It's been a week of firsts for Hard Rock International and Palace Resorts, as the two giants teamed up for the first time to open the doors to the very first all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Travel Agent sat down with John Galloway, vice president and chief marketing officer for Hard Rock International and Rafael Chapur, chief operating officer for Palace Resorts.
On meeting the two, it was clear that this was a match made in heaven as they showed equal admiration and enthusiasm for each other's brands and expertise. "Hard Rock looks for partners with the ability to execute plans, and with Palace Resorts' track record there was no doubt that this would be a good collaboration," Galloway tells us.
The resort opened its doors on November 1, with prime Punta Cana beach front, 1,791 rooms, a 48-cabin spa, 48,000-square-foot casino, 15 pools, 15 bars, 11 restaurants and a signature nightclub slated to open around January or February 2011. Don't forget the key words: All-Inclusive.
As in any Hard Rock establishment, guests can look forward to the hippest design and the hottest details, like Elton John's piano or Madonna's limo.
"The Dominican Republic's tourism and interest is going up, and we just fell in love with the location," says Galloway.
Currently Galloway and Chapur are focused on getting this particular property going full speed, but the two agreed that with a partnership as strong as theirs, there is a potential for more properties to come - and more all-inclusive.
Check out the full page, color ad in the New York Times travel section this weekend. The resort will also host a welcome event in January with top musical guests, to be named at a later date.
Visit www.hardrockhotelpuntacana.com.
