Spanish tourism giant Grupo Piñero is best known for its Bahia Principe chain of all-inclusive resorts, a brand that has a rather large footprint in the Caribbean. But it’s newest resort, set on a private island in Samana, doesn’t bear the Bahia Principe name.
And that seems to be by design.
The new Cayo Levantado resort officially opened its doors this week, the transformation of a former Bahia Principe private-island property that is now being positioned as a very different kind of all-inclusive resort.
The new Cayo Levantado Resort, which has 218 rooms, is styled as a property focusing on what it calls the “luxury of regeneration.”
Grupo Piñero says the new resort focuses on a “triple regeneration approach,” focused on the guest experience, celebration of local culture and respect for and protection of the environment.
So what’s on offer? Cayo Levantado has six eateries; eight bars, two pools, a fitness center, a spa and a beach.
The all-inclusive program starts with a guest’s arrival on a 10-minute boat ride from the mainland. Every guest is assigned a special “ambassador,” along with one hour per day of complimentary non-motorized water sports; that’s along with themed classes, fitness training and sports and leisure.
The culinary program ranges from an international eatery called Palma Real to a beach club and pool lounge called Olah to a “slow food experience” called Santa Yuca. The latter focuses on what the hotel calls sustainably sourced, fresh produce.
There are 10 different room categories, including a broad slate of suites with their own private plunge pools, including some with ocean views.
The wellness program is also robust: there is a spa, along with a personal training studio, a meditation temple, and even an “outdoor crossbow” for high-intensity training.
The result is a resort that is very different from what travelers tend to think of when they think of Bahia Principe. And that means it’s a new kind of resort for a veteran hotel brand.