This fall, one of the most exciting resort developments in decades will open on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic.

Named for the Caribbean’s largest inland marina which the resort surrounds, Fishing Lodge Cap Cana is located within a masterfully designed village only 10 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport – which is served by 38 airlines offering flights from 100 cities around the world. Crafted around an engineered waterfront marvel, the destination achieves its architectural communal vision through the creative use of Mediterranean-inspired plazas, streetscapes and distinct accommodation styles.

This is not your typical Caribbean resort.

Opening in October, Fishing Lodge features an array of amenities, including two themed restaurants, three bars, four pools, a 16th century-style stone wedding chapel, a state-of-the-art fitness center, boutique shops, and 30,000 square feet of event spaces, including a spectacular outdoor amphitheater. Additional restaurants are also soon scheduled to open.

“This is a different type of Dominican destination,” said Sheila C. Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the Virginia-based hotel company selected to manage the Fishing Lodge and the amenities in its village. “The style is innovative and simply stunning. The resort also offers numerous experiences within a Mediterranean seaside setting, an energetic centralized location and freedom from traditional boundaries.”

Fishing Lodge includes 299 spacious, Mediterranean-style villas with extraordinary marina views and designer furnishings. Built on low-rise docks, they range in size from executive to three-bedroom royal suites, while several feature private infinity pools and swim-out access. Guests also enjoy a secluded beach, which is a delightful two-minute ride by private watercraft, and a Jack Nicklaus Signature experience at the exclusive and nearby Punta Espada Golf Club – the top-ranked golf course in the Caribbean and Mexico.

The resort’s village-style, marina-oriented surroundings provide an array of amenities for which homeowners and residents would normally need to join several clubs to enjoy. Fishing Lodge’s impeccably decorated and furnished condominiums range in size from 850 to 4,300 square feet, and, while the majority of the residences have already been purchased, there is still a premier selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes available.

Fishing Lodge is owned by the Spanish-based company Corporacion Hotelera Del Mar and is the first property within Salamander’s Grand Resorts at Cap Cana collection. The second, Ocean Club Cap Cana, will open in 2012 as a 92-room boutique-style hotel, romantically situated where the marina meets the Caribbean Sea.

Twice the size of Manhattan, Cap Cana is an ecologically pristine, 30,000-acre exclusive retreat featuring ocean, beach, cliffs and forest. In addition to hiking trails, an unsurpassed array of water-based options and a variety of nature-based activities, it has been hailed as the “World’s Greatest New Destination.”

In addition to Punta Espada Golf Club, which features more oceanfront holes than any other layout in the Western hemisphere, the area’s numerous other courses – designed by such luminaries as P.B. Dye and Tom Fazio – create an unrivalled golf vacation destination. A second Jack Nicklaus Signature design, Las Iguanas, is currently under construction. The resort community also features another spectacular hotel – just two miles from the Fishing Lodge – the Sanctuary Cap Cana, which features a world-class spa, stunning ballroom facilities and an array of extraordinary accommodations along its pristine beach.

Unlike many other Dominican destinations which are only all-inclusive, the Fishing Lodge experience is open to all guest types and stays – from family reunions to executive group retreats. Guests can also enjoy children’s activities, boat rentals, sport fishing and nautical provisioning.

“The combination of Cap Cana’s Fishing Lodge and its marina lifestyle creates a powerful new and alluring experience – both for guests and homeowners,” said CHM President Juan Pelayo. “Salamander Hotels & Resorts is the ideal company to fulfill our vision, and to manage this incredible new destination because of its five star experiences and the vision of Founder Sheila C. Johnson.”

Fishing Lodge provides an array of culinary selections and concepts: the open-air, Mediterranean-themed Bistrot overlooks the stunning Cap Cana Marina and serves a variety of dishes, including fresh seafood prepared with only the finest local produce. Market Salamander Grille features elegant décor and offers International Cuisine throughout its multiple dining rooms during the day. Mansito Bar & Lounge provides a relaxing ambiance in which to enjoy an elegant evening drinks selection, while the Bohío Bar & Grill features a beautifully crafted, circular pool bar and offers creative cocktails, ice-cold beer and delicious light fare. Each restaurant’s menu design is being overseen by Salamander’s Culinary Director Todd Gray, also chef and co-owner of the famed Equinox Restaurant in Washington, D.C.

The resort also features a range of unique meeting and conference spaces, as well as stunning outdoor function and wedding options, including a historically designed, Dominican-style stone wedding chapel overlooking the marina.

“The Dominican Republic is a fantastic choice for groups, meetings and weddings,” said Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, who has personally developed and managed four independent Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond properties. “This spectacular new resort, as well as the area’s superior airlift, provides an exciting option for planners seeking an incredible new destination. The unique warmth and friendliness of our Dominican employees is the foundation for a memorable service experience. ”

Special introductory guest rates of $129-599 per night at Fishing Lodge Cap Cana are available from October 12-December 31, 2011, ranging across all styles and sizes of accommodation options. Usual rates range from $275-725 per night. An all-inclusive plan is available for an additional $125 per person, as well as value oriented golf, honeymoon and family packages.  For more information, please visit www.fishinglodgecapcana.com or call toll free 866-855-4886.

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