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Huge resort near HRA still not opened

komosatp

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Bahamar (the under-construction Chinese knock-off of Las Vegas' City Center, but in Nassau and on the beach) has unexpectedly delayed its opening. It was due to open tomorrow, but they announced just 48 hours ago that the main hotel would not be ready (other hotels were not expected until real grand opening in May).

There's going to be a lot of unhappy people who've arranged for spring break time off looking to stay somewhere in Nassau (when many resorts there are basically at 100% occupancy).

Bahamar might be reimbursing people for flights, but a lot of people (like me) can't just move a vacation around. Work, school, family all get scheduled and you can't just find another week that easily.

So a lot of people will be looking for available accommodations in Nassau, on short notice. Make them Pay!!!!:hysterical::crash:

Story:
THE opening of Baha Mar has been delayed from this Friday to “early May” due to ongoing construction work at the $3.5 billion property, officials from the mega-resort confirmed in a statement last night.

In its statement, the resort also criticised the performance of the lead contractor, revealing that work at the property had not met Baha Mar’s “standards of excellence” and was not acceptable. Baha Mar also said it had relied on statements from its construction manager and lead contractor when it previously announced a March 27 opening date.

.....

The announcement of this newest delay comes days after an official from the property said the resort would begin a phased opening this week.

Last Friday, Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of government and external affairs, said only one hotel, the Baha Mar hotel and casino’s core amenities, entertainment and recreation areas would open to guests.

He also said that public spaces at the mega-resort’s three other hotels – SLS LUX, Rosewood and Grand Hyatt – also would be open on March 27 and that those hotel rooms would “come online shortly after”.

But last night the resort confirmed what many observers have openly speculated for some time, that construction at the massive luxury property would not be done in time for a March opening.

“In setting our opening date for March 27, we relied in good faith on the representations of the resort’s construction manager and lead contractor,” the statement released by Baha Mar last night said. “Last Friday, based on this party’s repeated assurances, Baha Mar announced that it would begin a paced opening beginning March 27 and culminating in its grand opening scheduled for early May.

“Subsequently, it has become clear that the contractor has not completed the work with an attention to detail consistent with Baha Mar standards of excellence. Anything less than a world-class facility and best-in-class guest experience is not acceptable to us.

“As a result, Baha Mar will not begin its paced opening on March 27. Baha Mar expects to celebrate its grand opening the first week of May 2015, as planned.”
........

Baha Mar was initially expected to open last December but that date was delayed.

In January, the resort said it would open its doors to paying customers in March.
 

Weimaraner

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The FamilyFun rental website looks really empty until June. I did just get a mailing from Atlantis that says "aquaventure- Now Exclusive For Atlantis Guests Only* (Aquaventure can also be purchased through cruise ship packages)."

I have no idea what this means?

I looked at the Comfort Suites hotel and they still offer admission to Aquaventure. And they still offer to cruise guests. So who can't use Aquaventure? Are they saying Baha Mar guests? I don't know what has changed
 
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komosatp

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The FamilyFun rental website looks really empty until June.
I just saw a post on Trip Advisor that indicated the delay may be even longer.

Bahamar has four different brands within the towers in the development (Grand Hyatt, SLS Lux, Rosewood, and Bahamar Hotel and Casino). The unbranded was the one supposed to open March 27, with the others to follow in May. There's little public info on this, and it could be that the resort *has to* open in phases, so even more people will be seeking out accommodations in Nassau, possibly into June.
I did just get a mailing from Atlantis that says "aquaventure- Now Exclusive For Atlantis Guests Only* (Aquaventure can also be purchased through cruise ship packages)."

I have no idea what this means?

I looked at the Comfort Suites hotel and they still offer admission to Aquaventure. And they still offer to cruise guests. So who can't use Aquaventure? Are they saying Baha Mar guests? I don't know what has changed
Yes, they are basically saying Bahamar guests are out-of-luck, but from what I've read its a blanket policy for all non-Atlantis Nassau hotels.

My understanding is that Atlantis will no longer sell general public day passes. Cruisers can walk-up and show a cruise ship ID, if Aquaventure is not sold out, but people at the RIU, Cable Beach Resorts, and other Nassau accommodation won't be able to use Aquaventure without having a room at 'official' places, including HRA and Comfort Suites (and probably the One & Only Ocean Club).

I think the practical impact on crowds at Atlantis will be negligible, because I would bet 95% of the non-Atlantis guest crowd is pre-booked cruise excursions. I think the bottom line is Atlantis didn't want families booking a week at Bahamar, and coming over to Atlantis for a one day visit. If people want to experience Atlantis' attractions, they have to stay there. Or so the thinking goes.

This could have an impact on HRA rule-breakers: I'm sure some of the less honarable among us have brought more then the 'legal' occupancy down to HRA, planning to buy daypasess for the unauthorized/registered person. This policy takes away that avenue.
 
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Weimaraner

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So does Atlantis own Comfort Suites? I hear of so many cruisers that rent a room at Comfort Suites just for the Aquaventure passes.

I really hope Baha Mar doesn't have too much of an impact on Atlantis. From what I've read, Baha Mar is geared toward adults while Atlantis is more family friendly. I hope there is plenty of business to go around for both to be successful with their target markets. Not a good impression by leaving people stranded by pushing back dates.
 
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komosatp

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So does Atlantis own Comfort Suites?
Own? not sure especially after the change in Atlantis' ownership a few years ago. At one time, Kerzner Ltd. was on the ID card you got at check-in at the CS. Not sure of the set-up now, but they still have Atlantis access.
I really hope Baha Mar doesn't have too much of an impact on Atlantis. From what I've read, Baha Mar is geared toward adults while Atlantis is more family friendly. I hope there is plenty of business to go around for both to be successful with their target markets. Not a good impression by leaving people stranded by pushing back dates.
I think its a different product. Atlantis might lose some swank-a-luxe Cove and/Reef customers, but gain more families. Might be good for Atlantis in the long run by adding more airlift to the island (hopefully bringing in more competition/flights and maybe lower airfare), and stimulate more investment in Atlantis, like new facilities, restaurants, attractions, etc. Think of what happened to Orlando when Universal decided to compete head-to-head with Disney - now Orlando has record number of visitors each year and lots of recurring investments in the theme parks/attractions.
 
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Weimaraner

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Good point! I'm glad to also see Marriott signed on to Atlantis which shows that the resort will continue to compete. I remember pre-9/11 there use to be cheap one day trips offered to Nassau from Michigan. I never had the chance to go. Now it's more complicated to get to Nassau and expensive. I'm looking at airfare around $500-$600 pp this summer. I'd really love to see more flight options.

Thanks for your postings!
 
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SMHarman

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Bahamar (the under-construction Chinese knock-off of Las Vegas' City Center, but in Nassau and on the beach) has unexpectedly delayed its opening. It was due to open tomorrow, but they announced just 48 hours ago that the main hotel would not be ready (other hotels were not expected until real grand opening in May).

There's going to be a lot of unhappy people who've arranged for spring break time off looking to stay somewhere in Nassau (when many resorts there are basically at 100% occupancy).

Bahamar might be reimbursing people for flights, but a lot of people (like me) can't just move a vacation around. Work, school, family all get scheduled and you can't just find another week that easily.

So a lot of people will be looking for available accommodations in Nassau, on short notice. Make them Pay!!!!:hysterical::crash:

Story:
My friends that are going in a couple of weeks were given a full refund. Their 9 days at BahMar replaced with 9 days AI at the Melia (free) and an invite to come back to BahMar for 9 days for free when it opens.

Jacking up your HRA rentals will not impact those with existing reservations.
 

komosatp

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My friends that are going in a couple of weeks were given a full refund. Their 9 days at BahMar replaced with 9 days AI at the Melia (free) and an invite to come back to BahMar for 9 days for free when it opens.

Jacking up your HRA rentals will not impact those with existing reservations.
I've seen stories like this....maybe the conspiracy theories are right and Bahamar didn't open because of really low bookings, not because construction was unexpectedly delayed.

Also, I'm sure the peak days in Nassau this year are March 28 - April 10, and after that there's availability at other resorts. Some of the Facebook/tripadvisor anecdotes indicate that people wanted to be re-accommodated at Atlantis, and were told by Bahamar reps that Atlantis was an option, only to find out later (calls back/20 minutes on hold) that Atlantis was sold-out and Melia was the only option.
 

SMHarman

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These friends had the option of the Atlantis but decided in the $ saving AI.

They have booked a couple I'd says in the holiday inn to visit Atlantis.
 

komosatp

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The situation is still pretty bad. Opening is still months away, with major disputes between the owner* and the contractor. Bahamar is denying rumors that it has run out of cash and won't open until 2016.
*The 'owner' Sarkis Izmirlian put up a few hundred million of his father's money, and was lent several billion by the China Export-Import bank, and had China Construction America as contractor.
 

PamMo

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This is very sad to read. I own at Harborside, but am anxious to see the Baha Mar project completed. It will help the local economy and make Nassau/New Providence an even better place to vacation.
 

komosatp

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This is very sad to read. I own at Harborside, but am anxious to see the Baha Mar project completed. It will help the local economy and make Nassau/New Providence an even better place to vacation.
I agree. Its gotten beyond the laugh at it and 'root for the home team' stage, and into a real concern for the Bahamas. I believe it will eventually open, but it could get bogged down in litigation and political disputes for months, if not a year or two.

The way I see it, it looks like any faith placed in Izmirlian by the Chinese and the Bahamians was misplaced. From everything I've read, he sounds like a rich playboy fooling around with Daddy's money, never having owned or operated a motel before, let alone a multi-brand mega-resort. If either the Chinese or Bahamians had said "look, this guy is too inexperienced" and brought in somebody with experience, this situation might not have existed. A professional hotelier or developer would have seen long ago what was going on with construction. And if it were the Chinese were solely in charge, they might have been okay opening with some major shortcomings, and taken care of the finer points later. Now its just a hot mess.
 
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komosatp

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komosatp

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Not sure if this makes the situation better or worse:
Baha Mar Resort Undertakes Voluntary Chapter 11 Process
Might be time for an update on this quagmire, since there's quite a bit of movement in the hotel industry and on this matter recently.

Bahamar is still closed and is months if not years away from opening. It has been riding a legal roller-coaster since the U.S. bankruptcy filing. The U.S. bankruptcy filing was eventually thrown out of the U.S. courts, landing back in the Bahamian judicial system. There were legal ups and downs along the way, but in the past few week the Chinese used the Bahamian court system to foreclose on the property. There will probably be some legal wrangling along the way, but Sarkis Izmarlian looks to be out, and the Chinese have found a hero to bring the project home and open the resort.

Wait for it...

Sol Kerzner, the inspiration /builder/former owner of Atlantis. Sol was forced to turn over Atlantis to his lenders a few years ago when he was unable to refinance all the debt he took out to expand it and take it private.

Despite Sol formerly not having the best reputation in the Bahamas, it sounds like they welcome his involvement since he knows how to get things done in the Bahamas.

I think getting this resort opened is good for HRA, Atlantis, and the Bahamas. Its now a giant visible zit on an otherwise beautiful face, sitting there nearly completed but unopened. Many of the airlines that had planned additional air-lift to the island haven't started new flights. There's so much unemployment (they estimate that Bahamar will be 12% of the Nassau economy) that they're setting a new murder rate record in Nassau this year.

The sooner this opens the better.
 

Bill4728

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I've changed the title of this thread since it is not about HRA rentals but about a huge resort which still has not opened

Just a quick warning several travel websites list the four hotels in this resort complex as "accepting reservations" and they have ratings. How can anyone rate a hotel that isn't open? all of these should have a BIG warning that the hotels are not open and may not open for some time.
 
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Helios

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Has anything opened, or is the entire project stopped?
 

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How about the Grand Hyatt? I guess it's also affected by the delay.
 

komosatp

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Has anything opened, or is the entire project stopped?
Nothing has opened in the newly constructed buildings. Some of the older Cable Beach resorts that were already there are still operating. There might be grand plan to call them 'Bahamar Resorts' at some point, but not today.
How about the Grand Hyatt? I guess it's also affected by the delay.
Yes, its affected. And Rosewood tried/is trying to get out of its contract. All the legal maneuvering brought some ownership irregularities to the surface (the wrong Bahamar legal entity owned the land where the Rosewood property was being built).

I wouldn't be surprised if the brands of the hotel towers change with the foreclosure. The new owners might want certain operators to come in, and that might give Rosewood and/or Hyatt an avenue to get out.
 

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Nothing has opened in the newly constructed buildings. Some of the older Cable Beach resorts that were already there are still operating. There might be grand plan to call them 'Bahamar Resorts' at some point, but not today.Yes, its affected. And Rosewood tried/is trying to get out of its contract. All the legal maneuvering brought some ownership irregularities to the surface (the wrong Bahamar legal entity owned the land where the Rosewood property was being built).

I wouldn't be surprised if the brands of the hotel towers change with the foreclosure. The new owners might want certain operators to come in, and that might give Rosewood and/or Hyatt an avenue to get out.

Do you know if they were selling timeshares at Bahamar?
 

komosatp

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Do you know if they were selling timeshares at Bahamar?
Timeshares? I dunno. There was going to be a 'residential' element to three of the resorts, according to the Bahamar website.

http://residences.bahamar.com

I think they were trying to go 'higher end' with these units, kind of like The Reef at Atlantis or those fractional ownership Ritz Carlton clubs. But the fact that I haven't seen any mention of lawsuits from people who put money down for the units probably means that they haven't sold any yet. That gives them leeway to repurpose them when the final ownership eventually gets settled.
 

Helios

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Timeshares? I dunno. There was going to be a 'residential' element to three of the resorts, according to the Bahamar website.

http://residences.bahamar.com

I think they were trying to go 'higher end' with these units, kind of like The Reef at Atlantis or those fractional ownership Ritz Carlton clubs. But the fact that I haven't seen any mention of lawsuits from people who put money down for the units probably means that they haven't sold any yet. That gives them leeway to repurpose them when the final ownership eventually gets settled.

Thanks for posting this. I would stick with the Reef at Atlantis if I was going to go the residence route.
 

PamMo

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YAY!!! :clap::whooopie::clap: In case you haven't heard, there was a soft opening of Baha Mar last month. The first phase of the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and Casino opened it's doors April 21st. I just saw this thread in the Caribbean forum of TUG. The linked articles provide some local news about the resort. I think it is definitely a good thing for Nassau! And for Harborside owners, as Atlantis is already feeling the need to up their game to compete with Baha Mar.

http://tugbbs.com/forums/index.php?...nally-arrived-for-1-800-room-baha-mar.255586/

Any Tuggers in Harborside that want to go check it out and give us a report?

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/17/...-resort-nassau-hotel-casino-opening.html?_r=0

https://bahamar.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/international-business/article147383954.html

From the Miami Herald article above:
As Baha Mar prepares to open, Atlantis — the Paradise Island resort that features the world’s largest marine habitat — plans to take on the competition with a new advertising campaign and music video featuring Bahamian groups. The new campaign launches May 8.
 
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