Puerto Ricos first all-inclusive adds to diversity

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico -- A recent visit to Puerto Rico combined two objectives: to sample the destinations first all-inclusive re-sort and to scratch off another entry on my wish list of gotta see sites well off the beaten path.

A three-night stay at Paradisus Puerto Rico in Rio Grande, an hour east of the hubbub of San Juan, accomplished the first goal; two days on Culebra, a smudge of an island 17 air minutes east of the same hubbub, satisfied the second.

Both experiences spoke to Puerto Ricos diversity of places to stay and places to play -- factors that influence decisions in the process of mapping and making travel plans.

Im a huge fan of Puerto Rico -- all of it, from coast to coast -- so I didnt need convincing to explore outside the box, but clients who look and agents who book no further than San Juan miss a lot.

With the opening of its 500-suite, $150 million, all-inclusive Paradisus Puerto Rico in March, Sol Melia stepped outside the box, as well.

The Spanish-based hotel firm is entrenched in the inclusive market in Costa Rica, Cancun and the Dominican Republic,  but its resort in Puerto Rico is the first in that destination.

Jose Carrasco, managing director, acknowledged that.

It will take time for the local travel market to grasp that this concept is now on this island, although many are familiar with inclusive resorts because of their experiences in the [Dominican Republic], he said.

For the U.S. market, its all about education -- letting clients know we are in Puerto Rico, targeting U.S. agents, bringing them down, calling on them and promoting our packages.

Paradisus works with leading wholesalers, including Apple Vacations, Gogo Worldwide Vacations, Travel Impressions and some Mark Travel brands, on its package plans.

With little fanfare, Paradisus opened March 12, a bit behind schedule due to weather and construction delays. When I stayed there in late June, the place still had a stark look to it, but flowers, foliage and lawns were filling in and occupancy was creeping up.

Well before it opened, Emanuel Schreibmaier, Sol Melias vice president of sales and marketing, promised that Paradisus would set new standards in the Caribbean region in terms of service, accommodations, entertainment, food and beverage options and agent incentives.

Already it had garnered membership into the Leading Hotels of the World collection.

Given the roster of all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, Paradisus faced some stiff competition from Sandals and Beaches, SuperClubs and Viva Resorts, among others.

However, Schreibmaier predicted that Puerto Rico would benefit from the addition of a deluxe, all-inclusive brand to supplement the destinations room inventory and create demand among a new customer niche.

It takes time to develop that demand and that market segment, but by midsummer, bookings were coming in from agents and wholesalers, 10 fam trips already had brought dozens of U.S. and European agents to the resort, and several groups were booked for the conference center meetings space next year, according to Ramon Sanchez, sales and marketing director.

The first few months are the shakeout months, he said. Were still working out the quirks and kinks.

I didnt find many, certainly not in my suite in the oceanfront Royal Service wing, complete with Jacuzzi on the terrace, wine and fruit on the table, six pillows on the bed and concierge services 24/7.

Royal Service guests have use of a private pool with a bar, waiter and chilled towels, although I opted for the main pool complex, the heart of the resort and the big wow factor, as Sanchez described it.

The pool is divided into sections, framed by pillars, thatched umbrellas, lounges, fountains and blue-tiled cement chaises with super-thick cushions built into the water in the shallow end.

The childrens pool is big enough so that the kiddies stay in their own area, leaving adults to float and fry in peace.

A signature architectural feature near the pool area is an open-air, white-domed wedding gazebo, which also doubles as a venue for cocktail receptions.

Weve done some weddings, and we are pursuing that market, especially for locals, Sanchez said.

Six restaurants offer menu choices ranging from Asian to Italian to French, Caribbean, continental and California.

Inclusive guests need variety when it comes to dining -- weve put a huge emphasis on the food and beverage operations here, Sanchez said.

It works. I dined at four out of the six, not a bad bite anywhere. Four bars serve unlimited premium liquors and wines.

The only items not covered by the bracelet around each guests wrist are golf, massages and casino spending money.

Airport transfers, at $60 roundtrip, also are not included, except for guests booked into the 96 Royal Service suites.

Still to open is the golf clubhouse, reached by shuttle from the main resort. In the works on an adjacent piece of property are plans to build 450 condo-hotel units.

To contact reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].