BREAKING: New hotel and casino planned for St George's (Update 2)

A decision has been made to enter into an exclusive negotiation period with the Desarrollos Hotelco Group to construct a 348-room hotel, resort and casino at the former Club Med Property in St George’s.

This today from Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell, who told the House of Assembly it was “exciting news”.

He said the Desarollos was founded in 1996 and has developed many real estate properties in Latin America and the Caribbean, including the JW Marriott, The Marriott Playa Grande and the Renaissance InVenezuela, and, in December, the Ritz-Carlton in Aruba, which includes a casino and spa.

The company will also be building a Ritz-Carlton and a JW Marriott in the Turks & Caicos in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

No hotel brand was associated with this morning’s announcement but Minister Crockwell said it would be a “high-end luxury” brand.

The proposed development includes 248 hotel rooms, development of the St George’s Golf Course, 16 hotel residences, 24 golf villas, 16 estate residences (three and four bedrooms), spa and fitness centre, meeting rooms, ballroom located in Fort Victoria, casino, swimming pools, pool bar and grill, specialty restaurant located in Fort Albert.

Desarrollos was one of several groups that expressed interest in the St George’s property and one of five that submitted bids by the March 31 deadline. Desarrollos was one of two finalists.

Mr Crockwell said: “Their proven ability to deliver projects was evident.”