First All Inclusive Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Now Open
Rock-Star Style and Rock-Star Treatment at the World’s First All Inclusive Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
If you’ve heard one of Nickelback’s most popular songs on the radio, you may have found yourself singing along to “Hey, Hey, I wanna be a rock star.”
If you are big into Rock music, or you just simply wanted to be treated like a rock star, then you are in luck. Your next all inclusive vacation could have that Rock n’ Roll vibe, thanks to the opening of the world’s first all inclusive Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This luxury resort is owned by Palace Resorts and was formerly known as Moon Palace Golf, Casino and Spa Resort. Now in partnership with the Hard Rock brand, this resort has gone through extensive renovations.
According to Frank Maduro, Vice President of Marketing for Palace Resorts, the Moon Palace Golf, Casino and Spa Resort went through a facelift. “Basically we took a brand-new hotel that we had just finished and reinvested another $25 million,” he said. “The whole thing took about six months. We converted a lot of the bars and the room inventory to have the Hard Rock look and feel.
“Colors were updated,” he added. “It has an edgier, more modern look. There is music playing in different areas. The rooms have been redecorated and repainted. It now fits more of the Hard Rock brand and standards.”
Featuring Hard Rock’s authentic music memorabilia, the resort pays tribute to international and local artists across various music genres. “One of the things that make this resort different from other resorts is that it has a theme surrounding music,” said Maduro. “The Hard Rock resorts are like historical sites for music memorabilia. It’s almost like walking into a vault that contains music memorabilia from past decades.
“There is so much memorabilia that it is a bit overwhelming,” he continued. Maduro shared just a few of the items guests can find at the resort, such as a limo used to shoot one of Madonna’s videos, a dragster owned by Sammy Hagar, a guitar owned by Van Halen, a Richie Sambora jacket, and a dress from Shakira. “It’s hard to pinpoint just one great item,” he added.
While the resort is currently open and fully functional, Palace Resorts will kick off a week-long grand opening celebration for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana on January 29, 2011. Various celebrities will be on property and guests can enjoy concerts and activities featuring top musicians, said Maduro. The actual line-up of artists will be announced closer to the grand opening.
With all of the changes, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana is now a one-of-a-kind property, not only in the Dominican Republic, but in the Caribbean. “In the Dominican Republic, there seems to be quite a number of all-inclusive properties,” said Maduro. “The only difference seems to be the price. Nobody really stands out. By joining forces with Hard Rock, it afforded us the opportunity to stand apart from all the other all-inclusive properties in the Dominican Republic.”
A Luxurious Stay
This upscale, all inclusive, five-star resort offers luxury and extravagance at every turn. By January of 2011, all 1,790 rooms will be stylishly decorated according to the “Hard Rock-style” with an edgier feel and a hip atmosphere. Some of the unique touches available in select suites include special lighting and a sound system.
Regardless of the room design or room category, there is no doubt that a luxurious and comfortable stay is at hand. All rooms feature a double Jacuzzi, balcony, mini bar and liquor dispenser, an LCD TV with satellite, free wireless internet, free unlimited long distance phone calls to the U.S., air conditioning, Rock Spa® bath amenities, Sleep Like a Rock® high-thread count bedding, 24-hour room service, and a turndown service.
Of course, venturing out of the rooms is a must for guests who want to enjoy a wide array of activities. For instance, water lovers might decide to test out every pool available. With 15 pools—eight of which are oceanfront, three kids pools, and one lazy river—and the beautiful Macau Beach, fun in the sun can be found in any number of places.
Something for Everyone
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana offers activities of all kinds and can cater to various types of guests. “We have so many things for families,” explained Maduro. “We have a water park with a water slide and a lazy river. We have a rock climbing wall, mini golf, arcade centers for both teens and younger kids, a teen-friendly nightclub, and kid-friendly activities throughout the day. These are heavily supervised enclosed activities, such as scavenger events, sports-related events, and arts and crafts. For older kids, some of the activities might be outside or on the beach. It all depends on the age level. In addition, not only do we have kid’s menus, but we have soda bars and ice cream bars geared toward kids.”
Theme parties, contests, singers and live performances are sure to entertain any age. Meanwhile, adults can take advantage of the family activities or enjoy amenities such as tennis, an amphitheater, a 15,000-square-foot fitness center with classes and a beauty salon, shopping on-site, billiards, bicycles, ping pong, table games, beach volleyball and beach soccer, non-motorized water sports, and tours and excursions.
The resort also offers a lot for couples. “We have great suites and great bars,” said Maduro. “It’s a great destination for couples. There is the Eden Pool, which is adults-only. It’s a chic and trendy pool with chaise lounge chairs, a pool-side service, and a dedicated bar and snack area. We also have one of the widest beaches in the destination. We also offer great wedding and honeymoon packages. And one of the biggest things that couples look for is dining options.”
When hunger strikes, the opportunity exists to take a world tour of fine dining in one of 11 restaurants. With no restrictions on buffet or a la carte, and no reservations needed, all can enjoy premium cuts of beef, Italian and Japanese cuisine, seafood dishes, home-cooked breakfasts, and more. And the party never stops for those interested in fine wines, beer, and top-shelf alcohol from around the world.
And when discussing all inclusive at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana, this includes drinks in the six bars. Plus, beginning with the grand opening of the nightclub, Oro, in January 2011, party goers can dance the night away to the hottest music coming from a state-of-the-art sound system. Also open to the public, Oro is part of the casino complex. Guests staying at the all inclusive resort can use resort credit towards entrance and drinks in the nightclub.
In addition, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino now features the largest Vegas-style casino in the Dominican Republic with over 45,000 square feet of space. Guests can try their luck at the 457 slot machines or the 40 gaming tables, which feature Poker, Baccarat, Black Jack, Craps, and Roulette.
World-Class Spa and Golf Amenities
On a slower, more relaxing note, the signature Rock Spa adds another level to pampering. Options include mud wraps, hydrotherapy, color therapy steam rooms, a clay steam room, sauna, hydro-reflexology, sensory expertise pool, an ice room, and more in the 65,000 square foot spa. “Couples rooms are also offered where couples can get services at the same time,” added Maduro.
Meanwhile, golf enthusiasts can also enjoy paradise when they play the Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole championship golf course. And beginning in the spring or summer of 2011, guests can use their resort credit in the Jack Nicklaus Teaching Academy, which is decked out with video and other equipment to teach guests how to play golf.
Groups and meetings can also be accommodated at this expansive resort.
So whatever your desired mix of activities and dining, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana can help you feel like a rock star. “As far as this resort goes, it’s quite a unique property,” added Maduro. “The experience you have is unlike anything else out there.”
All Inclusive Outlet has now added the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana to its product line. Bookings can now be made through AllInclusiveOutlet.com or by calling 888-403-4647.
