Development Playa Grande/Rio San Juan

[Gringo]

AS per the news yesterday on Dr1, I was wondering if anyone has anymore information with regards to the development of the Rio San Juan/ Playa Grande area. (Three new Hotels)?

I own some Beach Front property that I have held for many years, Area just before Bahia Principe Hotel, Also I have a friend who owns freash water on his property (Very scarce and contamenated in that Area)

Gringo

 

[Jim Driscoll]

Playa Grande Development

The Kohler company and Herb Kohler have extremely deep pockets. Mr Kohler has been instrumental in developing both golf and hotel (read expensive) in the State of Wisconsin.

The existing developments in Eastern Wisconsin include 4 golf courses and several very upscale hotel complexes.

The golf courses include Whistling Straits, which will host the 2004 PGA of American professional tournament. The land at Whistling Straits also supports the "Irish Course." Both courses resemble British/Irish seaside courses. Green fees are in the $250.00 US per round.

The other two courses are located in the city of Kohler. One of the courses hosted the US Women's open professional tournament, several years ago.

The Kohler complex hotels have room rates ranging from approximately,$200.00 to $500.00 US, per night.

Mr. Kohler carries a great deal of political clout in the US.

His developments are always first class. I would guess the addition to Playa Grande will also be first class. Also because of his wealth his projects usually are completed on time. I wonder, however, how he will be able to deal with the political climate in the DR.

All of us who have been able to play golf at Playa Grande, for about $100.00 US, will now and in the future probably see fees increase greatly.

The final outcome of this development, hotel rooms and additional gold courses wil most likely drive the price of land in the area through the roof.

By the way, I am a Wisconsin resident, who has taken 18 trips to the Dominican Republic. I am also a golf nut so I will be extremely interested in the progress of this development. I have been able to stay at Kohler's resorts in Wisconsin along with being able to play golf at each of the courses. This certainly does not make me an expert, but I do have some personal insight into the Kohler developments.

 

[AtlantaBob]

Speaking of golf in the DR...

the television cable channel, USA Network, on its "PGA Tour Sunday" program which airs in the US east at 11:00 am Sunday mornings has a segment titled "2 Days in Paradise - Ultimate Golf Destinations". This weekend it features the Dominican Republic. I hope it shows somewhere besides Casa de Campo.

 

[RandyE]

You are dead nuts on, Jim. Rates at PG will continually increase to the $150 to $200US range, well above current fees. Problem with this is Playa Dorado will recognize this and "only" charge in the $80 range. The $10 9 holers in the area will incease proportionately. Golf trips to the North Coast will no longer be the bargain they have been since my first trip in 1990. To think golf was free back then.... I understand the need for investment on the North Shore, but this is BIG TIME and will affect the area in many ways. Just my opinion.

 

[NALs]

This is all part of the Game!

First the little fishes (bargain hunters) are lured into the country to see how it all goes. The DR has a very high grade and now, the big fishes (deep pocket folks) are begining to come and not only to Casa de Campo. The DR is in for huge transformations in the following decade, as long as tourism is concerned. People, buy your properties now. You'll thank yourself in a few years, especially once Cap Cana makes it into the ears and lips of the world's elite and this new deal at Playa Grande goes through. The DR is going to see an explosion in tourism.

 

[Mr_DR]

kohler in DR

The Kohler company and Herb Kohler have extremely deep pockets. Mr Kohler has been instrumental in developing both golf and hotel (read expensive) in the State of Wisconsin.

The existing developments in Eastern Wisconsin include 4 golf courses and several very upscale hotel complexes.

The golf courses include Whistling Straits, which will host the 2004 PGA of American professional tournament. The land at Whistling Straits also supports the "Irish Course." Both courses resemble British/Irish seaside courses. Green fees are in the $250.00 US per round.

The other two courses are located in the city of Kohler. One of the courses hosted the US Women's open professional tournament, several years ago.

The Kohler complex hotels have room rates ranging from approximately,$200.00 to $500.00 US, per night.

Mr. Kohler carries a great deal of political clout in the US.

His developments are always first class. I would guess the addition to Playa Grande will also be first class. Also because of his wealth his projects usually are completed on time. I wonder, however, how he will be able to deal with the political climate in the DR.

All of us who have been able to play golf at Playa Grande, for about $100.00 US, will now and in the future probably see fees increase greatly.

The final outcome of this development, hotel rooms and additional gold courses wil most likely drive the price of land in the area through the roof.

By the way, I am a Wisconsin resident, who has taken 18 trips to the Dominican Republic. I am also a golf nut so I will be extremely interested in the progress of this development. I have been able to stay at Kohler's resorts in Wisconsin along with being able to play golf at each of the courses. This certainly does not make me an expert, but I do have some personal insight into the Kohler developments.

...

It will drive everything through the roof including prices you will pay to play a game of golf......I dont think this company is a good idea and soon this place will not be a cheap and nice vacation spot anymore......alaskandomi

 

[Golfer]

Link to Wisconsin news story 4-18-04

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/apr04/223061.asp

Just wishfull thinking again!

 

[BushBaby]

For those interested in Playing Golf here!!

here is a company called FedoGolf that has organised a 'discount' price at several golf courses in the DR. I have just joined as I found the rates for a "Extranajeros" (Ex-Pat) membership at Playa Dorada totally unacceptable against what a Dominican pays!! US $2,500 for me (RD $100,000) RD $20,000 for a Dominican. Playa Grande is RD $120,000 Ex-Pat & RD $30,000 for Dominican!! I have been here 12 years, have my residencia, Carne AND driving licence (more than most Dominicans!!) & have played Playa Dorada for the last 11 years BUT........ No Dice, they won't play fair, so they lose out!!!

If any tourist wants to come down here to play more than 5 rounds of golf a year, this is a good idea as green fees are approx 1/2 price through FedoGolf. I would be happy to handle the enquiries on your behalf to FedoGolf (& before you guys start yelling 'scam' & 'profiteer' - I am offering to do it at NO charge to the enquirer & NO commission from FedoGolf), getthe forms sent directly to you by Fax & you can send the forms (& credit card/check or whatever other form of payment you choose) directly to them! I am merely the facilitator for people interested parties together!!

PM or e-mail if you want to know more or want me to talk to FedoGolf on your behalf!! - Grahame.

 

[RandyE]

After reading Golfers news report I guess there is still hope. Grahame, I know you have been a member at POP for years, but IF this sale goes through it means big changes. First of all, the reciprical agreements between POP, Santiago and Playa Grande will cease as Kohler markets what can only be descibed as HIGH end daily fee courses. Green fee will be in the $200 range for all players, including you, as they already know Casa De Campo is getting that. Cost of food, booze, and accomodation will double or triple current rates. Did anyone notice that after playing a round at PG, he stated the course was a mess? Really hope this is a no go.

 

[Conchman]

Just because some new high end properties are started up and old ones fixed up, doesn't mean that prices for the existing properties in the region would change. While fees at current Playa Grande Golf Course may rise, I really doubt this would have any effect on the Playa Dorada course or on the prices of PD hotels. (The Playa Dorada course is also owned by the government, by the time they are done with it, it might take higher fees to fix it back up).

Each gets tourists via completely different markets and strategies, and I just don't see how it would drive prices up on existing properties in the area unless they were directly adjacent.

 

[Dolores1]

The Playa Dorada course is also owned by the government, by the time they are done with it, it might take higher fees to fix it back up.

No longer true. The government sold Playa Dorada to a group of Puerto Plata hoteliers. See link below in dr1 travel news.

http://dr1.com/travelnews/archive/2004/tnews030904.html

 

[Jane J.]

Mondongo, you are not alone in thinking this is not a good thing.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/articulo...d=CB7C61E3F5BE49F688DC26A3BCCE035D&Seccion=69

 

[Narcosis]

Jane;

If you read it carefully especially the last paragraph Rainieri says this will be great for the country, especially if Kohler makes the investments he says he will. This is from a direct competitor of this project but he understands that the more attention the country gets the better it is for all.

He just thought the BC did a bad job of appraising the land, I think you get no arguement from anyone on that respect.

 

[RandyE]

Sorry Conchman, I have to disagree. Ever been to Cancun? Two 18 holers, both over $100. Played Pok te Pok, about the same as PD. Ocho Rios, Half Moon Bay, Runaway Bay and Sandals, very expensive along with cab fare. Bermuda- Castle Harbor, Riddell's bay and Belmont, cost a c-note or better. PG will have the best course (s) and highest fees while the other 2 will follow suit and raise fees (without having to improve facilities) proportionately. All of this talk, of course, may prove to be for nada if the deal doesn't go.

 

[Jane J.]

Narcosis, you're right, while the headline gives it a very negative slant, the sub-headline is

Asegura que con la transacci?n el pa?s gan?, pero el BC perdi?

I just realized I'm posting in the wrong thread! I thought it supported what mondongo said here about it having been sold too cheaply.

Sorry about that. Carry on.

 

[Conchman]

Cancun is a bad example. You have what, about 50,000 hotel rooms, many catering a strong American market, all serviced by only two golf courses? Of course the prices are going to be high.

Most hotel rooms on the north coast of the DR are still driven by the cheap Europe charter market which has low demand for golf and thus the prices will not rise from one or two American hotels being established in the area, especially since they will have their own course (and yes, that course will be expensive to play on).

 

[Escott]

I wish I knew what this was all about. Friends that come here tell me that it is expensive to play Playa Grande NOW. What will change?

 

[Barry]

Playa Grande may be expensive based on DR standards but not based on US standards. (In the US a round of golf on a course of this quality would cost at least 200).

Last time I was in the DR I played there and it cost about 67 US,
Tooth of the dog costs at least 2X that amount. If this guy does buy the course the Daily fees could easily double or triple.

That said, one of the reasons I do not go to Jamaica iss the 2.5 hour bus ride to any resort outside of Montego Bay after the plane ride. It kills first and last day of your vacation, so unless a new airport is built this may not work out.

 

[NY1]

Barry the ride from POP to Playa Grande would be only about an hour, not as far as you think.

 

[NALs]

Or...

the company can always bribe the government officials down in the Capital to secure a loan to built an expressway (like Autopista Duarte). I'm sure bribing government officials is much cheaper than building their own airport. An expressway from Puerto Plata's Circunvalacion Sur avenue all the way to Cabrera with a top speed limit of 100kph (like if anyone follows those laws) could and can make the ride quicker, safer, and could further make the northcoast a mega tourist spot, outside the AIs. That's what the northcoast needs, more industry and more jobs. Let the bribing begin!

By the way, do anyone think that this Kohler company might have a chance of becoming the next Gulf and Western, at least in the Dominican Republic sense. Gulf and Western basically controlled the government when it had control of a sugar cane plantation that they turned into a super exclusive resort named Casa de Campo.