St. Lucia´s Discovery Bay Inks Management Deal with GLA Hotels

Doubloon International, developers of the Discovery at Marigot Bay Resort, Spa and Marina on St. Lucia´s west coast, signed a 10-year management contract with GLA Hotels, a Paris-based management company that specializes in the luxury market.

GLA´s properties also include the Cotton House in Mustique, the Royal Riviera in St. Jean Cap Ferrat and the Lancaster and Bel-Ami in Paris.

Discovery Bay, now scheduled to open on Sept. 15, originally had had a management contract with Sonesta Hotels Corp.

Doubloon terminated the Sonesta contract several months ago, according to John Verity, Doubloon´s managing director, who said that Sonesta´s marketing profile did not fit with Discovery´s position as a luxury boutique property.

Discovery Bay will feature 57 suites, about half of which will have plunge pools and 67 guest rooms, all with verandahs; the Lapli Spa; a fitness center; a marina; shops and restaurants; the Pink Snail Bar; and a tree house wedding venue.

In anticipation of the opening, Patrick Brizio has been named general manager. Brizio previously held management posts at Lyford Cay in the Bahamas and at SunSwept and Rex Resorts in St. Lucia.