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New Coco Reef Resort Set to Open in May

On the site of the old Stonington Beach Hotel, Bermuda’s newest hotel property, the Coco Reef Resort
is on schedule for opening in May, 2004.Bermudian Hotel Company, Coco Reef Resorts Limited, acquired the 130 bed Stonington Beach Hotel, previously owned by the Government of Bermuda. The property is currently undergoing substantial renovation, refurbishment and expansion. The re-development of the property will include a dramatic new atrium lobby and the refurbishment of all bedrooms and public rooms. An elegant new fine dining restaurant will be added, plus a beach bar and grill. The hotel will re - open as the Coco Reef Resort - Bermuda. The total cost of the re-development is expected to be in excess of 10 million dollars. 


Chairman and sole shareholder of Coco Reef Resorts Ltd, John Jefferis, stated: “We are excited by the acquisition of Stonington, it is a delightful property situated on Bermuda’s most famous beach. We have invested significantly in the renovation and refurbishing of the property to make Coco Reef a world-class hotel. No expense has been spared in achieving that objective.”


The dramatic entry lobby features exotic statues, fountains and a soaring fifty foot Atrium with a crystal skylight and an intricate patterned floor using 6,000 square feet of special quarry cut marble including exotic Rojo Alicante tumbled marble inserts.
The new La Vista Bar offers the most spectacular views of the ocean available in Bermuda. Afternoon tea will be served in the residents lobby. An extensive collection of Caribbean art and antique furniture will complete the interior design.


The property’s new signature restaurant “Juanitos” is to be themed around Juan de Bermudez, the Spanish explorer who discovered Bermuda in 1505, and who gave his name to the Islands. It will feature a rich exotic Spanish colonial look, unique to the island. In keeping with the cutting edge eclectic design the service style of the new restaurant will be strictly formal. Artwork will also be an integral part of the concept and art dealers have been commissioned to acquire suitable period pieces, to further enhance the restaurant’s old world ambiance. Coco Reef - Bermuda’s Executive Chef, Stefan Weser, is working on a menu he describes as “reaching a new level of resort hotel dining”. “Ricky’s” named after the owner of Bermuda’s pre-eminent construction company R.M.S., is a new casual beach bar and grill cantilevered out over the ocean. The rustic design is reminiscent of a more civilised time.


All the bedrooms and suites will encompass a generous sitting area and are completely re-furnished. Custom made wicker furniture is the feature around which the room’s design will revolve. An original fabric design has been commissioned solely for Coco Reef, encompassing Bermuda’s traditional pastel colour palette, additionally original paintings will be included to further enhance the luxurious ambiance. Other features will include high speed internet access and in- room “movies on demand” enabling guests to choose, when they wish to watch an extensive library of recently released films. Other amenities include refrigerators, hair dryers, specially formulated bathroom amenities and direct dial telephone. One and two bedroom Villa Suites are also available which are furnished to the same high standard as the rooms but include full kitchens and living rooms.

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The new “Tamaras Terrace” and the pool terraces will have a Mediterranean feel with antique balustrades featuring strongly in the design. The spectacular view from the terrace will provide the perfect al fresco dining area.


The new villa suites will feature a separate lounge/dining area, kitchen, king size bedroom suite and extensive bathroom facilities including walk-in shower. The bathrooms and all floor surfaces will feature travertine marble and an additional dining area will be available on the covered terrace.


Coco Reef’s flagship property in Tobago, winner of the 2003 World Travel Awards “Best Resort in the Caribbean”, has had a record start to 2004, with occupancies in the high nineties for the first three months. The company also owns Tobago Inflite Airline Caterers and Café Coco theme restaurants.
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