Incentive - May 2008 - (Page 81)

TRAVEL PUERTO RICO A guestroom at the Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino shows off the hotel’s trendy new transformation The El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa offers spectacular views Cool Modernism and Hot Latin Flair By Maureen M. Ashe The Condado neighborhood, renewed with its “South Beach Style” makeover, is just one of the reasons to give Puerto Rico a second look W ith travel a bit of a chore these days, Puerto Rico is the happy exception: Getting to and returning from this tropical paradise is a breeze. “Travel to Puerto Rico is so easy. From many cities in the U.S. you can fly direct,” says Gloria Landow of Group Travel Specialists in Hauppauge, N.Y. Focusing on incentive travel to the Caribbean, Landow explains the advantages of choosing Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth, over other island destinations: “There are no passports required, no customs hassles and no language barriers.” Landow recently returned from the island after reviewing several properties she is considering, El San Juan Hotel & Casino and El Conquistador among them, on behalf of Henry Schein & Co., a large, Long Island–based dental supply distribution company. With Landow’s guidance and expertise, the group of 200 employees has once again picked Puerto Rico as the destination of choice for their incentive program. The next one is scheduled for 2010. CON DA D O S T Y LE Not so long ago, Condado was known for its famous, if tired, set of oceanfront landmarks. Its historic “sister” hotels, La Concha and the Vanderbilt, have been refurbished in period style and revamped with new beach facilities. The San Juan neighborhood’s grassy oceanfront park, Window to the Sea, has been groomed and upgraded. Glittering new casinos, buzzing new restaurants and a wave of sleekly designed hotel renovations have all added to Condado’s transformation from uninspired tourist district to hot, new, trendy destination. The makeovers don’t stop in Condado. Exciting changes can be seen throughout San Juan and along much of Puerto Rico’s north coast. The original La Concha (“shell” in Spanish) opened in 1958 to rave reviews. With its prime waterfront location, innovative midcentury style and whimsical shell-shaped restaurant, it was touted as an architectural marvel. In a needed redo half a century later, Renaissance Hotels has invested a hefty incentivemag.com | May 2008 | Incentive | 81 http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Incentive - May 2008

Incentive - May 2008 Contents Editor's Note: Turn to Incentives in Hard Times In The News: At IMRA Conference, Trade Show Talk; In Utah, Team-Building Trauma Cover Story: Can Incentives Save the Media Business? Incentive Interview: Our New Columnist, Christi L. Gibson Case Study: Architecture Firm WESKetch Builds a Recognition Plan Incentives in a Recession: Advice on Adjusting Your Plan Office Bullies: The Scourge of the Workplace Can Be Reined In Original Research: Incentive Sales IQ Report Recognition@Work: Stop Driving Your Top People Away Incentive Primer: Ways to Foster Creativity in Your Organization Travel News Puerto Rico: Shining Star's Trendy Makeover Mexico: Cancun and Cabo Still Have It Potentials Here and Now Luggage and Leather Goods Gift Cards: F&B Advertiser Index Last Word: Stanley Bing Gives Wimpy Bosses a Nuggie

Incentive - May 2008

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