GRENADA (Jan. 22, 2008) � The luxurious, award-winning
Spice Island Beach Resort (www.spiceislandbeachresort.com) in Grenada is
celebrating the completion of 20 years under the ownership, guidance and
vision of Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG. Sir Royston purchased the
then-named Spice Island Inn on Sept. 7, 1987 and began a two-decade journey
to cultivate his dream of creating a luxurious, high-caliber resort, unrivalled
in elegance, style and service in the Caribbean.
�Building Spice into the top-class, high-end resort that it is today
has been my passion from the beginning,� said Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG.
�I consider myself extremely lucky that I can enjoy such tremendous satisfaction
in seeing my dream for Spice come to fruition,� he added.
A History of Spice & Luxury
In 1969, Sir Royston and a group of investors bought the 20-room Spice
Island Inn (originally built in 1961) and within the year they increased
the suite count to 30. Seeking to bring to life his vision of a magnificent
oasis by the sea, Sir Royston purchased a majority interest in Spice Island
Inn in 1987 and became owner and chairman of the property.
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Under his skillful stewardship, the property grew from 28 to 56 suites
by 1991 and was renamed the Spice Island Beach Resort. In 2000, the
resort underwent a $6 million transformation and re-opened on Dec. 2 of
that year as the �NEW� Spice Island Beach Resort, showcasing 66 elegant
suites, a new spa, and a new restaurant and bar, along with many enhanced
services and amenities, further elevating the level of luxury at the property.
Then, in September 2004, Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada and destroyed 75
percent of Spice Island Beach Resort. Not to be daunted, Sir Royston
instead became inspired and set forth on his most ambitious project yet
� to oversee the rebirth of Spice Island Beach Resort. A massive
$12 million rebuilding and restyling effort began with some of the greatest
minds in the business � FL-based Kobi Karp Inc., who was charged with the
architectural and interior design, and Talma Mills Studios of Barbados,
responsible for redesigning the eight-acre grounds and creating the exterior
lighting concept.
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The Hopkin Family
(from left) Janelle, Sir Royston,
Lady Hopkin and Nerissa Hopkin
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The property re-opened in December 2005 and unveiled an unmatched level
of accommodations and unprecedented brand of chic style and timeless luxury
in the Caribbean. No expense was spared � new hardwood furniture
produced in the Far East, Italian porcelain tiles, Hansgrohe bathroom fixtures
designed by Phillip Starck, Frette linens and bathrobes, Dermalogica spa
products, and Molton Brown bath and body amenities are just a sample of
what awaits guests at Spice Island Beach Resort. For pictures of
the property, please visit http://www.spicebeachresort.com/imagelibrary
or for a virtual tour, click on http://www.spicebeachresort.com/VirtualTours.htm.
During the time of the rebuilding, Sir Royston was graciously conferred
the Knighthood title for his contributions to tourism in Grenada in the
New Year�s Honors of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. Sir
Royston is proudly the only Caribbean hotelier ever knighted by the Queen
of England, done so for his long-time dedication to the development and
promotion of Caribbean tourism.
�I feel truly blessed in my career, and I anticipate with joy what
the future holds for Spice Island Beach Resort,� Sir Royston noted.
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Spice Island Beach Resort
Grand Anse Beach
St. George�s, Grenada, West Indies
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Spice Island Beach Resort
Spice Island Beach Resort features 64 elegantly-appointed suites, the
full-service Janissa�s Spa, a Cybex® fitness center, Oliver�s beachside
gourmet restaurant, the Sea & Surf Terrace for refreshing cocktails
throughout the day, a central swimming pool with swim-up whirlpool, an
Omnicourt® tennis court, the Nutmeg Pod children�s activity center,
the Gatsby Boutique and more.
Fully-inclusive rates cover accommodations; breakfast, lunch and dinner
daily; afternoon tea; beverages including house wine at dinner; non-motorized
watersports such as snorkeling, kayaking and Hobie Cat sailing; tennis;
golf greens fees at the nine-hole Grenada Golf Club; and concierge and
room service. Rates start at $805 per room, per night.
The growing list of accolades for the resort�s high-caliber �Spice
of Life� vacation experience is impressive, including official acceptance
as a member of the esteemed Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection;
the coveted AAA Four Diamond Rating® for 2007; Condé Nast Johansens�
�Most Excellent Business Partner� (February 2007); Virgin Holidays� Gold
distinction for the Number One Hotel in the company�s Platinum Collection
(November 2007); and Green Globe Benchmark Certification in recognition
of Spice�s environmental consciousness. Spice was also named one
of the Caribbean�s Best Small Hotels (20-74 rooms) in the annual Caribbean
Travel & Life Reader�s Choice Awards survey and a Best Luxury � World
Hotel by TripAdvisor® in its 2006 Travelers� Choice� awards. |
