December 15, 2005 – The much anticipated InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa in Panama opened its doors for the first time today, ready to accommodate holiday travelers looking for spectacular warm weather accommodations. The resort will host its grand opening celebration in March.

"The new InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa offers international travelers a unique Panamanian experience with the most luxurious services and amenities in the area," commented Herman Bern, president of Bern Hotels & Resorts, a Panama-based company that owns Playa Bonita. "We're eager to show off our newest addition to the Bern collection of hotels. Playa Bonita will prove to be one of Panama's most superior resorts. I'm confident our unparalleled attention to detail, dedicated staff and finely-appointed accommodations will deliver an exceptional guest experience."

The resort is opening with a special promotional rate of $180 per night Monday through Friday and $195 Saturday and Sunday, plus tax and gratuity. Rates are based on double occupancy and are valid through March 31, 2006.

Playa Bonita features impressive architecture with a fusion of Mediterranean and Panamanian décor that radiates a sense of casual elegance with a delicate cultural flair. The resort boasts 300 luxurious guestrooms and suites that are equipped with luxury bedding, rich wood furnishings, air conditioning, cable television and wireless Internet access.

Standing in a league of its own, Playa Bonita is ideally located on a secluded private beach on the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by rainforest. It boasts three restaurants, five free-form swimming pools, tennis facilities, fitness center and Bonita Del Mar, a 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art holistic spa with a Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. The resort offers a variety of activities including non-motorized water sports, tennis, volleyball, hiking and rainforest adventures. Guests can board a daily shuttle to the nearby Gamboa Rainforest Resort at the Panama Canal, Playa Bonita's sister property, where they can experience its signature rainforest aerial tram tour.

The InterContinental Playa Bonita Resort & Spa is part of the collection of Bern Hotels and Resorts Panama, a Panama-based company that owns a variety of hotels in and surrounding Panama City. For more information, please visit www.playabonitapanama.com. For reservations, call (877) 800-1690.

SOURCE InterContinental Hotels Group