PUNTA CANA,
Dominican Republic -- Not many all-inclusive resorts boast
all-suite accommodations, fine dining and a bellini cocktail bar,
but thats just part of whats on the menu at the Paradisus Palma
Real, a new Sol Melia resort here.
Fanning out over
86 acres, guest quarters at Paradisus Palma Real lie in a horseshoe
shape around an elaborate core of restaurants, theater, casino and
other facilities. A long line of pools form a chain along 2,600
feet of beach, while ponds, lagoons and streams create picturesque
spots among walkways and around palapa huts that shade oversize
Bali beds.
Sol Melias $120
million investment represents an expenditure of $217,000 per suite,
confirming the resorts spot in the Dominican Republics luxury
market.
The 554 suites
feature plasma TVs, coffeemakers, irons and boards, radio/CD
players, alarm clocks, umbrellas, safes, separate jet showers, air
conditioning and minibars.
New take
on all-inclusive
Susanna Mander,
director of brand management at Sol Melia, said the company is
promoting the resort primarily to the couples, families, and
meetings and incentives markets -- with a new approach.
With the opening
of our fifth Paradisus, weve introduced a concept that attaches
emotions to the guest stay, appealing to the five senses, where
guests experiences will surely stay with them after they
leave.
A top-of-the-line
Royal Service booking includes Jacuzzi suites, dedicated butler
service, private beach and pool, a separate dining pavilion by the
beach and exclusive access to those inviting Bali beds.
Over on the
garden side of the resort, Family Concierge Suites offer either a
separate bedroom for parents or a bed alcove arrangement, whereby
sliding Japanese-style screens allow privacy while children sleep
on the pull-out living room sofa.
Diners have a
choice of six restaurants: three a la carte venues and three
offering ample buffets. The Bellini Bar serves many libations, but
the signature drinks come in peach, passion and coconut flavors, to
name a few.
On a wellness
note, the fascinating part of on-site Spa Paradisus -- apart from
massages -- is the Water Ritual Center, a room outfitted with all
sorts of water-based treatments.
The idea is to
proceed around the center from sauna to steam room to an array of
showers, from needle sprays to a simple chain and
bucket.
Sol Melias Club
Amigos incentive program for travel agents awards a point for each
night booked at any property, good toward earning room nights for
agents own use or for resale. Retailers earn 10% commission on
bookings.
All-inclusive
rates range from $500 to $1,200 per night. To reserve, call (800)
336-3542. For more information on the property, call (809) 688-5000
or visit www.paradisuspalmareal.com.
To contact
the reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to [email protected].