Jetsettersblog

Fishing Lodge Cap Cana is offering a special starting rate of $168 per person, per night in honor of the Dominican Republic’s 168th year of independence.

Part of the Grand Resorts at Cap Cana complex in the country’s Punta Cana region, Fishing Lodge Cap Cana features 298 villas, several built on low-rise docks with swim-out access.

The $168 rate applies to one-bedroom villa accommodations from Feb. 27 (Independence Day) through March 19, 2012. The 22-day sale period represents the end of the country’s 22-year occupation, which Independence Day observes. Grand Resorts Cap Cana is also offering celebratory all-inclusive rates during the independence sale period, with rates beginning at $199 at the Fishing Lodge and $255 at Grand Resorts’ Sanctuary property. For more information, call 866-855-4886.

Several Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America will offer “Authentically Local” packages designed to introduce travelers to local culture and language. Packages are available through Dec. 31, 2012, and feature hands-on cultural experiences specific to each hotel and destination, including dance lessons, cooking classes, cocktail tastings and boat tours.

The program also provides guests who want to learn local languages with a language immersion pin identifying the guest as an Authentically Local participant; team members will then speak to the guest in the local language. Packages also include English/Spanish/Portuguese/Papiamentu dictionaries and a list of area language schools.

Guests can also pursue hiking through a forest at the Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa or snorkeling in local waters at the Hilton Curaçao, or opt for tango lessons at Hilton properties in Brazil or seek rumba lessons at Hilton hotels in Colombia.

Authentically Local “culture consultants” are available at each property to provide guests with menus of local experiences. To book the packages, guests can contact participating hotels directly or call a local Hilton Reservations and Customer Care office, and request an Authentically Local package.

The Dominican Republic’s Riu Naiboa, in Punta Cana has completed a $12 million renovation that includes the property’s 362 rooms, as well as the addition of a new Italian restaurant and a new bar. Accommodations at this all-inclusive property in the Riu Hotels & Resorts portfolio now boast new baths, showers and liquor dispensers. In addition, the resort has a new lobby, a renovated theater bar and a new bar next to the pool.

The beach of the Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort was recently awarded the “Blue Flag” international category, issued by the European Foundation for Environmental Education to hotels that implement sustainable and eco-friendly measures to the surrounding beaches.

With this latest addition, the Dominican Republic now has 15 “Blue Flag” beaches, the largest number for any Latin American country.

The main requirements to be awarded this distinction is to introduce measures that will guarantee the correct use of local beaches by guaranteeing that the waters are not polluted and that there are no factors that will spoil the surrounding waters or the environment.

Another important addition is the collection of organic materials, maintaining safety standards, providing ramp for the disabled, defining swimming areas with buoys, proper installation of bathrooms so that waste disposal does not pollute the beaches.

Also, the development of a recycling program and the implementation of an environmental department that is responsible for the proper management of the beach and coastal management. (http://www.barcelo.com)
You can join us on Facebook and Twitter on: http://www.facebook.com/godominicanrepublic - http://twitter.com/dominicanrep _UK – Photographs: www.drsmartlibrary.com

For further information on the destination please contact: Esther Smith – pr.uk@godominicanrepublic.com Tel/fax: 01962 711239 – Mobile: 07768901197 -Website: www.godominicanrepublic.com

About Dominican Republic: Rich in history, the Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Since then, it has developed into a diverse and luxurious destination offering both Dominican Republic and European flavours to more than 220,000 British visitors each year. A leader in eco-tourism, the Dominican Republic created the world’s first Whale Sanctuary and has established protection zones for more than 20 percent of its land and coastal areas. The country boasts some of the world’s best golf courses and beaches, the largest marinas in the Caribbean and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families. Visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism’s official Web site at: www.godominicanrepublic.com  or call +44 (0)20 7242 7778.

MLT Vacations launched a Caribbean sale offering up to 10,000 bonus miles per person and reduced rates or additional amenities at select resorts throughout the Caribbean through the Delta Vacations and United Vacations brands. The sale is open for bookings through Feb. 18, for travel April 1 to Sept. 30.

MLT is promoting its Caribbean product in an effort to build on an impressive year in the Caribbean in 2011, when the company grew business in the Caribbean by 46 percent over the previous year.

MLT Vacations offers a variety of hotels, rental cars and activities in the Caribbean. MLT Vacations manages multiple vacation brands, including Delta Vacations, in partnership with Air France Holidays and Alitalia Vacations, United Vacations, and Worry-Free Vacations.

For more information, call 800-727-1111.

Travel Impressions has added new hotels, resorts and villas in the Dominican Republic, St. Bart’s, Barbados, the Grenadines, Jamaica and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, to its Caribbean product portfolio for 2012.

The added properties include Sanctuary at Cap Cana (Dominican Republic), a 176-suite, all-inclusive ocean front resort including five restaurants and bars, five pools, a spa and 18,000 square feet of event space;

Fishing Lodge at Cap Cana (Dominican Republic), located near the Caribbean’s largest inland marina providing sweeping views, designer furnishings and 299 villas;

Golden Bear Lodge at Cap Cana (Dominican Republic), a hotel with studios, one- or two-bedroom suites and two nearby golf courses;

Riu Palace Bavaro Hotel (Dominican Republic), featuring 610 guestrooms at the beach of Arena Gordon, with three swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, four conference rooms for groups of up to 500 people, a solarium-terrace, a gym, a steam bath, sauna and a spa;

Cobblers Cove (Barbados), a Relais & Chateaux property reminiscent of the English Country, with 38 one- and two-bedroom luxury suites, 10 two-story cottages with four suites each and the Great House featuring the Camelot and Colleton suites;

Ocean Two Resort & Residences (Barbados), a new, four-star, beach front resort located on Dover Beach on the south coast of Barbados, with 88 rooms in four room categories including hotel rooms, one-bedroom ocean front suites, two-bedroom ocean front suites and two-bedroom bay view suites;

Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club (Grenadines), an Italian managed hotel with 40 beachfront hideaways including eight suites and rooms with balconies overlooking the Caribbean Sea;

N Resort (Jamaica), a new, adults-only, all-nude, all-inclusive resort located on Jamaica’s north coast;

Hotel St. Barth Isle De France (St. Bart’s), a hotel on the beach with nine beach rooms, three junior beach suites and four new suites;

and The Palms at Pelican Cove (St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands), a hotel with 40 beach front guest rooms in two freestanding buildings each with its own balcony or patio.

In addition to the new hotel and resorts, Travel Impressions has added Club MoBay, a 10,000-square-foot lounge located at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Jamaica.

Club MoBay provides a place for air travelers to unwind before departure. Access to the club offers Fast Track Access through security and immigration, complimentary non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, complimentary snacks, free unlimited Wi-Fi Internet, business center, kids center, spa treatments and shower facilities. For reservations, call 800-284-0044. For more information, call 888-284-3786.

Following Multi-Million Dollar Renovations

Barceló’s Bavaró Beach in Punta Cana pampers patrons with all-new amenities

Ushering in a new era of all-inclusive luxury, the Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort recently completed a $330 million transformation debuting the adults-only Barceló Bávaro Beach hotel. Complete with renovated accommodations, redesigned lobby and Club Premium lounge, two vibrant bars, three international dining restaurants, and new pool areas; the renovated hotel was specifically redesigned with adult relaxation and entertainment in mind.

Bávaro Beach is the adult-only component in the Bávaro Beach Resort complex that also includes the nearby, family-friendly Barceló Bavaró Palace Deluxe. Together, the resorts line nearly two miles of white-sand Caribbean beach. Located in the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic in up-and-coming Punta Cana, Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort is one of the largest, most complete resort complexes in the Caribbean.

Just 20 minutes north of Punta Cana’s international airport, Barceló Bávaro Beach offers adults a one-of-a-kind relaxing getaway governed by the soft sands and tranquil waters of the Caribbean.

Guests can retreat to one of the three remodeled suites categories to Barceló’s signature guestroom. Appointed with calming colors and sweeping ocean views, accommodations feature luxurious in-room amenities like rain dance-style showers, plush bathrobes, slippers and Barceló’s signature bedding, and are equipped with the latest in in-room entertainment including a 32-inch LCD television with USB port and iPod/MP3 connections.

Vacationers can unwind with a tropical drink at one of two new bars, arrange exciting excursions at the concierge desk or enhance their experience by upgrading to Club Premium in the private lounge. Club Premium is an exclusive concept for Barceló Hotels & Resorts that grants guests the opportunity to have a unique vacation experience beyond their expectations.

Members are treated to a private check-in in the Club Premium lounge that is stocked with refreshments and computers with free Internet access. Other perks such as late check-out, free room service and in-room Wi-Fi are just a few of the many upgrades offered.

Three internationally inspired restaurants tempt pallets with a wide range of offerings.

From the a la carte international Chez Gourmet to the Caribbean buffet restaurant and the beachfront La Brisa, Bávaro Beach’s dining options provide guests with fresh gourmet meals unparalleled in the Caribbean.

Diners are also allowed complimentary access to the steak house and seafood restaurants located nearby at Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe. Bávaro Beach guests can enjoy a meal at Palace Deluxe’s additional five a la carte fine dining restaurants for a small fee, while Club Premium members can add access to their list of complimentary upgrades.

Boasting one of the largest and most-modern convention centers in the Caribbean, the Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort Convention Center provides all the state-of-the-art tools and facilities necessary for groups to conduct successful meetings and conventions.

The combination of readily equipped meeting spaces and a rejuvenating, tropical location is what makes this resort an ideal place for any group event.

With more than 80,000 square feet of meeting space across 24 meeting rooms, the Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort Convention Center accommodates up to 5,000 people and hosts a comprehensive business center.

In addition to the on-site amenities offered at the secluded Barceló Bávaro Beach, guests are also permitted access to the entertainment options at Barceló Bavaró Palace Deluxe including a championship 18-hole golf course designed by legend, P.B. Dye, multiple bars, a 16-store shopping promenade, world-class spa, Vegas-style theater, vivacious nightclub, and 24-hour sports bar and casino.

Barceló Hotels & Resorts operates 33 luxurious, all-inclusive resorts in desirable destinations throughout Latin America including Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Ecuador. For more information, please visit www.barcelo.com.

Dominican resort Casa de Campo is offering a “Winter Early Booking Bonus” featuring a discount of $50 per room, per night for stays from Jan. 4 to April 24, 2012. The offer applies to reservations made through Jan. 31, 2012. Under the offer, rates start at $445 per night.

Guests who book stays of seven nights or longer during the period will also receive a seventh night free and $300 resort credit under the “Extended Casa Escape” promotion.

Additional advance-purchase savings of 20 percent off are available to travelers who book more than 180 days in advance, and savings of 15 percent are available to guests who book 90 to 179 days in advance. The Winter Early Booking Bonus is combinable with the Extended Casa Escape. For more information, call 800-877-3643.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is giving guests an opportunity to unleash their hidden rock star with Camp Jam, a special music camp weekend from Dec. 27, 2011, to Jan. 1, 2012, where musicians will teach stage performance techniques, and guests will also have a chance to be the opening act at the resort’s New Year’s Eve All Star Jam.

Music lovers will learn the ins and outs of stage performing, and will be judged by a panel featuring celebrity musicians who have shared the stage with rock icons including Billy Joel, 38 Special, Survivor, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Santana and more.

Vacationers will learn from the best during Camp Jam classes, where they’ll join a band, learn to play a song and engage in friendly competition to earn the Camp Jam title at a Battle of the Bands.

Also, 200 guests have the chance to score VIP access and enjoy an intimate private party with celebrities on Friday, Dec. 30, before the next day’s big New Year’s Eve All Star Jam.

A New Year’s Eve Rock the Red Carpet event will feature 38 Special’s Jeff Carlisi, member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame house band; Jack Blades of Night Ranger, song co-writer for Aerosmith, Cher and Ozzy Osbourne; Billy Joel’s drummer Liberty Devitto, who shared the stage with Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger; Wet Willie’s Jimmy Hall, who shared the stage with The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd; and Starship’s vocalist and bassist Jeff Adams, who shared the stage with Santana and The Supremes.

A second Camp Jam will take place at Aventura Cove Palace, soon to be rebranded as the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, on April 2 to 7, 2012. For more information, call 888-762-5002.

Viva Wyndham Resorts’ Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort on Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas, and Viva Wyndham Tangerine Resort in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, are offering all-inclusive holiday rates.

The Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort holiday rate is $104 per person, per night. At the Viva Wyndham Tangerine Resort, the rate is $88 per person, per night. Both rates are based on double occupancy and valid now through Jan. 2, 2012. Guests at both properties can also enjoy special Christmas menus unique to each property, and a New Year’s Eve gala dinner and party.