The former Grand Barbados hotel, reopened as Aquatica Beach Resort two months ago, may soon carry the name of an international hotel brand.
That’s the word from general manager Christopher Forbes.
Though not confirming that the hotel’s owners are having ongoing discussions with the Holiday Inn and the Radisson hotel chains, Forbes told the BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY: “In the very near future we will know which brand we will be affiliated with.”
However, he declined to give further details.
Forbes, a hotelier with 20 years’ experience, said the refurbished property is “going through soft opening” as work is still being done in several areas.
When completed, there will be 124 rooms, with five suites located on the former Aquatic pier and a sixth, the Carlisle Suite, on the sixth floor.
Extensive renovations have been carried out on the beachfront hotel, once a Holiday Inn, at Aquatic Gap.
The gym has been relocated to another section of the property and there are plans to open a pool bar and snack bar.
The banquet facilities have also been totally renovated, while the Aquatic Club Restaurant on the pier has been completely covered, though maintaining its panoramic open view of Carlisle Bay.
According to Forbes, the hotel is currently attracting “a high volume” of guests from the Caribbean, but is targeting major tourism markets in the United States, Canada and Britain.
“We are happy to reopen a Barbadian landmark,” he said.
Aquatica Beach Resort’s parent company is Grand Hotel Limited. (GC)
