The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach
Resort, one of the largest resorts in Puerto Rico, reopened half of its 400
guest rooms on March 1, five months after Hurricane Maria shut it down.
The remainder of the rooms will reopen March 11, following
the departures of the last of the relief workers, who have been housed there as
part of Puerto Rico's recovery efforts.
The Wyndham has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation of
the lobby, other public spaces and guestrooms that had water damage. New bars
and restaurants include the Caicu Rum Bar and the Marbella restaurant featuring
American favorites and Caribbean specialties.
Still to come later this spring are Palio, an Italian
restaurant; Hole in One near the golf course; and 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar &
Grill, offering burgers and beverages poolside.
The beachfront Tiki Hut and Pool Bar, which blew down during
the storm, will reopen with expanded seating to accommodate 40 guests. Also renovated is the Barista Cafe for
coffee, light meals and snacks.
Facilities include a one-mile beach, the Mandala Spa, two
18-hole golf courses, a casino, a tennis center, lounges and entertainment
venues.
The 500-acre resort is adjacent to the El Yunque National
Rainforest, which has not reopened to visitors except for the lower trails.
One dollar of every room night booked by guests in March and
April will be donated to the El Yunque Restoration Fund, with the goal of
raising $10,000, according to Nils Stolzlechner, general manager.
"We're eager to welcome travelers back to our resort to
celebrate this island," he said. "The spirit of Puerto Rico has grown
stronger than ever, and we're grateful and proud that together we have restored
this region back to an incredible travel destination."