Barcelo Dominican Beach Resort
Playa Hotels & Resorts, S.L., the company formed in 2006 by Grupo Barcelo in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, announced its acquisition of the 738 guestroom all- inclusive Ocean Bavaro Spa and Beach Resort in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. The property will be re-branded as a Barcelo Resort and renamed the Barcelo Dominican Beach Resort. The resort, which is only 12 miles from the Punta Cana International Airport, also includes 3121 square feet of meeting space, a European-style spa facility, a theater, and a new casino that was recently completed in June 2007.
This is the third resort purchased in the Dominican Republic by Playa Hotels & Resorts. In 2006, the company purchased the Breezes Punta Cana Resort, Spa and Casino, which has been re-branded as the Barcelo Punta Cana Resort -- a Barcelo Premium branded hotel. The company recently announced the addition of the Sunscape Casa del Mar Resort adjacent to Casa de Campo. These acquisitions bring to nine the number of hotels that Playa now owns in Mexico and the Caribbean.
"The Ocean Bavaro Spa and Beach Resort is a significant acquisition to our growing portfolio of resorts in the best beach locations across the Dominican Republic," said Bruce Wardinski, Chairman & CEO of Playa Hotels & Resorts, S.L. "Under the Barcelo brand we will enhance guest services and raise the quality of food and beverage to be comparable with Barcelo's legendary all- inclusive programs. In addition, we are planning improvements to the physical condition of the resort, including a series of guestroom renovations."
"The Dominican Republic is well-positioned as a growing vacation and meetings destination because of its pristine beaches, national ecological parks and its wide array of championship golf courses. Playa Hotels & Resorts continues to see much upside potential in the Dominican Republic, with its array of resorts that appeal to a wide variety of North American and international travelers," added Wardinski.
The Barcelo Dominican Beach Resort
Situated along famous Bavaro Beach, the Barcelo Dominican Beach Resort is an expansive property. Its 738 guestrooms include 93 suites, perfect for honeymoon travelers or guests seeking more spacious accommodations. As an all-inclusive resort, the Barcelo Dominican Beach offers a selection of three casual buffet restaurants, six gourmet a la carte restaurants, two snack bars and seven cocktail lounges. The restaurants appeal to a variety of tastes including a seafood restaurant, a Brazilian-style restaurant, as well as Japanese, Mexican and Spanish cuisine. For recreation there are two free-form swimming pools, one featuring a swim-up bar, and both offering water activities throughout the day. On the beach, complimentary water sports include windsurfing and kayaking, and for families, the resort has a comprehensive children's program.
For entertainment there is a large theater that offers nightly shows and a new casino that opened in June 2007. Palmaluna is the Resort's convention facility that can service up to 350 guests with state-of-the-art amenities and conference concierge service. There is also a business center with high speed Internet connections.
The resort's spa, which is available to guests at an additional charge, is sheltered under a thatched roof, and includes seven treatment rooms that feature a wide array of European and tropical influenced facials, body wraps and hydrotherapies, as well as manicures and pedicures. Treatments are also available in open-air cabanas. The spa contains Vichy showers, women's and men's saunas, a unisex steam room, an ocean-view spa tub and an air- conditioned ocean-view fitness center with cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights.
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