Bermuda Announces Hotel Plan for St. George’s Property

A new hotel is planned for the site of the old Club Med property in St. George's, according to Bermuda Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell. Crockwell told Bermuda's House of Assembly on May 25 that Venezuela-based Desarrollos Hotelco Group would construct a 348-room hotel and casino.

The development also would have 16 hotel residences, 24 golf villas, 16 three- and four-bedroom estate homes, a spa and fitness center, meeting rooms, swimming pools, bars and restaurants.

No construction timeline was given and no hotel brand was linked to the announcement, but Crockwell said it would be "a high-end luxury" brand. Residents in St. George's are reserving judgment, having gotten used to development plans for the site falling through, according to the Bermuda Sun newspaper.

In addition, the issue of gaming has not gone to the House of Assembly for vote yet. The site overlooking St. Catherine Beach was first occupied by Holiday Inn in 1973. In 1981, the property was sold to Loews Hotels & Resorts, and then sold to Club Med in 1985.

The hotel was badly damaged by Hurricane Emily in 1987. In 1988, Club Med shut it down. In 2008, the government imploded the hotel. Hotel developer Bazarian International was named as developer of the property in 2009 under the management of Park Hyatt, with plans to break ground in November 2011. However, the Park Hyatt plan was terminated by the previous administration in October 2012.

Source: Travel Weekly