Visitors may be interested to learn that Punta Cana specifically started out as our company’s name, a brand created in the early 1970’s by Frank Rainieri, for a piece of land originally called Punta Borrachón (Drunkard’s Point). Today, Punta Cana has become a generic name, a country brand – the most recognized Dominican brand in the world. As a result, our brand name is now “Puntacana Resort & Club”. Currently, Punta Cana is the most highly visited Caribbean destination and is easily accessible from all over the globe.
The development of Puntacana Resort & Club dates back to 1971 when Dominican businessman and hotelier Frank R. Rainieri and Theodore W. Kheel, the prominent New York attorney and labor mediator, created a partnership to construct a resort and real estate community that respects the natural habitat of Punta Cana while offering a world-class vacation experience.
Maintaining a dedication to sustainable tourism, Puntacana Resort & Club has since grown to encompass over 26 square miles and now includes Tortuga Bay, The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club, Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village, Six Senses Spa, the Puntacana Ecological Foundation and diverse residential communities (Corales, Playa Serena, Hacienda, Hacienda del Mar, Arrecife, Tortuga Bay and The Marina), a full service marina, restaurants, a shopping village, a P.B. Dye designed golf course, a Tom Fazio designed golf course and Punta Cana International Airport a modern facility that incorporates innovative and eco-friendly design. In 1997, Julio Iglesias and Oscar de la Renta joined the Group as co-investors and have made Puntacana Resort & Club their home.
Currently, there are over 60 resorts in the Punta Cana-Bávaro area. Due to its isolated location and lack of public provisions from the Dominican Government, Grupo Puntacana S.A. took on the responsibility for installing and maintaining all facilities required for proper operation. Access roads, security, waterworks, electricity, garbage disposal, waste disposal and schools are all operable thanks to Grupo Puntacana’s projects and subsidiary corporations. Since 1997 the owners of Grupo Puntacana have been Theodore W. Kheel (since his passing he is represented by his son Robert Kheel and son-in-law, Arnold Jacobs), Frank R. Rainieri and Julio Iglesias
Grupo Puntacana has transformed this once inhospitable jungle coastline into a booming industry, responsible for a quarter of the country’s gross domestic product.
Corporate Social Responsibility plays an important role in the owners’ vision – a percentage of profits from the airport are invested in community projects. The company’s mission to promote sustainable development ranges from interest-free educational loans and medical facilities to revolving loan funding for their workers’ housing and an ecological foundation to protect and preserve the land and marine life.
Puntacana Resort & Club is the commercial name used for most of Grupo Puntacana’s touristic activities within that original piece of land. However, there are other companies including Punta Cana International Airport, Puntacana Village and Punta Cana Laundry Services, which do not come under the Puntacana Resort & Club umbrella. With over 42 years of experience, this company is rock-solid and has been able to grow even through the recent international financial crisis. Things were not accomplished overnight, but the company has continued to expand without rushing, but by never stopping.
Puntacana Resort & Club has won a variety of international awards: IAGTO’s 2011 Best Golf Resort of the World, Tortuga Bay received the Conde Nast Traveler 2012 Readers’ Choice Award as Best Hotel in the World (For Caribbean Hotels), in 2011 Puntacana Resort & Club also received the Travel + Leisure Global Vision Awards, among many others. Over 14 companies employ 2,000 direct employees and 2,000 indirect employees, and our plans for expansion continue. The Punta Cana region continues to grow as well. The new Coral highway linking Punta Cana to La Romana in just 35 minutes was recently completed, and Santo Domingo can now be reached in less than two hours. The future for Punta Cana looks bright, as it promises to remain one of the top vacation destinations in the Caribbean.
Playa Blanca is located beachside on the Caribbean sea. Next to the homonym restaurant and bar which serves fresh local seafood, grilled meats, and cocktails for lunch and dinner daily. Once you get to the beach you can pick some deck chairs for free to lay back and enjoy the pristine water, the permanent gentle breeze and the palms dancing on the wind.
Live music by local musicians featured weekly. Horseback riding, Segway Touring, Kite/ Wind Surfing, bicycle, and golf cart rentals are available onsite. Playa Blanca is also a unique venue for a private event or wedding to remember.
After a challenging round, you can retire to the 19th Hole Terrace, part of the gorgeous La Cana Golf and Beach Club designed by Oscar de la Renta. Grab a drink, and watch other foursomes battle the 18th hole along the picturesque, turquoise backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. Then retire to the high-ceilinged, comfortable clubhouse for a game of backgammon or hit the showers in our elegant locker rooms.
