By Alexander Britell
Is this a game-changing hotel for the Out Islands of the Bahamas?
The Bahamian government has signed a “heads of agreement” for a $200 million luxury resort in the Exumas.
The eco-friendly resort will be located on Children’s Bay Cay and Williams Cay, both 15 minutes off the northern coast of Barraterre, Exuma.
“The resort will add to the economic and social development of the Exumas and will certainly be another bright spot in The Bahamas archipelago of Islands,”said Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie. “Among its benefits is the high-end branding affiliated with a prominent European family; and diversification of the tourism industry in the form of a 5-star experience for high net worth individuals.”
The owner of the project is Dona Bertarelli, member of the Swiss family whose business interests include the five-star Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad.
Children’s Bay Cay, Bahamas
One island, Chidlren’s Bay Cay, will be developed into a five-star resort with a 50-room hotel and five over-the-water “pavilions.” The island will also see a marina village with restaurants and a small cinema complex, a nature center, a marine park and a 20-slip marina.
“As a further demonstration of the Developer’s respect for the environment, a nature park is planned for the uninhabited Windsock Cay, which lies about ¼ of a mile off Children’s Bay Cay,” he added.
Williams Cay will be a private section of the resort, including an 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Fazio, Christie said.
“The Cay will have 15-20 villas; the over-the-water pavilions; a welcome center; a villa owner club house; nature trails; biking and jogging trails; and seaplane and helipad facilities,” he added. “A bridge will link Children’s Bay Cay and Williams Cay.”
Christie assured that the hotel’s architecture would take into consideration the topography and the natural environment.
“Most of the natural landscaping will remain intact and unspoiled,” he said.