The Mexican investors in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana have announced plans to build a 40-story, 400-room high rise hotel, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Santo Domingo on Av. Abraham Lincoln and Calle Jose Andres Aybar in the Poligono Central, an attractive location for shopping, restaurants, night life and city offices. In partnership with All Inclusive Collection, the full-service hotel, scheduled for opening in late 2017, will have 400 hotel rooms and suites and a state-of-the-art casino.
The construction of what will be the tallest building in Santo Domingo is due to begin before April 2016, the investors told President Danilo Medina after a meeting at the Presidential Palace. The Mexican investment group was represented by Roberto Chapur of the Hard Rock Punta Cana, Alejandro Pariente and Miguel Mora. Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo was also present.
Chapur said that they wanted to repeat their early success in Punta Cana since 2011 in the capital city. He said they were very satisfied with results so far and expressed his appreciation for government support and stability.
“The Dominican Republic is the region’s most visited country and continues to be the top performing destination in the Caribbean. In fact, the country received 19% of the record number of 26.3 million visitors to the Caribbean region in 2014,” said Nelson Parker, vice president of casino development, Hard Rock International in a Hard Rock International press release. “The decision to bring a full-service hotel and the brand’s second Caribbean casino to the Dominican Republic is a testament to the country’s remarkable strength in tourism.”
Hard Rock is showing its confidence in Santo Domingo. Frank Maduro, vice president of Marketing for All Inclusive Collection states: “We’ve had overwhelming success with our resort in Punta Cana, and are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Hard Rock International and introduce Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Santo Domingo. The vibrant atmosphere of the destination, matched with our luxury offerings and unique amenities, will make for an unforgettable and fun experience for all travelers.”
Nevertheless, Roberto Henriquez, president of the Santo Domingo Hotel Association questioned the construction of the announced hotel to add to many other new hotels recently opened or under construction in the city. In the past two years, the Embassy Suites and the JW Marriott hotels have opened in the city. The Intercontinental Real is scheduled to open in 2016.
Henriquez called for more government attention to resolving serious issues such as traffic, lighting, and sidewalk accessibility. He expressed concern that the hotel would bring more traffic congestion in a city where parking is already a serious problem.
http://presidencia.gob.do/noticias/danilo-medina-recibe-empresarios-turisticos-construiran-hotel-de-40-pisos
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hard-rock-international-announces-hard-rock-hotel–casino-santo-domingo-300204017.html
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/155455-40-floor-hard-rock-hotel-to-be-built-in-SD
