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Elegant Hotels chief reveals expansion plans

Elegant Hotels Group has plans “in the pipeline” for more hotels throughout the Caribbean.

The group, which went public in 2015, recently expanded out of Barbados for the first time with properties in St Lucia and Antigua.

The Landings Resort and Spa, which has opened in St. Lucia, was the first property Elegant had outside of Barbados and it has acquired Hodges Bay Resort and Spa, Antigua, which is slated to open in October or November this year.

It also acquired Treasure Beach Hotel in Barbados for $10.5 million earlier this year as its expansion continues.

Chief executive, Sunil Chatrani, said: “We have been very successful in Barbados, so we’re taking the concept to other Caribbean islands. Each island is unique but there are similarities so we’re sure our concept will work.

“We figured it was time to expand in the region to become a true regional player and think we can bring something new to the other islands.”

The hotel chain acquires properties and redevelops them in its boutique styles, with hotels ranging in size from 34 rooms to 161. “We don’t have a set style,” added Chatrani. “We adapt to the hotels surroundings to make it fit.”

Chatrani would not reveal details of plans for new acquisitions, but said Elegant looks to make “one or two” per year with the intention of bringing hotels back into use. He added: “We want to use what is there and infuse the local culture and flavour into the hotel, bringing them back in use.”

Elegant, which sells through ITC, British Airways Holidays, Virgin Holidays and Trailfinders also said it plans multicentre FAM trips in 2017 and 2018.

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