ORLANDO, Fla., PRNewswire.- Hard Rock International and Palace Resorts announced an agreement to bring the world’s first “ultimate all-inclusive” Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Slated to be re-branded in Spring 2010, the 1800-room Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will combine the distinctive atmosphere and unparalleled guest experience of the Hard Rock brand together with the five-star Moon Palace Resort all-inclusive experience.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana’s expansive 121-acre property rests on Macao Beach, one of the most beautiful, palm tree-lined beaches in the Caribbean that overlooks perfectly clear blue waters on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. The property will combine Hard Rock’s signature “Rock Star” suites with Moon Palace Resort’s signature all-inclusive luxury accommodations, including double Jacuzzis and double showers. The property will also feature an extensive collection of Hard Rock’s authentic music memorabilia, highlighting both international and local artists, as well as incorporating diverse music genres throughout.

“We’re eager to bring the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino brand to the Dominican Republic, and we look forward to establishing this property as a premier vacation and gaming destination in the Caribbean,” said Hamish Dodds, president and CEO, Hard Rock International. “Our collaboration with Palace Resorts and their track record of creating the best all-inclusive resorts in the Americas, we are confident this project will be a success.”

“We are very excited to develop the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana,” adds Roberto Chapur, President of Palace Resorts, owners of Moon Palace. “Hard Rock has brought excitement to many destinations throughout the world and we are thrilled that the brand has chosen the Dominican Republic for its next project. We look forward to working with Hard Rock to create the most exciting hotel and casino concept in the Caribbean.”

“Punta Cana is a world-class location and one of the Caribbean’s top travel destinations, and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is a perfect complement to the region,” said Dominican Republic Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia. “I am confident that Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will have a significant economic impact on our country’s growing tourism.”

Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos are ideally situated in destinations with unique character and appeal, and cater to the evolving and distinctive needs of today’s savvy traveler, who seeks a reprieve from traditional, predictable properties. Hard Rock properties offer stylish and contemporary design, unparalleled service and the thread that unites them all – music.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will feature one of the largest casinos in the Caribbean with more than 48,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino plans to offer a high-limit poker room, a VIP lounge and a Race and Sports Book, in addition to 457 slots and 40 tables, where guests can try their hand at traditional Las Vegas-style gaming, including Baccarat, Black Jack, Craps and Roulette.

“As one of the world’s most successful gaming operators, we look forward to bringing the excitement of U.S.-style gaming and our industry expertise to the Dominican Republic,” said Jim Allen, Chairman, Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment. “Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will quickly become the premier gaming destination in the Carribean.”

The property will be fully equipped to handle the largest events, from full-sized rock ‘n’ roll performances, to small, intimate occasions. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana will feature more than 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, equipped with state-of-the-art technology. For those looking to celebrate a rockin’ romance, the hotel will have numerous eye-catching locations throughout the resort, including three floating wedding pavilions.

Guests will be able to enjoy 11 expansive pools, four swim-up bars, a dedicated kids pool and a lazy river. The 15,000 square-foot Body Rock fitness center, the Xtreme Center’s rock climbing wall, two tennis courts, mini-golf, billiards, ping pong and various other table games will keep even the most active guests entertained. Hard Rock’s smallest guests will also have the benefit of a dedicated Kids Club offering daily activities and childcare services. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana’s guests will have access to an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course spread over 155 acres with 7,200 yards of amazing golf.

Retail outlets, including Hard Rock’s signature Rock Shop, a 1,200-seat amphitheater and the Caribbean’s most expansive spa, will round out the vacation experience. Hard Rock’s signature “Rock Spa” is an incredible 60,000 square-foot facility with 48 spa suites, including 11 total indoor and outdoor couples’ suites and two Golden VIP Suites, and one of the world’s most complete hydrotherapy circuits. Additional services include a Beauty Salon with kids’ salon services and a wedding suite.

He said it’s an ecological, sustainable tourism project located in Samaná Bay, Miches, El Seibo province, expected to become one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive tourism destinations and a force aimed at revitalizing the impoverished zone’s economy.

Speaking in the American Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon in the presence of president Leonel Fernandez and numerous business leaders, Cisneros said his group will initially invest US$485 million during the first three years and from now on an additional US$1.5 billion in the next 20 years. “The final result will be measured with the creation of 3,000 short term jobs, 6,000 new ones in the medium term and 14,000 positions in the long term.”

The tycoon said his motivation to build Tropicalia was to materialize a socially and economically balanced project of tourism development, based on sustainability and cultural inclusion.

The Tourism chief said the same development is expected for the Montecristi zone (northwest), where investors will soon announce projects and investment amounts in that region.

Regarding the southern region, Garcia reiterated that “the South’s hour has come” and talks and analyses between officials, executives and Barahona and Pedernales social organizations are in the final stage, which would start the development of the fourth Dominican tourism region. “All this has to do with the role the country plays as a propitious investment destination.”

DominicanToday.com