Gay Nagle Myers
Differentiating among its four hotel brands was the challenge facing Occidental Hotels & Resorts, which has 13 properties among its Royal Hideaway, Occidental Grand, Allegro and Occidental City Hotels brands.
Of the 13 properties, six resorts are in Mexico, scattered from the Riviera Maya (Royal Hideaway Playacar, Occidental Grand Xcaret, Allegro Playacar) and Cozumel (Occidental Grand Cozumel, Allegro Cozumel) to Nuevo Vallarta (Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta).
The remaining properties are in Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Spain.
The hotel company has embarked on a strategic development plan for several of its resorts this year, designed to enhance its product offerings through renovations and refurbishments, increase guest satisfaction and differentiate brand categories, according to Nancy Abbott, account director.
A total investment of $15 million has been allocated for the renovations.
“Occidental Hotels & Resorts prides itself in looking for new ways to increase guest experience,” Abbott said. “The ongoing renovations include state-of-the-art facilities that are modern in design to keep each property fresh, updated and in demand.”
The 270-room Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta celebrated its one-year anniversary in December 2012 after closing its doors for a year to undergo a total renovation and rebranding from the Allegro Nuevo Vallarta.
A second swimming pool and a theater stage adjacent to the hotel will be added this year. The location of the new pool and stage is situated away from the guestrooms, ensuring no interruptions in services and amenities.
The additions will be completed by the end of March.
Occidental Grand Xcaret in Playa del Carmen added the Unlimited Xcaret Experience program with the adjacent eco-park Xcaret.
Guests have unlimited access to the park as well as new benefits at the resort, including resort credits for spa treatments, room upgrades, tours and sting ray encounters.
Additional renovation plans will be announced later this year.