Above: the Malliouhana Hotel in Anguilla

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Auberge Resorts has been tapped to manage and rebrand the Malliouhana Hotel & Spa in Anguilla.

The 55-room property, which shuttered in May 2011, was acquired by Chicago-based Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners earlier this month, which plans to make significant improvements to the property.

“We are delighted to be chosen to put the landmark Malliouhana back in the spotlight and restore it to its former glory,” said Mark Harmon, Chief Executive Officer at Auberge Resorts. “Malliouhana’s timeless grace and character are unparalleled, and we believe that the addition of Auberge’s signature style of service, cuisine and spa experiences will be hugely attractive to Caribbean-bound luxury travelers.”

The hotel had been privately owned by the same family for 25 years. It is located on 20 acres of beachfront on Meads Bay and Turtle Cove.

AJ and the government of Anguilla signed a Memorandum of Understanding Feb. 1.

The company owns the Isle de France hotel in St Barth.

Auberge said it was planning a “top-to-bottom” design update, with the design team to be announced in the next few weeks.

Auberge’s portfolio includes the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colo. and the Auberge du Soleil in California’s Napa Valley.

The redevelopment of the property is expected to cost $80 million, according to the government.

Between 45 and 90 rooms could be added under the plan.