Hard Rock’s First All-Inclusive

 

A Hard Rock Concierge Level Suite
A Hard Rock Concierge Level Suite includes such rock-star amenities as an in-room hot tub and private check-in and checkout.



It’s been a series of firsts. Hard Rock International and Palace Resorts have teamed up for the first time to open the doors to the very first all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The property debuted on November 1.

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. “Hard Rock looks for partners with the ability to execute plans, and with Palace Resorts’ track record, there was no doubt this would be a good collaboration,” Galloway said.

The mega resort opened on the Punta Cana beachfront with 1,791 rooms; the 48-cabin Rock Spa; 48,000-square-foot casino; 15 pools; 15 bars; and 11 restaurants. Guests can tee off at the nearby Jack Nicklaus designed golf club.  A signature nightclub is slated to open in the first quarter of 2011. As in any Hard Rock establishment, no detail was spared in the design. (Even cymbals and microphone cords were used in the light fixtures.)

“The Dominican Republic’s tourism is [on the rise], and we just fell in love with the location,” says Galloway.

Galloway and Chapur will first get this particular property up to speed, but the two agreed that there is a potential for more properties—and all-inclusives.