Luxury with a Caribbean Accent - Sanctuary Cap Cana, Dominican Republic

For those of you who have waited patiently for its grand entrance into the market, the elegant golf resort, the Sanctuary Cap Cana, will debut on the east coast of the Dominican Republic on December 22, 2007...just in time for the holidays. More in a moment.


My first experience with the Domincan Republic was with Charlie Bludhorn, the founder and CEO of Gulf + Western back in the 1980's, when I was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for his hotel division, reporting directly to him.

Mr. Bludhorn's vast corporate empire--especially Paramount Pictures--was enormously successful. But his true love was the sensual beauty of the Dominican Republic and the irrepressibly eager to please, hard-working Dominicans. No one else seemed to share his vision at the company affectionately known on Wall Street as "Engulf & Devour." No matter. Charlie and I had a mission. The challenge at that time was putting an unknown, Oscar de la Renta-designed golf resort, Casa de Campo, on the map.


Most corporate and incentive people are well beyond the geographical limitations of the average American, but in the 1980's, even they struggled with the concept of where, exactly, was the Dominican Republic. That was before "Pete Dye" became a household word with the Teeth of the Dog course, which now any serious golfer knows and can curse by name.


Well, years later with the success of marketing my beloved Dominican Republic, I am thrilled to be responsible for the U.S. group market for Cap Cana, and present at the birth of a new resort in the Dominican Republic that will eclipse Casa de Campo on all fronts. To begin with, Juanillo Beach around which the Sanctuary Cap Cana is surrounded, is one of the most stunning white sand/teal ocean combinations that any imagination can conjure up. Jack Nicklaus has created a Signature seaside golf course, Punta Espada. Golfers who have played the spectacular ocean-hugging holes gush about the course, yet still cannot find enough superlatives to describe its beauty. Caution: Play now before it becomes private, which it will do as soon as the second Jack Nicklaus course, Punta Iguana, comes on line. Fortunate will be the villa and condo owners who will then have Punta Espada all to themselves!


The Sanctuary Cap Cana has been lovingly designed and built by AltaBella Hotels, a Madrid-based company which has taken excruciating care to bring this five star property to its current state of luxury. All will soon be revealed when the all-suite resort(minimum of 650 square feet hotel rooms) is open next month. Not all of the hotel will be available on December 22, 2007, however. You must wait until March 2008 to experience the exquisite Mandara spa, though spa facilities will be available at the hotel before then. Half of the eight restaurants, and the conference center will be open also in March 2008. We are taking group reservations now, with several prestigious corporate groups already booked.



A final note by the way for those of you who don't know, Charlie Bluhdorn is in the Great Resort in the sky, having passed away in the Dominican Republic in 1985. He really would have loved SanctuaryCap Cana, though I suspect he would have wanted to make it part of his Gulf + Western empire, if it still existed. And that is, of course, the beauty of Sanctuary Cap Cana. It is small (176 suites) and independent, not part of a corporate chain of cookie-cut hotels you might find on this or another Caribbean island. So, I know I speak for Charlie Bluhdorn, if you haven't yet been to the Dominican Republic, you must come to Sanctuary Cap Cana. We challenge you NOT to fall in love with it!

WBENC Certification

A great endorsement has just come my way. The Women's Business Enterprise National Council has officially certified Gail Flannigan Associates as a Woman Business Enterprise. This enables increased access to business opportunities for WBEs from companies who wish to work with women entrepreneurs, and who are encouraged to do so by their corporate philosophies.

The process to become a WBE was lengthy and involved extensive forms, strict criteria, and ultimately being interviewed to make sure our 22 year old business was, indeed, owned by myself, a woman entrepreneur. Over the years, the business has changed, evolved and grown to include commercial and hotel-related real estate. The rewards and worries have come with the territory. Also, the thrill of knowing it is through my tenacity that it has continued to thrive, despite economic and personal challenges.

This award is to be shared especially by Terence Rufer, my husband, partner and Executive Vice President. Besides being an implacable support and calming influence, his judgment is spot on, and he has a wealth of experience in the hotel industry, upon which I draw constantly. And then there is my alter-ego who seems always to be one step ahead of me...my extremely talented Executive Assistant and invaluable support person, Sarah Coughlin.

Finally, due to the loyal clients who have followed me through the years, I am able to accept gratefully this acknowledgement by the Women Presidents Educational Organization (WPEO).

Thank you all.

Onward and upward.

"Clear" Credit Card at the Airport...Shoeless but Stressless

Summer somnolence has prevented me from doing a more timely blog. I think my keyboard slows measurably when the outdoor temperature hits 85 degrees or more. My desk has views of Central Park, so the call of the wild does tempt me to take afternoon breaks as well. Thank you for your understanding, and I hope you have had similar seasonal distractions.

The long absence of an update compels me to write now about a very interesting subject, even though I know no one is reading this today. All are planning for the weekend getaway for Labor Day. That leaves us stay-at-home New Yorkers in an enviable position. No rush to the airport, with anticipated delays cutting into the precious holiday by at least an hour or more. Two thousand flights a day from LaGuardia Airport. Amazing. Two runways, total, at LaGuardia for all incoming and outgoing traffic. Even more amazing.

There is hope, however, for all of us seasoned travellers who do this for a living. If you haven't heard of "Clear" the card that allows you to whisk through a private security line at a growing number of airports...listen up.

Some enterprising company has created a system that scans your iris and takes multiple finger impressions on a scanner and then puts this information into a computer chip. Kind of James Bond meets Homeland Security, with panache. You are issued a sexy, clear plastic credit card with your unique information, that is not transferred to the CIA or the FBI. I am confident that Dick Cheney does not know a thing about my iris. At least, I don't think so.

There are currently 59,000 members of Clear. I am, happily, one of them. I do admit to having to resist my fear of government intervention into my private life before sharing information with Clear in return for this privilege. But, the government knows all there is to know anyway, except the questions asked for in pre-screening and phone security on Clear. What is my favorite movie? "Portrait of Jenny." What is my favorite activity? Yoga. I don't think the government would be assisted in finding Osama bin Laden, even if I told them my intimate answers over lunch. So, the process is swift, futuristic and, I admit, fun. Try it. We need to have as many sophisticated travelers sign up so it will be accepted at all U.S. airports, whose number is steadily growing. Check out http://www.flyclear.com/

Have a great holiday weekend, and I'll be in touch next week with updates on Sanctuary Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic and the latest following my recent trip to Bermuda...

Manhattan Parking and the Art of Investing

I read the other day that the median price for an apartment in Manhattan in the first quarter of 2007 was $835,000. This is four times the national median home price of $214,000. This information comes from the National Association of Realtors, whose NYC members themselves make astronomical commissions on co-ops and condos sold to those guys downtown working on futures. Theirs, not mine.

This made me wonder why there seems to be no end to the uptick in the prices of housing here in New York City. If the New York Stock Exchange were in, say, Las Vegas would we still have to pay over a $1 million for a tiny one bedroom apartment on the East Side? Come to think of it, Wall Street and Las Vegas have an awful lot in common. Legalized gambling from the floor just needs some showgirls to ring the closing bell. Might give a more proletarian feel to investing.

And what if Manhattan weren't an island? What if it stretched out in endless monotony like Vegas beyond the Sodom and Gomorrah neon light part? I mean, isn't part of this over-inflated pricing due to the fact that there are only so many streets to hold so many apartments to hold so many hedge fund guys?

As you know, Peter Minuit bought the island of Manhattan from the Canarsie Indians for $24 worth of trinkets. Yes, that is the story...allegedly, the Canarsie Indians resided on Long Island, and just traded in Manhattan. Kind of like the Westchester crowd today. Brooklynites choose to believe they they were from Canarsie--a pure myth--so it was the Long Island Indians who put one over on the Dutch white man. The Indians were probably thinking that those beads and silver trinkets, and maybe a hatchet or two were a much better deal than having to fix pot holes and get Co-op board approvals. So, with a collective sigh of relief on the part of the original native Manhattanites, the first real estate deal was done. Peter Minuit slyly exchanged his cache, believing he had put one over on those poorly clothed guys. And so began the incredible inflation that brought us to the ultimate silliness that was announced today.

Are you ready for this? There is a waiting list of seven or eight people who want to pay $225,000 for one of five private parking spaces on West 17th Street in the BASEMENT, no less, of a condo development that isn't even scheduled to open until January 2008! Pardon me, but that price should come with a view for your Honda Civic of the Hudson or the East River and maybe a southern exposure on a high floor! The part that has me bowled over is that the people buying these parking spaces don't even own cars! They're buying them as "investments" to be rented out to cover their costs and perhaps some day to be traded down on Wall Street. Or sold to put all the profits on black in Vegas.

So, what does this mean to me, a New Yorker? I am going to turn in my MetroCard immediately, find me a good financial advisor who specializes in Parking, and pull my money out of those stagnating Mutual Funds. The future of investments is clear for me, even if Peter Minuit's was a bit cloudy.

A Hidden Find on the Massachusetts Coast

Rockport, Massachusetts is where people go who aren't going to the "other" Cape. Like an ingenue waiting to be discovered, Rockport remains picturesque, yet incredibly homey, and virtually unknown to those outside Massachusetts. It has been one of my favorites since I was a child. It has nearby towns that sound almost fictional, like "Pigeon Cove" where my grandparents lived, and where the Emerson Inn By the Sea overlooks the rough rocky shore. Ralph Waldo Emerson stayed there and described how it was where he "made acquaintance with the sea for seven days."

But Rockport is the centerpiece and has always been a magnet for artists and musicians, and so draws an eclectic beach crowd. The Chamber Music Orchestra will have a new waterfront space in the old Madras Shop down from Tuck's, where the salt water taffy is still doled out under a tin-ceilinged roof. They do have the best home-made ice cream you could imagine. Or maybe the salt air makes it taste of summer and youth. It doesn't matter.

For those of you who don't know this town, you need to visit. It is best known for Motif #1, the most celebrated subject for artists to paint, which is compelling in its simplicity. The red wood shack is situated on Bearskin Neck, which is the home of tiny shops that have managed to combine tourism with taste. The fishermen who originally colonized this wee town did fight off bears at one point in the late 1600's. But tourists don't have to worry about that now.

Near the center of the town is a terrific place to stay...Beech Tree Bed & Breakfast. There are three guest rooms and Judy and Russ Liddle are the hosts who have brought a high level of excellence to the concept of pleasing their guests. Fresh flowers from their wildflower garden are placed by your heavenly bed. Down pillows are in superabundance. The color of my room was a deep colonial burgundy, with soft muted tones contrasting the elegant antique furniture. And then there is the rainforest shower...The accommodations rival any I have been in recently that are five star, especially as a Bed & Breakfast.

The common areas are cozy with comfortable places to read in abundant corners. During my stay, there was a lovely fireplace in the seafoam green living room that took the chill off an unusually chilly June evening. The porch looks out at the huge 100 year old beech tree from which the inn derives its name. And it is the garden that is the focal point of the summer morning, with abundant irises and cat mint in lavender contrast to the greenery everywhere.

Breakfast is unforgettable. Judy changes her menu daily and offered scrambled eggs with goat cheese folded into the perfectly textured eggs. Accompanying this was a Swedish pancake, home made granola and lots of fresh fruit. Coffee was perfect, of course. This memorable offering was included in the very reasonably priced room rate.
Call them for a quick getaway...www.beachtreebb.com

Champions Tour will hold $2 million event in Dominican Republic

The PGA TOUR's Champions Tour and Cap Cana announced that the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course at Punta Espada Golf Club in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic will be the site of a new Champions Tour event next spring.

The agreement was signed on May 25, 2007 by Cap Cana's Board of Directors President, Dr. Ricardo Hazoury and Champions Tour Senior Vice President Mike Stevens in the presence of Jack Nicklaus at Nicklaus Design headquarters in North Palm Beach, Fla.

The Cap Cana tournament will be played March 31-April 6, 2008.

The 54-hole stroke-play tournament will feature a 78-player field and official prize money of $2 million, with the winner collecting $300,000. GOLF CHANNEL will broadcast all three rounds in the United States and coverage of the event will be distributed internationally.

"The Cap Cana will be a prestigious addition to our 2008 schedule," said Champions Tour President Rick George. "The pristine setting combined with the Jack Nicklaus design of the Punta Espada Golf Club and resources and amenities of the Cap Cana Resort will immediately establish The Cap Cana as a premier event on the Champions Tour."

Punta Espada Golf Club, the first of three Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses slated to open in Cap Cana, is operated by Troon Golf and opened for play in November 2006. The par-72 course incorporates the surrounding natural beauty of Cap Cana, stretching along a coastline where golfers on each hole look out into the blue expanse of the Caribbean Sea.

"We are very proud to be selected for the PGA TOUR's Champions Tour in 2008," said Dr. Ricardo Hazoury, President of Cap Cana's Board of Directors. "The design of our course at Punta Espada incorporates the natural characteristics of this unique environment of Cap Cana and has been well conceived for this level of play. As a golf destination, we are committed to a successful event. We will continue as a country to position ourselves in the world as a special place to enjoy the sport of golf and to celebrate this kind of professional tournament,"

"We are excited to be a new addition to the Champions Tour in 2008," said Sam Logan, Manager of Operations from Troon Golf assigned to the Punta Espada Golf Club. "Cap Cana has become well-known for excellent conditions and spectacular views, which make it an ideal location for touring professionals and spectators alike. It is a compliment to Cap Cana, Nicklaus Design and Troon Golf that just a few months after opening, Punta Espada debuted at No. 77 in Golf Digest's ranking of the 100 Best Courses Outside the U.S."

The complete 2008 Champions Tour schedule will be announced on June 25 at the annual Champions Tour National Media Conference following the Bank of America Championship in Boston, MA.

Eloise, the Penthouse and The Billionaire

I had a call this weekend from a multi-billionaire, one of Forbes richest men in the world, who was referred to me by a mutual friend and business acquaintance. Since I have a combination of hotel sales, a New York State Real Estate Salesperson's License, and my husband was once the Director of Sales and Marketing at The Plaza, I felt equal to the challenge of offering assistance.

The gentleman in question was in New York on business from Australia and happened by the Plaza Condominium development, formerly the Plaza Hotel, sad shell that it is now. His wife thought it would be nice to have an apartment near their friends who own a penthouse in the Sherry Netherlands across the street. Just in case they wanted to borrow a cup of sugar, I suppose.

This Australian gentleman is trying to decide between an apartment that is being offered at $6.5 million and one for $14.5 million. The difference is the bedrooms and library of the former are not facing the expensive forest of Central Park South. He is the most down to earth billionaire I have ever spoken with, though I admit not many call my 800 number on a regular basis. He said that, fortunately, he could afford the more expensive apartment. He just didn't want to feel foolish by overpaying at $6000 a square foot for his pied a terre. He will only be here a couple of weeks a year, after all. So, what did I think?

I assured him that there is no negotiation on prices at the Plaza condominium hotel. I also told him there are plenty of people from Dubai who are buying up those apartments on spec, since oil money is plentiful and the dollar is a real bargain. In any case, I assured him that the treeless views from the bedrooms in the back of the Plaza would allow quiet sleep, not assured from Central Park South. (I know this because our more humble apartment and office is, indeed, on the 16th floor overlooking Central Park South and all our rooms have views. Even our bathroom has a window, which our male guests do feel self-conscious about when using this spectacular windowed facility). But that is a whole other blog called "Ego."

So, when is enough, enough? When a triplex penthouse at the former Plaza Hotel sold this week for $56 million, you might think that would put a cap on New York City's euphoric rise in real estate mania. But trust me, this is just the beginning.

A year ago, would anyone have believed your "Home Sweet Home" could go for $6,100 a square foot? Are the trees in Central Park more stately, greener or more valuable because they are occupying space where high rises should be, and so command such an exorbitant price for respectfully gazing upon them?

The triplex is the line drawn in the sand. Or in this case, in the park dirt. Nothing is too expensive. Not even the penthouse that is now listed at the Pierre with sixteen rooms and at a pricetag of $70 million. The Australian gentleman is evaluating both Plaza apartments, though his wife is adamant about having her bed overlooking all that park greenery. They are flying back today to Melbourne on their private plane. I am waiting to hear what their decision will be, but just out of curiosity, since I wasn't the broker, alas. Personally, I think they would be much better off in a regular New York building, with more hedge fund people and fewer oil wells.

On the other hand, I am also left with a vague feeling that either a)I am not working hard enough, or else I could move down the block and swan about with all that oil-moneyed crowd and perhaps the one really nice billionaire Australian couple who speak English, or b)that our own apartment/office here at 240 Central Park South is one nifty place to live and work at a fraction of the cost of the foreign frenzy. And my husband, Terry Rufer, and I are native New Yorkers. That counts for something, even if we are from the Bronx and Staten Island respectively.

Either way, I wonder about Eloise, the former literary symbol of the days of the classic Plaza Hotel. The little girl was known to dart mischievously around the hotel halls in her reckless and charming youth. I wonder what Eloise would think of all this real estate frenzy. But mostly I wonder if she had a back bedroom...

Tucker's Point Hotel & Spa - Opening July 2008

I am thrilled to share with you an update on Tucker's Point Hotel & Spa, which is coming to Bermuda as a long awaited breath of fresh air for this pastel perfect island. Estimated opening date is July 18, 2008.

Happily, I will be involved in assisting Tucker's Point with bringing them Board of Directors' meetings, corporate retreats, think-tanks and discerning incentive groups looking for an exquisite new upscale boutique resort. So this is where you come in with your group...the hotel will have 88 rooms, with a minimum of 520 square feet (50% of the 20 suites--ranging from 1,200 to 1,650 square feet--have fireplaces). All rooms have a large balcony; all have water views.

The 18 hole championship golf course is open and has now surpassed Mid Ocean for its impressive play, according to all my informed sources in Bermuda who have played both courses. A spa? Of course! Meeting space? Very definitely. Isn't that refreshing? They actually want your group business! Get the picture?...This is a resort for those groups that do not belong in a big group hotel, or who are looking for a boutique hotel which can pamper one group at a time and where you don't have to compromise your needs. Space will be limited, however, by the sheer demand for this property. We are already seeing that happen.

If you are thinking ahead, terrific! If you are looking for anytime after the summer opening 2008, then please give me a call at (800)255-GAIL (4245) or send me an answer on this blog, or e-mail me at gail@gailflannigan.com, if you have not already checked with Ann Walker for availability.

In any case, give me a call...send me an e-mail...and I'll send you the fact sheet. Very simple, and very wise, indeed. More to come on Tucker's Point in a future blog. I just wanted you to know for now that Bermuda is not your father and mother's honeymoon destination anymore...there are exciting things happening all over the island. This is just going to be a stunning new hotel that I wanted to share with you.

All the best,
Gail

Upcoming Fishing Tournaments at Sanctuary Cap Cana:


The Cap Cana Classic
June 1 - 8, 2007
White Marlin


The Punta Espada Tournament
July 20 - 27, 2007
Blue Marlin

Celebrities attend Cap Cana Marina Inauguration

Children of billionaire Donald Trump, the singer Julio Iglesias and designer Oscar de la Renta were among the stars who gathered in Cap Cana to inaugurate the luxury marina on Saturday, April 28th, 2007.

Described as the "most complete and modern marina in the Caribbean," organizers said that the facility will, once finished, be able to accomodate 1,000 yachts as well as mega-yachts.

At the festivities on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic were Eric and Ivanka Trump, whose father is one of the investors in the complex, rubbed shoulders with 3,000 guests including Iglesias, Dominican born de le Renta and dancer Mikhail Barishnikhov.

The inaugural bash also featured appearances by President Leonel Fernandez, Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra, the Santo Domingo Philharmonic and performers from Canada's Cirque de Soleil.

The complex is to stretch to over 46 square miles and cost a total of two billion dollars.

It will include three golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus as well as four luxury hotels, a shopping center and a Venice-like canal featuring seaview villas.

Article Source: dominicantoday.com

Ariel Sands, Bermuda.... Update

Michael Douglas's cottage colony is awaiting the final finishing contract touches, with lawyers working feverishly to get the paperwork completed--well, doing lots of billable hours in any case--before the architect's plans are put into concrete form, literally.

Ariel Sands Residence Club, which will be a five-star fractional ownership Private Club, is several months away from breaking ground. Meanwhile, there are hotel rooms in the existing Ariel Sands cottage colony that are available for a lovely corporate retreat, an informal Board of Directors meeting, a think tank, or just a delightful, quick and well-earned incentive trip for an outstanding quarterly performance.

Peak season is coming up, and Bermuda is ever so close to the U.S. --- only a one and a half hour non-stop flight from New York City!

Before this charming resort of 47 rooms becomes a sweet memory, our staff at Ariel Sands would like to spoil you one last time. Now until November 2007 please, they're waiting.

Looking for a delicious dessert recipe?

Try this classic English trifle with mixed berries and lemon cream. Perfect for spring and summer, this easy recipe is perfect for every occasion!

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Berries:
1 pint blueberries
1 pint strawberries, hulled and cut into thick slices
2 pint raspberries
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
Lemon Cream:
1 quart whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (11-ounce) jar lemon curd
1 cup store bought pound cake, slices 1/2-inch thick

Place the berries into a large bowl and sprinkle with half of the lemon juice. Lightly toss.

Combine the berries, sugar, cornstarch and remaining lemon juice in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook just until the berries begin to break down and give up their juices, about 3 minutes. Take the berries off the heat and let cool; the mixture should thicken up as is cools.

In a clean bowl, whip the cream with the sugar and the vanilla to soft peaks. Put the lemon curd into a second bowl and stir in a little of the whipped cream to loosen it. Then fold in the rest of the cream.

To assemble the trifle, spoon a layer of the lemon cream into a large glass bowl. Add a layer of pound cake, breaking the slices into pieces that fit. Then soak the cake with a layer of berries and their juices. Keep going to make 3 or 4 more layers, depending on the size of the bowl, finishing with a layer of lemon cream. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Bovey Castle in Devon, England

Lest you should think that you know every exquisite venue in the world, let me introduce you to Bovey Castle on the moors in Devonshire National Park in England.

If you have ever heard of Agatha Christie or Hercule Poirot and are even remotely interested in the quality of life that is suggested by this era, then you need to know about this elegant Castle. It is located a brief, two hour train ride from London. (No, it’s not the Orient Express, but the countryside is stunning along the route, nonetheless).

Please visit our website to find all the details about this magnificent venue for a corporate meeting, Board of Directors, or incentive group. Use your “little gray cells,” as Poirot would say, and figure out a way to use Bovey Castle for one of your more discerning groups.


Millionaire Magazine….”Looking over the hills of Dartmoor while bathing in pure sunshine is to behold one of the most bucolic views in the whole of England.”


Town & Country Magazine…”Heaven in Devon”


Golf Magazine….”Castle for all Seasons”

Q & A at Punta Espada Golf Course

Q&A at the Punta Espada Golf Course

How many golf courses is Cap Cana going to have?
In its initial phase, Cap Cana will have five golf courses, three of them being Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses. The first one, Punta Espada is in full operation since July of 2006. Construction for the second Jack Nicklaus’ master piece will be Las Iguanas.

How is Punta Espada different from any other golf course in the country?
The unparalleled dedication to excellence and quality showed on every game during his career is now on display at Punta Espada, a course that combines golf with the beautiful existing natural environment under the intense blue hues of the Caribbean Sea.

Although the entire Punta Espada layout incorporates the beautiful natural surroundings of Cap Cana, the majority of the holes have an especially privileged location in which golfers can appreciate the vast expanse of the Caribbean waters while striving to play their best game.

Punta Espada is also the first golf course in the Dominican Republic featuring 100 percent Seashore Paspalum, the preferred grass in tropical climates because of its resistance to salt water and its vibrant green color.

Why is hole 13 considered the “signature hole”? (see photo above)
This spectacular 250-yard par 3 is sure to become one of the world’s most photographed holes. There are no hidden agendas; the route requires golfers to execute a challenging tee shot over the ocean into a picturesque green surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

Could we say that the Dominican Republic is an ideal destination for the golf lovers? How is Cap Cana contributing to this?
With more golf courses than any other country in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has a privileged position in the world of golf. With the inauguration of Punta Espada, Cap Cana has reinforced this prestigious reputation as the only location in the region that will have three Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses within a single tourist and real-estate development.

How much did it cost to build Punta Espada?
Punta Espada represents the first of three Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses that will be built in Cap Cana and was constructed at an estimated cost of $18 million.


Why is Cap Cana, with its new golf course Punta Espada, considered a complete golfing experience?
Following the official opening of the Punta Espada golf course, Cap Cana completes the golf lovers experience with the opening of the Punta Espada Golf Clubhouse. Encompassing a total area of approximately 191,598 sq feet, the clubhouse provides all the services needed for a memorable golfing experience. The club also has a restaurant, bar, library for those devoted to literature and a store where golfers can find the top brand-name items they need to play their best game, among other facilities.

What company was responsible for building Punta Espada?
Weitz Golf International, a leading corporation in the construction of golf courses and golf clubs with 149 years of experience, is responsible for the construction and completion of the project’s three golf courses, under Jack Nicklaus Signature Design. By hiring them, we have selected the best of the industry.

Who is responsible for the maintenance and administration of Punta Espada?
Leaders in management services of golf complexes, Troon Golf will supervise the construction of the three Cap Cana golf courses designed by Nicklaus and will manage all operations of the project’s golf clubs.

Why is Cap Cana considered “The World’s Next Great Destination?"
Cap Cana is the most important tourism and real-estate project of the Caribbean. With a master plan investment projected at 1.5 billion dollars, the first stage of the project will be developed in a span of 12-15 years and comprises an area of 35 million square meters (8,680 acres) of a total of over 120 million square meters (30,000 acres); 5.5 kilometers (3.5 miles) of virgin beaches and privy to a privileged climate. In its initial phase, the project will have three 5-star hotels, 3 golf courses signature and designed by Jack Nicklaus, one of the most complete and modern marinas “in land” in the Caribbean and a total of 5,000 residential units and 500 hotel rooms.

Why did Cap Cana decide to build a golf course with stunning views to the ocean instead of building residences so they could achieve a higher profitability?
As per Dr. Ricardo Hazoury, President of Cap Cana’s Board of Directors: “We wanted to give Jack Nicklaus the perfect site to create a work of art; that’s why we didn’t think twice about putting more than 7,000 yards of land at his disposal so he could let his imagination and creativity soar. Our desire is to offer devoted golfers the best course in the world, designed by the best in the world.”

Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa Opening

So, it has been a long time coming and well worth the wait. It is just not there yet.

I have just come back from the nearly-finished Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa in the Dominican Republic. And, yes, this is the most talked about area this week since Donald Trump announced on the Apprentice last Sunday night that his choice of Stefani Schaeffer as Project Manager for Trump at Cap Cana would earn her a meager $250,000. Apparently her beauty and brilliance will catapult the condominium development even further with her expertise. I think the beauty of the area will have a lot to do with her success...

This is a stunning land development, which Trump shares with AltaBella Hotels, the owner of Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa. In the twenty-five years that I have been involved with hotels in the Caribbean, I have never seen anything like the Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Spa. Lovingly built by artisans who are chiseling out stone by hand, inlaying intricate tiles with tactile details you would wish could be in your own home, and ultimately decorating the finished product with natural woods and fabrics from Malaysia and other eco-rich areas that impart a warmth and texture that is utterly sensual.

There are many of us who have been waiting for the opening of this 176 all-suite resort, with its stunning ocean front views, championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course with eight of its eighteen holes directly on the ocean, a 20,000 square foot Mandara spa, and Asian and European service people to complement the gracious Dominican service staff. Meeting space abounds, as do eight restaurants of international cuisine.

The 500 slip marina is opening this Saturday, April 28, 2007...more on that when the event takes place. For now, know that my experience was extremely gratifying. AltaBella is taking all the right components and putting them together to create the Caribbean experience no one has even thought of building.

And so, you ask, when WILL Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf & Club finally open? To be safe, I would say plan for October 2007, if you are really looking for the finished product, with no traces of construction and with lush landscaping. Just know that if you have ever had a fantasy that included a beach...this is the one.

For more on what Donald Trump has to say on Cap Cana click on the link below and select Part 3 to see a video tour of the Cap Cana facilities that was aired on the Season Finale of the Apprentice.

www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full_episodes/apprentice.shtml">

Do you find yourself always forgetting ONE ITEM when you travel? We have put together a list of travel necessities for you to print out and keep with you!


 Alarm clock
 Band-Aids
 Bathing Suit
 Batteries
 Belts
 Binoculars
 Blackberry
 Blouses
 Bobby Pins
 Book
 Business cards
 Calculator (small for changing money)
 Calendar diary
 Camera
 Cell Phone
 Checkbook
 Clips/Elastics for hair
 Coats
 Cotton Balls
 Cushion for head
 Day cream
 Deodorant
 Dresses
 Ear Plugs
 Evian hydrating mist spray
 Eye makeup remover
 Eye mask
 Film
 Gloves (winter)
 Hand cream
 Handbags
 Ipod
 Jewelry
 Lingerie
 Lip balm
 Makeup
 Maps, destination file, guide books
 Medicines/Vitamins
 Money/Credit card
 Mouthwash
 Nail file
 Nail polish
 Night Cream
 Passport
 Pedometer
 Pen
 Photocopy of passport
 Plane Ticket
 Pocket flashlight
 Razor
 Reading glasses
 Scissors
 Shampoo/Conditioner
 Shoes
 Shorts
 Shower cap
 Slipper sox for plane
 Small Umbrella
 Socks
 Stockings
 Suit(s)
 Sunglasses
 Sunscreen
 Sweaters
 Toothbrush
 Toothpaste
 Travelers Support jet lag aid
 Tweezers
 Wrist cuffs for motion sickness

Cap Cana- The Altabella Hotel Group will inaugurate the initial phase of what will be the largest marina in the Caribbean on Saturday, April 28th. Located on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, the Marina will accommodate 72 yachts up to 60 feet long during its first phase with a completed capacity of 1,400 slips accommodating boats up to 250 feet.

The protected harbor basin will satisfy even the most discerning boater. Located 10 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport and only 5 miles from away from one of the most abundant fisheries in the Caribbean, fishing season is year round in Cap Cana.

Designed with a nod to the grandeur of Venice, the Marina will also be home to exquisite shopping, with designer boutiques, charming restaurants and chic bistros and bars complimenting the luxury living that is Cap Cana.

Making a dramatic entrance in September 2007 will be the newly-built Sanctuary Cap Cana Golf and Spa on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic. It will be the only five star resort on the east coast of this dramatic coastline, when it opens. It is just 3 hrs and 10 minutes by direct flight from New York City (and 8 minutes from Punta Cana Airport). There is also easy access from other gateway cities from the U.S. and Europe with approximately 250 flights per week into the area.

The well-established management company who will run this resort is from Spain—AltaBella Hotels—and the name will become synonymous with a new level of luxury in the Caribbean. The area of Cap Cana is now considered the next “new” destination due to its exquisite white beaches. It is now fast becoming known for its killer course at the Hotel Sanctuary Cap Cana, the Jack Nicklaus designed championship eighteen hole Punta Espada course. Eight ocean-hugging holes rival Pebble Beach for both beauty and challenge, and the remainder of the course has exquisite views of the sea.

This 176 all-suite resort is the next meeting and incentive destination that will welcome groups, while maintaining all the attention to service and amenities offered to discerning individual travelers. Style and service are paramount to AltaBella.

All facts and details regarding the Jack Nicklaus’s Signature Golf Course, 20,000 square foot spa, marina, shopping, restaurants, meeting facilities, activities and immaculate beaches, can be found on our web site. http://www.gfahotels.com