US$170 million boutique hotel project in Canouan

Move over Sandy Lane.When construction of a US$170 million boutique hotel project in Canouan is completed at the end of this year, the idyllic Barbados resort Sandy Lane would not come close in comparison, Resort developer Antonio Saladino, as well as Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, believe.{{more}}

Last Friday, Saladino, along with CCA General Manager Elena Korach took the prime minister, some cabinet members, and representatives of the local media on a tour of development projects on the island, which also include a US$40 million, 110 boat marina, which the men say would be unlike any other in the Caribbean, or the western hemisphere.

The entourage was taken to see the redeveloped 12 acre, 32-key boutique resort, which includes a 26-room hotel and six four-bedroom villas, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, designed to “blow the minds” of visitors and guests.

The project also includes four restaurants, a lounge, library and a pool, along with a pool at each villa.

Marble floors, mosaic walls, walk in closets and vanities, “vanishing” flat screen televisions embedded in walls and panels, along with ipad-operated controls, are just some of the features of the 1,300 square foot rooms.

The hotel, which is expected to be completed by July this year, with full operations as early as December, also boasts a view like none other.

“There is nothing like that beyond Sandy Lane in Barbados. Sandy Lane will have to come and bow,” Gonsalves said, as he toured the building.

Gonsalves, speaking to the media, said that the size, scope, nature and character of the projects would make Canouan

second to none in terms of the quality of the product, and that the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines continues to work closely with the developers.

“Frankly speaking, this island is emerging as the flagship for tourism in the Eastern Caribbean, and indeed in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Canouan, of course, is a splendid island, among the best in the world,” Gonsalves noted.

“You would have seen also the immense work done by the state: the airport (extension), police station, the administrative building, other facilities, and we see the coastguard base, which is being constructed with monies given to us by President Obama through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, which would add to the quality of the product here in Canouan, in terms of maritime safety.

“And then the developers and ourselves have agreed that we’d work together to develop other $30 million of development products over the next ten years… all to be worked in conjunction with state agencies.”

The prime minister said the hard-working people of St Vincent and the Grenadines, along with the country’s democratic system of governance and security, make an excellent framework for partnership with the CCA, which has been in the country since 1991.

Saladino, who agreed with Gonsalves on his assessment of the projects, said that there was no doubt that the finished product would outclass its rival in Barbados, and that he was flattered by the by prime minister’s remarks.

“He has made a comprehensive description of what’s happening, so the only thing I can say is that… in the future, we will do the best we can to make the place even better than it is already”.

The prime minister also noted that with other developments taking place on other islands, there is a basis for sustainable development, and thanked Saladino and other investors for their support and investment.