Salt Kettle To Change To Residential Rentals
After more than four decades of serving the visitor market, the Salt Kettle Guest House in Paget plans to transform itself from a small guest house to a five-unit residential rental offering in the coming year.
Opened in 1970 by Bobby and Hazel Lowe, the Salt Kettle Guest House has enjoyed a high return guest history spanning generations, and the family-owned property said they “hope to retain its appeal and traditional charm in a new design better suited to today’s needs.”
Its eight cottages and rooms accommodated twenty-two guests, and the casual atmosphere and cooked breakfast each morning attracted visitors from across Europe, the U.S. and Canada.
Salt Kettle has also been well received by residents, welcoming guests visiting for local weddings and special occasions.
Hazel Lowe [pictured], –named “1999″ Hotelier of The Year” — has been the Manageress of the property for the past 44 years, and with her four children often times assisting, has maintained its high standards.
They have now determined the next step for the property is its transformation to a what they said will be a “small tasteful residential complex.”
“With a total of five dwellings, two two-bedroom units, one one-bedroom and two studios the fully furnished residences will all enjoy water views and the convenience of a ferry stop just a minute away,” the family added.
Photo of the property via Salt Kettle’s Facebook page:
David Dodwell, Chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Authority commented, “I have always admired Hazel’s commitment to maintaining a first class tourism product on-island.
“She graciously greeted each guest as a member of the family and has made an indelible contribution to Bermuda’s tourism. I wish her and the family well on their new venture”.
Operations of the guest house will continue to mid January of next year. After a period of renovation, the new units will be available by early summer, managed by a local realtor.
Another one bites the dust . How very sad this news is going to be for their loyal repeat visitors who found that niche that only Salt Kettle could fill .
Hazel does deserve a little rest though .
“Indelible contribution to Bermuda’s tourism”. I think that sums it up Mr. David Dodwell…
I would like to take this opportunity to express how much I do admire Mrs. Hazel Lowe. Over the past 14 years that I’ve known her she has been / is so kind to so many especially us that are members of the Bermuda Stroke & Family Support Association. Many of them years she’d allowed us to celebrate our annual Christmas parties at Salt Kettle and it’s true, it was always a homely atmosphere
Indeed, it will be a great miss to countless people. May only good come to you and your family Mrs. Hazel Lowe.
Would be a nice place for me to reside.
Sad indeed , and what’s devastating is the fact that this is going down under the perfect government . Where is Shawn Crockwell ? Where is the MP from Paget ?
I don’t suppose a thought EVER crossed your mind as to why it is closing. Running a guest house is WORK. It is work 24/7. It is work everyday that a guest is in residence, even Christmas Day.
I don’t suppose you have ever had a job like that. The easy way is to be on the payroll of an organisation complete with holidays, sick days & set hours. No headaches. No responsibilities.
Hazel Lowe Has been running Salt Kettle as long as I can remember. Her now very mature children, if they are here, most likely have lives of their own & may not have any interest in the business. It happens.
Renting to Bermuda residents takes far less work though far less profitable. Everyone gets to a point in their lives when it is time to slow down.
Thanks Triangle Drifter. There’s a time in a persons life when they get to an age their physical health takes its toll and will not permit them to continue doing what they have enjoyed doing; therefore a change is inevitable.
So more tourist beds gone … Even less revenue for gov. And OBA shills run to the defense of the owners and their children … Somebody should have took over the reins at least a decade ago … I shall miss Hazels cat ..
So you’re full of advice on how private individuals should run their own private businesses all of a sudden.
What business do you run, out of interest? You seem to be such an expert.
If you must know , I’m lactose intolerant . Whenever I consume anything creamy I have to .. Well you could figure out the rest :/
Why is it when things happen under one governments watch it’s because of THAT Government (and one that’s been in power for such a short time)?
Playing devils advocate (and barring other reasons that have been mentioned by TD); could it be possible the this is related to the affect of the last Government.
How foolish of me to actually have a thought of my own. I’ll go back into sheep mode.
sMH
I don’t think that there is any property that has not suffered because of the utter botch up of the handling of tourism under the PLP regime. Look at how many beds have been lost.
However I suspect that a few have made it through inspite of the PLP. Salt Kettle is likey one of them. Sometimes it is the pull of the property & owner that brings people back. Time marches on & nobody should be expected to work to the very end of life because they do such a good job at what they do.
My heart is heavy at this news. I have countless memories of my many stays at Salt Kettle. I am honored to know Hazel as much more than a “hotelier”. Hazel is so much more to so many people. She has a heart larger than the island of Bermuda. Regular guests are so much more than guests….we were always treated as family. 20 years of memories….cocktail parties on the front lawn, the great red, white and blue party, pot luck dinners, BBQ’s, and Hazel’s special birthday bash! Memories that will forever be in my heart.
20 years of being close friends with the staff…..Betty, Madree, Margie, Anita, Digna, Moui….we have shared so much together and again, memories!!!
I wish you luck in this new venture, I truly do, but there will always be a part of me wishing it would never end. Hazel, you are a Bermudian icon, but you are so, so very much more to so many people…to me!
Sue
a lot of the Lowes’ regular guests will be VERY sorry to hear this news!
Jim and I can echo the sentiments of others because Salt Kettle House was like a second home to us. We have returned to SKH every year but one, since 2000. There, of course, was always the beauty of Bermuda to enjoy each year, but more than that, it was our opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with Hazel, her family and wonderful staff. Like the others, we were very sad and disappointed when John called with the news about the upcoming changes so that we would have time to book another location for our annual visit in April 2015. We look forward to a visit with Hazel on the lawn at Salt Kettle House. All the best to Hazel, her family, Digna and Muoi.
Until then…
Jim and Eileen Minett
I think it’s a shame for all those European visitors who found salt kettle an affordable guest house to stay in, against the rather more expensive hotels around the island. However I believe salt kettle needs to change with regards to renovation – especially the decor inside the rooms as it is quite outdated. Perhaps Hazel’s children now have other priorities than running a guest house and its time to move on.
This news is terribly sad, I have been visiting since it opened, have grown up with Hazels children, brought my own children to enjoy this special place and have so many happy memories. The decision would have been made after much heart ache, I guess, but the world is very different from that of the 70s. The extraordinary dedication with which Hazel, her team and her family have worked will be remembered and appreciated by many guests across the world. This unique gem of a bygone age, nestling now amongst 21st century accommodations, may become much like others so pray this will not transform Salt Kettle House beyond recognition. With heavy heart, I say thank you, and hope one day to be able to return, to the rental accommodation. I would return knowing it will never be the same, as indeed nothing in this life can last forever.
With love to Hazel, her family and team. Erica (David/Scott)
Coffee, this is about semi-retirement for the owners, not a lack of tourists,
Not sure if I agree with their strategy on the cusp of the America’s Cup though, they could make a lot during the races. But, perhaps they simply want an easy life and I can’t fault that at all.
Tourisn is going well if you ask me. We are now renting an apartment to tourists and the place has been booked since May. Some people can’t afford the big hotels, some can easily but refuse to pay the high prices. Bermudians will quietly revive tourism by doing this, I hope lots of people do so too. We can all benefit.
Tourism going well for you but at least six staff out of work by this decision ! I wonder how many will be seeking financial aid ?
Granted, it is a shame that x amount of staff members will be no-longer required but just maybe they too are ready to either retire full time or semi-retire.
Furthermore, I do not believe Mrs. Hazel Lowe nor her family will turn their backs upon their loyal staff members.
Well in that case coffee at least six people have enjoyed good jobs for the last 40+ years. It’s obvious why it’s taking this course. To most of us.
Mrs.Lowe is a wonderful lady. Put your feet up and relax,you deserve it!
Many happy memories and on-going love and respect for the Lowe family. I met Hazel 60 years ago when she and Bobby were visiting Bobby’s mother Bessie. Hazel is no spring chicken, though she surely acts like one! Enjoy your retirement dear Hazel. xox
Mr Coffee obviously has an “ENTITLEMENT” mentality,and works for Goverment,might even be a Bus Driver who get (14)weeks sick leave and takes them beside vacation and public holidays and $90 dollars an hour to work on a Sunday.
Aceboy is correct as our economy is evolving but from the previous Administration we cannot continue to borrow $276Million dollar per year to keep the Government going.
A “BALANCED” Budget will have to come some day,or a collapse.
Nope not even close , you must be talking about Mr.Baron . Did you ever wonder what perks he is ENTITLED TO . I bet he demands thrice the average bus drivers salary !
So where do you work?
In Bermuda …. Any more questions ?
Yep. How many guest houses and hotels closed down under the PLP?
Did we stop counting when it reached 70?
Hazel = Legend.
Our hearts and ongoing love go out to Hazel, Suzie, John, Michael, and Jane at this transitional time. We respect and understand that this decision was not made easily, but is the best for the entire family. We shall always consider the Lowe’s as our extended family and shall continue to visit each and every July.
How did salt kettle get its’ name?…did some one there boil sea water and use the salt?……who did it?
You can find the answer to that on their website .
Short answer is that it was less to do with traditional definition of a kettle, but the kettle was a pan area, usually cut out from the rock, where they could trap sea water from high tide, to dry it out for the salt during the low tide. It meet with some success here, but our environment was not optimal, which is why many of the early Bermudian settlers then emigrated, to Trinidad and Tobago I believe, where they could more readily produce salt to exported back to Bermuda, for use on merchant fleets and the British navy and other counttries in the British empire.
Just heard the tragic news about Hazel’s passing. I find it kind of creepy but I had a premonition about Hazel passing several weeks ago when I read the news about SKH changing ownership. She was a wonderful lady and the few encounters my wife and I had with her on our three trips to Bermuda in the 1980′s and 90′s left us with a feeling that Hazel was basically offering us a home away from home. Living in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S it was always a bit of a challenge finding time and money to visit your beautiful islands but Hazel, among many other friendly Bermudians always made it worth the trip. However, it did cross my mind a few weeks ago that I have known many people who, after retiring from something they love (and no question Hazel loved her job), oftentimes pass fairly quickly. I pray to the Lord that Hazel thoroughly enjoyed her short time after retiring before she was taken to what is probably a beautiful guesthouse in heaven where she will obviously take charge immediately and charm the socks off everyone.