Puntacana Resort and Club

Puntacana Resort & Club
General information
Location Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Opening 1971[1]
Owner Frank Rainieri
Design and construction
Developer Frank Rainieri, Ted Kheel
Website
Puntacana.com
Puntacana.org

Puntacana Resort & Club is a resort and residential community located in Punta Cana, La Altagracia Province, Dominican Republic; established in 1969 by businessman and hotelier Frank Rainieri and Theodore Kheel, a New York labor lawyer. The area now encompasses over 15,000 acres and includes Tortuga Bay hotel, The Westin Puntacana, a Six Senses Spa, an ecological reserve, five residential communities, nine restaurants,[2] a full-service marina, two golf courses and the Punta Cana International Airport.[3]

History and development

In 1969, Frank Rainieri, a Dominican entrepreneur in his 20’s with a crop-dusting business[4] and Theodore Kheel,[5] a high-powered New York attorney and labor mediator, acquired a 58-million square meter lot on the eastern end of the Dominican Republic, which was covered with jungle and six miles of beach.[4][6] Their first project was a 40 guest hotel called the Punta Cana Club.

In 1979, they constructed The Puntacana Hotel and the Punta Cana International Airport followed in 1984.[4] In 2000, the first of the residential community developments began and six years later Tortuga Bay opened, a boutique hotel designed by fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. Puntacana Resort & Club has since grown to encompass over 15,000 acres[7] and has served such guests as Henry Kissinger,[8] Charlize Theron, Gabriel Byrne and the Clintons.[4]

Corporate environmental and social responsibilities and policies have been pursued since the resort was built. The Puntacana Foundation- made of the Ecological Foundation and Community Services- has a 1,500-acre reserve that now serves as a research base for universities and a sanctuary for endangered species[9] and has opened two schools- the Ann & Ted Kheel Polytechnic and the Puntacana International School- and a free health clinic in the local community of Véron.[10][11]

Amenities and facilities

The Puntacana Hotel

Puntacana Foundation: Social Projects

The Puntacana Foundation’s Social Projects office, established in August 1998, focuses on promoting and assisting in the sustainable human development of local education, health care, culture, sports and community organization of the underserved in and around the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic through a variety of activities, projects and collaborations.[23][24]

It has collaborated with development-focused entities such as Save The Children, USAID, the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), the Punta Cana Rotary Club, La Altagracia Tourism Cluster, the Punta Cana Hotels Association, Universidad APEC, Instituto Ciencias Visuales de España, the Dominican Government's Ministries of Health and of Culture, the Verón Municipality, the United States Chamber of Commerce, Pack For a Purpose and others, and is part of both the Clinton Global Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact communities.

Ann & Ted Kheel Polytechnic School

One of the Puntacana Foundation’s Social Projects' current areas of action is with the Ann & Ted Kheel Polytechnic School in Verón. The school was built by the Foundation in 2004, is the only public high school within 50 miles of the Punta Cana International Airport, and teaches technical and adult education classes such as hospitality, English language, computer applications, refrigeration, electricity, plumbing.[23][24] The school is said to be an “…outstanding contribution to the development of the Eastern region.”[25] The Puntacana International School in Punta Cana- a modern, bilingual, private school for Puntacana Resort and Club’s employees’ children- was built and is managed and maintained by the Foundation. The Foundation also assists and manages the procurement of school-related item donations (such as sports equipment and classroom paraphernalia), the maintenance and upgrading of various Punta Cana region public schools and the education and training of public school teachers,[23][24] as well as student educational workshops.[26]

The Verón Rural Clinic, renovated in 2006 in cooperation with the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and the Dominican Ministry of Health, is a free public health clinic with an average of 150 patients per day. The Clinic has a laboratory, examination rooms, a sonographic machine, an ambulance and a separate pediatric unit.[23][27] The Foundation is also involved with improving the health education of local doctors and the community, supporting and managing health care activities such as VCOM’s medical missions[28] and free ophthalmological exams and surgeries during certain times of the year.[24]

The Foundation promotes local artists through the Puntacana Art Gallery,[24] cultural festivals such as the Puntacana Carnival,[29] a yearly symphonic orchestra and choir concert,[30] a softball and baseball field in Véron and a basketball and volleyball court at the Ann & Ted Kheel Polytechnic School.[24]

The Ecological Foundation

The Ecological Foundation's Center for Sustainability

The Puntacana Ecological Foundation, focused on the protection and preservation of the natural flora and fauna resources within the Punta Cana region, was created in 1994.[31] With a goal of contributing to the sustainable development of the Dominican Republic and creating “…(environmental/conservation) interchanges with prestigious universities to develop education and research programs”,[32] the Ecology facility has collaborated with educational entities such as Cornell University, Columbia University, Harvard University, Virginia Tech, Rutgers University, Syracuse University, the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (of the University of Miami), Stevens Institute of Technology, University of South Carolina, Leiden University of the Netherlands and the University of Puerto Rico.[31][32][33]

The Ecology’s research and education facility- the “Center for Sustainability”- was established in 1999[31] and focuses on the creation of solutions to environmental challenges related to local tourism. The Center has laboratories and classrooms,[34] offices, a library, and a dormitory with extended stay facilities.

The Partnership for Ecologically-Sustainable Coastal Areas (PESCA), which includes eight kilometers of protected reefs,[32] seeks to balance the continued growth and development of the region, the long-term health and sustainability of the coastal zone and coral reef[33][35] and assisting the needs of local stakeholders through activities such as sustainable fisheries management. Conservation practices of endangered species such as the endemic Ridgway's Hawk and the Hawksbill Turtle include extensive monitoring and habitat protection.[32]

The Ecological Foundation also has a park and reserve named “Indigenous Eyes.” The park is a lowland subtropical forest, covering 1,500 acres of land[31] with twelve freshwater lagoons[36] (five of which visitors may swim in). A petting zoo, sugarcane exhibit and an Iguana habitat[37] are located near the Center, as well as a fruit tree garden, a worm composting facility which converts solid waste into high quality organic soil, an integrated solid waste management program for the entirety of Puntacana Resort & Club,[38] a vegetable nursery and a small-scale beekeeping operation.[39][40]

The Punta Cana International Airport with its traditional thatched palm-frond roof.

Punta Cana International Airport

The Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), built in 1984 and located just 5 minutes from the Resort, is a privately owned commercial airport and the second busiest airport in the Caribbean.[41] Owned and operated by Grupo PUNTACANA, it continues to expand and currently boasts four million passengers annually.[4]

Awards

References

  1. ↑ Guerra, Edwin (August 2008). "Frank el Conquistador" (in Spanish). Revista Mercado. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  2. ↑ “Westin Hotels to Make Landmark Debut in the Dominican Republic”,’’Breaking Travel News’’,May 2012. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  3. ↑ Robb Report Vacation Homes. "Dominican Republic", December 2007. "Indeed, Rainieri’s 15,000 acre residential complex will be, when fully actualized, a microcosm of the region, containing-in addition to miles of sandy beaches, its own international airport, a 288-room resort, a horse ranch, a nature sanctuary, a 72-par golf course, and a dozen or so restaurants and bars."
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 “Dominican Republic’s Most Luxurious Resort”,’’Departures Magazine’’,Apr 2011. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  5. ↑ Entrée Magazine. "Tortuga Bay", Holiday, 2009. "The resort was the vision of American labor lawyer Ted Kheel and a spirited, young Dominican named Frank Rainieri."
  6. ↑ Airways Magazine. "Punta Cana Airport: From Jungle to Caribbean Showpiece", May 2009. "Late in the Sixties, Frank Rainieri and Ted Kheel, along with other investors, bought a large parcel of land, for what was then the bargain price of $200,000 at the eastern end of the Dominican Republic, which occupies the eastern part of the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola, itself part of the Greater Antilles archipelago."
  7. 1 2 3 4 “Discovering the Dominican Republic”,’’Forbes Custom’’,May 2009. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  8. 1 2 “Punta Cana Attracts Real Estate Dollars with Celebrity Investors”,’’AOL Real Estate’’,Aug 2010. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ “Global Vision Awards 2011”,’’Travel and Leisure Magazine’’,Nov 2011. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  10. ↑ Condé Nast Traveler. "World Savers Awards: Education", September 2009. "To keep up with the growth, it built a well-equipped high school, where the staff’s offspring study alongside the CEO’s grandchildren."
  11. ↑ Austin Monthly. "Mother Nature's Getaway", April 2009. "They invested in the local economy: building schools, a hospital and a police station and establishing the now world-renowned ecological foundation, which proved their commitment to protect the environment."
  12. ↑ Travel Weekly. “Ecofriendly Puntacana finishes $2M refurb in time for winter.” November 2, 2009. “The 186-room Puntacana hotel, tucked within the Puntacana Resort complex on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, completed a $2 million refurbishment of its accommodations this fall in time for the upcoming winter season.”
  13. ↑ The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 “Puntacana Resort & Club Awards”,’’Puntacana Resort & Club Official Website’’ Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  15. ↑ “Inside Oscar de la Renta’s Tortuga Bay Hotel in the Dominican Republic”,’’Hotel Chatter’’,May 2010. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 “AAA Restaurants Awards”,’’Business Journals of South Florida’’,Apr 2012. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  17. ↑ Condé Nast Traveler. "Hot List", May 2007. "Among these 19,000 square feet of tasteful Asian-accented serenity at the Punta Cana Resort and Club, the real standouts are the two large private treatment rooms on the beach, each with a palapa-style roof and its own bath."
  18. ↑ American Spa. "Caribbean Heat", April 2009. "In addition to featuring ESPA products, Six Senses Spa collaborated with the PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation to incorporate medicinal plants from the area into a series of treatments."
  19. ↑ Republic”,’’Ocean Home Magazine’’,Feb 2010. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  20. ↑ T:The New York Times Style Magazine. "Hotel Happenings", Winter, 2008. "On the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, Puntacana Resort and Club has been attracting famous guests and residents like Oscar de la Renta, Julio Iglesias and Mikhail Baryshnikov since it opened in 1978."
  21. 1 2 “Tortuga Bay”,’’Architectural Digest’’,Nov 2010. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  22. ↑ “Puntacana Resort’s Corales Course in the Dominican Republic”,’’Golf Week’’,May 2011. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  23. 1 2 3 4 “Fundación Puntacana y La Responsabilidad Social”, ‘ ‘Listin Diario’ ‘ , May. 2012. Retrieved on May 23, 2012.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 “Un Modelo de Compromiso Social y Ecológico en La RD”, ‘ ‘Listin Diario’ ‘ , May 2011. Retrieved on March 23, 2012.
  25. ↑ Gupta, Kathleen & Udayan. A Natural Way of Business: Grupo Puntacana, An Unusual Partnership in Sustainable Tourism. Gondolier, 2006, p. 52.
  26. ↑ “Puntacana Foundation Health Project”, ‘ ‘Dominican Today’ ‘ , Apr. 2009. Retrieved on May 23, 2012.
  27. ↑ “Puntacana Foundation Starts Construction of Pediatric Unit in Véron”, ‘ ‘Dominican Today’ ‘ , Sept. 2011. Retrieved on May 23, 2012.
  28. ↑ “Medical Mission/Outreach: Dominican Republic", Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2012. Retrieved on May 23, 2012.
  29. ↑ “Punta Cana Carnaval 2012”, ‘ ‘Dominican Today’ ‘ , Mar. 2012. Retrieved on May 23, 2012.
  30. ↑ “Puntacana Group in Higüey’s Basilica”, ‘ ‘Dominican Today’ ‘ , Dec. 2011. Retrieved on May 23, 2012.
  31. 1 2 3 4 “A Pioneer in Sustainable Tourism”, ‘’Diario Libre ‘’, Mar 2011. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  32. 1 2 3 4 “Sustainable Tourism Programs”, ‘’Dominican Today ‘’, Feb 2006. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  33. 1 2 “Coral Gardens”, ‘’Listin Diario ‘’, Jun 2012. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  34. ↑ “Ecotourism and the Environment”, ‘’Listin Diario ‘’, Nov 2010. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  35. ↑ “IDB Helps Puntacana Protect Reefs”, ‘’Dominican Today ‘’, May 2012. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  36. ↑ “Dominican Republic Eco-Park”, ‘’Jaunted ‘’, May 2010. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  37. ↑ “Mahogany Trees in Punta Cana”, ‘’Dominican Today ‘’, Jun 2005. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  38. ↑ “Puntacana Resort & Club Reduce Costs Through Recycling”, ‘’Diario Libre ‘’,Jul 2011. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  39. ↑ “Unexpected Practice of Beekeeping”, ‘’Gadling ‘’, Apr 2010. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  40. ↑ “Dominican Resort Organic Projects use Earthworms & Bees”, ‘’Dominican Today ‘’, Jan 2008. Retrieved on June 25, 2012.
  41. ↑ Airways Magazine. “Punta Cana Airport: From Jungle to Caribbean Showpiece" May 2009. “Fewer than 3,000 travelers arrived at Punta Cana International Airport the first year, but by 1998 the number had risen to almost a million, and in 2008 1.8 million passengers passed through PUJ-making it the second busiest airport in the Caribbean. Spurred by such phenomenal growth, PUJ-owned and operated by resort developer Grupo Puntacana- has continued to expand, with Terminal B unveiled in January this year.”
  42. ↑ “Chevron Anuncia el Cuarto Ganador del Premio Texaco”,’’Save the Children’’,2010. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  43. ↑ “2009 World Savers Award WINNER: Puntacana Resort & Club, Dominican Republic”,’’Tourism for Tomorrow’’,2009. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.
  44. ↑ “Destination Stewardship Award”,’’Tourism for Tomorrow’’,2009. Retrieved on July 8, 2012.

Coordinates: 18°32′21″N 68°21′44″W / 18.53917°N 68.36222°W / 18.53917; -68.36222

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