SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett provided an overview of the destination’s new hotel development during the 30th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference.
Minister Bartlett stressed the importance of increasing room inventory to attract and accommodate the planned growth of visitors to Jamaica over the coming years.
“We plan to usher in a new era that will bring Jamaica’s room inventory stock to 75,000 by 2015 and welcome 5 million visitors, composed of 3 million stop-over arrivals and 2 million cruise visitors, by 2010,” said Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett. “Our new developments are creating a whole new dimension for destination Jamaica.”
Hotels Development – By Region
OCHO RIOS
Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities in Ocho Rios will be enhanced with the construction of a 785 sq. ft. conference centre at RIU Ocho Rios. Slated to open in November 2007, the centre will comprise a total of five meeting rooms that can accommodate groups from 50 persons to 340 theatre style in its Grand Ballroom. The new meeting facilities combine elegant décor and architecture with state-of-the-art technology including complimentary wireless internet access.
Goldeneye, the seaside hideaway where British author Ian Fleming created the James Bond character and wrote his thrilling spy novels is adding a multi-million dollar high-end resort village to exclusive resort in Oracabessa, St Mary. Completion of the mixed use residential and full service resort is set for 2008 and will feature 170 guest rooms spread over one hundred acres of coastal land. The project will operate under a timeshare model and will integrate the surrounding ecology using a Mediterranean design.
The property will boast its own marina, spa, swimming pools, a lagoon and offshore bar.
MONTEGO BAY
The Palmyra Resort & Spa, the island’s first luxury beachfront residential community, on 16 acres of pristine waterfront land on the Rose Hall estate, has sold off all the residencies on the Sabal Palm building. Reservation holders from around the world traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica in May to attend the Priority Selection Event at the neighboring Ritz Carlton Rose Hall.
The event resulted not only in a complete sell out of the Sabal Palm building, but a significant number of residences in the Silver Palm building were also sold. Both buildings form part of the development’s first phase and are due to be opened by June 2008. The resort village will comprise 550 one, two and three bedroom condominiums and three bedroom villas. This private home community will have a world-class E-Spa, a convention centre, golf course and a shopping centre.
The Spa at Half Moon has been reopened and rebranded as The Fern Tree Spa on October 5, 2007. The US$4 million dollar project, which began in summer 2006, saw the conversion of the resort’s signature villa, Fern Tree House, into a 68,000 square foot destination spa sanctuary for the mind and body. Drawing on Jamaica’s lush landscape and centuries-old healing traditions as inspiration, Fern Tree Spa skillfully blends modern spa techniques with Jamaica’s ancient healing remedies of native herbs, fruits and botanicals.
Having at its foundation a philosophy of wellness, Fern Tree will introduce clients to a Spa Elder versed in the art of holistic healing. Clients can benefit from the Spa Elder’s expertise with private consultations to develop personalized treatments or a regimen of treatments and programmes that follow a path to wellness.
Borrowing from Fern Tree House’s original colonial design of hardwood floors, grand entryways and opulent furnishings, treatment rooms will be set amidst lush gardens allowing guests the option of having their room enclosed or open to their own private garden terrace.
The Rose Hall Resort & Country Club is currently undergoing a US$35 million transformation that will be completed by November 15, 2007.
Among the enhancements are: a gourmet bistro overlooking the Caribbean Sea; an Ultra Zen spa; shopping Pavilion and improved ballroom/meeting facilities.
The Spanish chain Iberostar Hotels & Resorts opened the first phase of its Jamaican development with 366 rooms in May 2007. Phases 2 and 3 are expected to open in 2008. Upon completion, the US$850-million development will comprise a total of 950 rooms.
Altamont West Hotel, Montego Bay’s latest ultra-modern resort is conveniently located on the Hip Strip. Following significant renovation, visitors can now enjoy a number of amenities including luxurious spa services at its Body Bliss Wellness Centre.
The hotel’s 31 rooms are equipped with DD wi-fi telephones, complimentary wireless internet. Among its unique offerings is Wine With Me, a wine bar and restaurant featuring an extensive wine list and lounge music.
