TORONTO — When Pedro Pinhal opened the Great Parnassus Family Resort in Cancun in 2006, he was faced with the challenge of having little money to work with. Over a decade later, the hotelier had a new set of challenges on his hands as the Great Parnassus prepared to rebrand itself as Seadust Cancun Family Resort.
“Back then, my partner and I knew exactly what kind of hotel we wanted but didn’t have that much money. Now with Seadust, we have different challenges – we have the money to spend, but the family who now owns the property is new to the hotel business,” he told Travelweek.
It took a lot of planning, hard work and a US$5 million investment but Pinhal, Director General of the resort, was able to bring his vision to life. Comparing the resort’s transition to having a new baby after the first one grows up and moves out, Pinhal is confident that Seadust is even better than its predecessor.
Lobby of Seadust Cancun Family Resort
“We’re not simply different from other resorts in Cancun, we’re just better,” he says. “We understand families and what they want, and offer everything families would ever want.”
Officially opening today (Aug. 1), Seadust is a bigger, better version of Great Parnassus, with 505 refurbished rooms, 10 restaurants, 12 bars, a three-tier pool, beach bar with palapas, specialty restaurants and what Pinhal calls a “huge entertainment scene”. Guests of all ages will love the fully redone karaoke bar, zipline, theatre and minigolf course, not to mention a stunning stretch of private beach.
Bar Club Caribe
For kids, there’s an aqua park complete with a castle, while adults can try their luck at the on-site casino, where they can win “fake money” that can be redeemed for spa treatments, excursions and more.
Families will also love the unique layout of suites, which Pinhal describes as “a room within a room”. Kids’ bunk beds are partly enclosed by walls, giving them and parents some extra bit of privacy.
Pinhal, who says “repeat business is very good”, is counting on loyal guests of Great Parnassus to fall equally in love with Seadust. With Canada being Great Parnassus’ #2 market, he’s expecting plenty of Canadian families to book a stay at the new resort.
For more information go to seadustcancun.com.
