BRIEFS: Tourism

Hard Rock Hotel is coming to Panama

The franchise Hard Rock International and Lagomar Resort reported yesterday that the Ministerio de Vivienda (Mivi) had given them green light to go ahead with a Hard Rock Hotel Panama, a complex of 499 rooms to be built at Playa Blanca on the Pacific Coast.

“We already have the approval to start selling,” the business partners reported.

La Prensa tried to confirm the report, but as of the close of this edition had not heard back from the Mivi.

“When it's completely finished, in 2010, the hotel will be one of nine Hard Rock Hotels operating worldwide,” the promoters added.

Hard Rock International and Lagomar Resort did not specify how much would be invested in the project, but they gave assurances that the design would be environment-friendly and “will integrate Panamanian and colonial culture with Kuna motifs in a very modern context.”

The project plans include a Rock Spa, a pool, two restaurants, a wide variety of Rock Star Suites and a Sky Bar.

Hard Rock International is planning to open new hotels in Macau and Penang in 2009, in Atlanta , Palm Springs and Panama in 2010, and in Dubai in 2011.

There are 121 Hard Rock Cafés in 47 countries.