During a grand opening event marked by speeches, surprises and some late-night fireworks, the staff at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef were most excited Thursday night by a $20,000 check presentation to the Education Department to support hospitality programs at the Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean high schools.
“At Frenchman’s Reef it is our mission to guide and nurture the future leaders of the hospitality industry,” Frenchman’s Human Resources Director Sadie Clendinen said. “And not just by making financial donations and contributions but in the way of internships and mentorships – and yes, job opportunities right here at this hotel. As a matter of fact, at the end of the month, we have several students who are going to be interning in our food and beverage department and we’re so excited about that.”
Almost a dozen students worked the event, which was packed with dignitaries, national and regional media, and just about everyone – from the construction lender to the hotel’s staff – who had a hand in the resort’s reopening. While the Westin has been booking guests for a few months, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. joked during the program that after repeated announcements about the official opening, it was time to “cut the damn ribbon.”
On a more serious note, Bryan said the journey to reopening the Reef, which has been closed since twin hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, has cost the territory 12,000 room nights a month – a significant contribution, he added, to the coffers of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“So when it came down to figuring out what we were going to do to make this happen, it was whatever it took,” he said, adding that with the critical role tourism plays in the economy of the islands, delivering on promises made to investors is paramount.
“This shows that we can compete and thrive within the Caribbean, we can build new hotels, we can build our tourism product – and we have the will and the determination to make the Virgin Islands the premiere tourism product it was meant to be,” Bryan said.
And if the event was any indication of what visitors could expect when visiting the hotel, it’s nothing short of extraordinary, blending local experiences with some of the more unique features from properties across the region.
“The new traveler now is definitely into experiences,” Jenn Johnson of Jenn Events, which coordinated the opening, said. “We offer so many incredible things here in the Virgin Islands so to be able to showcase that is important but to also show what you get when you bring a large party or group here – from entertainment from experiences on the water.”
Booked for the night at the entrance was a classical violinist – and more than 30-year resident of the territory – Chris Robbert, who performed with Lydia Tyson from the Caribbean Ritual Dancers in the background. Stepping inside, with the cross breeze from the terrace blowing through the lobby, guests were treated to a mouthwatering spread from Sugarfin, the hotel’s Asian fusion eatery, with the lilt of St. John-based Broheem With Love playing in the background.
A walkthrough of the property was added in for attendees, with staff from Black Rabbit Productions adding a special immersive touch – including performances in the pool downstairs – to the evening.
A fireworks finale closed off the ribbon cutting, with guests throughout the hotel watching from the decks.
