Prevue July/August 2013 - (Page 44)

NASSAU, BAHAMAS GRAND BAHAMA We were talking with David Johnson, Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, about Nassau’s emergence as a major player in the MICE market. “There’s nothing in the Caribbean remotely like Nassau’s Atlantis Paradise Island,” Johnson says, “With 2,900 rooms, and another 600 at the more upscale and sleek Cove Atlantis, we’ve got everything for meetings, including ballrooms for 4,000 and acres of meeting space.” It’s the Vegas of the Caribbean, and it’s designed to make planners happy and keep them coming back. Johnson says, “We’re a young country here in the Bahamas, and so many of our projects have that energy.” Johnson also touts the 2-year-old Albany development. The property offers 50 high-end cottages ideal for 12-20 pax meetings, and a meeting center is in the works for 2015. Everyone is eager for the December 2014 opening of Baha Mar, with 2,000 rooms across four luxury hotels, including the Mondrian and Grand Hyatt. Johnson says, “We just secured a gaming partner, GGAM, with experience in Vegas, Macau and the Philippines.” The 184-room Pelican Bay at Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island prides itself on its combination of boutique design, modern meeting facilities and access to amazing group experiences on land and water. A new 4,400-sf indoor/outdoor Canal House was designed in traditional Bahamian style for groups up to 100 pax, with one of the balconies measuring 1,550 sf. “Groups love our meeting rooms with lots of windows,” says Della Bridgewater, operations manager. She says another popular venue for smaller groups is the 45-pax Captain’s Galley with double doors opening onto a large balcony. “And we’ve brought total tech-savvy to Grand Bahama.... iPads control settings of everything from telecommunications to A/C and shades.” The onsite Sabor restaurant is right on the harbor, serving the daily catch prepared by any method that groups prefer. The “Aquarium Dock Dining” is brand new where groups up to 12 can dine on a platform floating in the water. The hotel placed lighting down below so you can see all of the fish swimming during dinner. Big Moments Are Better when Shared ® Exceeding expectations is what sets a Sheraton apart – now more than ever. Situated in the midst of the Puerto Rico Convention Center District, we feature more than 35,000 square feet of event space, eclectic guestrooms, and dining options from intimate to grand – all in one inspiring tropical setting. Book at SheratonPuertoRicoHotelCasino.com or call 787 993 3500. ©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sheraton and its logo are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. 44 | prevue magazine 35-50_CARIBBEAN.indd 44 7/3/13 11:51 AM http://www.SheratonPuertoRicoHotelCasino.com http://www.SheratonPuertoRicoHotelCasino.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue July/August 2013

Planner's Pick: New Zealand
Fresh Meets: Autograph Collection
Bureau Buzz: Monterey County
Good Business: South Africa
sea Shores: Small Ship cruising
The Local Kitchen
Special Section: Caribbean
Dominican Republic
On Location: Hilton/LXR, Puerto Rico
On Location: The Broadmoor
The South, Florida & Las Vegas
Singapore
On Location: Starwood Resorts, San Diego
On Location: Travaasa Austin
On Location: Moon Palace Cancun
On Location: IRF Cancun
Check Out: Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana

Prevue July/August 2013