New and Noteworthy Resorts

Two major resorts were in various stages of completion as this book was being written.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana. The former Moon Palace, Hard Rock's first all-inclusive property, will be set on the spectacular Macao beach, pairing its famous brand with the latest hospitality trend in Punta Cana: delivering superior luxury in an all-inclusive. The 121-acre property will showcase the resort's main features, all composed to grand scale: one of the largest casinos in the Caribbean, with a high-stakes poker room, table games and slots, a VIP lounge, race and sports book; 65,000 square feet of meeting and conference facilities to accommodate groups of up to 2,800 people with various indoor and outdoor meeting options; the Rock Spa, a 68,000-square-foot facility with 48 spa treatment rooms; a 15,000-square-foot Body Rock fitness center; an Xtreme center with rock-climbing wall; a nightclub and 12 bars and lounges. And it wouldn't be a Hard Rock without the hallmark collection of music memorabilia on display. Blvd. Turístico del Este 74, Km 28, Playa Macao. 809/687-0000. www.hardrockhotels.com. 1,800 rooms. A/c, safe, Wi-Fi, 11 restaurants, bars, golf course, pools, tennis courts, gym, spa, beach, water sports, children's programs, laundry facilities, business center. All-inclusive.

Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort. Rising up dramatically at the edge of a cliff that juts out into the sea, this grand Spanish Renaissance-style resort is visible from some beaches many miles farther south along the coast. At this writing, the resort was expected to open in 2011, the first instance of a true luxury hotel in Macao that's also not all-inclusive. Plans for the complex include not only the hotel but also Westin-branded condominiums and villas, seven restaurants, 24-hour room service, bars, a spa, tennis courts, a wedding gazebo, a marina, a gourmet market, and a conference center. The spectacular Nick Faldo-designed golf course, which already opened, is steps away, and guests here have special privileges. Macao. 954/624-1771 or 800/937-8461. www.westin.com. Safe, kitchen (some), Wi-Fi, 7 restaurants, bars, golf course, pool, tennis courts, gym, spa, beach, water sports, children's programs, business center.