opened Parrot Cay in 1998. If it is any consolation for beleaguered hotel projects worldwide, the property she took on also had less than auspicious beginnings. Built by a Kuwaiti investment body in 1990, the place was abandoned while national funds were poured into the first Gulf war.

It was another six years before Ong's holidaying daughter relayed news of an opportunity, having spied it while snorkelling in the vicinity.