SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Hoteliers are hopeful that two
recently renovated properties will stimulate winter season
bookings.
Caribbean Village Playa Grande in Rio San Juan reopened in
December after completing a six-month refurbishing program.
The renovation was aimed at sprucing up the restaurants, lobby,
gardens and pools.
The property is experiencing an increase in last-minute travel,
according to Ivo Razza, senior director of marketing for parent
company Occidental-Allegro Hotels and Resorts.
"The bookings are slowly picking up, especially from the U.S.
and Canada," he said.
To spur agent bookings, the resort is paying 15% commission and
offering agents a chance to win a share of $32,500 in cash
prizes.
The Stash of Cash contest is open for all bookings made from
Sept. 1, 2001, with travel completed by Jan. 31.
Details can be found at www.allegroresorts.com.
For consumers, the inclusive resort offers discounts on all
bookings through March 31.
Nightly rates begin at $87 per person, double, for superior room
accommodations.
Normal rates through March 31 run up to $107 per person,
double.
As an added incentive, guests who stay for seven nights receive
three free rounds of golf; guests staying three nights receive one
free round.
For details or to book, call Caribbean Village Playa Grande at
(800) 858-2258.
The Paradisus Punta Cana Beach Resort also completed a
renovation project in December, totalling $4 million.
The plan included the addition of an in-house medical center; a
new Brazilian-style steak house called El Rodizio; a redesigned
pool and lounge area, and upgrades of furnishings and amenities to
all rooms.
Guest rooms were completely upgraded with new soft goods and
paintings; coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards were added, and
larger mirrors and a bathroom phone were installed.
Future plans call for renovations of the lobby and restaurant
areas. No time frame was announced.
While business has picked up for the winter season, the resort
had hoped for a larger U.S. clientele, according to Adriana Pelaez,
marketing coordinator for the property.
The Paradisus is "almost full" for February, she said; however,
compared with bookings from last year, the property "expected to
see more guests from the U.S."
To attract a larger number of U.S. visitors this winter, the
hotel -- playing on the fact that most of its past guests from the
U.S. were golfers -- included golf fees in its inclusive rates.
"We know Americans love their golf, and we can now offer our
guests the opportunity to play at the nearby Cocotal Golf &
Country Club," Pelaez said.
Through March 30, nightly inclusive rates, covering 18 holes of
golf per day, start at $225 per person, double.
For more information or to book, contact Paradisus Punta Cana
Resort at (800) 33-MELIA or visit www.solmelia.com.