BARBADOS TIPS

SAM LORD’S CASTLE:  This was announced in The Nation on 28 January, 2009

Redevelopment of the historic Sam Lord's Castle hotel in St Philip should begin by the second quarter of this year and be completed within two-and-half years.  The project, estimated to cost US$70 million, was confirmed yesterday by the chairman of CLICO Holdings Barbados Limited.  When completed the hotel will be managed by an international operator.

There will also be an US$80 million "residential component" offering whole ownership, condominiums and 'fractionals", described as similar to time shares.

The area where Sam Lord's is located is pretty rough for bathing and the company was in discussion with the Coastal Zone Management Unit about setting up a break wall to create an attractive beach frontage where people could relax and bathe.

The property got its name from Sam Lord, a wealthy land owner who built a castle there between 1817 and 1820.

ATLANTIS HOTEL:  CLOSED PERMANENTLY - This hotel, which has fallen into a state of disrepair, will eventually be torn down and rebuilt.   The exciting news is that the West Coast Little Good Harbour Hotel & Fish Pot Restaurant owners have made a major investment in the future prosperity of Barbados by acquiring the legendary Atlantis Hotel. Extensive renovations have already started with the objective of creating a comfortable 10-Room Bed and Breakfast property with a style and feeling in keeping with the friendly, intimate atmosphere of our popular sister hotel. I will let you know when they will start welcoming you at the new Atlantis Hotel.

HOLETOWN BEACH DEVELOPMENT:

This project started in March 2009.   Due to construction associated with this project, a section of the Holetown Beach will be closed from March to October 2009.

The project will comprise the following:

▪A new walkway and revetment will be constructed from Villas on the Beach (northern extreme of project site) to the north of Chefette (middle of project site).

▪A new walkway protected by a stone revetment will be constructed from the existing beach in front of Chefette and will terminate immediately north of Beachlands 

▪Two headlands

▪Beach nourishment (2500m3 of sand will be used to nourish the site)

 

So if you are considering a hotel located in this beach area, you should be aware of this.

On the South Coast, the boardwalk and beach redevelopment has now been completed.  See pictures next page.

           

                                                                                                                        More island updates

Proposed result  

Sadly, I learned today of Alfred Taylor’s death on June 16, 2009 in Barbados. 

Five years ago, Taylor, along with partners, opened the award-winning The Restaurant At Southsea in St Lawrence Gap.  It quickly achieved the internationally recognised Zagat rating.  His son, Barry Taylor, is the top chef at the restaurant helping it to become one of the best restaurants on the island.

The ebullient hotelier and restaurateur was also a former president of the Caribbean Hotel Association, and a winner of the prestigious Caribbean Hotelier Of The Year Award.

We offer our condolences to Barry and the family.

Alfred Taylor, Managing Director - The Restaurant at Southsea