NEW YORK -- Two of Elegant Hotels Group's six properties are
undergoing refurbishments totaling $20 million. Renovations on the
hotels, both located in Barbados, will be completed in stages.
Colony Club's first phase will be completed in time for the
property's reopening on Nov. 15. Renovations include revamping the
public areas, pool and restaurants; upgrading food and beverage
options, and adding a new amenities program.
From Dec. 1 to May 31, Colony Club is restricting guests to ages 13
and older. Sister property Tamarind Cove is expanding. The adjacent
37-room Buccaneer hotel will become part of Tamarind and will
receive guests by December.
"We are marketing Buccaneer as our luxury section" said Marcello
Pigozzo, Elegant Hotels' chief executive officer. The section will
be reserved for "our loyal and repeat guests, who account for more
than half of our winter business," he said.
This winter, Tamarind will open a branch of Daphne's, an upscale
London restaurant. The resort plans to add a spa, as well. The
group also owns Coconut Creek, Crystal Cove and Turtle Beach Resort
in Barbados and Trade Winds in Antigua.
Agents account for 75% of U.S. business for Elegant Hotels
Group's six Caribbean properties, according to Pigozzo. Before
Sept. 11, the U.S. market accounted for about 25% of Elegant's
business, up 7% over last year.
The bulk of its business comes from the U.K., so although
business has slipped, the hotel group does not expect to be as
hard-hit as other places in the Caribbean, according to a
spokeswoman.