New York Times: Maxim Magazine opening two Dominican resorts (Cofresi, Juan Dolio)

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aegap

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Maxim Offers Its Vision of a Vacation Pad

By JENNIFER CONLIN
Published: May 27, 2007

Maxim, the men?s magazine that features articles like ?Secret Sex? and ?Horror Movie Hotties,? is opening a resort in the Dominican Republic this fall.
Dennis Publishing, the parent company of Maxim, has partnered with Elliott, a resort, hospitality and real estate company based in the Dominican Republic, to create Maxim Bungalows, which is scheduled to open in October.

Situated on the side of a mountain at Cofresi Beach on the north coast, the resort will have 108 studio and one- and two-bedroom bungalows, above right. Each will be equipped with plasma screen TVs, Wi-Fi and iHome audio. There will be pools, cabanas, a lounge and a 17,000-square-foot spa. Studio bungalows will start at $413 a night; one-bedroom units at $752.
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A second Maxim Bungalows is planned for early 2008 in Juan Dolio, on the south coast of the Dominican Republic. That resort will have a more urban design, with four presidential suites and some 200 rooms in three towers.

::.MAXIM BUNGALOWS.::
 
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planner

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Sep 23, 2002
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This deal started over a year ago. As I understand it Maxim will "Maximize" various units at Sun Village Resort in Cofresi and Juan Dolio and then charge exorbitant rates for the units.

In Cofresi I am sure they will be using the buildings that are now in construction. In Juan Dolio they are renovating the entire resort. Both projects are well behind schedule.

What is interesting to me is the demographics of the Maxim market vs the Sun Village market. Maxim mainly appeals to the upwardly mobile male 25 to 40, fun loving, technically proficient and well educated. They love their night life. I wonder where they will find that in Cofresi, Sun Village and Puerto Plata?

I do think this is great exposure for the North Coast, Sun Village and the Elliotts!
 
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aegap

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That may be Maxim's target market, however, it certainly has great appeal even way outside of it..
 
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planner

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Of course! Lots of people read the magazine........ for the articles of course......LOL

I always wonder though why they would throw so much money into a project when the target markets are not a great fit.
 
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Ricardo900

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planner said:
Of course! Lots of people read the magazine........ for the articles of course......LOL

I always wonder though why they would throw so much money into a project when the target markets are not a great fit.
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I agree, my co-workers fit into that target area and their trips consists of Spain, France, Prague, Argentina and even Dubai. They're Hipsters who are always looking for the hangout scene, but I guess we'll see.
 
Conchman

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The Maxim Suites (operated by Elliot - Sun Village) in Cofresi will be separated from Sun Village and won't be all inclusive. I have seen the model and looks amazing, very upscale, very chic. I suppose the girl scene and facilities like Ocean World Marina & Casino will fit right into the target market of Maxim Magazine.
 
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tflea

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The 'new thang' is niche marketing, not to the masses. The 'niche' crowd spend more bucks and you don't have as many headaches. Maxim has a handle on that pulse. they don't spend a lot of stupid money, do they.
 
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planner

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Absolutely Ocean World Casino and the club will be up their alley. The girls - well we shall see...LOL

But is that enough? IF they are not part of the All Inclusive that will be interesting. At that price and it is not all inclusive......
 
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DAKRA

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Who are the customers who can afford this? - I am sure that they have done their market research....

sounds like Europeans or now those from the Middle East..
 
Conchman

Conchman

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planner said:
Absolutely Ocean World Casino and the club will be up their alley. The girls - well we shall see...LOL

But is that enough? IF they are not part of the All Inclusive that will be interesting. At that price and it is not all inclusive......
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Their main market will be Americans and Canadians. Remember Americans are used to NOT using all-inclusive.

E.g. Atlantis in The Bahamas charges for $300-900 per night for a hotel room and then $7 per beer plus 18% tip, and they are packed, just opened up Phase III multi-billion dollar development.

Sure Sun Village is not Atlantis but it shows that people are used to paying prices like this.
 
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Kyle

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if it satisfied my needs for a vacation spot, i could see paying 413.00 a night.

NOT !!!!
 
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planner

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But the real question is - will they pay these prices? Remember the north coast is not considered a 5 star or even 4 star destination. That would be Punta Cana.

I agree their market is mainly Americans. And I think it will draw mainly from the New York area - good flight connections and times. Time will tell though and this will be interesting to watch.

I really do believe it will be excellent for Ocean World's casino and club. And maybe it will encourage additional higher level developement.
 
Conchman

Conchman

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I guess the point I am trying to make is that people who will book into a Maxim Resort won't really care what the 'destination' is rated at, they are booking Maxim. In Cancun you can find 5 star or 2 star. What is Cancun's destination?

How can Punta Cana even be a destination per say, what does it have outside the walls of the AI resort? The destination is what the resort makes it, together with the surrounding appeals. While Puerto Plata itself might be a downer, the area does have beautiful mountains, nice villages nearby, and more possiblities to interact with local folk.

A good friend of mine said the only thing wrong with Cofresi is Puerto Plata, I thought that was quite amusing.
 
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planner

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Somehow I suspect a Maxim client - paying high rates - will expect the best. There is nothing wrong with the resort at all or the surrounding area. There is a lot wrong with the night life in the area or should I say lack of night life.

Sure the mountains are beautiful, the beach is nice, the pools are beautiful but what are they going to do at night? Are they expecting a Cancun type experience? Nightclubs all around? Heck Sun Village doesn't even have a night club to speak of. Thank goodness for Ocean World. I know there are plans to build the "boardwalk" etc, let's hope it all works out as I do believe it will be good for the area!
 
Conchman

Conchman

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planner said:
Somehow I suspect a Maxim client - paying high rates - will expect the best. There is nothing wrong with the resort at all or the surrounding area. There is a lot wrong with the night life in the area or should I say lack of night life.

Sure the mountains are beautiful, the beach is nice, the pools are beautiful but what are they going to do at night? Are they expecting a Cancun type experience? Nightclubs all around? Heck Sun Village doesn't even have a night club to speak of. Thank goodness for Ocean World. I know there are plans to build the "boardwalk" etc, let's hope it all works out as I do believe it will be good for the area!
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There is always Cristal!

But your point is well taken.
 
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