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PRESS RELEASE
February 28, 2005

Sonesta named as Discovery at Marigot Bay management company

Doubloon International Ltd has signed a 10-year agreement with Sonesta International Hotels Corporation for the management of the new luxury Discovery at Marigot Bay resort, spa and marina.

The 124-room apartment-style resort is scheduled to open late this year and will feature three restaurants and lounges; a world class spa; fitness centre; meeting room facilities; a new marina and marina village with shops, water sports, cafes and yachting facilities, all set around a central courtyard garden.

“Discovery at Marigot Bay is a spectacular property,” noted Sonesta CEO and President Stephanie Sonnabend.  “St Lucia is a popular Caribbean destination for a variety of tourists and this hotel, like all Sonesta properties, will provide an experience reflective of the environment and the island’s culture,” she added. 

“Sonesta’s long-standing reputation of operating fine resorts in the Caribbean and the US will give us the experience and service our guests will demand,” said John Verity, Managing Director of Doubloon International, the developers of Discovery at Marigot Bay.

“Sonesta has operated hotels in the Caribbean for over 40 years—including Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bonaire, Curacao and St Maarten. They have also operated apartment hotels in the US since the 1980s and will bring a wealth of relevant experience to the management of Discovery,” Mr Verity added.

Apartment hotels currently under the Sonesta management banner include The Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort and the Sonesta Hotel & Suites in Coconut Grove, Miami. New apartment hotels are under construction in Orlando and planned for Key Biscayne, Florida.

Sonesta Hotels, Resorts & Nile Cruises, based in Boston, represents a collection of 26 upscale hotels and resorts and three Nile Cruise ships.  Founded in the 1940s, Sonesta has a long-standing reputation in the hotel industry for offering properties that are designed to deliver uncompromising personal service, reflect the culture and history of their location and provide a memorable experience unique to each hotel. 

Sonesta’s properties are located in Boston, New Orleans (2), Miami (3), Orlando (opening 2006), St Lucia, St Maarten, Brazil, Peru (7), Tuscany (3), and Egypt (9). 

For more information about Sonesta Hotels, Resorts & Nile Cruises, call 1-800-SONESTA (800-766-3782), or visit Sonesta’s website at http://www.sonesta.com.

Editor’s Notes

Construction of the five-star Discovery at Marigot Bay Spa Resort and Marina will be completed in the autumn of 2005. Work is progressing according to schedule with construction being undertaken by the main contractor Johnston International Ltd.

The new resort comprises 57 luxury apartments which convert to 124 rooms and suites which make up the sole room stock of the hotel.

Doubloon International, the developers of Discovery at Marigot Bay, are also redeveloping the Marigot Bay Marina and have completed construction of 40 new berths and plan to install a further 20 mooring buoys. The construction of a Caribbean style marina (retail) village is also planned with completion scheduled to coincide with the opening of the Discovery Resort and Spa.

The total US$40 million hotel, marina and marina village project is expected to generate over 200 jobs for St Lucians during the construction phase and over 150 jobs when in operation. Together with the major expansion of visitors to Marigot Bay, this will play a significant part in the regeneration of the local economy and help strengthen the tourism economy of St Lucia generally.

For More Information Contact

Molly McDaniel
PR and Marketing Manager
Discovery at Marigot Bay

Telephone: (758) 458 0931 or (mobile) (758) 485 1464