Dominican Republic

Three Dominican Republic Hotels By Barcelo Receive Blue Flag Award For Their Beaches

Hotel blogger

The environmentally-friendly Blue Flag award has been given to three Barcelo Hotels & Resorts properties in the Dominican Republic.

The prestigious eco-label was awarded to the three properties for the groups commitment to preserving the Caribbean coast and providing safe and clean beaches and ocean waters for tourists concerned about the preservation of the environment and seeking eco-friendly Dominican Republic holidays.

Blue Flag is operated by the non-profit organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), and the distinction is awarded to beaches and marinas in 46 countries across the world that meet high environmental standards across many areas including water quality, safety and services, environmental management and environmental education and information.

The three Dominican Republic hotels that were awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award were Barcelo Puerto Plata, Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort and Barcelo Punta Cana.

Claudio A. Zboznovits, the vice president of sales and marketing for Barcelo in the United States, commented on the awards: Were delighted to see our resort beaches recognised among the worlds most beautiful eco-friendly beaches.

“A commitment to sustainability is a valued company practice for Barcelo Hotels & Resorts. Our hotel beaches are proud to be recognised for our green efforts as we continue to provide a quality experience for guests while protecting our surrounding environment.”

Barcelo Hotels & Resorts is a Spanish family-owned company with a portfolio of over 160 hotels and resorts throughout 17 countries across the world.

The group owns and operates several hotels in the Dominican Republic in the popular tourist areas of Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Juan Dolio and Santo Domingo.

The Blue Flag-awarded hotels are among the leading properties providing all inclusive Dominican Republic holidays with luxury accommodation and facilities for guests of all ages.

The Barcelo Punta Cana is located on the beautiful stretch of white sand Playa Arena Gorda beach which is close to the Bvaro Lagoon and the tropical East National Park.

The resort features Spanish-influenced architecture and design and 798 guest rooms that boast beautiful views of the ocean and beach. During Punta Cana holidays, guests can enjoy facilities including seven gourmet restaurants, a casino, a full-service spa, a kids club and several swimming pools. The hotel was also ranked among the top five green resorts by Travel Agent Magazine for its eco-friendliness.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort is an adults-only Dominican Republic hotel that is located next to the family-friendly Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe. Bavaro Beach has a P.B Dye-designed 18-hole golf course, a full service spa, a Vegas-style theatre, a nightclub, a 24-hour sports bar and casino, several bars and restaurants, and a small shopping promenade with 16 shops. The two resorts are situated on nearly two miles of pristine soft sandy beach.

Barcelo Puerto Plata is located on the soft sands of Playa Doradas Golden Beach. The resort has 585 guest rooms and suites and during holidays in the Dominican Republic, tourists can enjoy beach volleyball, windsurfing, snorkelling, kayaking, and scuba diving. Facilities include eight restaurants, five bars, a nightclub, and an 18-hole Trend Jones-designed golf course.

Starwood Hotels To Open New Westin Resort For Punta Cana Holidays In 2013

Hotel blogger

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is planning to build a new resort in the Dominican Republic after it signed an agreement with development partner Grupo Punta Cana. The Westin Puntacana Resort is expected to open to tourists taking Dominican Republic holidays in late 2013 in the Playa Blanca area of the Puntacana Resort and Club complex.

The new resort will have 204 luxurious rooms including 16 suites, and guests going on holidays to the Dominican Republic can enjoy facilities such as a large swimming pool, full service spa, fitness centre, 24-hour business centre, meeting and wedding rooms, children’s club, walking trails, lobby bar and a poolside grill.

Brian Povinelli, the Global Brand Leader for Westin Hotels and Resorts, commented: “The Westin Puntacana Resort is a highly anticipated addition to our growing resorts portfolio, offering travellers a refreshing, island retreat on one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean.

“The new resort will offer all of the Westin brand’s signature programs and amenities, designed to inspire wellbeing and send guests home feeling better than when they arrived.”

During holidays in the Dominican Republic, travellers staying at the new resort will also have access to first-class amenities at the Puntacana Resort and Club, such as championship golf course, nine gourmet restaurants, a Six Senses Spa, a 1,500-acre ecological reserve and three miles of pristine white sand beaches.

The resort is the first of two Dominican Republic hotels that Starwood Hotels and Resorts is planning to open over the year or so. The first property, Four Points by Sheraton Punta Cana Village, is due to open in October, 2012 and is also being developed by Grupo Punta Cana.

Punta Cana is situated on the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean and travellers from all over the world head to the region every year to experience tropical Punta Cana holidays amid stunning natural scenery that is made up of white sand beaches, turquoise ocean waters, lush green landscapes.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Starwood Hotels and Resorts to be able to share the Puntacana experience with even more travellers as they visit the Dominican Republic,” stated Alberto Abreu, the Executive Director of Hospitality at Puntacana Resort and Club.

He added: “The Westin Puntacana Resort will allow even more visitors from around the globe to experience the one-of-a-kind beaches, weather, and activities available in our country, and at our resort. We look forward to welcoming more guests into the Puntacana family as we move forward with this project.”