Puerto Rico eco-resort makes huge strides in preservation

Gran Melia Golf Resort Puerto Rico is heavily marketing its remarkable eco-initiatives and guest activities focused on natural preservation. The resort’s ongoing guest enhancing ecological initiatives have positioned the property as a leader in the greening of the tourism industry on the island as well as throughout the Caribbean.

Over the years, major recycling programs, water and energy conservation projects and community charity fundraisers have been major focuses for the resort. Recently, however, the property has implemented a conservation program for their untouched beach and a star gazing program with a professional astronomer for guests to enjoy.

“It is the Gran Melia Golf Resort Puerto Rico’s pleasure to share with consumers our ongoing ecological initiatives, highlighting our commitment to the environment and the well being of the community that we live in,” said Hendrick Santos, the property’s Managing Director.

Located on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, the four-star resort is about 20 minutes from San Juan, along a natural beach in the foothills of El Yunque — the only Rainforest in the U.S. National Parks System. The 486 all-suite resort is spread among 20, two-story bungalows surrounded by lush, tropical gardens and offers guests world-class dining options and expansive, award-winning pools.

The beach is unlike any other stretch of sand at a luxury resort. Untouched by bulldozers or developers of any kind, this state park is a natural sandy stretch with coral rock and sea life dotting the sea bottom, making it ideal for snorkelers and nature lovers to enjoy.

To protect the beach and its natural beauty, the Gran Melia has banned motorized water sports and ensures that the staff understands the importance of maintaining the property’s natural beach in pristine condition.

For guests who prefer a pool experience, the resort features a lagoon-style swimming pool, one of the largest in the Caribbean.

Beauty everywhere you look

Due to the resort’s secluded location far from any metropolis, the skies above are filled with stars and constellations foreign to many visitors traveling from major urban centers around the world. To showcase Rio Grande’s celestial sights, the property enlisted the help of a local astronomer, Gregory Garcia Morales, who every Saturday evening beginning at 7:30pm, provides guests with complimentary candlelit outdoor star-gazing tours, educating guests on general astronomy concepts, constellations, planets and the effects of global warming on the environment. Mr. Morales is a bilingual Puerto Rico resident who in 1985 founded the Puerto Rico Astronomy Society (Sociedad de Astronomia de Puerto Rico) and recently teamed up with NASA to develop industry projects on the island.

“Our star gazing activities have become wildly successful as an educational program, sparking unprecedented success and interest from not only our guests but local residents from the area as well,” added Santos.

For more information, check out www.gran-melia-puerto-rico.com.