Hilton Inks All-Inclusive Brand Contract In Caribbean

MIAMI— Hilton Caribbean, a division of Hilton International, is going into the all-inclusive business as the result of a deal reached with Coral Hotels & Resorts (CHR) of the Dominican Republic. Called Coral by Hilton, the brand will be launched with four resorts in the Dominican Republic, all of which are operated by CHR. CHR said it tapped Hilton Caribbean to assume the sales and marketing efforts for its properties, which will continue to be managed by CHR. The new brand marks Hilton Caribbean’s entrée into the all-inclusive resort market. The deal reportedly makes Hilton International the first major worldwide hotel company to create an all-inclusive brand. The CHR all-inclusive resorts, which will operate under the Coral by Hilton banner, are: Coral Canoa Beach Resort & Spa, Coral Costa Caribe Beach Resort & Casino, Coral Hamaca Beach Resort & Casino and Coral Marien Beach Resort & Spa. All stays include accommodations, meals, drinks and snacks, land and water sports, nightly live entertainment, all taxes and service charges. Hilton Caribbean said it has ambitious plans to grow the Coral by Hilton brand with the addition of other all-inclusive Caribbean properties. The growth strategy, with projects already in the works, will include opportunities for Hilton Caribbean and/or CHR to own and operate resorts within the brand. There will also be the opportunity for third-party operators to fly the Coral by Hilton Flag, said the company, reportedly marking “the first time that an owner of an independent, all-inclusive property in the Caribbean has the opportunity to partner with a worldwide hotel group that has a dedicated all-inclusive brand.” CHR also owns and manages Guavaberry Golf & Country Club, the Dominican Republic’s residential golf community, featuring an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Gary Player (a second course is planned for 2005), tennis, an equestrian center, a beach club and more. Guavaberry, which is less than five minutes from Coral Costa Caribe, offers preferred rates, tee times and more for resort guests. There will be a 90-day transition period while the hotels are converted. As of February 1, 2003 Coral by Hilton reservations can be made online at www.hilton.com, via a travel professional or by calling Hilton’s worldwide reservation system. Hilton Caribbean has eight hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean: British Colonial Hilton Nassau (The Bahamas), Caribe Hilton (San Juan, Puerto Rico), Hilton Ponce & Casino (Puerto Rico), Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre, Hilton Tobago, Hilton Kingston Jamaica, Jalousie Hilton Resort & Spa (St. Lucia), and Hilton Margarita & Suites (Margarita Island, Venezuela).