While Punta Cana has long been the Caribbean’s all-inclusive powerhouse, travel giant Apple Leisure Group is looking to cultivate a new destination in the Dominican Republic.
It’s called Miches, and the destination will kick off with two new all-inclusive hotels.
The new project is on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic in Miches’ Playa Esmeralda, a beach destination that first gained renown late last year with the launch of Club Med’s new resort, the Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda.
Club Med’s pioneering work there has opened up the destination to more development – and AMResorts is capitalizing.
The major new project will include both a Secrets-branded resort and a Dreams resort, interestingly with the added “Punta Cana” moniker.
“Miches is poised to become one of the Dominican Republic’s top markets for all-inclusive resorts,” said Javier Coll, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of ALG. “This area has been largely overlooked, despite its significant attributes; however, our team’s long history and proven experience in this market has allowed us to identify and move on this opportunity.”
The concept of “Punta Cana” has been growing in recent years, and ALG is taking it even further; Miches is about 45 minutes from Punta Cana airport, making it beyond the borders of what has been traditionally considered “greater Punta Cana.”
But Punta Cana’s brand recognition remains unsurpassed both locally and in the wider Caribbean – and it’s no surprise to see it attached to the Miches property.
“These new deals underscore ALG’s unwavering commitment to the Dominican Republic and the goal of participating in unique projects that benefit our investors as well as the surrounding communities,” said Alejandro Reynal, CEO of ALG. “We will be working closely with our partners, as well as Miches residents, to ensure we exceed the expectations of the guests, while also bringing true, long-term value to the area.”
The two resorts will each include 750 rooms, 250 of which will be part of a “Preferred Club” section, meaning a total of 1,500 rooms across the two-hotel complex.
Secrets Playa Esmeralda Punta Cana will be an adults-only resort, while Dreams will be a family-friendly property.
The complex will also include a convention center, a theater, a joint dining area for guests of both properties and a “world-class spa.”
According to ALG, the total project investment is close to $400 million; the project could create more than 2,000 new jobs, the company said.
It’s the brainchild of development firm Inversora Playa Esmeralda and the Fuerte Group.
ALG has long made the Dominican Republic a priority, as Coll told Caribbean Journal.
The country’s local pipeline is set to expand again next Month with the launch of the Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana.