18. Casa Colonial Resort -- 2006 Press Kit
Sample article on the new hotel’s design concept
Garcia felt that it was very important to utilize local Dominican materials in the hotel’s
design. She used Dominican coral stone, iron and mahogany wood throughout the
property. Unique sculptures made from restored palm trees damaged by a storm on
Casa Colonial Beach & Spa Resort is the first and only luxury boutique her father’s farm align the entrance of the lobby. The guestroom hallways include a
hotel in Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic’s north coast. The display of simple clay jars that were once used on her family’s farm to keep water
property is owned by the esteemed local entrepreneur, Don Isidro Garcia cool. The room numbers are embroidered on pieces of linen placed in frames on the
and was designed by his daughter Sarah Garcia, an accomplished guestroom doors, representing an old Dominican tradition. The resort’s suites are
Dominican architect and interior designer. Isidro Garcia owns and also given the names of Garcia family members and the property’s upscale restaurant,
operates VH Hotels & Resorts, which consists of two other resort Lucia, is named after Isidro Garcia’s oldest daughter.
properties on the island also designed by Sarah Garcia.
“What I am is the scenographer of a film, not an architect,” said Garcia when
Casa Colonial, which opened in December 2004, sets out to surprise and commenting on her use of Dominican heritage and materials for Casa Colonial. Her
delight with its fusion of old-world charm and contemporary elegance. thoughtful design details provide a glimpse into Dominican history and tradition.
The luxurious 50-room property reveals colonial chic while embracing
comfort, hospitality and service. The resort was designed as a home or Garcia began her career at the Universita Internazionale Dell’ Arte in Florence, Italy
“casa” and the property’s exterior resembles a classic Dominican where she studied architecture. Her passion to design resorts and hotels developed
plantation estate. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by smiling staff while studying there and Garcia focused her university thesis on the challenges of
members and provided with cold scented towels with an exotic chinola- designing a “wellness” resort. At that time, her father decided to build his first hotel
guavaberry fruit drink. The dream-like lobby is adorned with sheer in Puerto Plata, the Victoria Resort, which Sarah Garcia helped design.
flowing draperies, light marble floors and walls and white colonial crown
molding. Guests can gather in one of the lobby’s many intimate seating After assisting with the design of Victoria Resort, Sarah Garcia went on to design and
areas or around the large glass bar illuminated by colorful lighting in the remodel 10 resorts and hotels throughout the Caribbean including the Bahia Principe
evening. Just beyond the bar are views of the property’s lush tropical in Rio San Juan, DR, her family’s Gran Ventana Beach Resort in Puerto Plata, the
gardens that lead to the resort’s oceanfront guest rooms and suites. extension of the Sol de Plata hotel in Sosua, DR, the redesign of the LTI hotel in Punta
Cana, DR, the redesign of the Allegro hotel in Turks & Caicos, the full architectural and
Light tones and airy draperies also make their way into the guest rooms. interior design of the Hotelpa Caribe Club and the Hotelpa Caribe Tropical in Punta
Each room is its own serene haven with plush linens, custom-designed Cana, the Ocean Blue and Ocean Sands resorts in Punta Cana and the full interior and
Caribbean furnishings, oversized soaking tubs and marble bathrooms. exterior design of Casa Colonial Beach & Spa.
Some rooms include four-poster beds. All rooms include a private
terrace with views of either the ocean or the hotel’s tropical gardens. With Casa Colonial, Garcia not only created a beautiful hotel, but she challenged the
hospitality industry in Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic to elevate the level of
Sarah Garcia’s inspiration for Casa Colonial came from a family vacation luxury services on the island. No detail at Casa Colonial was overlooked, and the
to the scenic beach town of Forte Dei Marmi in the Tuscany region of product cannot be duplicated. Each suite and guestroom includes a unique touch
Italy. While walking on the beach with her daughters, Garcia observed added by Garcia to give the hotel the intimacy of a private home. At Casa Colonial,
the ornate antique villas and homes set along the sea. She began to guests can experience a true taste of Dominican culture and the warm hospitality of
research the architecture of these villas and the Mediterranean lifestyle the local people.
to create her own version of a sophisticated beach villa in Puerto Plata.
She fused varying French and Spanish architectural styles and integrated “I always put a lot of passion into my work, but Casa Colonial required an incredible
Caribbean accents to create Casa Colonial. amount of dedication to create something with such a special character,” said Garcia.
19. Casa Colonial Resort -- 2006 Press Kit
Press Release/Article on hotel’s surrounding area
SPANISH COLONIAL HISTORY AND TROPICAL ADVENTURES FOUND ON THE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC’S AMBER COAST
PUERTO PLATA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Located on the glittering Amber The area that surrounds Puerto Plata is known as the Amber Coast and is home
Coast of the Dominican Republic’s north shores, Casa Colonial Beach & Spa to the world’s richest deposits of amber. Unique amber jewelry pieces created
Resort is set within the lush resort and golf complex of Playa Dorada, by local artisans can be found throughout the country. The town of Cabarete,
directly on the golden sand beaches of the city of Puerto Plata. otherwise known as mecca for kite and wind surfers, dots the coastline. Sosua,
offering a beautiful crescent-shaped beach serves up lively cafes, bars and
Puerto Plata was described as “the fairest land under heaven” by restaurants. The two towns are located 30-40 minutes from the resort.
Christopher Columbus in 1492. Over 500 years later, the city of Puerto
Plata has continued to captivate visitors from around the world with its The Dominican Republic’s north coast is also home to the famous Playa Grande
charming Latin culture, incredible natural beauty and the extraordinary Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The course is referred to the
kindness of its people. Puerto Plata is situated at the base of the towering “Pebble Beach” of the Caribbean as 10 of the 18 holes are played along the sea
Mt. Isabel de Torres and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in cliffs, bays and overlooking bluffs with spectacular Atlantic Ocean views. The
the Dominican Republic. Forests, green valleys, mountains and miles of green fees for Playa Grande are certainly more desirable than Pebble Beach.
golden beaches provide a playground for adventure sports seekers with Rates range from $80 to $120 at Playa Grande while rates at Pebble Beach
activities such as mountain biking and horseback riding as well as a host of range from $230 to $425 for 18 holes. Guests of Casa Colonial can also enjoy
water sports including diving, sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. reduced rates at the Playa Dorada Golf Course located across from the hotel.
The 18-hole course was also designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and was
The city of Puerto Plata offers a glimpse into the city’s rich Spanish history, ranked #53 in Golf Digest’s “Best 100 golf courses situated outside of the
which inspired the architectural concept of Casa Colonial Beach & Spa. United States” in May 2005. The Playa Dorada Golf Course features
Victorian architecture with filigree lace wood and ironwork characterizes exceptional greens with wide fairways, four greens set by the sea and five
most of the historic homesteads and public buildings in the city. Visitors of greens set by the bordering inland water.
Puerto Plata can spend a day in the town strolling through the eclectic
shops housing local hand-made art, clothing and jewelry. The Malecón in The Dominican Republic’s new Ocean World aquatic park is also located
Puerto Plata is an ocean side road filled with numerous cafes and small minutes from the resort. The park is the creation of a talented group of
restaurants. Walking west along the Malecón leads visitors to the stunning marine life experts who joined forces to design the most exciting nature
Fuerte San Felipe, Puerto Plata’s only remaining Spanish colonial fort where encounter in the Caribbean. The spectacular facility boasts breathtaking views
Columbus had hoped to establish the first Spanish colony in the New World. of the sea and allows visitors to experience the world’s largest dolphin lagoon,
The fort features a moat, historical artifacts and a small museum. the only sea lion encounter of its kind and a shark interaction pool.
Towering over the city of Puerto Plata is the 2,600ft (792m) Mount Isabel,
providing a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can take a seven-minute
cable car ride up the mountainside to explore the summit, which offers a
botanical garden and a scaled down version of Rio de Janeiro`s The
Redeemer, the famed statue of Christ. There is also a restaurant from
which diners can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and coastline.
20. The Reading Team –Nonprofit Literacy Program in Harlem
2008 Annual Report, Mission Statement (I crafted their mission statement)
21. The Reading Team –Nonprofit Literacy Program in Harlem
2008 Annual Report, Sample Page
22. The Reading Team –Nonprofit Literacy Program in Harlem
2008 Annual Report, Sample Page
23. The Reading Team –Nonprofit Literacy Program in Harlem
2008 Annual Report, Sample Page
24. The Reading Team –Nonprofit Literacy Program in Harlem
2008 Annual Report, Sample Page
25. Hamilton Madison House –Nonprofit Community Organization in Lower Manhattan
2009 Website Re-design; I wrote all copy for new site
26. Hamilton Madison House –Nonprofit Community Organization in Lower Manhattan
2009 Website Re-design; I wrote all copy for new site
27. Hamilton Madison House –Nonprofit Community
Organization in Lower Manhattan
2009 Website Re-design & Copy
28. Hamilton Madison House –Nonprofit Community
Organization in Lower Manhattan
2009 Website Re-design & Copy
