Caravanserai to add 150
rooms in US $10 M expansion
project – Resort hopes to
open its own casino –
BEACON HILL--Caravanserai Beach Resort will add 150 ocean view rooms to its complex in the coming months at a cost of some US $10,000,000, the resort announced during the weekend. The additional rooms will be spread out over four buildings.
The resort says it is also poised to open its own casino to be named “Dunes” to complete the entertainment package it offers to guests and other visitors.
It also hopes to have the expanded property managed by a brand name hotel.
With the expansion, the resort will come into consideration for a casino permit, as it will meet the number of rooms required for a permit as stated in the Island Government’s Casino Policy.
The owners of Caravanserai Beach Resort are confident that their expansion plans, in addition to bringing additional hotel rooms to the island, will boost employment and income for the government coffers. “Based on the current occupancy and financial results of the resort, there is no doubt that the expansion will be very successful,” the resort said in its press release.
Architectural designs and drawings are expected to be finished by the end of this month and will be presented to the Executive Council and the press upon completion, the resort said.
The expansion plan will require an additional 50 employees to service the new rooms and hotel areas.
Talks between the resort and some major international hotel chains are underway and the immediate goal is to have one of these hotel chains take over management once the expansion is finalised, thus giving the island another brand-name resort, the statement continued.
“There is nobody in St. Maarten who doubts the importance of attracting brand-name hotel chains to the island and the impact it has on tourism in general is more than welcome.”
The resort owners committed themselves seven years ago to the development of St. Maarten and Caravanserai Beach Resort is now proving its intention “to make it even better” by this substantial investment to create a top entertainment centre with quality accommodations, exciting gaming and an exquisite ‘wine and dine” experience, according to the statement.
“The key to success is being able to offer tourists an ‘all-under-one-roof’ concept, because this is what they are asking for. Caravanserai Beach Resort holds the key.”
The resort already features five restaurants: Bamboo Bernie’s, Palm Garden, Bliss, Dragon Gate and Sunset Beach Bar.
