Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas - As the dramatic transformation of the former Resort & Casino at Bahamia nears completion, the property is preparing to roll out a whole new identity with a name change, re-branding of both hotels on the property, a new one-million gallon beach pool and full-service spa, upgraded golf courses and casino, and a children’s club that features the island’s first children’s only restaurant.  The new Royal Oasis Golf Resort and Casino will complete its $42 million renovation in May 2002 and feature two distinctive hotel options situated on a green park-like campus with walking trails and water features. Upon completion, the Tower will be re-branded as a Crowne Plaza and the Country Club as a Holiday Inn Sunspree, creating the first dual branded Holiday Inn project in The Bahamas.
“We have created a new destination on the island of Grand Bahama!” said David Buddemeyer, president of Driftwood Hospitality Management.  “The new beach pool is a strikingly beautiful new addition and will serve as the focal point of the new property.  With the removal of Sunrise Drive, there is a whole new sense of arrival at both hotels. We have unified the property both physically and operationally, so that guests staying at either hotel will have access to all of the resort’s amenities.”
A new entrance to the property features a circular drive around a fountain. Renovation of the guestrooms includes all new furniture, fixtures and soft goods.  The Tower features a soft color scheme in shades of pale lemon, blue and green with cherry wood furnishings and elegant frosted lighting fixtures.  The Country Club guestrooms involve significant changes to the outside façade of each building as well as the interior of all of the guest rooms, which have been completely gutted and refitted with new washed oak furniture and a cheerful tropical color scheme, with new television sets, lighting and bathroom fixtures. 
The fabulous new one-million-gallon beach pool will provide guests with their own self-contained ‘beach’ right on the property; it is surrounded by a family-oriented entertainment area with a full-service spa and fitness facilities, and a children’s activity center that will feature the island’s first kids-only restaurant called “Curly Tails.”
All of the restaurants have been re-themed and redesigned with The Lemon Peel, the Tower’s casual dining experience, becoming the Palm Grill and The Patio, a similar restaurant at the Country Club, becoming the Calypso Café. The property’s fine dining restaurants are also being redone, with the casino’s Crowne Room becoming Paradiso and being relocated to the Tower, and the renowned Rib Room moving to a much larger space (the former Guanihani restaurant) at the Country Club so that it can accommodate its growing list of fans. The Coconut Bar, a new sports bar located adjacent to the Tower lobby, will offer lively entertainment and panoramic views of the pool area.
The Casino is currently completing a $12 million renovation that includes 700 new slot machines with player tracking systems, a new electronic Sports Book with 18 satellite cable television sets showing all major sporting events, and the all-new Tonic lounge featuring live entertainment.
The main gaming floor has received a chic new look with custom carpeting, upholstery, signage and modern lighting features, as well as a new layout that features more gaming space with a new VIP gaming room, expanded slots area, a re-designed Sports Book and a host of new games including Monopoly, Yatzhe, Wheel of Fortune, and the popular Wheel of Madness for blackjack enthusiasts.  The casino’s new Player Club will be launched in May offering rated players the opportunity to win a wide variety of prizes as well as complimentary rooms, meals and air fare.
The $6 million dollar redesign of the resort’s championship golf facilities, The Ruby and The Emerald golf courses, is complete.  The Ruby course has been completely re-designed by the Fazio Design Group and re-opened September 2001. The Emerald course also recently re-opened in December 2001. These 18 hole, par 72, courses were originally designed by Dick Wilson and Joe Lee in 1964 and are established sites for major championship tournaments played in the Bahamas. The world-renowned Jim Fazio Golf Design headed up the entire revamp and upgrade of the golf courses. Renovations included lengthening The Ruby course to increase the rating and enhance play; a fully automated irrigation system; additional waste bunkers as well as new golf carts at the pro shop and new golf programs taught by former Disney golf pros.
The Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino is part of the Driftwood Hospitality Management family of companies.  Driftwood is an independent hospitality management company based in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Driftwood owns and/or operates the Grand Bahama Vacations tour operation based in Fort Lauderdale as well as a portfolio of nine hotels and resorts comprising approximately 3,000 guest rooms throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and The Bahamas. 
For more information and reservations at the Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino, call your travel agent or 1-800-545-1300. 
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