Casuarina Beach Club Retrospective
The last time I was in Barbados (September 2003), I stayed at the Casuarina Beach Club. Located about ½ mile south of the busy tourist hub of St. Lawrence Gap, the Casuarina was an absolutely wonderful place and had done so much towards community tourism and safeguarding the environment. It was only 1 ½ years later (in Spring 2005) that the Casuarina closed up shop and the property was sold to Almond Resorts. In my Eulogy to the Casuarina Beach Club, I discussed my feelings towards this hotel in detail.
At this time, I would like to share some memories with you of this special hotel in a short video that I put together. Enjoy!
… from Calypso Island Chronicles: Eulogy for the Casuarina Beach Club
Our thanks to an old friend who sent us this video and said “This almost makes me cry. This clip was sent to me by a friend who used to visit Barbados in the past. They have planned to visit Barbados this winter and won’t find the ambiance that used to bring them back to Barbados.”
Built with love, bought out with money, a unique treasure that can never be replaced
Sam,
Sam,
Bonnie and her team created a very special place which attracted one of the highest levels of repeat guests of any hotel on Barbados.
Interesting letter in the Nation today. Would never have happened under her reign.
From the world’s leading Green Hotel to and environmental offender…….wow what a change!!!! The old Casuarina staff cleaned the beach themselves sometimes as early as 4.00am and never depended on NCC. And you are quite right Sam will never be replaced!!!
Loreto,
Just emailed the 2005 National Geographic article on the old Casuarina to BFP. I hope they post it.
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As both Adrian and Loreto know, the love of environment was a deep rooted philosophy at the former Casuarina and not lip service or just because it looks good to be called green (as is the case with so many other propetties). Yes, the former manager Bonnie herself along with some dedicated staff walked the beach often from bougainvillea to Turtle beach and cleaned it of all rubbish from cigarette butts to dirty napkins etc. No one saw, it was just done, and at four or five in the morning when most of us were sleeping. They also won almost every possible environmental award in the world, from back when It was not even fashionable to do so. Almond were blessed with an excellent heritage to build on, the work was done. Casuarina had one of the highest repeat visitor rates of any hotel in Barbados, to destroy this legacy would not only be mismanagement, but simlpy DUMB.