Baha Mar’s Grand Hyatt to open Dec. 17; SLS and Rosewood in Feb.

Baha Mar’s Grand Hyatt will open as a bubble on December 17, with no one else besides guests and employees allowed on the property, the mega resort’s President Graeme Davis said yesterday, adding that the SLS and Rosewood towers will likely open in February.

Davis said Baha Mar, which has been closed since March due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, has invested heavily in sanitization measures, has employed a full-time safety director to ensure COVID-19 protocols are being followed and will be testing guests on arrival and employees weekly.

He added that the company has sourced thousands of rapid test kits at an “economical price point”.

“We believe strongly that we can create a safe travel bubble here at Baha Mar,” Davis said.

“We know that the government guidelines on arrival, the prior-to-arrival negative RT/PCR test, the fifth-day test, that is a significant improvement to ensure that we have our residents and citizens arriving back safely. 

“So, with those protocols in place, we feel this is the right time to open. This is that prime time for tourists to start thinking about their winter breaks as well, so it’s not just about opening up for the festive season, for Christmas, but also building that ramp-up of demand and occupancy for February, for March, for that winter season.

“People are ready to take a work vacation or maybe it’s an education vacation, where they can study here or work here remotely while they’re on vacation and work in a safe environment.”

Davis said many of Baha Mar’s retail shops, pools and restaurants will be open, as well as other amenities.

He said the safety of guests and employees will remain Baha Mar’s top priority.

While the property will not be open for Bahamians and residents to enjoy its features, Davis said Baha Mar will be happy to welcome them as guests of the hotel. 

“We welcome the local community to come stay overnight,” he said.

“We feel quite confident that we can create an exceptional experience for our guests and certainly a safe environment for them and for our associates and certainly the community.”

According to Davis, if any arriving guests test positive for COVID-19, the protocols announced Saturday by the Ministry of Tourism will go into effect, allowing an asymptomatic guest, after an RT/PCR test, to quarantine at the hotel or be flown back home.

Meantime, he said the company continues with the development of its water park Baha Bay and other investments it began before the start of the global pandemic.

A press statement issued by Baha Mar yesterday outlined those projects. “On-property construction continued throughout the resort’s temporary closure as part of phase two, a $300 million investment in the evolution of the integrated resort destination, including contemporary upgrades and improvements to Meliá Nassau Beach and other outdoor offerings, such as Baha Bay Beach Club, and Baha Bay, the all-new luxury aquatic experience, anticipated for completion in 2021; new dining including the debut of Sugar Factory, America’s favorite eatery and confectionery shop; and additions to the resort’s portfolio of luxury retail partnerships.”

The post Baha Mar’s Grand Hyatt to open Dec. 17; SLS and Rosewood in Feb. appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/baha-mars-grand-hyatt-to-open-dec-17-sls-and-rosewood-in-feb/