The Dart group has continued its Caribbean expansion beyond Cayman’s borders with the purchase of a Four Seasons resort in Anguilla.
Dart has a long-standing ambition to bring the luxury brand to the Cayman Islands and has previously discussed possible partnerships on Grand Cayman.
Dart insists it still has ambitions to bring the brand to the territory, in spite of the purchase in Anguilla.
“For many years, Dart has pursued opportunities to develop a Four Seasons resort in Grand Cayman and we remain focused and hopeful in achieving that goal,” a spokesperson told the Compass.
“The Four Seasons Anguilla Resort and Residences is an important addition to Dart’s growing hospitality portfolio and allows us to formalize our relationship with the Four Seasons brand. While this is an exciting acquisition for Dart, it in no way impacts our commitment to continued investment in our Cayman hotel properties and our overall confidence in the Cayman economy,” the spokesperson said in an email.
The company recently announced it was pressing pause on any major new projects in Cayman until government finalises its National Development Plan. But Dart still harbours long-term ambitions for a five-star resort on the Seven Mile Beach side of its Camana Bay development.
The acquisition of the resort in Anguilla is Dart’s second venture outside of Cayman in the Caribbean. The group is also involved in a luxury condo project in Turks and Caicos, another British Overseas Territory.
The Anguilla resort – featuring 181 accommodations including ‘clifftop guest rooms’ and ‘expansive ocean front villas’ – was purchased from Starwood Capital Group.
Mark VanDevelde, Dart’s chief executive, announced the purchase in a press release Thursday morning.
“Dart has a longstanding conviction in the strength of the Four Seasons brand, its ability to create enduring value throughout its luxury hotels and resorts and focus on its people and the delivery of exceptional guest experiences,” he said.
“We look forward to collaborating with Four Seasons and the exceptional management and staff of this resort to continue to enhance the world-class experiences of guests and residence owners and, alongside the government of Anguilla, contribute to the prosperity of the Anguillan community,” he added.
According to the release, Dart’s growing hospitality portfolio centres on five-star resorts, including The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman, as well as the Conrad Orlando at Evermore, an 1,100-acre resort community developed by US-based Dart Interests and opening in 2023.
“Anguilla is a strongly positioned destination poised for continued success, and the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla has proven itself as a brand and market leader in performance and guest experience,” said Jackie Doak, a Dart director, in the press release.
“The global hospitality industry has been through challenging times recently; however, as a result of the hard work and dedication of the Four Seasons management and staff, they have established the resort as a perennial favorite among luxury travelers to the Caribbean,” she added.
Executives from Dart, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Starwood Capital Group celebrated the purchase with guests from the government of Anguilla at a reception held in one of the resort’s beachfront villas.
“On behalf of the people of Anguilla, we extend a warm welcome to Dart and its investment in our luxury tourism market,” said Anguilla Premier Ellis Webster.
Tourism Minister Haydn Hughes noted government was “excited” about this “revolutionary step to realizing a reimagined Anguilla and its overall tourism product”.
“We have seen much positive contributions to our positioning by Starwood Capital Group and the Four Seasons brand that will only take on greater heights with our relationship with Dart. It’s a new and great day for Anguilla and all who love our island home,” he said in the release.
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