The Rosalie Bay Eco-Resort and Spa is scheduled to re-open in February 2020, while construction work has begun for the Sanctuary Rain Forest Eco-Resort & Spa in Providence Laudat. Rosalie Bay is owned by Bev Deikel and Patrick Oscar, but the hotel and spa was forced to close down following the double impacts of Hurricanes Maria and Erika. But two years on, the hotel management has decided to open their doors once more.
General Manager Avril Coipel said the resort will protect natural wildlife in its vicinity as well as uphold environmental sustainability for which the entire Dominica is known. She said the remarkable transformation that has occurred in the country in the two years since the hurricanes is enough motivation for re-opening the resort.
“The commitment of the Government and people of Dominica to recover and rebuild, the importance of the resort of the local economy and the support of past guests, well-wishers and the international travel community provided sufficient impetus to reopen the property”, Coipel stated.
She said reopening the resort would not pose much difficulty since there are basic structures to fall back on in rebuilding the facility. She said the architectural elements of the resort are still in place and vulnerable areas will be reinforced for better service. According to her, the solar power grid for the resort has been installed and the damaged Norwin wind turbined has been repaired and will resume function when the resort opens.
“We are committed to making our contribution to national development with a property that is owned by Dominicans, managed by Dominicans, and staffed by Dominicans and look forward to once again welcoming guests to our unique island,” Coipel revealed.
Before the resort closed two years ago, it had 85 staff in its employ with most of them employed from surrounding villages such as Grand Fond, Riviere Cyrinque, and La Plaine among others. The loss of jobs for the 85 employees affected an estimated 300 people in their families, but this will be reversed with the employment of staffs again. The reopening will ensure the employment of joiners, plumbers, electricians, tour guides and taxi drivers among other service providers.
Rosalie Bay had 28 luxury hotel rooms and suites before the hurricanes, but 26 will be available when it reopens early next year. It also had two luxury bedroom villas which are powered by wind and solar energy, but these will be restored and start functioning again before the end of next year.
Meanwhile, the PRO for Vitals Developers Limited, owners of Sanctuary Rain Forest Eco-Resort and Spa, Samantha Julien-Fontaine, said their resort construction is underway and it will also resume operations by 2020.
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