Today, Hilton announces its debut in the U.S. Virgin Islands with the opening of Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas, a 126-room hotel located directly across from Havensight Mall and overlooking Long Bay. This milestone marks a strategic addition to Hilton's growing presence in the Caribbean, where it currently welcomes guests at approximately 50 hotels.
The Hotel Development and Finance Program Act (HDA) is a program created by the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) government through its Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA). The USVI is a territory of the United States located in the Caribbean Basin and includes the four main islands of St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and the smaller Water Island, as well as dozens of other minor islands. To be eligible for HDA benefits, a project must be located on one of the four named islands.The first benefit available through the HDA is the hotel occupancy tax (HOT) rebate. Hotel guests on the Islands are currently charged a 12.5% tax on rooms revenue, and investors can apply to receive an annual rebate of half or all of that tax for up to 30 years.Another incentive available to properties with a gaming operation is the Designated Casino Tax rebate. Properties that generate revenues through gambling offerings are subject to taxes of 8.0% of gross revenues from gaming operations in years one and two, 10.0% in years three and four, and 12.0% thereafter. Similar to the HOT, investors can apply for a rebate of either half of the casino tax or the full amount for up to 30 years.The third component of the HDA is the Economic Recovery Fee (ERF). The ERF incentive was added to the HDA following the particularly devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Investors can apply to have an ERF tax (up to 7.5% of rooms revenue) added to their property’s guest bills. This tax would then be returned to the investor annually as a rebate for up to 30 years.These incentives are intended to offset development costs (including redevelopment, renovation, and new construction) incurred by investors in hospitality projects (largely hotels and resorts) on the Islands that are oriented towards tourists and visitors. Thus, the HOT, Designated Casino Tax, and/or ERF benefits will expire after either ownership’s recoupment of the property’s development costs (excluding operating costs and owner-funded capital improvements after the initial investment), or a maximum period of 30 years.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is pleased to announce the appointment of Kathy Diamos as the resort's new Spa Director. With 18 years of experience in the luxury hotel and spa industry, Diamos brings an impressive background and wealth of expertise to elevate the resort's current wellness offerings.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is proud to announce the appointment of Laura Jarvinen as General Manager. With over 25 years of experience in the luxury hospitality sector, Jarvinen brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of success to the esteemed 180-room resort.
Leading hospitality management firm, Hotel Equities (“HE”), is thrilled to announce its selection as the management partner for the highly anticipated Hampton by Hilton hotel in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The hotel is the first new hotel development in the U.S. Virgin Islands in over 30 years. This landmark project, developed by Shaun Miller of Haven Development, also marks the first Hilton focused service hotel in the area, bringing the exceptional service and high standards of quality that Hilton is known for, to the region. The new hotel is the inaugural property under Hotel Equities' Trust Hospitality division, marking the company’s debut in the Caribbean and Latin American markets.
The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman's Reef is now open and welcoming travelers to become immersed in a quintessential island experience. The opening signals the completion of an extensive $425 million rebuild project at Frenchman's Reef, which debuted its sister resort, Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort at Frenchman's Reef, Autograph Collection this past May.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, The U.S. Virgin Island's premier luxury resort, has named Isabel Mercado as its new Director of Finance. With more than a decade of experience in the hospitality industry and working with the Marriott brand, Mercado will oversee the property's long-term financial health and growth.
Frenchman's Reef announces the opening of Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort at Frenchman's Reef, Autograph Collection, inviting travelers to enjoy a refreshing state of tropical chill. Part of an extensive $425 million rebuild project at Frenchman's Reef, the intimate resort offers a pure island escape and open-air paradise a stone's throw away from the sand and turquoise waters of St. Thomas. Operated by Aimbridge Hospitality, the property features sleek designs by architects Kollin Altomare and The Johnson Studio, as well as exciting culinary and public space concepting from Sixteenfifty Creative Intelligence. The new resort is the latest to join Autograph Collection Hotels - Marriott Bonvoy's diverse and dynamic collection of independent hotels handpicked for originality and passion in their every expression.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, the area's premier luxury resort, is pleased to announce the appointment of Maggie Mojica as the property's new Director of Sales and Marketing. A dedicated leader with more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Maggie will drive the business development and execution of the property's sales initiatives.
After the devasting impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the U.S. Virgin Islands, which comprise the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, faced a significant rebuilding effort to reopen their hotel inventory. As the renovations and reopenings from the 2017 hurricane season were nearing completion, COVID-19 began to affect the islands. However, the U.S. Virgin Islands have a significant competitive advantage over the other islands in the Caribbean because they benefit from U.S. territory status. As a result, the U.S. Virgin Islands avoided the complicated COVID-19 travel restrictions that existed in other Caribbean destinations, allowing the islands to increase visitation numbers after 2020 significantly faster than other Caribbean islands.
The first all-new hotel on the island in more than 20 years as the island experiences an age of revitalization, The Pink Palm sits on just under an acre of land nestled in the hillside of downtown Charlotte Amalie with magnificent views of the city's historic waterfront harbor. The 27-room hotel is a careful, historic renovation of famed Smith's Fancy, known in the 1940s and 50s as a destination guesthouse for those in the fashion, art, music and film worlds, and offers guests a relaxing, private oasis while being steps from local restaurants, bars, art galleries and shops of the city .
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Saint Amand as the property's new Director of Spa & Retail. With a hospitality industry career that spans more than 20 years, Saint Amand's seasoned leadership and expertise will allow the property to further its position as one of the Caribbean's top wellness resorts. Her unique skillset will bolster the launch of new and unique guest offerings that speak to top trends sought out by today's luxury traveler.
Aimbridge Hospitality is proud to reveal the concept for the second resort that will open at Frenchman's Reef as part of an extensive $425 million rebuild project on the property. Named Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort, an Autograph Collection Hotel, the brand-new resort will offer a pure island escape for inspired seekers, immersing guests in modern comfort and the relaxing rhythm of life on the beach. Managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, Buoy Haus is slated to debut in spring 2023.
As it approaches the completion of an extensive $350 million rebuild project, Frenchman's Reef is welcoming group inquiries for The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman's Reef, which is slated to open in late 2022. Located just 15 minutes from Cyril E. King Airport and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, Frenchman's Reef will serve as a new destination for corporate gatherings and social group celebrations of all kinds with its extensive conference and event facilities and diverse amenities.
Aimbridge Hospitality announces that it will open two new resorts at Frenchman’s Reef in St. Thomas, as part of an extensive $350 million rebuild project on the property. The two resorts, including The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef and The Seaborn at Frenchman’s Reef, Autograph Collection, are expected to open in the Fall of 2022.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is pleased to announce the appointment of Jobin Thomas as Chef de Cuisine of Bleuwater, one of the property's four distinct dining outlets, offering a fine dining Asian experience alongside breathtaking unobstructed views of Great Bay.
The Hideaway at Hull Bay, a private beachfront estate offering stylish group accommodations with resort amenities, welcomed guests this January to St. Thomas. Redefining barefoot luxury, the lush 5-acre property is comprised of two villas and eight cottages, exclusively accommodating up to 36 guests with double occupancy for a fully tailored private island experience in the Caribbean. Marrying agritourism with five-star hospitality, The Hideaway brings fresh perspective to a familiar vacation destination, where taking care of the rich landscape is a virtue only equivalent to delivering an authentic, one-of-a-kind group experience.
Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: BHR) ("Braemar" or the "Company") announced today that it had reopened its 180-room Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas hotel (the "Property") as planned on November 22nd. The Property, which had been operating with minimal operations since being struck by Hurricane Irma in September 2017, underwent $106 million in renovations that were substantially funded by insurance proceeds.
DiamondRock Hospitality is pleased to announce the highly anticipated return of the Frenchman's Reef Marriott Resort & Spa, Virgin Islands. The $200+ million project is well underway and the re-envisioned resort is expected to open in 2020. The irreplaceable location and superlative quality of DiamondRock's resort property in concert with Marriott's world-class brands will create an unparalleled and authentic island guest experience.
Noni Beach Resort, the first Autograph Collection hotel in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is comprised of series of intimate beach house style villas containing 94 guestrooms, including two honeymoon suites, all nestled directly on the beach. Noni Beach boasts a private, beachfront infinity-edge pool with swim-up bar, 3,000 square foot beachfront ballroom with memorable views, and multiple dining experiences including the Caribbean-casual Coco's Beach Club as well as an indulgent restaurant with elevated, 180-degree panorama of the Caribbean Sea.