Above: a rendering of the hotel
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
Kittitian Hill. Park Hyatt. Koi. Imperial.
While it’s the Caribbean’s smallest sovereign country, its hotel sector is anything but.
Plainly, St Kitts’ hotel sector is booming, with the latest the addition of a new Embassy Suites hotel project to a pipeline that includes a range of new projects across price points.
The deal, which was announced this week, would bring the Eastern Caribbean its first Embassy Suites and St Kitts yet another brand in what has become a hotel boom.
In fact, the country’s government said last year it planned to double the island’s hotel stock within three years.
The latest came this week when Hilton Hotels announced the debut of a 226-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel in the first quarter of 2017.
Currently under construction in Pelican Bay, the $90 million condo hotel complex is an approved Citizenship by Investment project, a programme that has been driving much of the hotel development growth.
It will offer two restaurants and a beach bar; an infinity pool; a fitness center; spa; kids’ club; and more than 3,000 square-feet of meeting space. Signature spacious suites (all with Caribbean views) will feature separate living areas, a private bedroom; and a wet bar equipped with a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker.
“We welcome Hilton Hotels to the island,” said Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. “Their upscale Embassy Suites brand will serve as an excellent complement to the diverse mix of our current hotel product and it is well-aligned with the direction of our strategic plan for the continued development of our tourism industry.”
Embassy Suites by Hilton St Kitts will be located in Pelican Bay, a seven-acre private cove on the Caribbean side of the island bordered by a beach.
The resort will be Hilton’s first property in St Kitts & Nevis.
“We look forward to introducing the Embassy brand to beautiful St Kitts and Nevis,” said John Rogers, global head, Embassy Suites Hotels. “The prime location of this resort, coupled with Embassy’s full service offerings, ample space and guest-desired inclusive amenities will drive this hotel’s leisure travel appeal and strengthen the area’s accommodation options.”