Recommend November 2011 - (Page 12)

tour talk hotel desk Penthouse suite at Balcones del Atlantico in the Dominican Republic. B sarah muñoz RoCKRESoRTS Building on its strong commitment to beautiful stays and to the environment, RockResorts has debuted its first property in Central America while continuing to grow in North America and the Caribbean. While embracing its legacy of more than five decades of evolution, the brand continues to focus on offering distinct experiences that speak to each resort’s location. “RockResorts differs itself in the leisure market by our exceptionally unique and indigenous resorts located in iconic locations across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America,” says Shelle Pourmanafzadehardabili, the brand’s corporate director of marketing. “All of our casually elegant resort properties respect and celebrate their unique surroundings and natural environment. This vision comes from RockResorts founder Laurance Rockefeller’s philosophy of living in balance with nature.” RockResorts, a subsidiary of Vail Resorts, began in 1956 with the development of Caneel Bay in St. John (no longer a RockResorts member). Today, there are properties in Beaver Creek, Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Jackson Hole, and St. Lucia. In addition, says Pourmanafzadehardabili, “RockResorts recently added four hotel properties to our collection in the Caribbean and Latin America: Half Moon, Jamaica; Balcones del Atlantico, Dominican Republic; and future RockResorts Alma del Pacifico in Costa Rica and Bimini Bay Resort & Marina in The Bahamas. RockResorts is continuing to look for new iconic properties in key strategic locations.” las. Guests can hop on a bike to explore nearby towns and villages, pass the time in a private beach area or by the hotel’s two pools, or sign up for windsurfing, snorkeling or other activities. The resort is offering a Stay Free, Eat Free package good through Dec. 22 that includes a $150 food and beverage credit and starts at $262 pp dbl. Future RockResorts include Rum Cay Resort Marina in The Bahamas, The Mansfield Inn at Stowe in Stowe and the Third Turtle Club & Spa in Turks and Caicos. living green Keeping true to Rockefeller’s vision, RockResorts also invests a lot of energy in protecting the environment. Among its most recognized initiatives within its Echo Program is Water on the Rocks. “In 2010, RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality tapped into a new program to eliminate nearly all plastic water bottles in guest operations by replacing them with reusable bottles and refilling stations,” explains Pourmanafzadehardabili. “Between all RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality properties, an estimated 400,000 plastic water bottles will be saved from the waste stream annually, as well as nearly 3,000 barrels of oil that would be required to manufacture and ship the plastic bottles.” They also have the Give & Getaway program, where they arrange an environmental conservation project for guests—anything from tree planting to helping out at a community farm—and they enjoy reduced rates in return. Each resort offers specific dates and options for volunteer work. new kids on the block Alma del Pacifico Hotel, A RockResort is the new name of what was previously known as Xandari by the Pacific in Costa Rica, acquired late last year. The beachfront property, located halfway between Jaco Beach and Manuel Antonio National Park, sits next to Del Pacifico at Esterillos, a master planned residential development that will welcome an equestrian center, boutique hotel and golf course and is also being managed by RockResorts. Alma del Pacifico is not just a haven of luxurious relaxation, complete with herb and vegetable gardens and an art gallery, but it also offers guests outdoor adventures such as river tours, horseback riding, sportfishing and catamaran tours to Nicoya Gulf islands. Another newcomer, Balcones del Atlantico, is situated in the Dominican Republic’s Samana Peninsula and features 2- and 3-bedroom vil12 november 2011 a rockin’ wedding RockResorts’ Iconic Weddings, meanwhile, is a popular program that provides couples with easy “one-stop” wedding and honeymoon planning through a wide range of choices and budgets. They also offer a complimentary 4-night honeymoon in a different location than the RockResort property in which they celebrate their nuptials; they can say “I do” in a snowy Colorado backdrop, for instance, then head to Miami for their one-on-one celebration. n contact information RockResorts: (888) 367-7625; rockresorts.com/travelagent recommend.com http://www.rockresorts.com/travelagent http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend November 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: RockResorts
Tour Talk: International Expeditions
River Cruise Product Expands Even More for 2012
Hot (or Cool) Toronto is Staid No More
Timeless Boston
South Africa Always Steals the Limelight
BVI: Beauty on the Water
Private Islands Sizzle
Barcelona Will Leave You Beaming
Unspoiled Myanmar is Open for Business
The Lowdown on South America's Capital Highs
Riviera Nayarit in the Pink
The Three Faces of Baja Sur

Recommend November 2011