TURTLE BEACH, St. Kitts (CUOPM) – The recent opening of the Beach House at St. Kitts’ Turtle Beach has begun to make news across the globe.
The transformation of the dockside bar by Auberge into a stylish beachfront restaurant and lounge is said to be a prelude of what’s to come.
The following article has already appeared in several publications inducing Earthtimes and Yacht Vacations and Yachters Magazine.
Tucked under swaying palms on the white sand of St. Kitts’ Turtle Beach, the Beach House restaurant, the newest project from luxury hotel developer and operator Auberge Resorts (http://www.aubergeresorts.com/), opens today. The restaurant, previously Turtle Beach Bar & Grill, has undergone an extensive makeover by Auberge Resorts, creators of award-winning small luxury resorts and restaurants in North America, including the Michelin-starred Auberge du Soleil restaurant in Napa Valley. Infused with new life, the former beach bar reflects Auberge’s attitude of ‘barefoot sophistication’ with an updated new look and enhanced menu, while retaining the relaxed charm and spectacular water views that have earned it a devoted following among visitors and islanders alike.
Located on the tip of St. Kitts’ Southeast Peninsula, the Beach House is an airy, sun-filled pavilion set in a protected cove that is a popular destination for boaters, who can tie up at the restaurant’s private dock, scuba divers and swimmers. Guests can lounge on the veranda or in hammocks under shade trees as they sip cocktails, enjoy Caribbean fare and gaze at panoramic views of the sea and the nearby island of Nevis.
The 60-seat restaurant and 30-seat lounge received a stylish new look courtesy of local designer Gina Harris Rey and Atlanta design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates. Led by Rey, the team has retained the original Colonial-style structure and enlivened it with fresh Caribbean and contemporary design elements, an updated color palette, rich, comfortable furnishings, hardwood floors and sea grass carpets throughout. The open-air living room welcomes in the tropical breezes and features oversized lounge seating around a central bar. Flowing draperies and lanterns lit at dusk create a romantic evening setting for cocktails and dining.
At the helm of the Beach House is an award-winning team of hospitality professionals: Managing Director Eustace ‘Guish’ Guishard and Executive Chef George Reid, both formerly of Cap Juluca Resort on Anguilla. Reid, who established himself early in his career as one of the Caribbean’s top chefs, brought culinary acclaim to Cap Juluca with his renowned restaurants, Pimms and Kemia. Guishard, who received the Caribbean’s Hotelier of the Year award and was twice voted Anguilla’s Hotelier of the Year during his tenure as Cap Juluca’s General Manager, also was on the development team that created the resort. As General Manager, he helped Cap Juluca earn some of the highest industry accolades, including rankings as the Caribbean’s best resort in Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report.
Reid and Guishard have developed a menu showcasing the cuisine of the Caribbean, a melting pot of diverse culinary traditions that marries Spanish and Asian, French, African and Dutch influences. Lunch fare includes casual selections such as Caesar salad with Anguillian crayfish, a burger topped with Indian Creole sauce or tostones with baked carnitas and avocado. Dinner selections include Curried Squash and Sweet Potato Soup, Cumin-Crusted Swordfish, Gumbo of Local Lobster and Beef Short Ribs Braised In Red Wine And Served With Bok Choy, Carrots and Jasmine Rice.
No beachfront establishment in the Caribbean would be complete without an array of enticing cocktails, and the Beach House’s selection is superb. Rounding out the libations is an extensive selection of aged rums and Cuban cigars for enjoyment on the restaurant’s private rooftop lounge.
“The Beach House is the type of beachfront spot you dream about, where fabulous food and drinks blend perfectly with the most idyllic of tropical surroundings,” said Mark Harmon, Principal and CEO, Auberge Resorts.
“We are so pleased to be working with such a stellar team as Guish and George to bring this well-loved beach spot into a new era. With the Beach House, we’re delighted to offer a small prelude of what’s to come.”
Auberge Resorts will begin development of its Caribbean resort project, Sandy Bank Bay, an Auberge Resort, on St. Kitts’ Southeast Peninsula in 2008. The 62-suite property, set on a hillside above a long secluded beach, will feature a beachfront restaurant, spa and residential villas and is being developed as part of a joint venture between Auberge Resorts, J.B. Turbidy, an Aspen, Colo.-based developer, and an investment group led by real estate and restaurant entrepreneur Larry Levy. In addition to the resort, Sandy Bank Bay will also offer 60 luxurious resort villas for whole ownership. The Sandy Bank Bay residences will include a beach club, water sports, beach bar and grill and concierge exclusively for villa owners.
Sandy Bank Bay is part of Christophe Harbour, a carefully master-planned luxury resort surrounding a mega-yacht harbor and featuring a collection of upscale restaurants, shops, boutiques, a Mandarin Oriental hotel, oceanfront home sites, villas and a Tom Fazio championship golf course. Christophe Harbour is being developed by the award-winning team of Kiawah Development Partners, Charleston S.C.
For more information, visit, www.stkittsbeachhouse.com.
