Coconut Bay - St. Lucia

Business View Magazine 3 child of the resort’s leadership, whom Kevin Hughes, Coconut Bay’s general manager for two years, said was interested in delivering a product that would be distinct from other resorts within the tiny nation that sits about 1,500 miles off the U.S. mainland. The Splash side’s amenities include a “Cocoland” wa- ter park, a kids club and a paintball court, while the Harmony offering features hammocks and sun decks built for two, a quiet pool and bar, an oceanfront spa and a newly remodeled wing of 125 rooms. The prop- erty is also home to the largest “Lazy River” water ac- tivity on the island, along with its first petting zoo. “It’s huge,” Hughes said. “We have created a resort for everyone. Private getaways, family vacations, wed- dings and events and any combination of the above. I believe our ability to hold occupancy year-round shows we have the right mix.” The resort was purchased 10 years ago by its current owner – Gary Hendrickson – after it had been part of the Club Med franchise for 30 years. It’s grown incrementally since that transition, with a series of recent improvements that include a new pool, hot tub and shade structures on the Harmony side, and additional washrooms on the Splash side pool deck. The lobby bar was rebuilt with additional fire pits, a gazebo and an exterior deck, and a fire pit was added to the Star Gazers deck as well. Shower enclosures in all rooms property-wide have been re-tiled, and a duty-free shop and sundries store were added alongside an existing boutique. Construction on a new luxury project – “The Reserve at Coconut Bay” – is under way, and will lead to a finished product that includes 34 suites, a private restaurant and a pool area by the spring of 2015. A fourth-floor “Splash Premium” suite on the resort’s Splash side is advertised for $228 per person/per night on the resort’s website, while a fourth-floor “Ju- nior Suite” with an ocean view on the Harmony side AT A GLANCE WHO: Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa WHAT: 85-acre resort with 250 rooms; split into two sections, one for families and one for adults WHERE: Vieux Fort, St. Lucia WEBSITE : www.CBayResort.com