SuperClubs takes over Sol y Plata

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

abe

New member
Jan 2, 2002
522
35
0
I know I got that name slightly wrong, but is absolutely true that SuperClubs has taken over the LTI property between Sosua and Cabarete. Who has actually been on the property and are they on schedule to have it reflagged and ready for all those deep-pocketed North Americans?

Actually Breezes is not a high end AI brand, but getting a new strain of visitor to the area and having the confidence building notion that a major hospitality company has given a vote of confidence to the North Coast could not be better news.

Now, the question becomes--what will Breezes do to keep its guests locked up within their walls? Or will they facilitate excursions that will get the new visitors ambling along the Amber Coast?

Does anyone have any insights?
 
A

arturo

Bronze
Mar 14, 2002
1,336
97
48
Superclubs on the North Coast

I think first of all that any owner is better than no owner and a shuttered property. If Superclubs's tactics in its primary area of operations - Jamaica - is any indication, they are relatively less prone to "locking in" their customers than their primary competitor, the Sandals chain. In addition to its home country and main area of operations in Jamaica, Superclubs has properties in Brazil, Cuba, and the Bahamas.

Realistically speaking, I don't expect they will differ significantly from any of the other big time all inclusive operators.
 
Hlywud

Hlywud

Gold
Jan 1, 2002
6,962
118
63
Member of DR1 since 2002
www.beyondthebeach.ca
I am not familiar with the LTI between Sosua and Cabarte and have seen no announcement on this property.
Read Todays DR1 News and see that SuperClubs offices are in Hollywood Florida.
Been to a couple of SuperClub's Breezes and they are well managed resorts, and I would go to either of their new Punta Cana resorts in a minute.
In fact the tour operators brochures in Canada have SuperClub's Breezes listed as the owners of these effective December 15th, so it was in the works for awhile.
 
E

Escott

Gold
Jan 14, 2002
7,716
6
0
www.escottinsosua.blogspot.com
This place wasn't boarded up. It was running German Tourists into the place.

When I was in the Turks and Caicos there was a Breezes down the beach. I use to take the people from my botique French Hotel there for drinks. I was a big sport. We use to walk in and drink and eat for free. Nice place:) It was expensive for AI standards. Most expensive place on the Islands if I remember correctly.

Yes, I think it will be good for the area. They are opening up a 6000 Sq. Ft casino there also.
 
Last edited:
J

JOHNNY HONDA

Motorcycle MANIAC
Sep 25, 2002
771
0
0
Scotty,you in a casino,nah
Superclubs will take over sol de plata on dec.15th,they have also bought or leased the hotel in playa chiquita right across the street from sosuas casino tentative date for opening sometime in dec.finally americans to the north coast,i believe it will help local buiseness as my experience is americans cant stay long in a cage like ai they want good food,good bars good company,heres hoping:confused: :confused:
 
A

arturo

Bronze
Mar 14, 2002
1,336
97
48
I don't agree with what you said about Americans

I'm wondering how well you know the American tourist. I agree that all inclusives are basically very comfortable prisons, but we have to remember that our perspectives are different from the perspective of Americans who know nothing of the surrounding country other than the fact that it isn't America and few people speak English. Don't forget, once you leave the Breezes property you are suddenly exposed to darkness, power outages, unpurified water, unfamiliar food, and so on. Those are attractions for some and frightening inconveniences for others. I wouldn't be counting my U.S. dollars just yet.

On the other hand, I think it's a safe bet that reputable operators of quality off property attractions can expect incremental business from the SuperClubs customers. Safari tours and similar excursions will do well but few tourists in the SuperClubs class who are paying upwards of US$500/day per couple (yes, that's right, check the brochures) exclusive of airfare, will be willing to increase their costs with off property meals when they have unlimted food on property.

JOHNNY HONDA said:
Scotty,you in a casino,nah
Superclubs will take over sol de plata on dec.15th,they have also bought or leased the hotel in playa chiquita right across the street from sosuas casino tentative date for opening sometime in dec.finally americans to the north coast,i believe it will help local buiseness as my experience is americans cant stay long in a cage like ai they want good food,good bars good company,heres hoping:confused: :confused:
Click to expand...
 
J

JOHNNY HONDA

Motorcycle MANIAC
Sep 25, 2002
771
0
0
I know a little about american and even tourists from canada europe and other destinations have been here awhile as in almost 16 years and have only made my money in tourism,a large number of americans get really tired of of the same food buffets offer day to day and unlike some people from countrys i wont mention,they bring cash and credit cards with them and are not afraid to spend money.if you find something to attract them they will keep coming back,i know this with experience
 
A

abe

New member
Jan 2, 2002
522
35
0
SuperClubs is market segmented......

and Breezes is the lower end. They won't be paying as much as Arturo mentioned.

My experience with the American tourist to the North Coast is that they need to be constantly exposed to the reality of life in the DR. Once they get used to the moto conchos and the loud music on the speaker trucks, etc. they see more readily all the really great stuff.

I wonder, if Breezes' guests only get a few visits off property, will they have the chance to work through the initially unpleasant things? It takes exposure and time and I do hope that SuperClubs recognizes that sending the guests off property a lot might not mean losing the guest for the next visit. Rather, it might help the guest develop a taste for the DR and bring them back again.

We all tend to see the AI issue as black and white--perhaps guests can enjoy certain benefits of the AI and still be exposed to the country.

It sure works for other Americans who have a chance to see that the tradeoffs for putting up with a few close shaves by the motoconchos are very much worth it. The warmth of the Dominicans, the variety of fresh food, the incredible sights, and the chance to be foreign but not too foreign--all of this will win them back.
 
A

arturo

Bronze
Mar 14, 2002
1,336
97
48
quick reality check on Breezes Puerto Plata prices

OK, I'll do this quickly - sort of a Jim Hinsch imitation - from the Superclubs reservations web site,

http://superclubs.com/booking.asp

14 days - - Feb. 14 to Feb 28 2003 (it's already all booked up for Christmas) the price range is in fact as I stated "upwards of $500 per couple per day", the lowest price is $3,226 or $230/couple/day and the top room category is $6,888 or $492/couple/day. That's exclusive of taxes and incidentals of course.

So, my point was and is that few will want to spend any more than that if they can help it. I'm familiar with the way Superclubs operates and, to their credit, they generally make an effort to incorporate local attractions into their product and they educate their guests about local customs and culture.

I agree with the previous poster. I think the DR is great and I don't think anyone who spends most of their time within the Breezes gates will be able to discern that. The Issas, by the way, have wealthy relatives in the DR and most everywhere else in the Caribbean.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom