Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced that it will manage a luxurious 125-room resort with 20 residences at Mandarin Oriental on the island of St. Kitts in the British West Indies, opening in 2010. The company now has a portfolio of five resorts open or under development in the Caribbean region.
The resort is part of Christophe Harbour, the development on the island's southeast peninsula, created in conjunction with some recognized brands in the luxury travel industry. The announcement was made Wednesday by top executives at a press conference at Mandarin Oriental's Manhattan property, with St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Richard Skerritt, in attendance to formally welcome the Christophe Harbour partners to the island. The development, which will surround a mega-yacht harbor, will feature upscale restaurants, shops, boutiques, five-star hotels, oceanfront homes, villas and a Tom Fazio championship golf course.
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority also announced recently that American Airlines will commence nonstop flights from JFK Airport to St. Kitts, the island's first from the New York region. The flight will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Sundays, beginning November 18. American Airlines flight #2051 will depart JFK at 10:45 a.m., arriving into St. Kitts at 3:55 p.m. The return flight, #2052, will depart St. Kitts at 5:05 p.m., arriving into JFK at 8:30 p.m. American Airlines will use a 188-seat, 757-200 aircraft with 22 first-class seats and 166 economy seats for this service. Visit [www.stkitts-tourism.com]. (JP)