rowsign

I agree with that. The current Bahamian government needs to call an election before May and I believe that is playing into some of these announcements. The whole thing is a mess and I question that Nassau even has the airlift to support a completed BahaMar project.

iflyjetz

I've been a huge skeptic of this property in the past but it looks like CFTE will open Baha Mar in phases, starting with a soft opening in late April.

Here are a couple of articles confirming CFTE's acquisition:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300376628.html
http://www.ggrasia.com/chow-tai-fook...r-acquisition/

CFTE sounds like it's large enough and experienced enough to open the project.

Since it's a limited, soft opening starting in April, CFTE might opt to open the casino hotel first and then open the Rosewood, Grand Hyatt, and SLS properties later as bookings increase. I'd expect the smaller Rosewood property to open before the GH and SLS, especially since it's a subsidiary of CFTE.

iflyjetz

BahaMar adds ~2200 rooms to Nassau; they currently have ~15,000 hotel rooms. Old link where I pulled up the numbers: http://www.thenassauguardian.com/ind...41612&Itemid=2

The airport itself had expansions completed in 2011 and 2013 so it looks like it won't be a problem to handle the increased tourists. Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynden...tional_Airport

Airlines can also ungauge aircraft; I see where some airlines have RJs flying into Nassau instead of larger mainline aircraft. If the demand is there, the airlines will provide sufficient lift.

MSPeconomist

Hyatt's flagship property for the Americas? I hope NOT although later in the article it says flagship for Grand Hyatt, so this place is expected to dominate Grand Hyatt Rio, Tampa Bay, etc. (but not necessarily ICN, Tokyo, etc.) to me, the entire idea of a mega resort is not at all appealing, but then again someone would need to pay me a lot of money to ever take a cruise on one of the megaships.

BTW, the young CEO (granddaughter of the founder IIRC) of this Chinese (Hong Kong) hotel company recently did a long interview for one of the MNBC/CNBC programs focusing on Asia. I was impressed, especially about her perspective on the Rosewood purchase and retaining their brand.

iflyjetz

Yes, I also chuckled at it being named flagship property in the article.

I don't know too much about CFTE; this looks like another way to get assets out of China - or should I say, not denominated in RMB. Since the Bahamas Dollar is pegged at par with the USD, the property is a proxy for USD assets. I've got a very bad feeling about the RMB's future valuation; too many Chinese are buying assets in other countries as a means of moving their wealth out of the country. That was behind the failed Chinese bid for SPG.

MSPeconomist

When a company moves assets out of the country, it should nevertheless care about retaining and increasing the value of those assets.

sam_goh

http://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-N...-Mar-a-reality

Looks like 200 rooms to start end of April. New news would be that Hyatt has taken over what was supposed to be the regular casino hotel space and rooms and will anchor the property.

Kagehitokiri

new owner is solid

grand hyatt gets two hotels, 1800 rooms

only 500 other rooms
iflyjetz, they said december for rosewood and SLS

59Impala

Press release announces opening in phases starting late April 2017

http://newsroom.hyatt.com/022917-Gra...-Open-in-April

CHICAGO (February 28, 2017) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with CTF BM Operations Ltd. for the operation of Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, the Baha Mar Convention Center and a variety of restaurants, bars and lounges, all of which will be part of the mixed-use Baha Mar Resort on New Providence Island in the Bahamas. The Baha Mar Resort will open in phases, with initial operations at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar expected to begin in late April 2017.

“It is an honor to soon be part of the Baha Mar family, and Hyatt is thrilled to reaffirm its commitment to Baha Mar and to work together to create an exciting new destination in the Bahamas,” said Myles McGourty, senior vice president, Latin America and Caribbean, Hyatt. “Expanding Hyatt’s brand presence in the Caribbean is important to our global expansion strategy as we grow our World of Hyatt platform and bring more genuine experiences to our loyal guests in destinations where they want to travel. Grand Hyatt Baha Mar will undoubtedly become one of the premier destinations in the Caribbean.”

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar will offer 1,800 guestrooms, including 227 lavish suites with high-end amenities and breathtaking ocean views. The hotel will feature three on-site restaurants, including a 200-seat main restaurant, a pool bar and grill and a jazz-themed lounge. Additionally, the Baha Mar Convention Center will feature more than 85,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space.

“We are delighted to welcome Hyatt to Baha Mar when Grand Hyatt Baha Mar debuts,” said Graeme Davis, president, Baha Mar and CTF’s Bahamas subsidiary. “Known for world class offerings, accommodations and residences, the Grand Hyatt hotel will contribute to the Baha Mar guest experience and will join us in our commitment to offering an elevated standard in luxury beach and casino resort destinations.”

59Impala

Apparently hotel is open for travel agent reservations end of April, and as per this article, it is open for general sales as of end of May.
However, on hyatt.com, the hotel does not show any opening date, nor is it bookable in June...

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/17/t...ner=IFTTT&_r=0

travelexpert

Per GrandHyatt.com

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
Now accepting reservations for stays from October 1, 2017 and beyond.

But my attempts to make a reservation as far as March next year were unsuccessful.....

Mary2e

I have it on pretty good authority that the WoH people have started working on this.

I'm sorry, but I can't say more.

59Impala

As per their Facebook page, accepting reservations starting April 21 for stays starting May 29

meecal

​​​​​​​Looks to be live! I was able to make a mock booking starting on May 29th. What a long, strange journey this property has taken (and it's not quite over yet). It will always have a unique spot in my memory as Hyatt comped me over 100,000 points and also $139 in cash when they cancelled the previous planned openings:
http://thehoneymoonguy.com/lesson-le...-opening-date/

I'm looking forward to the reviews flowing in!

gspurr

Has anyone been able to find any award night stays for this property (points or cash and points)? I've looked at a number of dates and haven't seen anything.