BlueBay resort brand makes debut

BlueBay Hotels & Resorts, a new collection of luxury, all-inclusive resorts, has opened its first two properties, in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

BlueBay Hotels & Resorts is owned and operated by Hotetur Hoteles, the hotel division of Grupo Marsans, one of Spain's largest tourism companies. Hotetur operates more than 30 properties in four countries.

Located in Mexico's Riviera Maya, the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, formerly the Grand Gala Esmeralda Resort, underwent an extensive renovation following its purchase by Blue Bay. It has 291 guest rooms, a spa, and a 6,000-square-foot conference and meeting facility. Once the expansion is completed in January, the resort will offer a total of 984 rooms.

In the Dominican Republic, the 245-room BlueBay Villas Doradas is located in Puerto Plata's Playa Dorada complex that overlooks the Caribbean and is adjacent to the Robert Trent Jones-designed Playa Dorada Golf Course.

Facilities include three pools, three tennis courts, a gym, a spa and several restaurants. The all-inclusive resort is reserved for guests 18 years of age and older.