Old Sonesta To Become ‘Princess Beach Club’
The Green Family confirmed that they will redevelop the former Sonesta Beach Hotel as the Princess Beach Club, and said that — pending planning approval — the beach club is expected to be completed by Spring 2015.
The Greens purchased the property last year, which followed after their purchase of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess in 2012.
The new beach club will be located on Sinky Beach, one of three beaches on the property, and will include an open-air pavilion on the beach.
Six small cabanas with space for up to four people each will also be available for rent. Food and beverages will be available through waiter service for guests on the beach, under the pavilion or from their private cabana.
Aerial view of the property:
The facilities are initially being offered exclusively for guests of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. All facilities are being built so they can be moved quickly in the event of inclement weather.
These plans have been adjusted from the original plans at Boat’s Bay, announced in November 2013.
Alexander Green, on behalf of the family, says: “We are pleased to be moving forward with the development of our beach club facility. Beach facilities are a popular amenity for international travellers and we are excited to add this option for our guests.”
Planned layout of the Princess Beach Club, click to enlarge:
Andrew Green also commented that: “We are delighted to be able to provide our hotel guests with access to a stunning beachside location, which we believe is one of Bermuda’s best assets.
“We are still looking at doing further developments for the property down the line but these new plans allow us to get the Princess Beach Club up and running by next summer.”
Since the announcement of initial infrastructure work in November 2013, buildings have been demolished and additional landscaping is currently underway.
Is there something happening in tourism? We have this, we have the overhaul of the Hamilton Princess, we have a buyer for the Belmont, Pink Beach is being redeveloped …..
Jeremy…why do you make the implicit assumption that Bermuda cannot GROW it’s tourism industry? That is one of the main mandates of the BTA, and they are working very hard to achieve where the Bda Dept of Tourism failed year upon year.
If it sn’t shrinking that’s an improvement over the past 20 years.
There is nothing of the kind implicit in my comment. You have made that leap. It is saying that something IS happening ….. after all the platinum years, the false dawns and broken promises it is good to see that something IS happening ….
Oh, I also forgot the mention the Grand Atlantic… suddenly there is light at the end of the tunnel?
So does that means that Princess don’t have to block off a part of Horseshoe Bay for their Private Parties anymore ?
Don’t like that plan could haved build a family time sharing and build a fun water park also a area for adults like a club at night a beach by day since its 3 beaches
I think your innovative business ideas explain why the Greens could afford to buy the Sonesta property and you couldn’t.
Why are you being so rude to this person you do not even know? It’s just his/her opinion.
LOL nice one
water park would lose soooo much money. Being that close to the salt water (maintenance issues) and lack of people it would be a money pit.
Sure every Bermudian says they will go but realistically you will only go 3-4 times a year. Water parks are super expensive to operate and im sure you know just as well as everyone else, electricity aint cheap on this island.
There used to be a water park there in early 2000′s but was a complete disaster. While a great idea, simply not logical for Bermuda, especially in that area. But I like where your heads at…night club is a great idea.
Funny how BEST had so much to say when those guys wanted to put up temporary facilities at Warwick long bay for a beach bar/restaurant.
BEST also had a lot to say about the cliff at Grand Atlantic as well. Funny how they are silent on that redevelopment as well.
In the update provided last week it was noted the new developer will be reinforcing the cliff face and had procured planning permission for the full redevelopment.
As the site has already been built upon what point is there protesting any further?
“BEST has a duty to research and comment on those properties. Not so with privately owned.”
BEST does not have a mandate to only comment on public properties. In fact, BEST has commented on both public and private properties in the past.
Difference is..
Warwick Long Bay and Government Property (Public Park) – virgin dunes,
Old Sonesta site – brown site development and private property.
exactly, although folks like watching do not see the difference. However, if I walked into his house to watch his 50 inch TV I bet he would take issue….
BEST has discussed brownfield versus greenfield sites ad nauseaum yet people still don’t get it. If people stopped yapping and started listening half of these discussions wouldn’t even happen. St
Probably because this site has been developed on before, while the South Shore venue you mentioned has always remain untouched and unspoiled. A big draw for many vistors and local alike.
Difference is a private beach vs a public beach
Developing the public beach would be a mistake.
Great news that someone is developing this beautiful location. Should be a great tourism asset. I am glad that the Greens are investing so much in Bermuda. To the naysayers: How could you possibly find fault?
Watching…….ones public, ones private, what don’t you understand?!?
BEST has historically commented on properties both private and public.
So what? Do you think Best should take issue with every single development that takes place? That’s ridiculous.
If it looks ugly and harms the environment I guess Best might say something. If not, it won’t. Like always.
why even tell the public, its for rich folk only
It is for Hotel guests, you know the tourists that spend money in our economy.
It is a development, you know the type that provides construction jobs for Bermudians.
It will require staffing and food and beverage services, you know the industries that also provide jobs?
But your worried about ‘rich folk’. They are all we have to make our economy work, unless your planning on opening up a factory, farm or mine any time soon?
The ignorance is astounding!
…But your worried about ‘rich folk’. They are all we have to make our economy work, unless your planning on opening up a factory, farm or mine any time soon?” I also agree ignorance is astounding!
Maybe they’ll allow the public to visit the beach as part of the development?
Sure, rich people who fly to Bermuda for expensive vacations that are one of the keys to our economy. Do you have a problem with that?
Yep, too bad Paul. Get rich working hard, or off to Clearwater with ya.
I see a re-branding in Hamilton princess future.
Anyone remember the color of money?
More to this than meets many eyes.
Shalom.
I would like to propose that we get rid of the expensive BTA and employ Green&co. They seem to be the people moving the tourism product along. This family has certainly put their money where their mouth is for Bermuda. Thank you Green family, you have put the fire under a few tourism initiatives.
That’s a dangerous proposal there girl… Just a little bit more sinister then the BTA , but not by much !
Could you explain what you are trying to say ‘coffee’? Why is it dangerous? What is sinister about the BTA? Do you mean ‘than’ and not then?
In a nutshell, we are economically bankrupt as a country. We need revenue producing projects. We do not need to be spending exorbitant amounts of money with no return, like the BTA to date. Money that we have borrowed at that. The Green family has done more for tourism in the last 4 years than these two political parties who are so entwined in bureaucracy have done in the last 15 years.
Open your mind to the big real world or wake up and smell the COFFEE!
Yawn … I would hope that the Greens would spend their own money to advertise their product , Hamiltonn Princess . What’s sinister is that we , the Bermudian public through the sham BTA must foot the bill advertising private hotels under the guise of promoting Bermuda , but I would have thought that a grammar police officer would have known that !
Interesting how some folks really don’t get it……
As the Minister of Finance “SAID”
Money does not grow on trees.
Money comes from outside of Bermuda.
And we are “IN-DEBT” to about (5)Billion dollars so far
And the “BLOOD SUCKING Civil Service wants Government to “BORROW” more just so they can get paid.
No one goes to Bermuda because it’s too expensive. I can spend 1/4th the money and go all inclusive almost anywhere else in the Caribbean