A $30 million luxury boutique hotel is set to open in the next 18 months in western New Providence.

On Monday, local businessman, Mark Holowesko, broke ground on the hotel, which is located near the upscale Lyford Cay neighbourhood.

During construction, an average of 100 people will be employed on the Mahogany Hill site and the projected employment at the hotel will be a staff of 40 plus.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, Prime Minister Perry Christie and a few of his cabinet ministers toured the site as well as the Mahogany House Restaurant, which will also be a part of the hotel.

Minister Christie praised Mr. Holowesko for contributing to the expansion of The Bahamas’ tourism industry and said he would like to see more Bahamians who can afford to build hotels do the same.

“The government is obviously looking for Bahamians who are prepared to take the risk,” he said, “Because there is a risk in investing in this industry and as you can see The Bahamas has attracted mega developers from the Atlantis with Sol Kerzner to Resorts World Bimini with the Genting Group.”

“It’s just a wonderful concept and what I have said to Mr. Holowesko, because he’s executed it so brilliantly in terms of integrating nature into it, is that it shouldn’t stop here. He has the makings of a chain that can be a very successful one in The Bahamas that would eventually go outside of the country.”

“I have confidence in what Mr. Holowesko is doing. He is the owner of Highbourne Cay, that’s another $38 million destination in the Exuma Cays where it is now again sought after by people who want to have a luxury vacation.”

Mr. Holowesko says while the hotel is small it will be very unique.

“It’s going to have a restaurant on the top floor with an ocean view, something that I’m sure you can’t find on the island,” he said.

“We’re also going to have a very small boutique theatre that will be used for films and other presentations. The boutique theatre will also have a spa and a beautiful pool. All through the hotel, we’re going to have Bahamian art.”

“It’s a very small hotel that I think will complement the bigger hotels coming to the island.”
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said he would like to see more boutique hotels throughout the country as opposed to the larger hotels that seem to dominate the industry.

He said sometimes, people just want to get away to a quieter, more luxurious spot that allows them to relax.
“I think over the years you would have heard how there’s been a need for various types of resorts from the very large, to the middle, to the boutique,” he said.

“The truth is that this hotel is significant, not only because of its size, but because of where it’s located. It’s a part of the environment and there’s a unique concept that I believe will catch on because once you do so with a concept like this and you market it, then you can do great things with it. It’s just like this Mahogany House restaurant that has now become not just one of the more popular restaurants in the country, but in the world.”

The minister said aside from a major hotel that will soon announce plans to build in San Salvador, the world-renowned Marriot will also be coming to The Bahamas.