New Operator for Two Top Resorts in St Thomas, USVI
The two newest resorts in St Thomas now have new operators, Caribbean Journal has learned.
Marriott’s Westin Beach Resort and Spa and Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort at Frenchman’s Reef in St Thomas have tapped Davidson Hospitality Group as their new operator.
The properties reopened last year following a large-scale renovation after shuttering in the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017.
The two properties combine for 486 rooms and suites, 10 restaurants and bars, a spa and around 85,000 square feet of meeting space.
Aimbridge Hospitality had been operating the resorts. Fortress Investment Group, which owns the hotels, did not reveal a specific reason for the change.
“We saw tremendous potential to rebuild and reimagine the properties of Frenchman’s Reef, and after a truly transformational $400 million renovation, we are excited to see these new resorts reestablish their place as an iconic and idyllic Caribbean escape,” said Tom Pulley, Fortress Global Head of Real Estate. “We are confident that the Davidson Resorts team shares our uncompromising vision and approach to delivering an experience that discriminating travelers will cherish for many years to come.”
Davidson’s portfolio includes 86 hotels and resorts, along with 200 restaurants across the United States, under brands like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Kimpton and Nobu, among others.
The two resorts are Davidson’s first in the Caribbean.
“We are so proud to be stewards of these extraordinary resorts in an unparalleled, vibrant destination,” said Davidson Hospitality Group Chief Executive Officer & President Thom Geshay. “We are uniquely equipped to drive exceptional performance and create value for our partners while also delivering enriching guest experiences through the leadership of Davidson Resorts, which is comprised of some of the world’s most respected and celebrated resort veterans that truly understand the nuances of managing complex resorts.”
The change comes as the US Virgin Islands has been experiencing a continued tourism boom.
The dual-resort complex played host to the recent US Virgin Islands Tourism Summit last month.
Alexander Britell is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caribbean Journal and one of the top experts on Caribbean travel worldwide, with decades of on-the-ground travel to the region and comprehensive knowledge of the entire Caribbean Basin.
