CANCUN, Mexico or MIAMI, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Barcelo Hotels & Resorts announced today its plans to officially reopen the Barcelo Tucancun Beach hotel in Cancun on April 22. The four-star, upscale, all-inclusive resort has been temporarily closed since Hurricane Wilma. During the rebuilding phase the hotel is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation and remodeling that includes a new reception area and lobby bar, as well as new restaurants, a new swimming pool and deck area, and a new lounge area with hammocks for guests to enjoy the Caribbean view. In addition, the property's 315 guest rooms and villas have been refurbished to add to guest comfort. Most importantly, the government sponsored beach rejuvenation program is underway, and expectations are that the beach will be restored to its pre Wilma state, or possibly even nicer, by the time the Barcelo Tucancun is ready to reopen.

"When the Tucancun reopens in April, it will be a brilliant new hotel delivering state of the art guest services and amenities," said Fiona Taylor, Director of Marketing for Barcelo Hotels & Resorts. "With the help of our dedicated employees, we have used these past few months to update and improve the hotel's facilities and we will reopen as a first class property. We look forward to welcoming visitors who come to Cancun to play in its famous crystal blue waters and enjoy the exciting nightlife and shopping," added Taylor.

The New Barcelo Tucancun Beach Hotel

The Barcelo Tucancun Beach hotel is ideally situated only 25 minutes from Cancun International Airport; steps away from the area's newly restored and renovated shopping area, and 20 minutes from downtown Cancun. From this blissful seaside location, guests can enjoy views and activities along both the Caribbean and the Nichupte Lagoon. Guest rooms are all handsomely furnished and most enjoy balconies overlooking the Caribbean or Lagoon. Additional amenities include satellite TV, mini-bars and direct dial telephones.

In addition to its beachfront location, the hotel has a new pool area with an extended deck and fresh water pools including both a jetted pool and a children's fenced water play area. The resort also includes tennis facilities. New to the hotel and available as a premium Barcelo guest service is: expanded spa treatments that include aromatherapy, hydro massage and sports massages; a beauty salon; and babysitting services.

For dining, the resort has added two new restaurants including Don Quijote, a Spanish cuisine dinner buffet restaurant, and La Claraboya, a contemporary seafood a la carte restaurant. The international buffet restaurant, El Caffe, has been remodeled and expanded, and the hotel's popular Mexican Cuisine a la carte dinner restaurant, Mexico Lindo, has also been totally remodeled.

"We look forward to welcoming our first guests back to the Barcelo Tucancun," said Taylor. "We know that they will find the new face of Cancun and the Barcelo Tucancun beautiful, but what remains unchanged is the warm heartfelt welcome that makes Cancun famous."

About Barcelo Hotels & Resorts

In addition to the Barcelo Tucancun Resort, Barcelo Hotels & Resorts offers several other hotels and resorts in Mexico including: The Barcelo La Jolla de Mismaloya Hotel in Puerto Vallarta; The Barcelo Huatulco; The Barcelo Ixtapa; and on the Mayan Riviera -- The Barcelo Maya Beach Resort which includes The Maya Beach Hotel, the Maya Caribe Beach Hotel and the recently opened five-star Maya Tropical Beach Hotel and Maya Colonial Beach Hotel.

Barcelo Hotels and Resorts is among the world's top 30 largest hospitality and travel companies, and it is renowned for its well-established European tradition of excellence in service and amenities. Barcelo was established in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 1931 first as a transportation company, and then as a hotel and travel company. It is a family owned, privately held hospitality company renowned for more than 70 years of service excellence and innovative spirit in the tourism industry.

The Company owns, manages or franchises hotels in 16 countries with more than 28,000 rooms worldwide. Barcelo Hotels and Resorts are located in key European cities and resorts, in North America, Africa, and in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Company offers a large variety of hotels and resort types to accommodate all travelers from budget-minded to upscale guests. The resorts provide all-inclusive vacation programs, making vacation planning and holiday enjoyment easy.

Barcelo Hotels & Resorts enjoys an excellent reputation with the travel and tourism industry. It is ranked among the top 10 hotel brands in Latin America, and in Canada it is recognized by the travel trade among the top three hotel brands. For more information on Barcelo Hotels and Resorts visit http://www.barcelo.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

CONTACT: Gayle MacIntyre of Barcelo Hotels & Resorts, +1-404-643-8222,
g.macintyre@barcelo.com

Web site: http://www.barcelocrestline.com/