by S Brian Samuel
In contrast to what’s happening or not happening at Levera, things are going gangbusters at La Sagesse.
Dubai-based Range Developments Limited, who successfully delivered 2 CBI resorts in Saint Kitts and Dominica, has gone big on Grenada, simultaneously developing not one but 2 large, high-end, adjacent resorts: Sixth Senses, and Hyatt Intercontinental. Unlike at Levera and Mount Hartman, the land for these projects was acquired privately, not from Government. Range reports that US$40 million has been spent to date, which is very much in evidence:
La Sagesse occupies a treasured space within every Grenadian heart, a place of wild, untamed beauty. Two years ago, there was outrage among civil society, when Range Developments commenced ‘construction’, by bulldozing and filling-in several acres of ecologically sensitive wetlands and mangroves, subsequently blamed on an ‘over-eager tractor driver’. All I can say is that tractor driver must have taken a pretty look at the Master Plan, because that’s exactly what he cut.
As any Grenadian will tell you: La Sagesse is a ‘kind of a place’. Meaning: it’s beautiful – but different. If there’s one word that describes La Sagesse, it’s wind, lots of it. The entire East Coast is windy, and La Sagesse is windier than most: it comes roaring through the Bay, unhindered all the way from Africa. The kind of constant, in-your-face wind which, although nice at first, can quickly become a pain. It knocks over your drink, your book ends up in the pool, you’ve got to tie everything down. Then you move inside, where it’s cool and calm, and you think: is this what I came to the Caribbean for, to stay inside?
Just look at the location of large hotels in the Eastern Caribbean, all on the sheltered West Coasts, none on the wild and windy East. Correction: Magdalena Hotel is built on the eastern shore of Tobago, and sure enough, it’s windy as hell. Built thirty-odd years ago by the government, it was originally managed by Hilton, who had no stake in the hotel, but were happy to collect management fees. The hotel never worked: there was just too much wind. Guests came once but didn’t return, and the sea blast rusted the fixtures and equipment, resulting in sky-high maintenance costs. Hilton soon left, as did all the management companies that followed: a long line of losses. Not for the first time, and probably not the last, the government recently put Magdalena up for sale[1].
La Sagesse has natural beauty and enormous tourism potential – but what kind of potential? The kind of potential for which it is rightly famous: La Sagesse defines the term niche market. Tourists who want something ‘different’, who want to get away from the masses, not go to a mass-market hotel. In such an untested, non-traditional location, wouldn’t a normal investor adopt a more prudent approach, wait until the first hotel was a success, before starting on the second?
But CBI investors aren’t ‘normal’. The ambitions and dreams of normal investors are tempered by two conservative forces: their shareholders, and their lenders. But neither of these traditional institutions are present in CBI schemes: they don’t borrow from banks, and their ‘shareholders’ aren’t investing in a hotel; they’re buying a passport. If, for a few thousand dollars more, I can get a villa room along with the passport, why not? If the villa makes money, fine; if it doesn’t, fine. I’ve got my passport. This is a recipe for the creation of white elephants, like the dozens of empty and unfinished villas and condos that blight Saint Kitts’ Frigate Bay, all built or half-built with CBI cash.
In such an untested and counter-intuitive location as La Sagesse, no reputable bank that I know of would have financed both hotels, simultaneously. One, maybe, but let’s see how that goes, before looking at anything else. I wish we had this calming influence at La Sagesse, before we are left with not one but 2 big, gleaming, rusting, white elephants.
[1] https://newsday.co.tt/2022/04/29/government-puts-magdalena-grand-beach-golf-resort-up-for-sale/
Grenada is being sold off for a hand full of silver… what fools I see here. Grenada was the last of the beautiful Caribbean islands, unspoiled, a true Caribbean island with people who value tradition over money. i have not been home for 3 years now due to covid but when I hear what has happened to our island I may not return as I would look upon this damage and cry. You who have sold property to foreign investors are rich now but you are also a ship of fools.
Re coral cove on lance aux epines.
That is more contentious i think than la sagesse, but not for the reasons stated. Its not an important nesting ground but bigging up nature seems the only way to complain for some. It is however a tall/big resort in a fairly quiet setting which may be overkill / over development.
However its also in lance aux epines, and the NIMBYs will be out in force to protect the little thats left of that areas natural beauty, much of which has already been damaged by ugly student apartments and overly close and not always aesthetically pleasing houses and businesses.
Unfortunately the local huge tall student apartments went up without debate, so locals arguments are a little hollow in places? I suspect it will go ahead, but i hope to god its isnt another white elephant like kiwani bay.
What a ridiculous article? Clearly someone who isnt interested in actual research.
1, Its not a CBI build, its a large investment by the government [royal family] of Dubai. Range is German based with strong eco-credentials. I am actually surprised he hasnt mentioned the only contentious area of the development, the mangroves, but as they were always to be reinstated as part of the water treatment plan, there really wasnt an issue.
2, Do your homework, the 2 chains in question are renowned for their green/local friendly policies, which is one reason they are favoured by those who choose to spend these large sums on holidays. Suggest you research 6 senses. They have already built the hotels mini rum distillery and kitchens – both for guests to make their own… Local farmers are already on educational programs at the very local [chinese owned] agri college keen to supply the new hotels.
3, Has he ever been there? I doubt it. La Sagesse is a very calm and sheltered bay, almost without waves at the eastern end and on the maybe 20 times ive been there, never seen any sort of strong wind, might get some up on the headland sometimes, but so what?. The water depth 50 yards out there is maybe 3 ft?
I assume he is talking about the Magdalena in the country of Tobago? One of the best hotels on that island. The trini govt has a strong approach to hotel development, which is only really a thing in its poor relative island, you may recall the jokes about the place losing its sandals after the government refused concessions. The government there tends to build/fund itself then lease out to chains. This is sensible for a rich energy exporter.
This is exactly the situation with the proposed 100-bed hotel at Coral Cove, L’Anse aux Epines. The climate is extreme with strong and perpetual Atlantic winds and horizontal rain! It will never work as a hotel but may work as a money-spinner for a developer and their local agent. Grenada will be left with a fast decaying structure in the salt breeze – just like Tobago as you say. And Coral Cove will add to our ‘Pure Grenada’ reputation by wrecking the nesting grounds of critically endangered hawksbills and damaging, reef, coastal and land wildlife. Another own goal Grenada. See: http://www.coralcovegrenada.org
Please preserve the area for sustainable small scale development that will attract ecotourism, niche markets and not/not mega projects that are a true eyesores that cannot be reversed.
Always enjoy observations of Mr. Samuel having also visited the former Hilton Plantation Resort (now Magdalena) and instantly questioning the constant and annoying windy setting and later, the original Lasagesse boutique Inn experiencing the quintessential Caribbean environment long sought by select visitors.
I believe I met Mr. Samuel when invited to LaSource/Grenada by then Manager seeking refinancing so value his observations. I would welcome contact information if possible and agree to forward if possible.
Hi Don, thanks for your comments, you can reach me at [email protected]