Undoubtedly, Marigot Bay’s unspoilt natural beauty and idyllic seaside setting promises an awesome experience to any visitor. Now the international development group who recently acquired the former Discovery Bay and brought on-board the acclaimed, Capella Hotels and Resort company to manage the property is aiming to provide its guests with even more thrills along with a breathtaking and adventurous holiday experience.
‘Quality pesonalised service’ is Capella’s motto as they gear up to provide the ultimate dream holiday at Marigot Bay to satisfy even the most avid adventurer, as well as land and sea vacationers.
The hotel acquisition was a ‘fait accompli’ business deal for Capella, their first in the Caribbean. Saint Lucia was the ideal choice and Capella’s vision is to transform the Marigot Bay into a world-class hub bubbling with activity.
Personalised comfort and satisfaction are guaranteed in this holiday haven ideally located in the most picturesque cove on the west coast. High service standards are the hallmark of Capella’s operations and Marigot Bay offers a ‘private luxury setting with pleasurable experiences and memories to last.’
Capella Marigot Bay Resort & Marina, which aims to be among the world’s top luxury resorts, was recently awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award. It is a member of Leading Hotels of the World and was listed in the 2007 Condé Nast Traveller Hot List.
“We want to make Capella Marigot Bay a unique vacationing experience and give people a reason to come to Marigot Bay,” says Capella’s exuberant general manager, Jeroen Quint.
After 23 years working in the industry it has become a passion for Quint, who hails from the Netherlands. With his wealth of experience in the hotel business, he brings a strong work ethic and a clear-sighted vision to the resort’s operations.
Jeroen Quint’s progression to the upper ranks of the hotel industry has been quite an amazing journey. He got his initial break working at the Hyatt Hotel in Germany and went on to graduate from the College of International Hospitality and Business Management in the Hague.
Whilst studying hotel management in Germany, Quint was able to learn about, Horst Schulze, CEO and Owner of Capella Hotels and Resorts, whom he rates highly and regards as his mentor, and one who has been very influential in his career path, including landing his current job.
Quint says he is indebted to Schulze and other persons who helped to nurture his career. Schulze started the Ritz Carlton Hotel line in 1983 and is widely regarded as the man who transformed the luxury hospitality industry. Quint worked with Hyatt before joining the Ritz Carlton, which would lead to a strong business partnership with Schulze.
After Schulze’s retirement from the Ritz Carlton, which was sold to the Mariott Hotel, he decided that he wanted “to do this all over again.” But this time around it would be a hotel group that offered more personalised service to clients.
As Quint explained, “We needed to start a company that focuses on about 100 rooms per hotel, so that we could offer really individualised and personalised service to our guests.” And so the Capella brand was conceptualized.
Capella was established in 2002/2003 with a dream “to become that hotel luxury brand that really serves up to a small group of people with quality service.”
During a five-year job stint, Quint managed Capella’s hotels in Europe before he got picked for the job in St. Lucia.
Quint gladly embraced the opportunity to return to the Caribbean. “I am very excited about it,” he adds. “It’s a beautiful island with great people and this presents a great opportunity to create from what already is a very good vision from the former Discovery Bay hotel – with the marina, marina village , shopping gallery – and to put it all together as one luxury Caribbean Resort & Marina destination. We want to be the best that we can be.”
Having worked his way up from the lower ranks in the hotel circuit to the upper management levels, Quint is unequivocal about what is required from everyone on the job in order for a resort to be successful. “Love the work that you do, then the guests will be happy, staff will be happy and management will be happy, and this will lead to a harmonious operation.”
He emphasises that the major stakeholders in the Capella setup involve employers, employees, guests and the surrounding community. Capella operates as a management company, says Quint, and “our goal is to show people that they can transform their lives.”
The Capella resort places strong emphasis on service standards and empowering staff “with a sense of purpose and belonging to the resort.” Its service mantra is to harness the workers’ skills and provide quality service.
“We believe in growth, we believe in people choosing a career path and not just a job,” said Quint. “We believe in promotion from within and enriching our employees’ lives in the community as a result of this.”
Capella takes its corporate social responsibility seriously and this ideal is embedded in its approach with regard to community outreach. The resort plans to work hand in hand with the Marigot community with the aim of developing strong social partnerships with the residents.
Quint adds that among Capella’s goals is to provide a ‘safe harbour’ in an idyllic setting to accommodate adventure seekers, as well as luxury chartered yachts.
The resort is keenly focussed on clients from key markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the USA. Catering to visitors from the other Caribbean islands is also a priority. Locals will have preferred access to the resort and be able to enjoy its thrilling array of 5-star services.
What distinguishes Capella’s service from that of other hotels on the island? Quint says Saint Lucia is blessed with some very good hotels. “To me, some of the best hotels in the region are right here … some of them are known for their service and exquisite setting. To me it is exciting because I want to be competing at that level,” he added.
Quint explains that what sets Capella apart is the quality and scale of the service offered. “We want to create experiences for our guests by bringing in local artistes and giving them the opportunity to spend time with the guests one-on-one, to share their vision of how and why they create their craftwork, and to show what is special about Saint Lucia,” he said.
“Marigot Bay is a unique destination because it is a hurricane hole for super mega yachts,” Quint noted. “In my opinion, you cannot ask for a more beautiful spot in the Caribbean. But you need to create something for people to do.”
Over the next six months Capella will embark on extensive renovation works to enhance the property. The Food and Beverage service will showcase a Show Kitchen and an Exhibition Kitchen offering an exclusive fine-dining experience. Rum Cave at the lagoon will be the spot for casual entertainment and a Marina Village casual bar and sitting area will serve up ‘high energy’ entertainment aimed at attracting young people to a cool hangout featuring lively music.
According to Quint, the hallmark of the resort will be providing exquisite amenities “in an intimate environment for guests using every possible modern facility, including the Lapli Spa, a fitness centre, shopping, bars and restaurants for the ultimate vacation experience.”
“In Marigot Bay we want to give you a reason to come visit us. And between the Marina and all the Marina Village experiences, we need to have weekly activities that give people a reason to come here,” Quint added.
The Capella Marigot Bay Resort & Marina GM is excited about the hotel’s prospects for success and remains steadfast in his belief that everything will work out fine.
“We need to create something that will drive people here,” Quint stresses. “Something that is good for employment, for the business sector and for the economy; that is good for social awareness, and that is going to be crucial to us.”
