Abandoned Four Seasons Hotel Project Burns

Are Sue Springer & Robin Paterson Whistling Dixie?

"Royal Westmoreland, a Barbados landmark, is up for sale on the international market but the local tourism industry isn’t worried as this may result merely in a changing of hands. Prime luxury international real estate dealers and financial publications today began announcing that British owner, John Morphet, wants to part with the 750-acre west coast property for US$75 million. “It has been known for some time that there was a possibility of Royal Westmoreland being put up for sale. Now this is obviously what has happened,” Executive Vice-President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Sue Springer, told Barbados TODAY. Morphet’s reported reason for giving up ownership of this property that annually attracts the likes of British Premier League football star, Wayne Rooney, and retired English cricket captain, Michael Vaughn, was that now in his 60s, he feels to be getting on too much in age that tires him after 96 visits to this island in 10 years. “I’m not getting any younger and it needs more time than I’d like to give it,” he said of the spread that includes 225 villas, a clubhouse, restaurant, spa, and a golf course. “It is an incredible real estate property and we look forward [and are] hoping that whoever purchases this whole estate will keep it in its current use and won’t change it,” Springer said. The Financial Times quoted Chief Executive of Sotheby’s International, Robin Paterson, as saying it was “very unusual to get an entire resort for sale” in the Barbados market. “This is the only resort of this scale, reputation and longevity in the southern Caribbean,” Paterson added. Springer does not see the announced sale having any negative impact on the image of Barbados tourism. “No, I don’t think so because things could be for sale at any time; it could be a hotel, it could be an estate like this, whatever. Things change hands the world over all the time. “It sends that message because the gentleman that owns it has accepted that he is at the crossroads and he wants to stay closer to home.” Morphet, who has a rags to riches story, having taken over a struggling UK farm from his parents, had last year indicated plans to purchase land from the Westmoreland estate to build an additional 200 properties. That planned investment was reportedly to the tune of US$500. These plans may not be derailed by a change in ownership because the Barbados real estate market is now being seen as an investment opportunity on the rise. The Sotheby’s chief executive reportedly told the Financial Times that the Barbados market is beginning to see an inflow of international professional property investors such as hotel operators. Springer agrees with that assessment, and believes the announced sale speaks well for the property market." Source: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2015/03/14/for-sale

No Sugar In Sugar Hill

Click image to enlarge

"His £3million Algarve farm and his £6million plantation-style villa in Barbados are his pride and joy. He spends more time there than he does at the apartment that was raided yesterday, which he bought in 2008.
He shrugged recently that he spends 'a week here, a week there' in Britain and it has been revealed that he is not even a UK resident any longer as he spends so little time in the country. He is domiciled instead in Barbados, where he spends each winter."


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2725318/I-ll-bachelor-boy-s-way-I-ll-stay-His-bandmate-s-wife-Sue-Barker-rumours-sexuality-Sir-Cliff-Richard-s-love-life-apparent-lack-thereof.html#ixzz3AcQa8teE
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Is that a glimmering light at the end of the 4Seasons tunnel I see?

Clearly, if the PM and the Minister of Finance are hiding from you, and you are being schmoozed by the St. Lucy MP (no offense intended), we already know where this deal is going - if it goes anywhere at all.  All debts, including all political debts, must be paid before this project ever sees the light of day again.  Click here to read about it all. 

Just when we were beginning to think the ABV miasma couldn't get any worse, it just did ...

Rump Almond

"BY ROY R. MORRIS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | SUN, OCTOBER 27, 2013 - 12:11 AM

Before Sandals takes one step into St Peter, Barbados will get another taste of Almond.

Well placed sources have revealed that the Ministry of Tourism has selected MW Sun Hotels Inc., owned by wealthy businessman Bernard Weatherhead, to reopen and operate the now mothballed Almond Beach Village at Heywoods, St Peter, for at least one year.

In fact, in correspondence obtained by the SUNDAY SUN, Weatherhead explained to chief executive officer of Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTI), Stuart Layne, that with an injection of $5.1 million from Government and speedy movement by Government’s operatives, they could have 138 rooms and related facilities ready to receive guests in mid January, missing only the first few weeks of the 2013-2015 winter tourist season. BTI is looking after Government’s interest at Almond Resorts.

Government is anxious to get the once popular 500-room all-inclusive resort reopened again, but recognize that even with the agreement with Sandals of Jamaica to take over the property, bulldoze and rebuild it as a family resort, its doors will not be thrown open until 24 to 36 months after construction begins – and the date for that could be as much as two years away, sources said."


2 comments

POSTED BY TONY WEBSTER
As Alice said, "this gets curiouser and curiouser"

The Mad Hatter, apparently, is in charge of plan A; plan B, and also plan "maybe". What a fantastic "mortar"...replete with two pestles, and endless of "possibilities" therein!

We could of course, retain the Almond at ground level, and then build the Sandals, on level two...with a lovely view. On the roof-top, a heliport would allow for Virgin Atlantic passengers, to be swiftly ferried to and from GAIA...a first in the Caribbean! To facilitate a smooth transition, (if our patience is rewarded this time around), we could coin a catch-all brand: "SANDMONDS". Get the URL registered now!

Mr. Editor: you sure you ain't pick up de wrong end of de stick?

POSTED BY ORSON ARTHUR
I know we have people in Barbados that
can get that hotel going.
I don't trust Stuart as far as I can see him.
Always remember Paradise hotel. Now he would
like to tie this one up also. I agree that it can be back in operation and bring in some money for the country. MR. Weatherhead I know you are going to do a good job. May God be with you and your team"

Source: http://www.nationnews.com/index.php/articles/view/almond-again/

Pared Down Plans For Royal Westmoreland's Expansion Inching Forward ...Maybe?

"Efforts are on to salvage a $150 million luxury golf, residential and hotel project which has been waiting in the wings for more than three years.

Barbados TODAY has learnt that high-level talks involving senior members of the Freundel Stuart Administration and Royal Westmoreland are underway in an attempt to get that St. James luxury development’s expansion onto the nearby Lancaster Plantation property it owns underway.

Discussions have already been held with Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Senator Darcy Boyce is chairing a working group on the matter.

The major sticking point continues to be the granting of approval for the construction of a $4.4 million reservoir Royal Westmoreland officials said was necessary for the 18 hole championship golf course, hotel and other residences.

These developments were confirmed today by the Royal Westmoreland Construction Director, Ian Putley, who was cautiously optimistic about the likelihood a positive outcome within the coming months.

“We are currently in discussion with a working group led by Senator Darcy Boyce who is trying to get the confirmation of compliance with Town & Country Development Planning conditions letter,” the official told Barbados TODAY..."

Read more: Barbados Today

Update On Beachlands

"After years of sitting idle, a major West Coast luxury tourism project is about to take off.

All permissions for the four-acre, beach-front complex, which is being undertaken by British interests, have now been obtained, Barbados TODAY has learnt and soon construction equipment will be rolling on to the site south of Holetown and seaward of the Sunset Crest area of St. James.

A telephone call to Construction Director Pat Gill, of UK & European Investments, one of the British companies behind the project, confirmed that all approvals had been received.

However, he declined to provide any information on when the project would start, how much it would cost or any other details surrounding the project.

However, Ministry of Finance sources confirmed Government had been told that the project was projected to cost between $150 million and $160 million..."

Read more: Barbados Today

Holetown Waterfront Improvement Project

"... work on the Holetown Waterfront Improvement Project is progressing smoothly.

The project began this year following the completion of another Coastal Risk Assessment Management Programme at Heron Bay, which began last October to run for six weeks.

That section of the programme focussed on coastal enhancement, while addressing sea level rise, coastal erosion, climate change, as well as addressing storm surge and winter swells. It saw the construction of a series of groynes and elements of offshore work being done there.

Now, the Coastal Zone Management Unit has focused its attention on Holetown to stabilise the shoreline and creating a hazard resilient area that will involve the construction of a boardwalk as well as other offshore and shoreline features.

A source said the work there was on schedule and going great, and there was evidence today of workmen removing boulders from the much eroded Holetown beach where once existed one of the most attractive beaches on the west coast.

Once the project is completed, there should be an expanse of beach comparable to what would have existed in the 1980s, along with much needed and attractive improvements."

Source: Barbados Today

RBPF Gets International Black Eye

"A man accused of raping two British women in Barbados has thanked the two victims for fighting to clear his name. Researcher Rachel Turner from Hertfordshire and Diane Davies, from Anglesey, north Wales, were attacked within days of each other in 2010. Barbadian Derick Crawford, 47, spent 18 months in jail, but a court dismissed the case against him on Thursday. The two women are convinced Mr Crawford was not the man who attacked them and have fought to clear his name. Dr Turner and Mrs Davies waived their right to anonymity to fight for justice for Mr Crawford. They have called on the police to investigate the case and find the real attacker."

Read more: Barbados rapes: Derick Crawford thanks women who fought to clear him

Almond Intrigue

"Chief executive officer of Almond Resorts Inc., Ralph Taylor, is leading an initiative to stop the financially troubled hotel chain from going under.

Yesterday he met with staff of Almond Beach Village in St Peter and Almond Beach Club in St James to discuss a “buyout proposal” that would require staff and management to give up ten per cent of their salaries as an investment.

Taylor, who met with managers and supervisors on Monday, also plans to meet next week with staff at the third property, Almond Casuarina Beach in Christ Church.

A document distributed to staff asking them to indicate their interest in “participating in any employee buyout of Almond Resorts Inc.”, was reportedly met with mixed response."

Source: Almond bid -- NationNews Barbados

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Barbados without the bling

"We planned a two-week break, half spent with our extended family in a self-catering property and the other in a hotel. My first key observation on arrival was accompanied by a sigh of relief: no sign of Winner or Cowell! And I soon made a second and equally pleasing observation, which was that Barbados has many unexpected delights, including great restaurants providing excellent food. The week with our extended family was spent at a fabulous rented house called Crystal Springs to the north of Sandy Lane on the island's lively west coast. It is close to Sir Cliff Richard's villa, famously lent in the past to Tony Blair and his family as a holiday home.  


We had a motor boat as part of the deal and the driver was very keen to point out celebrity homes in the area: 'Over there is Sir Cliff's house, this is where Cilla Black lives ...'"

Read more: Daily Mail

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Plans afoot to turn Holetown into a cruise visitor focal point

"Government wants to turn Holetown into a major cruise tourism hub.  Well-informed sources told Barbados TODAY that ever since August 2009, the Ministry of Tourism had been advancing a series of recommendations to drive cruise passengers into the historic St. James area.  It's all part of the plan to ease long-standing beach congestion, and suspected unlawful activity, in the Payne's Bay area.
The intention, sources noted, was to have cruisers driven into the area by taxis and other forms of transportation, and that there would be major cooperation between the National Conservation Commission, police, businesses and other stakeholders.  "It is considered that the beach area and urban infrastructure at Holetown has the capacity to accommodate a larger number of cruise ship visitors, the associated vehicular traffic movement and areas for parking," a Ministry of Tourism brief on the matter stated.
"All relevant Government ministries and departments should work collectively to put in place the appropriate environment at Holetown to accommodate an influx of cruise ship passengers in terms of beach chair vending, jet ski vending, safe swimming areas, provision for parking, signage for the regulation of vehicular and pedestrian movement and adequate policing," it added.  The ministry also said taxi drivers had an important role to play and should therefore "be approached with a view to having them redirect their cruise ship passengers to Holetown".  "Businesses in Holetown should be approached to encourage them to upgrade their facilities to accommodate greater cruise passenger visitation," it noted.  
Additionally, the suggestion was for the NCC to undertake a study "to determine the number of chairs, which a vendor should be licensed to rent per standard measured area of beach".  "This will assist in regulating beach chair vending at all beaches," the Ministry of Tourism document stated. Officials were concerned about the image behaviour in the area of Paynes Bay and now closed Blue Monkey Restaurant.  They said at the time that part of the problem was "an overwhelming number of cruise ship passengers" were being ferried there by taxi drivers, who were offered "monetary and in-kind incentives".  Sources pointed out that just last year several agencies were called to be a meeting hosted by Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy "to urgently examine some complaints brought to his attention about a particular location, namely, Paynes Bay.""

Source: Barbados Today article "Holetown a hub"

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West Coast Unprepared And Among Most Tsunami Vulnerable In Barbados

"While one coastal expert rated the island's tsunami readiness at "six out of ten", the head of disaster management disclosed there were "significant gaps" in the mechanism.

Deputy Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit, Dr. Lorna Inniss gave preparedness for a tsunami a grade of six out of ten today in an interview with Barbados TODAY, but said preparations for the devastating natural disaster were continuing in earnest.

She noted that in another week there would be a simulation exercise involving disaster preparedness agencies and other stakeholders tracking such an exercise from the time the warning is received until after impact.

Director of the Department of Emergency Management Judy Thomas disclosed there was a significant "gap" in readiness -- a mass notification system to warn Barbadians of impending danger, remained unresolved.

She noted that the country still had "a long way to go in terms of putting down the mass notification warning mechanisms because we want to use the cellular networks and the putting down of sirens or the reactivation of the police siren system to give public warnings", she said

"Those are the last things that we have to do to ensure that we have our mass notification system, but the work has started and the work is ongoing. We have not abandoned the thought of getting our country aware of the tsunamis and what they can do, and receiving the warnings out of the Pacific and then having those warnings given to the Barbadian community."

Thomas said a major challenge was that Barbados no longer had a working national siren system, and beyond that there was no money "for a mass siren system at this stage".

And as hoteliers go about putting their disaster mitigation plans in place, there is a call from one the key spokespersons for Barbados' vital tourism sector to have a greater communication system and a proper education programme.

Executive Vice-President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Sue Springer, said there should be a tsunami plan in place. "If there is a plan that's put in place, and with everything that's happening all around us, this level of expenditure to communicate that plan must take priority. We've had a couple of earthquakes tossed around us; we're watching it all over. Who says that we're sitting here so privileged?

"Education and communication must happen so that when the [warning] siren goes, we know and we tell everybody get out of wherever you are and head for the hills and not motorised either cause it will make no difference," she said.

Springer noted that 90 per cent of the hospitality sector was on the coastlines and a storm surge would be devastating to the sector.

That apart, the Ministry of Education was forging ahead with its evacuation plans, said Acting Chief Education officer Laurie King, in a separate interview today. He said that the Ministry was not waiting for an impending disaster to implement an evacuation plan and had carried out, and will continue to do, drills at schools situated along the coastlines and those in low lying areas.

There were also evacuation routes planned to take people to higher ground.

The rebuilding process could be easier for some than others, said President of the General Insurance Association of Barbados, Michael Holder. He explained that once policy holders had the necessary insurance in place, it should not present a problem.

He noted that normally where there was hurricane and earthquake coverage, there was also coverage for tsunamis.

But several Barbadians would be caught off-guard should a tsunami roll in. Some of the most vulnerable areas across the nation still have no real evacuation plans and no idea of what should be done in the event of such a natural disaster. Barbados TODAY paid a visit to a number of these coastal communities including Six Men's, St. Peter, Holetown, St. James, Half Moon Fort, St. Lucy and the message was the same neighbourhood after neighbourhood - no one was ready, no one was prepared.

Some blamed a failure on the part of the relevant authorities to adequately educate the public despite the launch of a public education and awareness week for the Tsunami And Coastal Hazards Warning System Project in March, last year. Others felt there was little or nothing they could do to secure themselves or their families even if armed with the necessary information."

Source: "Significant gaps remain in the island's readiness for a tsunami"

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6 Days In Holetown & Barbados: Bloggings of a New Yorker with a camera and a sense of humour

Follow link below:

Barbados TravelAdvisor • View topic - Interesting photos in this blog..

Limegrove Still Not Quite Ready For Primetime

If you were hoping to shop Limegrove this Christmas for that special luxury item for that special someone, you may be a little disappointed with the official opening of the much ballyhooed Limegrove Lifestyle Center in Holetown.  Not only were Louis Vutton, Hermes, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Armani and other high-end stores completely missing, but of the only two stores ready for the big opening day, one – Hallmark – is so ubiquitous that most discerning shoppers would consider it a no-name brand.  One couldn’t help wondering whether they were forced to open their doors in the still largely incomplete mall just to get rid of their stock of seasonal Christmas cards.
 
Limegrove is a work in progress, and that’s putting it mildly.  It’s more like an active construction site than somewhere you would want to shop.  Intrepid early adopter shoppers should be warned to leave their high heels at home and not to forget their hard hats.  Oh, and they should also bone-up and their dump truck-dodging skills.  I don’t know what’s the rush to open this unfinished product now when clearly it will miss both the Christmas shopping season and the entire key 2010-2011 winter tourist season.  Opening it now, if one can call it an "opening," only serves to remind everyone that Limegrove, like much of the tourism-related development on the west coast, is still in the throes of the deepest international financial recession since the Great Depression.

This recession has devastated tourism development up and down the west coast – projects upon which Limegrove was banking.  After celebrating (in the media) finally paying off its creditors last month, government is today admitting that they really have no firm date for the restart of the Four Seasons hotel and villa project.  Banyan Tree/Black Bess is looking for a buyer, St. Peter’s Bay reportedly has only sold two of its fifty-seven condos (to principals of the company), and Portico and others stand empty.  And, despite the Government of Barbados’ upbeat predictions and pronouncements the future remains bleak.  I mean, just who do they think they are fooling when the shots are really being called in Washington and even there - Feds Chairman Ben Bernanke, like the weather-forecasting ground hog, is predicting five more months years of winter recession.

We certainly wish Limegrove and it’s visionary developer, Paul Altman, all the best in these tough economic times.  If he is still holding on to it when the storm is over, he/we should have an excellent product on par with any of the high-end shopping centers we have seen in North America.  We loved the water feature and the gas lamps.  It’s position in the heart of Holetown across from First and Second Streets cements the area as the leader in tourism entertainment and shopping in Barbados and much of the Caribbean.  There still remains some concerns about flooding in Holetown (in spite of Mr. Altman’s boasting otherwise) and the wider ecological damage to the mangrove upon which it is built and what that portends for the future, but like most the rest of the world, I suppose we are leaving those headaches for future generations.  Right now the spotlight is on Limegrove’s coming out “party.”

We ran into Paul last night showing his wife around his latest dream coming to fruition, and he reminded us that he started out bagging groceries at Elmer’s Supermarket in Speightstown.  Well, Elmer Jordan is in the crypt underneath St. Peter’s Parish Church and a generation has grown up since his supermarket closed its doors.  The lesson for us all and Limegrove is that there is always a fine line between the crypt and success.

Click here for a few shots we took of Limegrove last night.

Click here to read some of our earlier posts on Limegrove.

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Wayne Rooney/Royal Westmoreland Hit By Storm

"I think you may be missing the point a little. I am sure those visitors totally accepted that the hurricane was an act of God. But I was also staying on the Royal Wesmoreland at that time and the service we received from the Royal Westmoreland management was certainly not first class! They displayed a total lack of care to their guests - the arrogance was appalling! For three days following the storm they did not even offer candles or water! The hotels on the West Coast seemed to be doing a fine job so I am not sure what was happening at the Royal Westmoreland. They obviously are not interested in fee-paying guests. We are not rich - just hard working people who had saved hard to afford a holiday..."

Click here to continue reading...

Travel destinations: Holetown, Barbados - by Frances Stanford - Helium

"What is now the town of Holetown on Barbados was the site of the first landing of English settlers on this island in 1625. It was originally called Jamestown in honor of the King of England at the time – James 1. The settlers had not originally planned to come to this island, but their ship was blown off course as they were on their way back to England from South America. As the population increased, the small channel, known as the Hole, was one where ships could easily be unloaded and cleaned. The many ships using this service led to the change in the name from Jamestown to Holetown..."

Read more: Travel destinations: Holetown, Barbados - by Frances Stanford - Helium

Limegrove Comes Under Heavy Environmental And Ecological Criticism

Limegrove under construction on the mangrove swamp in Holetown

(Click here for larger image)

Limegrove, the upmarket shopping, entertainment and residential development in the heart of Holetown has come under heavy environmental and ecological criticism from a professor of Marine Ecology and Fisheries at the local branch of the University of The West Indies. Professor Hazel Oxenford described Limegrove and another big tourism development in the works for another mangrove swamp site on the south coast of the island as having "the potential to devastate Barbados' already struggling coral reef population." She explained that mangroves protect coral reefs by holding back,slowing down and absorbing rainfall runoff which unchecked destroys coral reefs and animal life which live on them.

She did not mince words when she zeroed in on Limegrove: "You see in Holetown right now that ridiculous building complex which is going up right in the swamp. What is it going to do? They are turning [the swamp] into concrete to make the water run off fast, really fast water takes with it soil, garbage, anything. Say 'no' to that kind of building."

In the above photosynth you can see on the landside of the bridge where they have built a new concrete canal to channel the water through the swamp area. Recently in the local media the developer was boasting that with the new canals together with the new catchment pond miles inland at Farmers in St. Thomas built to facilitate irrigation of the new golf course at Apes Hill, they have finally solved the flooding problem in Holetown. Professor Oxenford and others believe such thinking is shortsighted, for with the reefs gone the coastline is more exposed to storms and erosion. And, with the beaches gone, so will the tourists, supposedly for whom these monstrosities are being conceived.

Click here to read original Barbados Today article.

Click here for more context to the mangrove swamp in Holetown.

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Nishi - Sushi Restaurant

"Nishi Restaurant & Bar is now officially my favourite place.
The sushi bar upstairs has quite a few tables but you can also just sit at the sushi bar to eat and watch all the marvellous preparation with ever smiling sushi chefs.
Downstairs there is a Bistro whish serves up a variety of food. I had Chicken with a coconut sauce and Jasmine rice then a superb dessert of a Rum, Banana and Coconut bread pudding. Yum!
The whole restaurant is fully air conditioned. There is a lovely courtyard with more..."

Barbados TravelAdvisor • View topic - Nishi - Sushi Restaurant

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Limegrove's Soft Opening

The Bank Building at Limegrove, Holetown

The Limegrove Lifestyle Centre currently taking shape in Holetown not so quietly opened The Bank Building last week, one of the twelve commercial buildings making up the complex slated for completion by the end of this year. This happened with the move of the Holetown branch of the Barbados National Bank from it's temporary location in the wooden chattel house fronting the main road to the newly completed "The Bank Building" located on Seaview which connects Hwy 1 to Hwy 2A via Lascelles. The chattel house is currently being dismantled and removed for construction to start on "The Louis Vuitton Building" which will house among others, as the name suggests, a store bearing the name of the international luxury French fashion house specializing in trunks, leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes, watches, jewelery, accessories, sunglasses, and books.

This branch of the BNB (Barbados National Bank) has developed quite a reputation on the west coast and indeed Barbados also for it's upscale banking with it's emphasis on personal service and detail geared to the clientele to which it appeals on the upmarket Platinum Coast. With a lot more space in what Limegrove bills as "one of the most impressive bank buildings in Barbados" they can now take these services to new levels. Certainly, some might also add - fortunately or unfortunately, with the opening of the new branch at Limegrove the BNB, now majority owned by the Republic Bank of Trinidad & Tobago, has come a long, long way from its days in the back of the Post Office as the Government Savings Bank catering to the banking needs of sugar cane cutters, house maids and fishermen.

Chattel House former home of BNB Holetown being dismantled 03/31/10