Starwood Hotels To Open New Westin Resort For Punta Cana Holidays In 2013

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is planning to build a new resort in the Dominican Republic after it signed an agreement with development partner Grupo Punta Cana. The Westin Puntacana Resort is expected to open to tourists taking Dominican Republic holidays in late 2013 in the Playa Blanca area of the Puntacana Resort and Club complex.

The new resort will have 204 luxurious rooms including 16 suites, and guests going on holidays to the Dominican Republic can enjoy facilities such as a large swimming pool, full service spa, fitness centre, 24-hour business centre, meeting and wedding rooms, children’s club, walking trails, lobby bar and a poolside grill.

Brian Povinelli, the Global Brand Leader for Westin Hotels and Resorts, commented: “The Westin Puntacana Resort is a highly anticipated addition to our growing resorts portfolio, offering travellers a refreshing, island retreat on one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean.

“The new resort will offer all of the Westin brand’s signature programs and amenities, designed to inspire wellbeing and send guests home feeling better than when they arrived.”

During holidays in the Dominican Republic, travellers staying at the new resort will also have access to first-class amenities at the Puntacana Resort and Club, such as championship golf course, nine gourmet restaurants, a Six Senses Spa, a 1,500-acre ecological reserve and three miles of pristine white sand beaches.

The resort is the first of two Dominican Republic hotels that Starwood Hotels and Resorts is planning to open over the year or so. The first property, Four Points by Sheraton Punta Cana Village, is due to open in October, 2012 and is also being developed by Grupo Punta Cana.

Punta Cana is situated on the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean and travellers from all over the world head to the region every year to experience tropical Punta Cana holidays amid stunning natural scenery that is made up of white sand beaches, turquoise ocean waters, lush green landscapes.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Starwood Hotels and Resorts to be able to share the Puntacana experience with even more travellers as they visit the Dominican Republic,” stated Alberto Abreu, the Executive Director of Hospitality at Puntacana Resort and Club.

He added: “The Westin Puntacana Resort will allow even more visitors from around the globe to experience the one-of-a-kind beaches, weather, and activities available in our country, and at our resort. We look forward to welcoming more guests into the Puntacana family as we move forward with this project.”

Key Facts About Hotel Benchmarking

What is needed for the hotel management to optimize hotel performance? Perhaps, the first thing they need to know is what problems and weaknesses they have a moment. The next thing is to design strategy for future development. Yes, in a modern business world it is impossible to survive without having a comprehensive strategy. This is explained by a tough competition in the markets. Hotel industry is not an exception here. It is possible to say that the competition is even tougher in a hotel industry than in other business areas. Indeed, if business owners do not know where they are driving at it is very difficult to achieve positive results, especially if competitors and rival hotels are looking for a chance to wipe them out. Strategy is a protection method. A strategy is about dealing with problems even before they occur. Strategy helps and organization to focus on most important thing and problems both in internal and external environment. Use of a reliable and effective strategic management tool is a must for every company that wants to achieve success. Perhaps, you will not find a single hotel that is not happy to welcome guests. However, the hotel management wants that these guests will come back next time. In such a way hotel creates customer database which consists mostly of regular customers. It should be noted that Balanced Scorecard is so far the most effective strategic management tool used to drive strategy into action.

There is a very simple principle behind Balanced Scorecard. It consists of four categories: financial, customer, internal business processes, learning and growth. Each category contains key performance indicators, which are measures to be evaluated. KPIs represent critical success factors for various business aspects. Having found the right combination of key performance indicators, the hotel management will possess up to date information on current hotel performance. Choice of key performance indicators is the most important stage of Balanced Scorecard implementation. Every individual business has own indicators, and hotel is not an exception here. Lets review a couple of key performance indicators that are widely used in hotel benchmarking.

Occupancy % of rooms. This indicator will demonstrate efficiency of marketing and advertising campaign. If hotel has 100 rooms and only half of them are regularly occupied, such a hotel will most certainly suffer losses because of expenses for maintenance of all rooms. Evaluation of this indicator will help optimize hotel performance and its booking policy.

Average cleaning costs per room. This KPI is related to the first one since all rooms have to be cleaned and maintained while not all of them are regularly occupied by guests. This indicator will help top management of a hotel optimize cleaning costs and introduce some measures that will save costs.

Average length of stay per guest. This indicator will help top management figure out what services guests would need during their stay and for how long (on average) rooms have to be clean. If guests stay mostly for several nights they would need additional services.

Star Hotels In Phuket Phuket Island Beach Villa Phuket

Want to have exciting recreational holidays? Choosing a charming beach with a resort is a great holiday destination for families, groups, wedding parties, couples and singles. You can choose from many exotic beaches. These beach holidays are perfect for a personalized vacation in a soothing locale.

One of such kind resorts is Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort. It is located less than 500m off the northeast shore of Phuket, Thailand. Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort will be situated on the shores of Koh Raet, an untouched tropical island located just 500 metres offshore from Ao Po Bay, north east of Phuket Island in Thailand, providing easy access for guests to the main tourist areas of Phuket Island. The resort can be reached by a four minute private motor yacht ride or island ferry from the access point on the mainland which is located just fifteen minutes from Phuket International Airport. The Jumeirah Private Island Phuket Resort features 65 lavishly appointed deluxe pool villas, each with a private infinity pool and Jacuzzi, and 12 three-bedroom luxury residential villas.

Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The Dubai based luxury international hospitality group encompasses the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.

Jumeirah Island is surrounded with natural scenic beauty. These Phuket villas offer impressive facilities of a six-star hotel, including a world-class Spa and restaurants, its excellent location that gets you the Phuket’s first-rate infrastructure, including shopping and entertainment facilities, schools and hospitals.

Phuket is famous for its tourism and Thai culture of hospitality. It also provides you international cuisines. Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resorts are the most exclusive with 5 star boutique hotel, spa and wellness centre, marina and private berth with maximum sea views. Jumeirah island villas offer ample source of recreational activities. There is an option to stay in a residential estate or in a beach villa. These luxurious beach villas are with a yatch club membership, and also lifetime membership at Blue Canyon Golf and Country Club. Jumeirah beach villas offer direct beach access and open sea views, and are set in their own luxurious tropical grounds with private pool.

Excellence Resorts Revamps Cancun And Punta Cana Hotels With Over $7 Million Investment

The Excellence Group of Luxury Hotels and Resorts, a luxury hotel management company operating some of the most highly acclaimed luxury five-star hotels and resorts in the Caribbean, has announced massive investments across some of its properties as part of a strategy to reposition their portfolio of product offerings and make their hotels compete more effective in the Caribbean holidays industry.

In order to achieve this and in order to raise the bar at their Cancun and Punta Cana hotels, the company have invested a large sum of money to upgrade the already high standards at the Excellence Resorts in the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana. The renovation works are expected to contribute to enhanced Cancun holidays and an improved holiday experience for guests embarking on Dominican Republic holidays at their Punta Cana resort.

At the stunning Excellence Punta Cana hotel, the Excellence Group invested over five million dollars in the following renovations:

Renewal of the Excellence Club rooms – for guests looking for comfort and sophistication, as well as privacy and preferential treatment. In this exclusive area, guests looking to enjoy the ultimate pampering experience during their holidays in Punta Cana, can enjoy in-room premium liquors and amenities, a private lounge, and preferred locations that make guests feel they have arrived in an earthly Eden.
A renewed Spa with a new hydrotherapy circuit, a spacious and comfortable space that offers showers sensations, massage pool stations and saunas, among others.
The renewal of all the Honeymoon Suites, now featuring new private large outdoor decks with hydro spa pools.
Two new, 1,000 sq.ft. in size, Excellence Club Ocean View Honeymoon Suites, offering a large private furnished terrace with an additional exterior hydro spa pool and spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. Located on VIP Club floor with all the superior amenities for the Excellence Club.
Two new, 1,800 sq.ft. in size, Excellence Club Ocean Front Honeymoon Suites with Rooftop, with lavish private furnished two-story rooftop terrace, equipped with hydro spa pool and impressive ocean front views. Located on VIP Club floor with all the superior amenities for the Excellence Club.

Over two million dollars were also invested in the renowned Excellence Riviera Cancun, with renovation work that include:

Seven new Excellence Club Ocean Front Two-Story Rooftop Terrace Suites, with sweeping oceanfront views, equipped with hydro spa pools on a private furnished Rooftop Terrace of 390 sq.ft. in size.
One new Excellence Club Ocean Front Honeymoon Suite with Rooftop, with lavish private furnished two-story rooftop terrace equipped with hydro spa pool and impressive ocean front views. At this Suite you will find a separate couples massage room, a separate living room area, a bedroom and an additional Jacuzzi on one of the two balconies.
Expansion of the Gym – the 1,900 square feet facility offers state-of-the art equipment plus a Fitness Trail with a scenic route, for guests who wish to jog or walk while enjoying Cancuns incomparable tropical scenery.
Other additions to the new set of facilities, upgraded amenities and products being introduced by Excellence Group in 2012, are the opening of Las Olas Restaurant, positioned right on the beach, and located in both Excellence Riviera Cancun and Excellence Playa Mujeres resorts for the delight of guests enjoying Cancun holidays at either of these fantastic properties; as well as the addition of a complimentary Marine Wellness spa treatment for guests staying in Excellence Club Suites.

Pune Hotels An Overview Of The Hotels In Pune

Pune is known as the Oxford of the East and it is situated on the banks of the river Mula and Mutha. It is the eighth largest city of India and second largest city in Maharashtra. There are large number of reputed colleges and universities in Pune.
Pune city is a major commercial centre which has a large number of businessmen, students and leisure tourists making frequent visits to the city. It has resulted in remarkable increase in number of hotels in Pune.

There are different varieties of hotels that are available in Pune. They are available in wide range and serve various purposes. They are five star hotels, four star hotels, three star hotels, heritage hotels, service apartments and budget hotels. They provide services such as online booking which provide you information about the entire hotel before booking them.

You can take a decision based on the information provided online for the best hotels in Pune based on your requirements and preferences. It will also provide you information about the most preferred hotels and reviews about them which will make it easier for you to take the decision of opting for the best hotels in Pune. You should also take care to book the hotel in Pune in advance to avoid the last minute chaos and disappointment.

The five star hotels in Pune are an ideal choice for businessmen and travelers. There are many finest luxury five star hotels in Pune. These hotels offer world class amenities and accommodation. Another contributing factor for the rise of hospitality industry is the tourism in the county.

The facilities that are available in the rooms of Pune hotels are twenty four hour room service, AC, hot water and cold water bathtub attached bathrooms, mini bar tea/ coffee makers and international dialing.

Majority of the hotels in Pune offer the facility of dinning. In case of budget hotels in Pune, some have restaurants in the hotel itself. If the hotel doesn”t have one then you can opt for eateries outside. It is the most happening city and many hotels have night clubs within its premises.

There are many service apartments also that are available in Pune, India. These apartments are fully furnished and all the basic amenities that are available in your home. These apartments are ideally a good choice for corporate clients who have to stay in the city for long periods for business purposes. These apartments offer lavish and secured accommodations.