FREEPORT, BAHAMAS — The management and staff of Grand Bahama Island's happiest hotel unveiled its newly renovated guest rooms and suites. The 4 million dollar renovation, commissioned after the passing of hurricane Dorian in 2019, is part of a wider plan to improve the guest experience by creating an environment where visitors feel their happiest, whether working, meeting, or simply relaxing.
"Our guests run the gamut," said General Manager Magnus Alnebeck, "and so we wanted to ensure that the upgrades catered to all of them, be it couples, traveling families, or persons traveling for business."
Despite shipping delays and lockdowns imposed due to Covid-19 restrictions, nearly three years of renovation work culminated with special ceremonies held to introduce the new rooms to the hotel's inventory. The event attracted scores of industry professionals, guests, and government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper who called the hotel's multi-million dollar investment a signal of hope for Grand Bahama's economy and the tourism industry as a whole.
Happy hotel now boasts 24 superior staterooms and 24 deluxe staterooms. Grand Bahamian contractor Yellowfin Construction and other local vendors completed all upgrades.
"This is a proud day for Grand Bahama, a proud day for Pelican. You're raising the bar and I want to thank you for doing just that," said Cooper. "We hope that in the very near term, the signal that you've given here with your new renovations will also happen with some of your neighbors."
As part of the work, 48 of the property's 182 rooms have been completely reimagined with upgrades made to create 24 superior staterooms and 24 deluxe staterooms.
Pelican Bay's project manager, Edna Gibson, worked alongside Ryan Graham and his team from Yellowfin Construction, a Grand Bahamian contractor, to ensure that the modernized designs created a residential atmosphere in each of the rooms ideal for relaxing, dining, or working.
"The process was much smoother this time around," noted Gibson. "our only delays were due to Covid & Shipments but our contractor and subcontractors which included Bethel's Air Conditioning, Quality Plumbing, Aluminox, Frecon, and Current Plus all worked together to help create the vision that we had laid out."
The upgraded rooms feature a separate bedroom and living room for added privacy. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors give way to a private balcony and terrace overlooking a pristine canal view. The deluxe staterooms will include the added convenience of a two-burner cooktop stove, a dishwasher as well as a full-size refrigerator.
"In addition to our team of talented Bahamian contractors, our team also worked with a Canadian designer to curate every element, to achieve the luxurious look and feel we wanted," outlined Operations Manager Della Bridgewater. "From the color palette to the finishings, every detail was meticulously planned."
Now complete, the new luxury rooms will become immediately available for bookings and will be offered at a premium price.
Bridgewater added: "It feels great to finally reopen the rooms that had closed shortly after Hurricane Dorian. We're even Happier now and how our guests will be too!"
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