Harlequin Hotels spreads its Caribbean wings

St. Lucia hotel will reopen in April 2012 as “Blu” and will offer a new, quality experience.

CASTRIES, St Lucia, Wednesday March 21, 2012 – Harlequin Hotels & Resort now has a base in St. Lucia.

This comes as owner and developer of the planned Marquis Estate in Babonneau acquired the Village Inn and Spa in Rodney Bay, St. Lucia.

The agreement to purchase the property from Rainbow Investments Limited was finalized in early February in Castries, and Harlequin Developments has already commenced an extensive refurbishment program for the property.

The hotel will reopen in April 2012 as “Blu” and will offer a new, quality experience.

In keeping with its philosophy of strong support and involvement within the local community, Harlequin Hotels & Resorts chose to donate all the furniture and fixtures from the former Village Inn and Spa to two much deserved local charities: Transit Home New Beginnings and Ciceron.

Commenting on the donations, Garrett Ronan, Vice president of Hotel and Resort Development for Harlequin Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are very fortunate to have found Transit Home New Beginnings and Ciceron, and to have this opportunity to work with two such worthy St Lucian children’s charities.”

He later added that Harlequin was looking to work further with both charities to develop youth programs in the community with its sports and arts programs.

These include the Pat Cash Tennis Academy, Liverpool FC Academy Soccer School, Harlequin Performing Arts Academy, and the recently announced Buccament Bay Resort Cricket Academy in association with WICB.

Last year, after purchasing the Allamanda Hotel on the south coast of Barbados, Harlequin made a similar donation to the St. Philip South Foundation for Education (SPSFE). That organization was able to distribute the furniture to less privileged families in the St. Philip area, where Harlequin is steadily progressing on The Merricks Resort Show Village development.

Once concessions were granted by Government, work on the show village progressed quickly on the first phase of the multi-million dollar venture. Construction of the Show Village is already at roof level and should be completed in May 2012.

Dave Ames (Chairman of Harlequin Hotels & Resorts) and his team have also been working on the certification and launch of Harlequin Air. Based in St Lucia, Harlequin Air will provide a swift and seamless transfer service for guests arriving and departing from transatlantic and US flights, as well as international transfers to Harlequin’s other hotels and resorts.

Commenting on the exciting plans, Dave Ames said: ‘Harlequin is redefining luxury in the Caribbean and with the launch of Harlequin Air we aim to provide guests’ with a seamless experience from arrival in the Caribbean through to resort. We pride ourselves on constantly looking for new ways and initiatives to improve the luxury service that we offer our guests.’

Harlequin Air’s first two planes are registered locally and ready to start on final certification, which is anticipated to take place over the next few weeks. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)