THE OPENING OF VIRTUOSO’S® NEWEST PREVIEW RESORT BRINGS
A NEW LEVEL OF LUXURY TO PUERTO RICO
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico Opens its Doors November 4,
Making Now the Time to Go

NEW YORK (November 4, 2010) – As the first St. Regis property in the Caribbean, and as a member of Virtuoso’s® prestigious Preview program, St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is slated to establish Puerto Rico as a high-end destination in the Caribbean and help the island garner the prominent status it deserves. When the property opens this week, visitors will experience a new level of elegance and sophistication. In addition to the new St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, there are many reasons why now is the time to visit Puerto Rico: (1) convenience; (2) increased airlift; (3) ever-present Caribbean appeal; (4) Virtuoso travel advisors specializing in Puerto Rico can help plan the perfect stay.

Because of its proximity to the United States and its status as a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico is an easily accessible and convenient destination for Americans. The island has three international airports, with direct flights from Miami to San Juan clocking in at only two-and-a-half hours. The island also boasts nine ports in different cities, including the San Juan Port, the largest in Puerto Rico and the busiest in all of the Caribbean. As a U.S. territory, passports are not required for entry to the country and U.S. currency is accepted everywhere.

Further, recent increases in airlift will make the country more accessible than ever, in particular through San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. AirTran has recently announced that it will start up nonstop, twice-daily service between San Juan and Tampa, Fla. beginning April 2011. JetBlue Airways also announced several new lift services to San Juan from Tampa and Jacksonville, Fla. in spring 2011. By summer 2011, JetBlue plans to operate more than 30 flights per day to and from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with more than 20 daily departures from San Juan. These services will make for more flexible scheduling and supplement existing US-San Juan routes provided by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air, Southwest, United Airlines and US Airways. Once arrived in San Juan, St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is a simple 30-minute drive from the international airport.

The desirability of Puerto Rico is not solely tied to its accessibility, as its location also has mass appeal for a range of travelers. The Caribbean is considered an aspirational destination by many Americans, as revealed by VIRTUOSO LIFE magazine’s 2010 “Travel Dreams Sweepstakes Survey.” For the survey, 11,000 readers of the network’s award-winning magazine weighed in on the exotic lands, life-changing experiences and thrilling adventures that upscale travelers are currently seeking, naming the Caribbean the #2 “Family Destination” and #7 “Dream Destination” worldwide.

For those who have always dreamed of traveling to the Caribbean, or more specifically Puerto Rico, though are not sure where to start, Virtuoso has specialists who can help to plan the perfect stay. The network’s travel advisors have intimate knowledge of the region and insider perspective on amenities fitting for any kind of traveler.

Of a recent visit to St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Virtuoso member Andy Pesky of Protravel International said, “Our expectations were exceeded, as St. Regis Bahia Beach is not only convenient and within 30 minutes of the airport, but it is absolutely stunning! It is a boutique property at the highest level with incredible facilities. There is truly something for everyone: the Remède Spa will be a knockout; the cuisine by Jean Georges adds a level of sophistication; the golf course is first-rate; there are trails for jogging, walking and biking; and additional activities due to the nearby rainforest. The beach is beautiful white sand and unusually long. The pool area in itself is unique, consisting of three interconnecting pools catering to different age groups and abilities, all located near the beach restaurant that will be a winner. The General Manager, David Kurland, is sure to make this the new ‘hot’ resort of the Caribbean.”

The opening of St Regis Bahia Beach will introduce an unrivaled dimension of bespoke hospitality to Puerto Rico. Situated on 483 acres of a former coconut plantation and native maritime forest, the resort will be the Caribbean’s first and only Certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary. Along with 139 beautifully appointed rooms, the resort will offer a Remède Spa; the first Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course in the Caribbean; Jean-Georges’ Fern restaurant; exceptional meeting facilities; and the Iguana’s Kids Club.

The resort is now accepting reservations for stays after November 11, 2010. For more information on the St. Regis Bahia Beach-Puerto Rico, or to make a reservation, guests can contact a Virtuoso advisor by calling 866-401-7974. Virtuoso guests will receive exclusive amenities not available through any other program for the first year of the resort is open.

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About Virtuoso
Virtuoso® is the industry’s leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 300 agencies with more than 6,000 elite travel specialists in 22 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,000 of the world’s best travel providers and premier destinations. The network’s member agencies generate over $5.1 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network’s affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. To see Virtuoso’s latest video content, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler.

Media Contacts:
Misty Ewing
Virtuoso – Director, Public Relations
Office: (212) 588-8242
Mobile: (206) 484-8022
E-mail: mewing@virtuoso.com  

Jami Gordon Smith /Kelsey Paquin
The Brandman Agency
Office: (212) 683-2442
E-mails: jami@brandmanpr.com / kelsey@brandmanpr.com