Plush resort for port repair workers

A group of expatriate workers involved in the Heritage Wharf project are living at the exclusive Cambridge Beaches resort, the Bermuda Sun can reveal.

The specialist construction workers have been given a discounted rate during their stay.

A total of 22 foreign workers have been brought into Bermuda to help complete the overhaul of the berth that has to be finished by the time the Norwegian Breakaway arrives on May 15.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works would not say what the discounted rate was or how many of the workers were staying at the idyllic hotel.

Nightly rates

The normal rate for visitors at this time of year is $460 a night for a standard room, while local rates vary between $199 and $200 a night.

It remains unclear whether Government is also paying for the workers’ food and transportation.

The spokesperson told the Bermuda Sun: “While the expat workers have been staying at Cambridge Beaches, this accommodation has been provided at discounted rate.”

Shadow Works Minister, Derrick Burgess, said: “You can look at this two ways. By staying at Cambridge Beaches there is more work for the hotel and its employees.

“But my major concern would be what that discounted rate is because it is ok for them to stay as it generates work there but if we are paying exorbitant rates per day that is not good.”

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Public Works on March 7 Minister Trevor Moniz said: “We are grateful for the provision of accommodation at a significantly discounted rate from a local hotel in what is we believe a mutually beneficial arrangement.

“It is gratifying to see Bermudians pulling together to help complete what is admittedly a huge challenge and hope that these examples of cooperation and assistance continue to help us along the way.”

The Bermuda Sun contacted Cambridge Beaches, but hotel boss Clarence Hofheins said he would rather not comment on the arrangement.