Kingstown, St. Vincent, February 11, 2020 -- St. Vincent and The Grenadines is embarking on its most ambitious tourism project to date. The Royal Mill Hotel Luxury Resort and Residences is set to be the premier 5 Star private community and laudable contender among luxury resorts in the region.
The construction of the luxury property was officially announced by investor A&A Capital at the just concluded groundbreaking ceremony. Talks of the socio-economic value of the hotel to the island has been a buzz among government officials, investors, contractors and the general public.
The hotel project attracts a substantial investment which both investors and the Government see as a unique opportunity which is already benefiting the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Prime Minister, Honorable Ralph Gonsalves boasts the Royal Mill to be the single largest private sector tourism investment in the country with huge spin-off potential triggering a major growth trajectory for the local tourism industry and economy:
“The project is being constructed at a most ideal location. Guests and residents of the property can enjoy the scenic views of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as visit and patronize the nearby restaurants, night clubs and immerse in the nucleus of surrounding activities. Upwards of 400 families island-wide are expected to benefit directly or indirectly from the hotel. I anticipate a major shift in our tourism economies and wealth creation through direct employment, taxes and National Insurance contributions” “Though St. Vincent and the Grenadines entered the mass tourism market late, it is evident through other hotels on the island that our country’s product is of excellent stature. Overall, I expect the Royal Mill to be an immense contribution to the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”
The 60 million U.S dollar world-class property will comprise 15 independent and private residence homes, while the resort will provide 18 high-rise apartment units and 2 rooftop penthouse units. The property will house a business centre, a conference/meeting centre, a gym, an aqua centre, an exclusive spa, a pool area and bar, an urban lounge viewing the ocean, a rooftop bar and restaurant and parking for over sixty (60) vehicles.
Principal Investor and co-founder of A & A Capital, Alex Lodde- during his brief address announced that the company has invested in major successful business ventures, including three hotels/residences.
“I am happy to see the pace of this new development, co-operation and assistance of the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I am looking forward to the completion of the project and everything it will bring to the country”
Upon visiting St. Vincent to roll out the Royal Mill Hotel Development, the developers sort after another lucrative investment aimed at a regional business and “sun-seeking” visitors.
In addition the Royal Mill Hotel A&A Capital successfully acquired the family owned Grand View Hotel. Renovation works have already started on the 20 room boutique hotel consisting of a gym, spa, conference centre, restaurants and beach bar. This Boutique property will be ideally positioned for tourists, regional travelers, businesses and organizations that wish to host conferences on the island. It will also play host to special events and weddings. The Grand View Hotel is located in a picturesque location overlooking the ocean. Works are progressing rapidly to have the small property ready for guests in April 2020.”
Spearheading these phenomenal ventures is a team of dedicated professionals who operate by the mantra “Bringing the right people together to challenge established thinking and drive growth”.
CEO and Co-Founder of A&A Capital, Adem Adem is excited about the revolutionary Royal Mill Hotel and transformation of the country over the years. He looks forward to the integration of communities and sectors which will benefit every person in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
‘I have been visiting St. Vincent and the Grenadines for the past 15 years and I never thought I would have seen this day and our dream has come true. I am grateful for the commitment of my team, the support of family and the warm welcome of the people and the leadership of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”
“It is important to note that the most critical aspect of the project for us is ensuring that the people of the country benefit meaningfully from a trickle-down economy and are always safe and secure while employed at the hotel. We see the Royal Mill Hotel spanning generations of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”
Over the years the region has regrettably experienced the negative effects of unfinished hotel investments which have been left as eyesores and worst missed opportunities to the local economy. Adem assures that A&A Capital is strongly committed to and invested in the completion and longevity of the development.
“One of the major proofs of commitment is the levels of employment already realized as well as the importation and purchase of millions of dollars’ worth of major equipment and material, both for construction of the hotel and for use by St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We realized the need for heavy-duty equipment on the island and felt that the country can benefit from our equipment resources as well. We have also purchased over 10 million dollars’ worth of integral material which would fulfil the completion of the hotel.”
A very instrumental duo in realizing the Royal Mill Hotel project is Raffique and Jeanne Dunbar, Directors of A&A Capital - St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The pair has enjoyed over a decade long relationship with the investors and upon returning to live on St. Vincent from the U.S, the pair saw the socio-economic potential and initiated the venture.
“We decided that we wanted to not just come back home to live, but to make a difference in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We love our people; we love our country and we just knew it would have been an amazing opportunity. So, in collaboration with our Partners in A&A Capital, we explored the viability of the project and have now embarked on this amazing journey to create the largest Tourism project on St Vincent”
Also giving its full confidence to the project is the Bank of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (BOSVG). The bank, through its Managing Director Derry Williams, has acted as a principal collaborator on the project and has noted the purposefulness and the commitment of the investment in seeing the project come to fruition. As the largest and indigenous Bank in the country, BOSVG understands that confidence of the public in investment projects is of high importance when backing a venture.
“As a bank, we must provide assurances to investors coming into any unknown to take investment risks. From our end, it’s not just about conducting the investor’s transactions effectively but also providing feedback from the banking community, the trajectory of the economy and governing policies. The passion, thoughtfulness and commitment to developing St. Vincent and the Grenadines were also very important. A&A Capital has proven, to date, their commitment to the project and seeing it to its absolute fruition and this is truly good news for our country”
The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to monitor the project closely to ensure that it falls in line with its mandate to drive economic growth and overall development of the island for all Vincentians. Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Representative for East St. George, Camillo Gonsalves is thrilled that the investors have begun the construction phase of the project and is pushing tirelessly to meet the 2020 deadline. He is expecting to see operations beyond a bed and breakfast evolve from the Royal Mill Hotel and throughout St. Vincent.
“It is transformative for East St. George and it is the beginning of an accelerated transformation for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. We have not had hotels of this magnitude for such a long time, which is partly due to the unavailability of proper airport facilities. Now that we have built the airport and getting the airlift from large planes and international air carriers, it is a game-changer for what tourism can be. I am happy that this location was chosen first for the Royal Mill Hotel and the employment opportunities will be plenty for our people.”
The Finance Minister stressed that this is the exact type of tourism that the country is interested in leveraging; one which brings people into the island and will realise an entire set of ancillary spin-offs which will benefit the economy. Already, the construction sectors are profiting from the construction phase of the project.
The Royal Mill Hotel is blending perfectly not only with the economic and social aspects but also the cultural landscape of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The hotel is being constructed on the historic RathoMill site creating a sense of cultural romanticism with the two names - Royal Mill and RathoMill. The RathoMill area is traditionally the cornerstone of a slave plantation with the mill still visible on site. Today it brings a sense of hope and economic optimism for the country.
“It is wonderful when you have something that has a legacy of pain, conflict and trauma and you reclaim it, transform it and reinvent it to something so groundbreaking in the area of hospitality; It’s a wonderful circle that we are travelling in. The hotel will be built by skilled Vincentians, staffed by skilled Vincentians and the benefits are to be had by the Vincentian community”
One immediate beneficiary of the Royal Mill Hotel development is local business owner Lorne Leslie of Bequia. He runs a construction company called Caribbean Home Builders Inc. His company has been involved in a number of large construction projects on Bequia and employs a sizeable number of Vincentians from the mainland and from Bequia.
“The Royal Mill Hotel is by far the most exciting project we have ever been involved in and I can see the excitement and pride daily, in the faces of my team. We accepted the challenge and we are going to ensure it is brought to completion.”
“It goes without saying that a project of this magnitude carries immense weight financially and socially to our country and the local business sector. Considerable amounts of money will be spent here both by the developers and visitors to our shores which are attracted to the hotel. Never before has a hotel of this scale been attempted and this is definitely a game-changer for St. Vincent and the Grenadines”
Currently, the staff base at the construction site is about 70 workers. This number is expected to increase considerably to over 200 people in the coming months. The local job creation from the project ranges from site engineers, foremen, masons, carpenters and other labourers. People from all corners of St. Vincent, including women are employed on the development.
Jennifer Wilkinson from Arnos Vale is a real testament of immediate benefits derived from the Royal Mill Hotel development. She is a steel bender and a mother of two. Jennifer is already benefiting from the economic impact being realized due to employment on the site of the project.
“Before this project I was unemployed. When I heard about the project, I applied and was very grateful when I got accepted. Many people like me will get jobs and many families, including mine, will get fed from this project. I would like to say thank you to the government for allowing this project in the country, the investors for realizing the opportunities in my country and everyone involved in this major investment in St. Vincent and the Grenadines”
The Royal Mill residence portion of the project has an expected completion date of December 2020, while Hotel section, currently in its infant stage is due for mid-2022. The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the developers remain committed to ensuring the timely completion, the continued success of the project and positive impacts on the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
About Royal Mill Hotel
Royal Mill Luxury Resort and Residences is a luxurious project that blends the finest location, modern design and architecture with outstanding attention to detail, delivering a lifestyle rich in service and amenities. Sitting on an elevated oceanfront property winding the Winward Highway, the building’s imposing modern white structure was designed to provide endless views of the Caribbean Sea.
Through the crystal lobby windows, you can see palms gently waving in the breeze. Soft curves define the edges of seating areas and bar spaces, reminding you of sand dunes on the Caribbean, this is just the grand entrance into Royal Mill. The main resort tower is full of open spaces delivering panoramic sights from all its 80 luxury hotel rooms. In addition, the entire complex features grand open spaces with inviting natural light and lush landscaping particular of the island.
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