Hard Rock International to Launch All-Inclusive Hard Rock Hotels in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Maya

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Having recently teamed on Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Hard Rock International today announced an agreement with Palace Resorts LLC to transform Palace Resorts properties in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya into Hard Rock Hotels.  These will be "ultimate all-inclusive" properties that bring the acclaimed Hard Rock experience to these popular Mexican tourist destinations.

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The transformation process will begin in the coming months, with the first Hard Rock-rebranded hotel in Cancun scheduled to launch in Winter 2012, Puerto Vallarta in Spring 2012, followed by a Fall 2012 first-phase debut of Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.  Each hotel will remain fully operational as an existing Palace Resorts property during the conversion process.

"Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya are perennially popular Mexican vacation spots and a natural draw for Hard Rock patrons.  We are pleased to extend our relationship with Palace Resorts in light of their track record of creating some of the best resorts in the Americas over the last 25+ years," stated Hard Rock International Executive Vice President, Hotels & Casinos Michael Shindler.  "Our growing presence in Latin America, sparked by the upcoming Hard Rock Panama Megapolis, reflects the brand's broader international growth strategy as evidenced across regions such as Europe and the Middle East."

Each Hard Rock Mexico location is a beachfront property that, upon its re-flagging, will feature unmatched, all-inclusive luxury accommodations including in-room double Jacuzzis, fine dining, top-shelf drinks, 24-hour room service, live entertainment and more.  All three will offer Hard Rock's signature Rock Star Suites and will showcase an extensive collection of authentic memorabilia from international and local music artists, while incorporating diverse music genres throughout.  Additionally, in keeping with the Hard Rock tradition, each property will host an ongoing schedule of live concerts, celebrity-driven soirees and other exciting on-site events.

"Palace Resorts is honored to collaborate with Hard Rock International in further aligning two first-class hospitality brands," said Roberto Chapur, President of Palace Resorts.  "The opportunity to facilitate the entry of the iconic Hard Rock Hotel brand into Mexico, and to offer the Palace Resorts promise of an unmatched, all-inclusive resort experience, is very exciting.  We look forward to the continuation of this great relationship."

Hard Rock Cancun will offer 601 guestrooms, all featuring private balconies and water views, five restaurants (among them, a new Brazilian steakhouse), five bars and lounges, a spa with outdoor palapa-style massage areas, an expansive poolscape, and meeting facilities including a 16,408-sq.-ft. convention center.

Hard Rock Puerto Vallarta, located on the beautiful beaches of Bahia de Banderas, near Puerto Vallarta in the heart of Riviera Nayrit, boasts 348 guestrooms, four restaurants, four bars, a new Moon Lounge, spa, two swimming pools, and 6,300 square feet of meeting facilities.

Hard Rock Riviera Maya will combine two adjacent Palace Resorts properties, Aventura Cove Palace and Aventura Spa Palace.  The former will offer 489 guestrooms, three restaurants including a new dinner theatre venue, four bars, multiple pools, water activities, and other family-friendly amenities including a unique teen club with gaming cabanas.  The latter, to be marketed to adults, will provide 777 guestrooms, four restaurants, four bars, numerous pools including a grotto pool that will become a nighttime club experience, and one of the top-rated spas in Riviera Maya featuring an extensive menu of services.

About Hard Rock International

With a total of 172 venues in 51 countries, including 135 cafes and 15 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Pattaya, Bali, Macau, Penang, Singapore and Punta Cana.  Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced including Panama Megapolis, scheduled to open in 2011; and Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2013.  Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com.  For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.

About Palace Resorts

With 12 oceanfront resorts overlooking sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea or the tranquil Pacific Ocean, Palace Resorts sets the highest standards for five-star all-inclusive vacations in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Riviera Nayarit in Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Palace Resorts provides an exceptional experience for travelers, offering luxurious and spacious accommodations accentuated by their signature in-room double Jacuzzi®, nightly entertainment, off-site excursions, the Caribbean's most extravagant spas and premier Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses. Palace Resorts' unparalleled level of service and comfort found at each property makes them a leader in providing world-class resort vacations.  For more information, visit www.palaceresorts.com.

SOURCE Hard Rock International