Bahia Principe offers new Experiences categories at its properties

Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts is launching a set of programs designed to enhance guest experiences at its 20 all-inclusive resorts in the region (14 in the Dominican Republic, two in Jamaica and four in the Riviera Maya in Mexico).

The idea began a year ago, when Bahia, the hotel chain of the Spanish family-owned Grupo Pinero company, began working on what Helen Montijano, its vice president of sales and marketing for the U.S. and Canada, described as a "portfolio recategorization to make it easier for potential guests to define the property that would best allow them to experience happiness."

Translation: To help guests find the resort that suits the type of vacation that they seek in terms of entertainment, sports and food-and-beverage offerings, Bahia created a segment called Experiences, with three categories: Treasure, Escape and Family & Friends.

"Guests seeking seclusion and unique locales should opt for our four Treasure properties; those looking for a lively, adults-only escape for two can choose one of our four Escape Experience properties; and those who want quality time with loved ones or those traveling in large groups would enjoy our 12 Family & Friends properties," Montijano said.

The Treasure properties are the Luxury Bahia Principe resorts in Cayo Levantado and Samana in the Dominican Republic and Sian Ka'an in Mexico, plus the Grand Bahia Principe Cayacoa in the D.R. To highlight the unique locations, entertainment includes "live ethnic music and workshops on local culture," Montijano said.

The four Escape properties are the Luxury Bahia Principe resorts Ambar and Bouganville in the D.R. and Runaway Bay in Jamaica, plus the Grand Bahia Principe Aquamarine in the D.R. Offerings are tailored "to better meet the needs of adults seeking a romantic getaway with entertainment that includes themed parties, a full moon party and burlesque and other theater shows," according to Montijano.

Food and beverage offerings at the Family & Friends resorts include local organic products and feature gastronomic events on beaches and at the pools.

While Bahia has always offered activities that could be classified under the four pillars of entertainment, sport, food and beverage, Montijano explained that this rollout formalizes which activities are offered at which resorts, and to whom they cater.

"Bahia is using these Experiences to highlight the customized programming that differentiates us from the rest of the market," she said.

The Experiences carry no extra charges for guests; every amenity that has been part of the all-inclusive offerings in the past remains included. Spa treatments and access to golf courses are still available at an additional cost.

Bahia's website has info on the Experiences segments, with a separate section dedicated to each. And Bahia is in the process of training its travel partners on the Experiences and what they entail, through monthly webinars and in-person workshops.