Spice Island Beach Resort Celebrates 20 Years

Two Decade Journey Under the Ownership of Sir Royston O. Hopkin and Family

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. October 14, 2008

GRENADA, January 22, 2008. The luxurious, award-winning Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada is celebrating the completion of 20 years under the ownership, guidance and vision of Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG. Sir Royston purchased the then-named Spice Island Inn on Sept. 7, 1987 and began a two-decade journey to cultivate his dream of creating a luxurious, high-caliber resort, unrivalled in elegance, style and service in the Caribbean.

"Building Spice into the top-class, high-end resort that it is today has been my passion from the beginning," said Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG. "I consider myself extremely lucky that I can enjoy such tremendous satisfaction in seeing my dream for Spice come to fruition," he added.

A History of Spice & Luxury

In 1969, Sir Royston and a group of investors bought the 20-room Spice Island Inn (originally built in 1961) and within the year they increased the suite count to 30. Seeking to bring to life his vision of a magnificent oasis by the sea, Sir Royston purchased a majority interest in Spice Island Inn in 1987 and became owner and chairman of the property.

Under his skillful stewardship, the property grew from 28 to 56 suites by 1991 and was renamed the Spice Island Beach Resort. In 2000, the resort underwent a $6 million transformation and re-opened on Dec. 2 of that year as the "NEW" Spice Island Beach Resort, showcasing 66 elegant suites, a new spa, and a new restaurant and bar, along with many enhanced services and amenities, further elevating the level of luxury at the property.

Then, in September 2004, Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada and destroyed 75 percent of Spice Island Beach Resort. Not to be daunted, Sir Royston instead became inspired and set forth on his most ambitious project yet - to oversee the rebirth of Spice Island Beach Resort. A massive $12 million rebuilding and restyling effort began with some of the greatest minds in the business - FL-based Kobi Karp Inc., who was charged with the architectural and interior design, and Talma Mills Studios of Barbados, responsible for redesigning the eight-acre grounds and creating the exterior lighting concept.

The property re-opened in December 2005 and unveiled an unmatched level of accommodations and unprecedented brand of chic style and timeless luxury in the Caribbean. No expense was spared - new hardwood furniture produced in the Far East, Italian porcelain tiles, Hansgrohe bathroom fixtures designed by Phillip Starck, Frette linens and bathrobes, Dermalogica spa products, and Molton Brown bath and body amenities are just a sample of what awaits guests at Spice Island Beach Resort. For pictures of the property, please visit http://www.spicebeachresort.com/imagelibrary or for a virtual tour, click on http://www.spicebeachresort.com/VirtualTours.htm.

During the time of the rebuilding, Sir Royston was graciously conferred the Knighthood title for his contributions to tourism in Grenada in the New Year's Honors of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. Sir Royston is proudly the only Caribbean hotelier ever knighted by the Queen of England, done so for his long-time dedication to the development and promotion of Caribbean tourism.

"I feel truly blessed in my career, and I anticipate with joy what the future holds for Spice Island Beach Resort," Sir Royston noted.