June 23, 2009 --Cayman Brac's Alexander Hotel opened on Wednesday, 17 June, capping nearly a year-and-a-half of construction, marking the newest tourism development on the Sister Island and providing nearly 25 jobs.

Owner, developer and builder Cleveland Dilbert said the Alexander Hotel, named after his late father, offered 29 single rooms and two two-bedroom suites, and was open for business after completing the final electrical installation.

"We finally got our hotel open, and will have a formal opening at the end of next month, but today we finally got the electrical in 100 percent, and so are open for business," he said.

"I'm afraid we're sold out through the weekend, although we may have one or two rooms left, but we're open for anyone. It's a first-class, five-star place."

Mr Dilbert, who owns the Big Daddy's retail liquor chain, and both Mezza and Hammerhead's restaurants in George Town, broke ground on the site, overlooking Saltwater Pond, about 16 months ago.

"I built the place myself. I do it all. We had a crew of about 10 helping out at times," he said.

Repeatedly delayed by various complications, most recently Hurricane Paloma in November 2008, the 20,000 square-foot hotel boasts wide sea vistas and a 50-seat restaurant, all three minutes from the airport.

"The restaurant is fantastic," Mr Dilbert said, denying he had pre-judged what he descried as its "international cuisine".

"I own Mezza and Hammerheads, and I've already eaten three or four times at the hotel. The food is fantastic. Anyone can come, there is a sea view, you can take photos."

He declined to detail construction costs, however, saying only that "it was too much, for sure, but I don't want to put a number on it".

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