Download more room at the inn in barbados

MORE ROOM AT THE INN IN BARBADOS
London, 3 December 1998: The Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), which celebrates its
40th anniversary at the World Travel Market this year, is proud to unveil a string of new
developments as well as radical improvements to some of the island's best properties.
From 6,069 rooms in 139 establishments in 1997/8, improvements to existing hotels and
daring new projects will expand accommodation on the island to 6,464 rooms in 140
establishments by December 1999. And by 2000, there are plans for 300-500 additional
rooms, due to new construction.
New rooms will be added to the Almond Beach Village (42), the Coral Reef (17), the
Savannah (21), the Silver Sands (30), Tropical Escape (50), the St Lawrence Gap area (76)
and at the converted Villa Nova (28).
Barbados is also undergoing something of a construction boom, particularly for beachside
villas. Forecasts suggest that new villas will add up to 1,000 rooms by 2000, including 100
villas at Royal Westmoreland and up to 50 villas from the exciting Port St Charles
leisure/residential project.
New developments
The Savannah
One of Barbados' most historic south coast hotels, the Seaview, reopened as the Savannah
in July, after extensive renovations and under new management. The Savannah is to be
marketed internationally under the LaTITUDE 12 brand, as LaTITUDE 12 Barbados at
The Savannah.
-2-
LaTITUDE is the holiday brand created for the Caribbean by the Tradewinds subsidiary of
the UniHost Corporation of Toronto, Canada, which manages the Savannah and six other
hotels in Barbados under the Gems umbrella. LaTITUDE offers guests an intimate,
responsive service that caters to their every whim.
On arrival, guests will be invited to the Discovery Room to browse through a database
compiled by local historians, nature lovers, archaeologists, and sports experts to choose a
tailor-made holiday itinerary.
Time Out
Gems of Barbados has also introduced the Time Out leisure concept to the island for the
first time this summer, a no-frills holiday concept that guarantees comfortable beach
accommodation and a variety of sports and entertainment. Time Out is designed for
casual and lively social interaction that allows guests to set their own pace.
Gems is taking over and revamping the former Andrea-on-Sea resort at St Lawrence Gap
on the south coast. Time Out at St Lawrence Gap is scheduled to open 150 rooms by
January 1999.
It has also taken over Blue Horizon, a 120 room property, and the 24 room Worthing
Court to develop Time Out at Rockley Beach which opened, following a full
refurbishment programme, in July.
Time Out Barbados is a joint venture between the Canadian UniHost Corporation, whose
Tradewinds subsidiary owns the Time Out brand, and Gems, the operating company for
Hotels & Resorts Ltd of Barbados.
-3-
Port St Charles
Port St Charles is a new, mixed residential and leisure project on the west coast of
Barbados, comprising beachfront holiday homes and apartments overlooking a beautiful
lagoon, available for purchase or for long-term rental. The first five development phases
were completed by September this year.
Units with one or two bedrooms are selling for up to US$650,000 and three bedroom
villas sell for an average US$1 million price tag. Phase five comprises custom-built
beachfront villas, individually priced.
December will see completion of a swimming pool and bar island in the middle of the
lagoon and a berth for mega yachts. The lagoon's new breakwater will house a restaurant,
bar, whirlpool, diving equipment store, a water sports park and administrative buildings
for customs, immigration, the coastguard, police and health inspectors.
Peach & Quiet
Located in four acres of tropical gardens on the southern tip of Barbados, the new Peach
& Quiet resort is a small, unpretentious establishment with 22 suites, a restaurant,
swimming pool and the only sea rock pool on the island.
Guests can lounge with rum cocktails in the self-serve Honesty Bar listening to guest
speakers, take to the sea for the day on a hired private catamaran or take part in the
hotel's daily walking tours.
Newly improved
Villa Nova
Former winter retreat of British prime minister Anthony Eden and the first country house
hotel in Barbados, the Villa Nova reopens in May 1999, following a £6 million facelift from
its new owners the Swiss Corporation Horizon Resort Ltd.
-4-
Former guests at the one-time Great Plantation House, surrounded by 14 acres of lush
tropical gardens on the highest and coolest point in Barbados, include Noel Coward,
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip and Winston Churchill.
Refurbishments have aimed to add to the Villa Nova's colonial grace. There are 17 junior
suites, 11 one-bedroom suites, and three restaurants, improved conference rooms, a
library, a card and billiard room, a fitness room, pool and pool bar. Guests will also now
have access to a new beach club via complementary car.
Sandy Lane Hotel and Golf Club
Known as the Grande Dame of the Caribbean, Barbados' famous hotel and golfing resort
has invested $155 million in improving its rooms and golf courses and is closed for 18
months of refurbishment until September 1999.
Sandy Lane is reducing its rooms from 120 to 112, making rooms 30% larger. It has also
created a world-class spa complex and added four pools. It has commissioned designer
Tom Fazio to add two 18-hole courses and redesign the resort's original 9-hole course.
Located on the beachfront, the Sandy Lane resort is surrounded by 380 acres of sugar
cane plantation, as well as an endless beach.
Cobbler's Cove
This all-suite complex on Barbados' famous Gold coast reopened in October, following
extensive renovations. The extensive English-style gardens of Cobbler's Cove have been
remodelled, with soft evening mood lighting. Nine of the suites have been completely
redecorated in soft terracotta prints.
-5-
Cobbler's Cove has 40 suites, each offering casual island charm, with balconies or terraces
and overlooking a crescent-shaped beach. The premium Camelot and Colleton suites
have their own private rooftop pools.
The Coral Reef Club
In November, the Coral Reef Club reopens for business after undergoing $10 million
worth of refurbishment, which has added 17 rooms in a new colonial-style building near
the pool area. Demolition of unwanted buildings has improved sea views from the club
and added a large, landscaped swimming pool. A grand reopening party takes place on
December 15.
For further details contact:
Beth Macnair or Zarina McCulloch at Manning, Selvage & Lee on 0171 878 3000
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The Barbados Tourism Authority, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has recently won three
major industry awards:



The World Travel Association named the BTA as the top Caribbean tourist and convention bureau.
The World Travel Market awarded the BTA for the best stand in 1997.
Brides Magazine presented the BTA with a plaque after voting Barbados one of the world's outstanding
honeymoon destinations, following a poll among its readers.