~ Concern about status of airport ~
MAHO--Both all-inclusive, adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and the family-friendly Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino and Spa are primed for complete renovation and will come back “stronger and brand new” with projected opening dates of November 15, 2018, and February 1, 2019, respectively, The Maho Group announced on Thursday.
“The Maho Group is confident that it can meet this reopening schedule and deliver two new, world-class resorts, provided that the government of St. Maarten expedites the necessary approvals and supports The Maho Group’s efforts,” said Maho Group President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Saro Spadaro. “While our reopening dates may be aggressive, we remain very concerned about the lack of clarity as to Princess Juliana Airport’s plans and timelines.”
Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts has taken every measure to implement the latest architectural innovations and-storm resistant materials in the renovation, ensuring the future security and wellbeing of its properties and guests, said The Maho Group.
The resort’s Sky Tower sustained the most damage and the renovation required that the building be stripped to its main structural frame that was fortunately spared by Hurricane Irma.
The reconstruction project will entirely overhaul the building, instating a comprehensive architectural and interior redesign but most importantly, will install TCK and LVKE building technology with a storm-resistant building envelope that can withstand sustained winds in excess of 200 miles per hour (Irma had sustained winds of 185mph) and severe earthquakes.
TCK and LVKE is a China-based, green technology consortium and its revolutionary building panels will also significantly enhance thermal insulation and energy efficiency, reducing the resort’s carbon footprint, and improve fire-resistance, making the building safer.
Groupe Nox Engineering and Studio Trebbi Engineering completely re-designed the resort’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
The new Sky Tower will be compliant with all the latest safety and environmental standards, according to The Maho Group
Design+Positif is responsible for the overall architectural and interior redesign of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and principal and senior architect Galo Rosas is spearheading the project. The resort will be updated with a new look reflecting a contemporary, clean and airy aesthetic throughout the public spaces, restaurants and guestrooms.
Sonesta Ocean Point Resort fortunately sustained somewhat less damage, with the structure, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems remaining in good condition, as the property recently underwent a 2015 gut renovation. Repairs are being made to damaged areas with improvements implemented to increase storm resistance of the building’s exterior envelope.
The Ocean Point lobby will be entirely redesigned and given an updated contemporary style, while the new Casa Blue, a Spanish-style tapas restaurant, will debut on the rooftop terrace above Azul restaurant.
The Convention Centre, including the Royal Pavilion, will be completely rebuilt and redesigned by Design+Positif, updating all its 24,000 square feet of eco-friendly meeting and conference facilities accommodating up to 700 guests, in keeping with the new contemporary décor of the adjacent resorts.
Maho Village, the shopping and nightlife promenade located just steps outside the resorts, along with Casino Royale, the largest gaming emporium in St. Maarten, are undergoing a massive transformation as well, and are set to re-open this summer with a modern new look. Casino Royale will continue to offer more than 21,000 square feet of gaming and entertainment with the biggest theatre in the region, and will debut two new alfresco restaurants and a new outdoor bar and lounge overlooking the main street of Maho Village.
Starting June 1, Sonesta Ocean Point Resort and Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino and Spa will offer a pre-opening 45-per-cent-discount promotion available to book online at
www.sonesta.com/stmaarten or by calling 1-800-SONESTA (223-0757) with promo code: PREOPENING. Selected travel partners and agents will also have access to this promotion and for group reservations email
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All gift certificates with an expiration date from September 6, 2017, onwards will be honoured and their validity automatically extended for six months from the reopening date, subject to availability and blackout dates. Gift certificates must be redeemed at the original property and cannot be transferred to another Sonesta Resort.
Gift certificate reservations can only be made by calling 1-800-SONESTA, and the guest must provide a certificate number, verified expiration date, and the reservation name must match the name of the traveller.
Great Bay Resort, formerly Sonesta, was bought by Sunwing Group last year and will be a part of its hospitality portfolio. That Group will make its announcement when available.
