Spice Island Beach Resort's Director,
Lady Betty Hopkin; Chairman & Managing Director, Sir Royston Hopkin, K.C.M.G.; and Canlink President, Elaine Carnegie
Spice Island Beach Resort's Lady Betty Hopkin and Sir Royston Hopkin, with Canlink's President, Elaine Carnegie; Sales Manager,
Carla (Charlie) Agostino; and V.P., Brent Carnegie
Sir Royston Hopkin and
Jenny Gumbs, Hon. Consul General of Grenada
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada causing billions of dollars in catastrophic damage. According to officials, the island suffered total devastation. Although the disaster resulted in very trying times, Sir Royston Hopkin K.C.M.G., Chairman and Managing Director of Grenada’s Spice Island Beach Resort, said he saw it as an opportunity to re-strategize and turned the original Spice Island Beach Resort into a luxurious, multi-award winning property.
Sir Royston and his wife, Lady Betty Hopkin, visited YTO last week to promote the redefined boutique hotel. With Canlink’s President, Elaine Carnegie; V.P., Brent Carnegie and Sales Manager, Carla (Charlie)Agostino, Sir Royston and Lady Betty hosted 40 luxury selling agents to an appreciation dinner at the Rosewater Supper Club. The following day, 9 industry partners were invited to Ciao Restaurant in Yorkville for a meet and greet luncheon at which the Hon. Consul General of Grenada, Jenny Gumbs, was also a special guest.
After a quick presentation, guests were pleased to learn about the family owned and operated resort. “It’s nice that the entire family works for the hotel,” said Lady Betty. “Otherwise, I’d never see them. The hotel business is 24/7.” Lady Betty joked that her husband was a workaholic – on site at the resort from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. – and not a single detail is overlooked. Every compliment, critique or complaint is addressed directly by Sir Royston himself.
According to Lady Betty, the resort attracts a very elite guest list and about 60% of its visitors come from the U.K. However, Caribbean Airlines has recently commenced year round, non-stop flights between YYZ and Grenada. Spice Island Beach Resort hopes to take advantage of this new service and appeal to the Canadian market. “This gives Canadians another great option for travelling to the destination,” says Brent Carnegie. “It opens up the availability of short duration holidays.”
Although Grenada may now be more accessible to Canadians, the average traveller may have to save a few more pennies before planning a stay at the resort. Prices range from $860 to $2,889 per night. “A good room is a good room anywhere in the world,” Sir Royston said. “Human resources, good training, the people – this is what being on the cutting edge of a resort is about.” Spice Island Beach Resort’s impeccable service, breathtaking tropical landscapes and 5 star accommodations and dining is what makes this beachfront property exclusive. “In order to discover Spice, you have to discover Grenada,” said Sir Royston. “Grenada is a little Shangri-La.” Well if this is true, the island of spice may be worth saving up for.
