Dart’s footprint in the wider Caribbean got bigger on Friday, with the announcement the group has purchased a second luxury resort in Anguilla.
The Zemi Beach House on the island’s north coast is Dart’s second hotel in the overseas territory, following the purchase of the Four Seasons in 2022.
“Anguilla shares characteristics that first drew Ken Dart to the Cayman Islands in the 1990s, and Zemi Beach House is emblematic of Anguilla’s strongly positioned luxury tourism market,” said Mark VanDevelde, Dart’s chief executive, in a press release issu–ed on Friday.
“We look forward to building upon the legacy of a fellow family-owned investment company and contribute further to the prosperity of the Anguillan community,” he added.
Growing hotel portfolio
The acquisition of the 77-room property is the latest addition to Dart’s growing luxury resort portfolio.
As well as owning The Ritz-Carlton and the Kimpton Seafire in Grand Cayman, and the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, it also owns the Conrad Orlando at Evermore, an 1,100-acre resort community, which was developed by Dart Interests and opened in 2023.
“Anguilla continues to strengthen its proposition as a destination of choice for discerning luxury travelers, achieving record market performance,” said director Jackie Doak in the release. “Dart brings expertise, resources and customer insights to our collaboration with Zemi Beach House’s exceptional management and staff to create meaningful experiences that immerse guests in Anguilla’s culture as well as its natural beauty.”
Dart executives, along with members of the Goldstein family and Zemi Beach House management, celebrated the transaction with guests from the Anguillan government at a reception held on resort grounds Friday.
“On behalf of the people of Anguilla, we welcome Dart’s continued investment into our economy and society,” Premier Ellis Webster said. “Over the past few years, Dart has demonstrated its commitment to Anguilla with enhancements to resort spaces, upgrades to infrastructure and partnership in the creation of spaces for our community. We look forward to continuing our relationship to create positive impact on the lives of Anguillans as well as the experiences of our visitors.”
Speaking to the reception, the resort’s former owner Jeff Goldstein, on the verge of tears, said the day was bittersweet, and he vowed to come back as a guest and “drive you all crazy”.
Asked why he was selling the hotel that clearly meant so much to him, he said simply, “it’s time”.
The release noted that, following its acquisition of the Four Seasons in 2022, Dart supported the building of the new Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre, a community space, which was dedicated in July 2024.
The company has also been operating a hospitality training exchange for staff of the Four Seasons and its hotels in Cayman.
“Dart is exploring opportunities for further investment in community development and resilience and through the Kenneth B. Dart Foundation,” the release noted.
Anguilla’s tourism minister, Haydn Hughes, welcomed further partnership, stating in the release, “Dart has proven to be a valued contributor to Anguilla’s tourism product, adding exceptional spaces for our visitors and exciting training and development opportunities for our Anguillan tourism professionals. We are excited for new enhancements and experiences that showcase our island home.”
Editor’s Note: The Cayman Compass is a subsidiary of Dart Media and Entertainment.
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