Business View Caribbean - Dec 2014 31
The Elegant Hotels Group was formed in 1998 and
brought together five Barbados properties that had
been constructed independently in the 1950s and
1960s – Colony Club, Crystal Cove, Tamarind, Turtle
Beach and The House – under a common umbrella
of luxury amenities, services, dining options, water
sports and entertainment options.
Also included as part of the operation is Daphne’s, an
Italian restaurant located alongside The House, that’s
been ranked among the nation’s 10 most popular eat-
ing establishments by the Zagat’s Best of Barbados
travel guide. In fact, the group operates a “Dine Around
Program,” in which a complimentary daytime water
taxi allows transportation between its West Coast re-
sorts to enhance culinary variety.
And variety, according to the corporate leadership, has
been the spice of success.
“Strategically, it works well for us because it’s a wide-
ranging portfolio,” said Sunil Chatrani, who’d been the
group’s chief financial officer before elevating to chief
executive officer in January 2012.
“It caters to a wide cross-section of guests. All of them
have some things in common and we’re really going
for that personalized, intimate feel – a bit of a unique
feel. But what really works for us in the business com-
munity is having the diverse portfolio that’s got some-
thing for everybody’s taste.
“The brand association provides trust in the quality
and the service that we deliver.”
The overall operation boasts a workforce that ranges
between 800 and 900, depending on season, which
translates to nearly two employees for each of 480
total rooms. One ex-patriate from Italy is on hand as
