Q & A with Danna Holck, General Manager of Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa

Situated on 500 acres along a mile-long section of tropical beach adjacent to the Caribbean National Rain Forest of El Yunque and the Mameyes River, Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort, is going to be hosting two important events of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association in September. Those are the “Taste of the Caribbean”, and “Small Hotels Retreat”.

But the Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, is not a small or medium size property. The resort has 600 rooms, and features a 7,000-square-foot casino; two world-class, 18-hole golf courses; a 7,000-square-foot spa and fitness center; multiple lounges, restaurants and entertainment venues; international tennis center; water sports center; and two beach-front pools. As the specialized media is going to be participating in those CHTA events, we are interviewing today the new general manager, Danna Holck, who brings nearly 25 years of hospitality management experience to her new role.

She is responsible for the operation of the 500-acre, AAA four-diamond rated resort including oversight and management of the 750-member staff, golf facilities, spa, casino, food and beverage outlets, rooms, sales and marketing. Holck previously held a variety of management roles with the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Westin, Adam’s Marks and Hyatt brands, and most recently, was general manager of the 676-room Westin San Francisco Market Street. Prior to that, Holck managed several award-winning hotels and resorts including The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa in Carefree, Ariz.; Enchantment Resort & Mii amo Spa in Sedona, Ariz.; Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, Calif.; and Naples Grande Resort & Spa in Fla.

There is little doubt about your extensive experience in resort management, but is this your first experience in the Caribbean? Any adjustments on the way of doing things..?
This is my first experience in the Caribbean but the similarities between the Caribbean and other resort destinations remain the same. The adjustment in how we do business has been due to the economic changes.

What would be a few of the difference between this property and the ones you have managed before?
Rio Mar has excellent meeting space like many resorts I have managed. The advantage is it was designed by meeting planners so the space is well thought out and functional. The other difference is being on a beach! That’s a huge selling point and one that I do not take for granted every day I come to work and every time I walk around the hotel.

With this new endeavor, what is the primary focus of the resort, as regards to it being family vs. business oriented, catering to locals, Americans, Europeans or others? We cater to all markets. Why?
Because we appeal to all of these markets. Leisure, family, Americans or Europeans like us because we have many options: beach, adult and kids’ pool, spa, golf, tennis, and 7 wonderful restaurants to choose from. Catering hosts like us because our space is flexible, beach front (our ballrooms), and can accommodate up to 1,000 people. You didn’t ask about weddings, but we do appeal to this market again because we have a romantic beach front location with a gazebo for receptions and ceremonies. The setting is an impressive backdrop. You couldn’t create a more beautiful site.

With this being such a large resort, are measures being taken to make it “green,” and if so, what are some of those?
We do so many green initiatives. Besides the option for daily linen change, we use supplies made with biodegradable ingredients/products such as our cups, take away containers, and cleaning solutions. We recycle paper, plastic, bottles, and cardboard. We have a significant energy saving program. Examples of this are turning off lights, escalators, elevators, and other electronic systems based on our business levels. We have automatic flush devices in all public toilets, motion sensitive lighting in all storage areas, automatic water control devices on all restroom faucets. Outdoor lights are controlled by daylight.

Will there be different promotional campaigns as compared with the past? How will this resort be unique when compared to its competition?
I like promotional events like “Taste of the Caribbean”, the international tapas competition featuring chefs from all over the world, special holiday showcases, etc. I think these types of events drives revenues while giving the resort great exposure.

“Taste of the Caribbean one of our most prestigious events showcasing the pinnacle of the region’s varied culinary styles, and the culinary scene as well as the world of travel will further our goals by raising awareness about the richness and creativity of Caribbean gastronomy,” said Mr. Alec Sanguinetti, of CHTA. Can you tell us about the Puerto Rican gastronomy team, and if your property is going to be in it?
Our culinary team is one of the best I have ever been associated with. They have vast knowledge of the Puerto Rican culture and foods and we have the international component of our Chef Jan who has lived and worked in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe. We will be participating in the “Taste of the Caribbean” and so will teams from other Wyndham hotels in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association (PRHTA) and the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau (PRCB) will present two of its annual events concurrently. The Small Hotels Retreat will take place Sept. 9 - 11, 2010 while the Taste of the Caribbean culinary event and regional competition is set for Sept. 9 - 12, 2010 - both will be held at the Rio Mar Beach Resort. What are your expectations about these two events?
The PRHTA and PRCB are represented by extraordinarily talented people. Together with my team, many of whom have been at Rio Mar since opening 14 years ago, this will be a spectacular time. We’re no doubt ready and looking forward to it!