From a Sandals Resorts expansion to Grenada to the potential sale of perhaps the most-well known clothing-optional resort in the Caribbean to news that Puerto Rico will finally get a Four Seasons resort, it's safe to say it's been anything but a quiet week for Caribbean resorts.
Here's the breakdown of all the news that is sure to impact the Caribbean hotel industry.
Sandals Resorts to Expand to Grenada; Is Barbados Next?
Sandals Resorts International will be expanding to a new island in the Caribbean. The company will be taking over LaSource, a popular luxury resort in Grenada. LaSource officially closed its doors recently due to lingering financial woes.
Travel Agent first got word that Sandals was planning a move to Grenada last year when we sat down with Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International.
Stewart told us back then that Sandals was considering expansions to both Barbados and Grenada. And with Grenada already confirmed, agents should keep on eye on a possible Sandals expansion to Barbados.
“Whether this is two years from now or five years from now, these are two destinations we can definitely see ourselves in,” Stewart told us back in June of last year. “When we looked at them, we looked at the usual things we look for in finding a great location for a resort, mainly a great beach."
LaSource, the 100-room resort on Pink Gin Beach, reopened in February of 2008 after drawn out renovations and improvements to repair massive structural damage caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Although several media outlets have reported an expected December 15 opening date, an official Sandals release states, "Further details regarding investment, expected launch date and other confirmed information will be released in the coming days." Visit www.sandals.com.
Puerto Rico's First Four Seasons Resort to Open in 2014
As part of an exclusive interview for our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel Agent learned that Puerto Rico will soon be home to a new Four Seasons resort.
According to Luis Rivera-Marin, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the Four Seasons took over the development of a partially built resort, the old Cayo Largo Resort in Cayo Largo (near Fajardo).
That resort will be demolished so that the new structure complies with the luxury standards set by the Four Seasons. It is expected to open in the summer of 2014. Visit www.fourseasons.com.
Hedonism II to be Sold; $10 Million Renovation to Follow Sale
SuperClubs Chairman, John Issa, announced Thursday that he is in negotiations to sell the popular clothing-optional resort, Hedonism II, to Marshmallow Ltd, a new company headed by majority stockholder Harry Williams and including Jon Gross of UnWind Travel (Fluffernutters), the John Issa family and Kevin Levee, the current general manager of the resort.
The group has said that upon conclusion of a deal, there will be a smooth transition of ownership with no interruption to service. All reservations and tour operator contracts will be honored and the property will not be rebranded and will continue to deliver and enhance the Hedonism experience. A $10 million renovation plan, including room renovations, will begin immediately after the sale is complete.
“Hedonism II is the ultimate gem in its market," said Issa in a written release. "Not only is the location on the seven-mile beach in Negril ideal, but it is the storied resort that all its competitors attempt to live up to. It is an important part of my contribution to tourism and I am happy to be in discussions for it to be preserved for many years to come by people that hold it as dear to their hearts as I do.” Visit www.superclubs.com.
And keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com/Caribbean for all the latest hotel news to come out of the Caribbean.