Manager predicts great success for Royalton

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The Royalton Luxury Resort, whose opening is projected for May 1st 2019, promises to be unique and one the Caribbean’s best.

The high-end resort’s general manager, Christian Langlade, told OBSERVER media that the keenly anticipated opening of the Deep Bay resort is on target and he is already expecting a very busy summer.

“On the first day of May we already have 60 rooms booked,” Langlade said.

“We already have well over 100 rooms on arrival on the 4th of May; so we are looking for record occupancy of well over almost 4,000 room nights guaranteed for the month of May,” he continued.

This is despite major challenges faced in December 2018 when foreign construction workers hired to speed up the multi-million-dollar facility reportedly returned home after complaining about low pay, poor living conditions and being duped by the managers.

However, in preparation for their May opening, Langlade said the Royalton signed 400 new employees on Friday at the Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre, 99 percent of whom are from Antigua and Barbuda.

“It’s almost exclusively Antiguan,” Langlade said as he expressed his desire to incorporate the local community in the operation of the beachfront hotel.

According to Travel Weekly, Royalton’s portfolio will feature six one-bedroom bungalows that will include “butler service, personal fitness and yoga classes, an infinity plunge pool, a hammock, a living area, a bedroom and bath, entry from a private dock, and a glass floor.

“Resort amenities for all guests include reservation-free a la carte dining at seven restaurants, five bars and a cafe, free calls to North America and most of Europe, 24-hour room service, mixology classes, dance lessons, a spa, a casino, a Clubhouse Kids Club and the Hangout Teen Lounge,” the magazine detailed.

And just as extravagant as the hotel are the nightly rates of US $1,800.

Noting the high prices, the general manager said management is “keen on bringing back the local community to the hotel so we will have special opening rates which will feature day passes, evening passes”.

He said a casino – though not operated by the hotel – will be accessible to the public through evening passes. Social events and meetings will also be held at the resort.

Last year, the Deep Bay resort – then called the Royal Antiguan Resort – was sold to the Canadian company, Sunwing Travel Group, for US $27 million.

This occurred after the previous owner – Issa Nicholas of Trinidad and Tobago – purchased the hotel for US $18 million in 2004 with a performance clause to spend US $12 million to upgrade it to a first-class conference centre, but it was instead left in a dilapidated state.

The resort will be Royalton’s first property on the island. It currently has resorts in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and two in Mexico. The Royalton Grenada is slated to open in December.

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