PARADISUS
PALMA REAL, the fifth all-inclusive resort in Sol Melia
Hotels and Resorts Paradisus brand, opened with fanfare on Bavaro
Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic during the annual 2006
Dominican Travel Exchange DATE), which was held April 5 to 7. Hotel
officials reported that advance bookings were strong for all the
Paradisus properties, including the new resort. The 554-suite
Paradisus Palma Real offers gourmet dining choices, a range of
complimentary amenities and adults-only royal service with personal
butlers and private beach and pool areas. Each of the oversized
suites is equipped with mahogany furniture, a Jacuzzi for two, a
spacious bathroom with European Spa jet shower, plasma television,
CD player, daily stocked mini bar, and a private terrace. The
resort has 102 royal service suites and two presidential suites.
Royal service guests have exclusive check-in and checkout, butlers,
pillow menu selections, restricted beach and pool areas with
Bali-beds, a private lounge, and preferential reservations for
specialty restaurants, spa, activities, and excursions. Its family
concierge program offers special suites; a personalized concierge
service to coordinate family activities, a check-in lounge, a
childrens welcome amenity, including kids beach bag with sunscreen,
baseball cap, and T-shirt; an optional in-room PlayStation; amenity
kits, including child-sized bathrobe and slippers; and turndown
services. To book, call (800) 33-MELIA; hotel information also can
be accessed by visiting www.solMelia.com.
THE
COMMISSIONERS OF TOURISM of St. Maarten and St. Martin
issued a joint denunciation of a recent attack against two American
men, calling the attacks barbaric and heinous. New York journalists
Dick Jefferson and Ryan Smith were attacked with tire irons outside
a bar in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, by three men who had yelled
anti-gay slurs. Both were transferred to Miami for treatment where
Jefferson has since been released and doctors believe Smith may
have suffered brain damage. The joint statement from Theo Heyliger,
commissioner of tourism of St. Maarten and Romeo Fleming,
commissioner of tourism of St. Martin, said, the entire community
of St. Maarten/St. Martin expresses its deepest sympathies for the
pain and anguish suffered by Ryan Smith and Richard Jefferson and
their families from the vicious attack that occurred on our island.
The statement went on to say that the destination has long been
recognized for its safety, friendliness and absence of crime and
that the community is committed to being a welcome environment for
persons of all ethnic, religious and social preferences. We
consider this to be an isolated incident that is in no way
representative of the behavior of our citizens. These crimes wont
go unpunished, the statement said. Heyliger said St. Maartens chief
prosecutor and our police force are leading an extensive and
intense investigation and I am confident that we will bring those
responsible to justice in a timely manner.
CARIBBEAN
SUN AND CARIBBEAN STAR continue to rack up new
destinations and routes. Caribbean Sun will launch service July 19
from San Juan to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with eight
daily nonstop flights on 37-seat aircraft. The carrier has served
Santiago, Dominican Republic, since December 2004 and recently
opened a call center outside of Santo Domingo. William Skip
Barnett, president and CEO of both carriers, said that the
Dominican Republic continues to grow in importance for us. Theres
great opportunity for growth in this market. In addition, Caribbean
Sun launched daily nonstop service between Antigua and Trinidad,
and Caribbean Star will add a third daily flight between Grenada
and Barbados. Combined, both carriers operate 155 weekly flights
to/from Barbados, making it the busiest gateway in the Caribbean
Star/Sun system. A total of 18 Caribbean destinations are served by
the two carriers, which carry more than 80,000 passengers each
month. For fares and schedules, visit Caribbean Sun at www.flycsa.com and
Caribbean Star at www.flycaribbeanstar.com.
LODGEPODGE
" Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino in St. Maarten
launched its Girlfriends Gathering package with highlights
including spa time, nightclub festivities and complimentary room
upgrades. The nightly rate is $199 per person, double, for travel
through Dec. 15 with a couple requirements: guests must stay for a
minimum of three nights and must book a minimum of two rooms. For
details, visit www.sonesta.com/stmaarten.
" Phase one of the Palmyra
Resort & Spa at Rose Hall, Jamaicas first beachfront
condominium hotel, is slated for completion in fall 2007 on a
16-acre spot next to the Ritz-Carlton property in Montego Bay. The
630 condo units and 26 villas, which will be available to hotel
guests when not owner-occupied, have price tags from $400,000 to $5
million each. Facilities will include a 42,000-square-foot spa, a
fitness center, three pools, two restaurants, a concierge staff, a
kids club and access to three nearby golf courses. For information,
visit www.explorethepalmyra.com.
" An alternative to connecting through San Juan for a
flight to Rosewoods Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British
Virgin Islands is to book the resorts Air Taxi service from St.
Thomas direct to Virgin Gorda. The 12-minute, twin-engine flight is
priced at $175 per person, one way; resort staff meet the plane for
the three-minute transfer to the property. The service operates
daily. For details or to book flights, call (284) 495-5555 or e-mail [email protected].
Caribbean
Editor:
Gay Nagle
Myers
Phone: (201)902-1591
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].