2009 has been an incredibly positive year for Harlequin Hotels & Resorts. The construction of Buccament Bay is progressing to time and on budget, additional land purchases have successfully completed and several key planning approvals have been granted. A hugely important factor is that each of the resorts has the full support of the Government of the country in which it is located, demonstrated by the attendance of senior Government officials at the launch event in July 2009 and in the content of their addresses.
Harlequin Hotels & Resorts is one of the few companies still actively building in the Caribbean where many property developers and hotel companies have put their projects on hold or have gone out of business over the last few months.
Harlequin is in a strong position because it has no debt so is still able to fund land purchases and construction. There are currently over 1,000 workers building Buccament Bay and construction is ongoing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure a timely completion. All the furnishings and fittings for the resort have now been ordered; 10,000 items of furniture are in production and will be shipped for installation prior to the opening in July 2010. Every item has been specifically designed for Buccament Bay, right down to the crockery and cutlery. Harlequin Hotels & Resorts’ own label wine has also been sourced.
Update on each of Harlequins resorts in the Caribbean
The Merricks, Barbados
The first phase of The Merricks is scheduled to open in late 2011. Harlequin purchased this stunning piece of land and beach with outline planning permission in 2006. Since then Harlequin has been working through the various planning stages to meet the requirements of the Barbados Government in order to receive full planning permission to commence construction. All the relevant feasibility reports and plans were submitted to the Government by May 2009 and subsequently Dave Ames and the ICE Group, Harlequin Hotels & Resorts’ construction company, attended the final planning meeting in October 2009. Harlequin and its proposal for The Merricks have received the full support of the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt. Hon. David Thompson. In December Dave Ames was interviewed about The Merricks on radio in Barbados. The Government is currently compiling the extensive documentation which comprises the full planning permission. Harlequin has been advised this is close to being finally approved by town planning in Barbados and is due to be put before the Prime Minister for his final approval. ICE is ready to start work in earnest immediately full planning permission is received.
Las Canas & The Hideaway, Dominican Republic
Landscaping of the entrance to The Hideaway at Las Canas was completed in early 2009. More land has been purchased which will accommodate the back of house facilities for the resort. Full planning permission is in place and construction will commence in early 2010. The Hideaway will open at the beginning of 2011. Land clearing and pre-build groundworks will start on the main Las Canas resort in early 2010.
Two Rivers, Dominican Republic
During 2009 more land was purchased at the entrance to the resort which will enable Harlequin to extend the reception area and include another restaurant. Full planning permission is in place and in early 2010 the land will be cleared. This will be followed by the land being raised and pre-build groundworks.
The Marquis Estate, St Lucia
Environmental Impact Assessment Studies are currently in progress and once these are completed detailed planning will be finalised. Work to improve the roads so that they can support the heavy plant required during the build will start in early 2010. Land clearing will commence soon afterwards and construction will begin with the Gary Player Signature Golf Course and Gary Player Golf Hotel.
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