Rooms Fit for Kings at Combate Beach Resort
Combate Beach Resort, located in Cabo Rojo, opened six new and modern King-Deluxe rooms, setting a new standard of quality and sophistication in the small inns in the tourist region of Porta del Sol.
Combate Beach Resort expands its tourism offer by adding six KING-Deluxe rooms to its inventory
Combate Beach Resort, located in Cabo Rojo, opened six new and modern King-Deluxe rooms, setting a new standard of quality and sophistication in the small inns in the tourist region of Porta del Sol.
With these new KING-Deluxe rooms, Combate Beach Resort expands its tourism offer to twelve different room types, designed to accommodate the wide variety of needs and budgets of its local and international clientele.
“This investment is aligned with our commitment to quality and continuous improvement that we have with our guests; reason why they consider us among the first hotels in this category”, said Xavier A Ramirez, co-owner and General Manager of Combate Beach Resort.
“Cabo Rojo has over 30 world-class attractions and 18 spectacular beaches. Annually, about 18,000 visitors from all over the world arrive at the Combate Beach Resort, including people from Australia, China, Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Iceland, Africa, and Patagonia. “Injecting close to three million dollars into the local economy”, added Ramirez.
“The customer reception of our Turpial and Honeymoon Suites motivated us to expand in this market. At the beginning of this year we attended two hotel conventions, and we saw the behavioral patterns and expectations of the traveler of the future. We decided to anticipate the change and raise our standards a little more. “These six KING-Deluxe rooms are designed for a more demanding guest, or for those looking to surprise his/her partner for a special celebration; and for the new professionals of the millennial generation”, said Tomás Ramirez, leader of the family group of the Combate Beach Resort.
“These rooms have a more modern and sophisticated decoration while still maintaining all the characteristics of a small inn and the family service of a Puerto Rican parador. They are equipped with an extra comfortable King size bed, 43-inch TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, closet, USB connectors, bathrobes, and other amenities typical of a luxury eco-friendly hotels. “This investment also includes the modernization of the renowned Honeymoon Suite in our parador”, stressed Tomás Ramirez.
“The amount of ecotourism and cutural experiences offered by our area is highly diverse. In addition to the sea-related sports, such as swimming, diving, fishing, snorkeling, and kayaking; the Los Morrillos Lighthouse, the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, and the Salt Flats in Cabo Rojo, along with the attractions in other nearby cities, offer a gigantic framework for many other activities and nightlife”, said Xavier A. Ramirez.
“In addition, the culinary offer is quite extensive with more than fifty well recognized restaurants and “chinchorros” in Boqueron and Combate areas and a diversity of delicacies without equal for the local and international tourist”, added Xavier A. Ramirez.
For the Combate Beach Resort management team, it is critical to maintain its leadership and innovation in its hotel operations.
“We recognize the importance of staying at the forefront of the changes occurring in the tourism industry worldwide. Our marketing and operations strategy, together with the service quality of our thirty employees, attracts about 18,000 guests annually to Combate Beach Resort, and represent a driving force for economic activity in Combate and Cabo Rojo”, stated Tomás Ramirez.
For Jesús Ramos, president of the Association of Owners of Paradores and Tourism of PR, this is a very important event. “We are very happy with the quality and style of these rooms. This year, Paradores of Puerto Rico celebrates 45 years serving the Puerto Rican family, and all the “paradores” in the association have been modernizing and expanding their tourism offer. These rooms are an additional example of the high standards of quality and product diversity offered by our hotels”, said Ramos, owner and operator of the Parador Villas Sotomatyor in Adjuntas.
Constant innovation distinguishes the Combate Beach Resort. In 2015, Combate Beach Resort inaugurated the Ecosuites™ rooms, originated from cargo containers and with over thirty eco-friendly practices; and received the classification of Green Leader – Gold Level, from TripAdvisor. Then, in 2016 they converted their reception area into a meeting and community facility for their guests, in line with the latest trends in the global tourism market.
“At this time, Puerto Rico has a need to add luxury rooms to its inventory. We have observed a consistent increase in demand for more sophisticated rooms at competitive prices in our region, and we chose to meet that need. These rooms will be accessible to both the local and international visitor who continually visit us to enjoy the attractions of this area”, added, Tomas Ramirez.
Combate Beach Resort has 47 elegant rooms, to accommodate from two to six people, a breakfast restaurant, events’ rooms, recreational area, adult and children’s pool, basketball and sand volleyball courts, and provides direct access to Combate Beach and the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge.
Award Winning Mixologist
Puerto Rican Mixologist’s Cocktail Wins People’s Choice Award Featuring Ron del Barrilito
Puerto Rican Mixologist’s Cocktail Wins People’s Choice Award Featuring Ron del Barrilito
At the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America 2018 Convention, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in Las Vegas, the “Sand Break” cocktail, created by Puerto Rican mixologist Joymar Herrin, was awarded the People’s Choice award, and it features Ron del Barrilito Three Stars.
“Sand Break is my interpretation of that moment just before entering the sea; the feet in the sand and the waves breaking on the shore. As a good ambassador of my island, I like to use high-quality products and present something authentic and traditional from Puerto Rico. The Ron del Barrilito Three Stars has some notes of Spanish sherry that it extracts from its barrels, highlighting the elements within the mixology,” says Herrin.
Herrin, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the third-generation of hotel professionals in her family. She began her career at The Ritz Carlton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She continued her journey and currently is the principal mixologist at Chica by Chef Lorena García, a restaurant at the Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas.
“We know that Ron del Barrilito is a fine-aged rum, praised by the world’s great mixologists, such as Joymar Herrin. We are proud of our award-winning rum which continues to be acknowledged by its high quality and flavor. And, most of all, we are proud that Puerto Rican mixologists are being recognized for their creations,” says José R. Colón, president of Edmundo B. Fernández, the parent company of Ron del Barrilito Three Stars.
Joymar’s creation, Sand Break, is prepared chiefly with Ron del Barrilito Three Stars. It is complimented by hints of orange, coconut, lime, and egg whites, with a final touch of the amaretto-tasting liquor, Disaronno. The mixologist combined all the ingredients in a cocktail mixer and stirred it. As a final touch, Herrin served it in a Pisco glass rimmed with a mix of brown sugar and coconut.
Ron del Barrilito has thousands of passionate followers throughout the world who treasure its fine quality, delicate aroma, and incomparable flavor. Great mixologists, such as Joymar Herrin, always have bottles of Ron del Barrilito Two and Three Stars stocked in their bars.
For more information about the recipe, go to: http://www.wswaconvention.org/call-for-cocktails-competition/.
Anticipated Hotel Opening in Condado District on March 20, 2018
Serafina Beach Hotel’s Announces Grand Opening on March 20, 2018. Learn the when, where, and all the details about the event.
The successful global restaurant brand, Serafina Restaurant Group announces today the opening of Serafina Beach Hotel, a stylish boutique property located in the trendy Condado District of San Juan, Puerto Rico. As the first new hotel opening in San Juan of 2018, Serafina Beach Hotel offers 96 contemporary guest rooms which feature floor-to-ceiling windows and boast dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean or the adjacent Laguna del Condado, three new dining options including their signature aMare restaurant, the energetic PiñaCo Bar and By the Pool, the hotel’s sexy oceanfront infinity poolside lounge as well as three private indoor-outdoor meeting and event spaces.
“Expanding the Serafina brand into a lifestyle hotel experience is a natural fit and next step for my partner Fabio Granato and I. San Juan is a city close to our hearts and we could think of no better place to bring to life the essence of Serafina in a hotel experience. We look forward to welcoming guests to our beautiful island, which is open for business,” said Vittorio Assaf, Serafina Restaurant Group Co-Owner. “Serafina Beach Hotel really captures the energy of the Condado district with stylish lounges,
sleek guestrooms and signature Serafina hospitality.”
To celebrate the grand opening, Serafina Beach Hotel is offering guests who book a stay during their
opening months with a special ‘Reveal’ rate available for a limited time. The ‘Reveal’ package includes:
• 30% discount on all room categories with a minimum two-night stay
• $60 food and beverage credit
• One signature cocktail per guest
• Limited edition Serafina branded gift
• Rates start at $369/night
Designed by New York-based design and branding studio, ICRAVE, Serafina Beach Hotel emanates a youthful, sexy and playful vibe that lends homage to the surrounding Atlantic Ocean and neighboring Laguna del Condado. Located just 10 minutes from the San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín Airport (SJU) and perched on the breaking waves of the Atlantic, the hotel design draws the ocean in through tones of blue, sea-glass greens, foam whites, and driftwood greys. The subtle and chic approach to the interior spaces is enhanced by bohemian accents, landscape elements, and pops of fresh art by way of native Puerto Rican artists such as Sofia Maldonado and Gerardo Cloquell, whose abstract murals inject an edgy viewpoint. Each of the 96 contemporary guest rooms at Serafina Beach Hotel measure at 325 square feet and feature oversized floor-to-ceiling windows, which deliver stunning, almost surreal views of the ocean to the north, and over the Laguna del Condado and glowing city night lights to the south. The hotel’s five signature Serafina Oceanfront Terrace rooms feature an airy 140 square foot exterior balcony that extends over the playful pool deck. The unique Positano Ocean Terrace Room includes a 280 square foot oceanfront terrace with panoramic views and a coastal vibe.
Serafina Restaurant Group will introduce three new dining concepts at the hotel, including the signature aMare Restaurant, serving Mediterranean and seafood cuisine fused with local Puerto Rican flavors in dishes such as Branzino Al Sale, Paella “Di Antonio” and Linguini Alle Vongole, the lively PiñaCo Bar which features a charming, jewel-like bar that will offer a rich selection of Caribbean rums, light bites, cold pressed juices, detox shots and refreshing handcrafted cocktails; by day PiñaCo will feature Gustos Coffee, Puerto Rico’s finest specialty coffee offering artisan roasts, from espressos to high quality blends; as well as Serafina Beach Hotel’s poolside lounge, By the Pool where guests can soak in San Juan’s sun rays while sipping on vibrant cocktails such as an Aperol Spritz by the freshwater, ocean-front infinity-edge pool. All the food and beverage venues were designed to be social gathering spaces to encourage guests and locals to mingle at San Juan’s newest hot spot.
For groups and larger parties, Serafina Beach Hotel also offers three private indoor and outdoor venues that integrates the hotel’s youthful sophistication and relaxed setting to provide the perfect location to host business groups, celebrate milestone celebrations and weddings. Whether it’s in the oceanfront aMare terrace, the Mediterranean ballroom, or the vibrant pool deck, the Serafina Beach Hotel staff will work closely with guests to create memorable and personalized events and gatherings.
Embracing the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico, the hotel’s “Experience the Island” concierge service provides guests direct access to authentic and thrilling ways to experience the area such as nightly kayak excursions in the neighboring Laguna, private helicopter tours, culinary experiences, and expert guided tours through the historic and colorful city of Old San Juan, home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Through Voluntourism programming, Serafina Beach Hotel offers guests the opportunity to connect with the local communities of Puerto Rico to participate directly in the rebuilding efforts of the island.
For more information about Serafina Beach Hotel or to book your stay, please visit
www.serafinabeachhotel.com or call (787)-625-6000.
Puerto Rico ready to receive foodies from all over the World
This culinary festival has become the largest and most important one in the Caribbean with thousands of tourists, visitors, and residents attending the event each year.
The biggest Culinary Event of the Caribbean takes place April 5-8
The President and CEO of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association (PRHTA), Clarisa Jiménez, recently announced the details of what will be the new edition of the largest culinary event of the Caribbean, Saborea Puerto Rico, a Culinary Extravaganza, to be held from April 5 to 8, 2018. This edition of the event will be inaugurated under a new format and at a new home.
“During these transcendental moments the Island lives through, we want to tell the world that we are ready to showcase one of our primary attributes to attract visitors, our gastronomy, and what better way than through the platform that has achieved this for over ten years-Saborea Puerto Rico” stated Jiménez. “This is the perfect moment to transform the Saborea offering. Today we present an innovative and fun alternative for our visitors to enjoy the best of our food, beverages, and music. We are convinced that both the local public as well as anyone who visits us will enjoy the new event format,” commented the Executive.
Under the motto The Joy of Life, The Joy of Food, Saborea Puerto Rico will launch the new format and return to the municipality of Carolina, where it held the first edition of the event in 2008. The opening event, Bubbles, and Bites will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in Isla Verde. The subsequent events, Saborea Sunset and the Saborea Oceanside Brunch, to be held on Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of April, will be held in the area next to the Carolina Municipal Beach.
“Holding Saborea Puerto Rico is of greater importance this year because it is an additional indication that the tourism industry in Puerto Rico has recovered at an accelerated rate. We are ready to welcome the many visitors who will arrive to the Island to taste our gastronomy. We hope they take the opportunity during this visit to enjoy all the attractions that distinguish us as the Isle of Enchantment”, said Carla Campos, interim executive director of the Tourism Company. “We are happy to be a part of this great culinary encounter again as it positions Puerto Rico as a world-class gastronomic destination. Support of this and other events that the Tourism Company sponsors during this first semester of 2018 are part of the commitments by Governor Ricardo Rosselló-Nevárez to reactivate tourism activity immediately as part of our short-term economic resurgence.”
As in previous years, the event will host chefs invited from the United States and Canada who will be paired with local chefs for a special presentation during the Saborea Oceanside Brunch.
Similarly, it was announced that tickets are on sale at Ticketera P.R. or Saborea P.R. and payment with MasterCard offers a special rate. The weekend pass will be available for attendance to the events on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday for the special rate of $165.00 or $125.00 for payments with MasterCard.
The weekend in detail: