By the Caribbean Journal staff

Barcelo Hotel Group is expanding in the Dominican Republic by reviving one of the country’s legendary hotels.

The company has relaunched Santo Domingo’s venerable El Embajador hotel as the El Embajador, a Royal Hideaway Hotel.

The property, which first opened in 1956, was used as the filming location for several major movies, including The Godfather, Part II and The Lost City, among others.

Barcelo acquired the property in 2015 and embarked on a two-year, $40 million renovation that was recently completed.

The changes include rejuvenated suites, a pair of new restaurants and a new wellness and spa center that includes a private pool, four treatment rooms and a gym.

An updated room.

The property has also added 10,000 square feet of ballrooms.