Former Grand Lido Negril to become the Royalton Negril by Blue Diamond Resorts (shared from the Jamaica Gleaner)
Blue Diamond said it will invest US$150 million (J$17.25b) to redevelop the property into a 500-600-room resort, but did not address whether – as stated by JIA president Ann Hodges – it will demolish the existing structure to erect a brand-new plant.
The property currently comprises 210 suites.
Janine Chapman, vice-president of marketing for Blue Diamond Resorts, said on Monday that the target was 500 to 600 rooms, but was silent on the design and whether the current structure would be razed for the new hotel.
“We can confirm that we are closing the Grand Lido resort in Negril this month and will be opening a brand-new 500-600 room luxury all-inclusive resort in its place, operating under our award-winning Royalton Resorts brand,” said Chapman.
“We are continuing to work with local and federal authorities on our development plans and hope these will be finalised shortly,” she said.
Blue Diamond is an affiliate of the Sunwing Travel Group Inc, a Canadian leisure travel company whose offerings include tour packages, accommodation, online reservation services, and air travel. Chapman said that Blue Diamond Resorts had also “invested a further US$50 million into the expansion of the Royalton White Sands in Falmouth, with the addition of 200 rooms and 800 new jobs”.
Read the full article from the Jamaica Gleaner here.
Former Grand Lido Braco Village to become the Melia Braco Village Resort
(Source: Go-Jamaica.com) The future Meliá Braco Village resort will hold a ground-breaking event on Friday April 24, beginning at 11:30a.m. in Trelawny to celebrate the construction milestone. Meliá Hotels International (MHI) will manage the 225 room property in a joint-venture partnership with the Jamaican government.
“Hundreds of jobs will be created by expanding the offerings of the property to include fine dining outlets, additional rooms, and upscale services and amenities,” said Dimitris Kosvogiannis General Manager of Meliá Braco Village. “Melia Hotels & Resorts’ passion for service will foster a culture of service truly unique to the brand. Our team members will be empowered with specialty training to successfully translate the brand’s personality, which focuses on the experienced traveler. You are the journey.”
The resort consists of 225 rooms within colonial-style buildings facing one of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean, and features five restaurants and a variety of bars, pools and spas. The property will undergo a comprehensive renovation until its grand re-opening scheduled for late 2015 when it will become part of the Meliá Hotels & Resorts’ brand all inclusive portfolio.
“Jamaica is a long awaited destination for Meliá Hotels International; the English-speaking Caribbean is a major focus in our global expansion strategy,” said Alvaro Tejeda Schroeder, Regional VP of The Americas.“This property represents a major milestone in the company’s efforts to establish its brands in major vacation destinations, like Jamaica, in the Caribbean.”
Read the full article from go-Jamaica.com here.
