Occidental Announces Reopenings and Expansions

Occidental Hotels & Resorts will reopen the Royal Hideaway Playacar on March 27 following repairs from Hurricane Wilma. The resort will boast a new infinity pool; new signature restaurant, called Las Ventanas by Sergi Arola; Spices oceanfront restaurant and a rebuilt Beach Grill and Snack bar. All rooms will be renovated. Look for two additional Royal Hideaway properties to come online within the next two years in Punta Cana's Cap Cana development in the Dominican Republic and in the Riviera Maya near Tulum in Mexico. According to Gabriel Felip, president and COO of Occidental, the firm is looking at two additional Royal Hideaway developments in Los Cabos and Costa Rica. On May 1, the company will also debut the all-inclusive Occidental Grand Aruba Resort, which was previously an Allegro-branded property. The resort underwent a $24 million transformation and will feature 391 rooms and suites, seven restaurants, a kids club and the 50 Royal Club rooms with access to VIP services. The spa and fitness center will open in the fall.