“Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa is one of Bermuda’s landmark tourism properties that has proven to be an integral part of the island’s overall hotel inventory,” said the Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Sen. Owen K. Darrell JP following a recent visit to the hotel.
“Grotto Bay is currently undergoing significant renovations, and I was pleased to be able to tour the hotel to see the work taking place to revitalise this classic resort.”
During the Minister’s tour, he met with Grotto Bay Beach Hotel & Spa Managing Director JP Martens, General Manager Rob de Bekker, and Catering Manager Claire Anne Raynor. During his discussions with the hotel leadership, he received a progress update on the hotel’s plans as it enters the busy summer season.
Minister Darrell added, “The level of investment into the resort’s expansion project is a testament to the confidence placed in Bermuda’s tourism product. Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa is one of the tourism stakeholders to benefit from recent amendments to the Tourism Investment Act 2017 (TIA) which grants the Minister responsible for Tourism greater discretion to grant relief to developers or investors in new or refurbished hotels, new or existing restaurants, and tourism attractions. I thank the resort, developers, and hotel staff for their taking bold and innovative steps to enhance Grotto Bay’s product offering.”
Mr. Martens explained, “The expanded and newly decorated Palm Court Dining Room and guest bathrooms in the Great House are due to open the week of May 5th, as part of phase one of the expansion project. The beach extension consists of renovations to the beach terrace which will increase beach seating by 40%, with work due to be completed by the end of this month.”
The Minister was advised that the hotel is anticipating further work on the Hibiscus Dining Room, the East Dining Room, and the Panorama Lounge to be completed at the end of May, end of June, and mid-July, respectively.
As a note, several local tourism properties have been granted relief under the Tourism Investment Act 2017 to support development, including the Bermudiana Beach Resort, Ariel Sands, Cambridge Beaches, Rosewood Bermuda, Nautilus Hotel, and Azura Bermuda.
The Ministry continues to partner with its industry stakeholders to strengthen Bermuda’s tourism sector to develop and grow our local economy.