St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort opens in Río Grande

Puerto Rico Daily Sun

Río Grande, Puerto Rico – Gov. Fortuño and first lady Lucé Vela dedicated a new 5-star tourist destination, in Río Grande Thursday.

"I want to thank the St. Regis hotel chain for believing in Puerto Rico, continuing its tradition of going beyond expectations to show how Puerto Rico does it better. Today, Río Grande shows its natural beauty in a hotel complex of the highest quality in complete harmony with our environment," said the governor, adding that the resort is the first and only hotel in the Caribbean to receive the "Gold Signature Sanctuary," awarded by the prestigious environmental entity Audubon International.

This environmental and educational organization helps developers as well as hotel and golf course administrators produce sustainable projects, fostering environmental conservation.

The $172 million investment, financed by the Tourism Development Fund of the Government Development Bank and private funds, created 1,200 direct and indirect jobs during its construction phase and, later, 375 hotel jobs. St. Regis, an "estate" type hotel, has 139 luxury rooms and offers a wide variety of services.

The St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort in Puerto Rico, the 21st in the hotel chain, will have restaurants, meeting rooms, stores, a pool, bars, grill, spa, gym, 18-hole golf course, and two miles of beach, among other attractions.

"With the arrival of the St. Regis Bahía Beach Resort, we will be at the same level as other privileged tourism destinations which, apart from possessing unique attributes, offer the highest service standards. Luxury tourism is here to stay: welcome to Puerto Rico!" said Puerto Rico Tourism Company Executive Director Mario González.

Interlink Group President Federico J. Sánchez, who crafted the concept with Muñoz Holdings, said "the St. Regis brand has always been distinguished by its respectability and high standards."

General Manager David Kurland said the opening of the resort has been the most successful one so far. "As part of the [marketing] of this luxury destination, we have made an association with world renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten for developing our main restaurant, Ferm.

We will be offering other high category experiences such as the Reméde Spa and the challenging golf course designed by Trent Jones Jr.," said Kurland.

The governor said that "during the 22 months of our administration, key development projects to diversify our product have opened. Projects such as the Sheraton Convention Center, the W Retreat and Spa, the Condado Lagoon Villas and Mauna Caribe represent an investment of around $700 million, and 1,720 direct jobs for the hotel industry. The tourism industry is one of the most important international economic activities. Therefore, our public policy is to favor its rapid and vigorous growth."