Spice Island

Recognizing the resort’s commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standards, the luxurious 64-suite Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada has received the prestigious Green Globe Re-Certification Award.

"Green Globe Certification is not only a smart business decision for any hotel since it reduces costs, it also increases environmental awareness within the traveling community which makes it is extremely vital for any hospitality business in the Caribbean," said Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG, chairman and managing director of Spice Island Beach Resort. He added, “our appeal in the Caribbean is vastly dependant on our natural resources. It is imperative that the necessary safeguards be in place so that we can preserve our rich eco-systems in order to ensure our long-term profitability.

"At Spice we take pride in going above and beyond when it comes to minimizing our carbon footprint and promoting a harmonious natural lifestyle. We do it because it's the right thing to do, and the traveling public rewards us for it with frequent stays and positive reviews," said Sir Royston.

Spice Island Beach Resort was the first property on Grenada to become Green Globe Certified in 2004. In 2005, following a brief property closure as a result of Hurricane Ivan, the resort embarked on a massive $12 million rebuilding and renovation project and implemented a variety of green initiatives, including:
• Use of solar rooftop heaters for all hot water needs.
• Utilizing water from the sea (during the dry season) through an on-property desalinization plant (where seawater is desalinized into fresh water).
• Purification of the main swimming pool and private pools in the Anthurium, Luxury Almond and Royal Collection Suites by the chemical-free Auto Pilot system, which uses salt instead of chlorine (the resort has converted 295,000-plus gallons of water).
• Composting and maintenance of a vegetable and herb garden that supplies the kitchen with fresh ingredients.
• Purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally and organically.
• Incorporation of native plants into the landscaping, replanting of trees, placement of garbage containers on Grand Anse Beach, and clean-ups of reefs and the surrounding Mourne Rouge area.
• Use of energy-efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs throughout the property.
• Outside lights on timers.
• Turning off air conditioners when rooms aren’t occupied and encouraging guests to conserve as well.
• Water and electricity meter readings are conducted daily and communicated at morning meetings.
• Use of recycled printer cartridges.
• Use of 100% post consumer paper for company letterheads and envelopes.
• 1.5 gpm aerators installed on all taps in the bathrooms and on some kitchen sinks.
• Reuse of office paper for internal printing and old towels as kitchen and housekeeping washcloths.
• Use of environmentally-friendly cleaning products (most cleaning products are food-based, non-toxic and phosphate-free).
• Purchase of energy-efficient electrical appliances and water conservation devices.
• Empowering each employee as an “Environmental Agent” by providing them with the necessary training and education on the resort’s environmental practices, policies and objectives. The resort also has a Green Team comprised of staff supervisors and managers to oversee and implement the environmental program.

Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Green Globe provides a certification system that responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet including the greenhouse effect, over-use of freshwater resources, destruction of biodiversity, production of solid and biological waste, and corporate social issues.

GRENADA (Feb. 28, 2012) – Timelessly elegant Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada is not just paying lip service when it speaks of "the royal treatment." Yesterday, the five-star resort welcomed Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex, who were in Grenada on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee. A state luncheon was held at the luxury resort on Monday, February 27 in honour of Their Royal Highnesses and the historic occasion.

Chairman and Managing Director Sir Royston Hopkin KCMG and his wife Lady Hopkin were on hand to greet The Earl and Countess of Wessex. Quite unexpectedly, Their Royal Highnesses took the time to greet guests of the resort before being escorted to Oliver’s Restaurant by Grenada’s Governor General Sir Carlyle Glean GCMG and Lady Glean. Following the state luncheon, Their Royal Highnesses presented Gold Awards to members of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards Programme.

“The entire Spice family was proud to welcome The Earl and Countess of Wessex,” said Sir Royston. “We are truly honoured to have hosted Their Royal Highnesses during their brief visit to Grenada in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.”

Their Royal Highnesses are the latest in a long list of distinguished royalty and celebrities to be hosted by the world-renowned resort, including Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who spent the night at Spice Island Beach Resort last summer.

While the family-run resort is honoured to receive prominent visitors, it extends the same graceful hospitality to all of its discerning guests who continue to return to Grenada for Spice Island Beach Resort's unique brand of unobtrusive service and exhilarating culinary experiences.

PARADISE ISLAND, THE BAHAMAS (Jan. 23, 2012) – Grenada's premier luxury hideaway, Spice Island Beach Resort has been named "Most Excellent Resort" in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific by the authoritative Condé Nast Johansens at an awards presentation held earlier today at Caribbean Marketplace in the Bahamas.

Sir Royston Hopkin, accompanied by Lady Hopkin, was humbled as his model for a timeless luxury retreat centered around the impeccable standards of an elegant family-run resort achieved top status in the international luxury travel guide of the most trusted name in travel publishing, Condé Nast Publications Ltd.

"Once again I accept this honor on behalf of the entire dedicated and hardworking team at Spice Island Beach Resort – my management, our food & beverage and culinary staff, reservations specialists, housekeepers, gardeners, maintenance, all employees. Each one plays an integral role in the creation of relaxing, enjoyable, service-oriented vacations personalized for each discerning guest," said Sir Royston.

Spice Island Beach Resort was selected from an exclusive collection of luxury, boutique hotels, inns and resorts throughout the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands. Readers of the guides, hotel guests and the Condé Nast Johansens inspection team all contributed votes in the selection process.

Lesley O’Malley-Keyes, Vice President & Publishing Director, The Americas, Condé Nast Johansens, noted: "The Awards for Excellence winners represent the very best of the best. Our readers are discerning and experienced travelers who know what they want when they travel – exceptional accommodations, outstanding service and good value. Condé Nast Johansens only recommends properties that meet these very specific standards."

Spice Island Beach Resort has also recently achieved "Gold" standing in Condé Nast Traveler's 2011 Readers' Choice Awards and has been rated the # 1 property in Virgin Holidays exclusive worldwide Platinum Collection for six years in a row. Last year, the resort received Condé Nast Johansens 2011 Award for Most Excellent Service. Other accolades include the AAA Four Diamond® Award, which the upscale Grenadian hideaway received for eight consecutive years. Sir Royston himself is the recent recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Grenada's premiere luxury hideaway, Spice Island Beach Resort has been rated the # 1 property in Virgin Holidays exclusive worldwide Platinum Collection for the sixth consecutive year. Owner and managing director Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG, was awarded Virgin Holidays' prestigious "Gold" distinction in an Olympic-themed ceremony this past weekend at World Travel Market 2011 in London.

The Olympic ceremony theme bespoke of the magnitude of the exclusive achievement, signified by Sir Royston's acceptance of the award from Virgin Holidays' Managing Director Amanda Wills alongside former UK Olympic decathlon medalist Daley Thompson, who won the gold himself in 1980 and 1984, breaking the Olympic record four times.

Sir Royston was elated to accept the award and once again credited the resort's dedicated management and attentive employees for their tireless contributions. "Achieving the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the world is no small feat and is unquestionably a group effort," said Sir Royston.

"The true Grenadian hospitality exhibited in the courtesy of all team members ensures seamless perfection. Each highly disciplined employee plays an important role in the creation of memorable experiences, personalized for each discerning guest," noted the resort's proud owner.
"It begins with our helpful reservations specialists who make our guests feel welcomed before they even arrive, and our visionary management team who guide the resort's service-oriented philosophy, train and reward the employees and see to it that the resort’s most luxurious and state-of-the-art facilities and amenities are presented in the most immaculate condition.
"It continues with our food & beverage and culinary team who ensure an exquisite and authentic Grenadian dining experience. Behind the scenes our gardeners, housekeeping and maintenance employees preserve Spice Island Beach Resort's impeccable standards," noted Sir Royston. "This award is shared proudly by all of us!"

Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG, owner and chairman of Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, has received the ultimate honor from the Caribbean governments with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Lifetime Achievement Award for 2011. He is the first hotelier and Grenadian to receive this accolade from the governments which follows his being knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA).

He was presented with the prestigious CTO Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rhythms of the Caribbean Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York on June 10.

“It is a true honor to be recognized by the Caribbean governments and the ministers and directors of tourism with the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Sir Royston, who used his acceptance speech to appeal to Caribbean prime ministers, tourism ministers and other government officials to commit to a policy-driven strategic approach to a consolidated regional marketing program for the Caribbean.

"For years we have been unable to get together while other regions of the world have been promoting themselves in a unified manner," said Sir Royston. "These regions will surpass us if we don't get our act together," he cautioned.

"If we can recognize that travel and tourism is so important to our economies as the single largest contributor to GDP in the Caribbean, isn't it high time we commit ourselves to a sustainable approach to marketing?

"We need a joint marketing program, not only for the U.S., but for all of North America, the UK and Europe," challenged Sir Royston. "And it needs to be policy driven.

"Once our governments agree on a consolidated program that is policy driven, the entire private sector will get behind it – the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, the airlines, all tourism stakeholders coming together as one unit.

"We've been talking for two decades, but have achieved little momentum because we're competing against each other instead of pooling our resources. And as we are fragmented, so has been the private sector's support for our largest industry. And now it's reached the point where we're falling behind as a region," noted Sir Royston.

"The world is in such dire financial crisis, we can't afford to continue with business as usual. As the backbone of our economies, tourism deserves more than just lip service. Now is the time to come together. It's a simple matter of survival."

Sir Royston's impassioned plea to Caribbean governments was equally balanced with remarks of elation and gratitude:
“I am fortunate to be able to contribute to both Grenada and the wider Caribbean community and thankful for the recognition that my efforts over the years have received. I thank all of those with whom I have worked in Grenada and throughout the region, and I hope to have touched their lives in some small way as all of them have enriched my life over the past 47 years.

“I firmly believe in the richness of the Caribbean's natural resources and culture, and am proud to work each day for the sustainability of our region's tourism. My career has blessed my family with opportunities to live, learn and share and we strive to always offer our time, talent and resources to help others achieve their dreams – from vacations, to employment, to the overall betterment of the region.”

The CTO Lifetime Achievement Award honors long-serving, high-performance professionals whose careers have truly made a difference in the Caribbean. The award is for achievement over a period of several years rather than a single contribution. It recognizes achievement that distinguishes the individual's work and provides a legacy for future generations.

“Sir Royston has been a faithful servant of Grenadian and Caribbean tourism and his dedication has been fully demonstrated through his many outstanding achievements,” said Hugh Riley, CTO's secretary general.

Sir Royston joins a list of prominent figures to receive the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award, including: Harry Belafonte; Sir Sidney Poitier; Cicely Tyson; New York Congressman Charles Rangel; American Airlines Senior Vice President Peter Dolara; former Barbados Tourism Minister Dame Billie Miller; the former West Indies cricketer Wes Hall; University of the West Indies Professor Rex Nettleford; founder of Black Enterprise magazine Earl Gilbert Graves, Sr.; the organization’s first Secretary General Jean Holder; and last year’s winner Dame Yvonne Maginley.

A virtual lifetime of high performance, dedicated service to his country and the Caribbean, Sir Royston has had an extensive and distinguished 47-year career of outstanding service in the hospitality and tourism sector.

Sir Royston began his tourism career when he joined the family business at the Ross Point Inn in 1965. Then, at the age of 20, he was appointed to the Grenada Board of Tourism where he served for 18 consecutive years. He holds the distinction of being the first Grenadian to be elected president of the Grenada Hotel Association (an accomplishment at the age of 24), a position he held 14 times.

In the ensuing years, Sir Royston's contributions have touched almost every sector of Grenadian society, with his luxury award-winning Spice Island Beach Resort employing more than 200 people. Sir Royston established a scholarship fund for needy children from which 110 students have benefitted, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the private and public sectors. He has also worked with the Grenada Union of Teachers and the Ministry of Education to enlighten educators about the tourism industry and has hosted 200 teachers and their spouses at his resort for a weekend to give them an opportunity to understand the hotel component of the industry.

Regionally, Sir Royston has served in various capacities in CHTA including many years on the Board of Directors and a two-year term as president followed by chairman of the association. He founded the Small Hotels Committee, which today is still one of the most important sub-committees of that organization.

He is also a member of CHTA’s executive committee and is founding member and chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), the largest private sector sustainable organization in the region.

Sir Royston is the recipient of several prestigious awards including CHTA’s coveted “Hotelier of the Year” honor (in 1991), Grenada’s Silver Anniversary Independence Awards for 25 years of dedicated service, and several other awards from the Grenada Hotel Association. The CTO previously honored Sir Royston for 25 years of loyalty and service to the region.

Perhaps his greatest honor occurred in December 2004, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II graciously conferred the title of Knight Commander of The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George (KCMG) for his contribution to tourism in Grenada and throughout the Caribbean. Sir Royston is married to Lady Hopkin (Betty), and has three children, Ryan, Nerissa and Janelle.

For more information about the award-winning 64-suite Spice Island Beach Resort, visit www.SpiceIslandBeachResort.com, call 473-444-4258 or e-mail: reservations@spicebeachresort.com.

For further information on the CTO Lifetime Achievement Award, visit www.onecaribbean.org or contact the CTO New York office at CTOny@caribtourism.com.

The timelessly elegant Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada was a hive of activity on Monday, June 6, as it welcomed Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, who presented Gold Awards to young achievers of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards programme at the resort, where she also spent the night as a guest.
The resort’s Chairman & Managing Director Sir Royston Hopkin and Lady Hopkin were on hand to greet The Princess Royal (pictured right), who is also President of the Caribbean-Canada Emerging Leaders’ Dialogue (CCELD) – part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference. Following the awards reception, The Princess Royal met with participants of the CCELD and joined them for a dinner hosted by Sir Royston and Lady Hopkin.
“The entire Spice family was proud to welcome The Princess Royal,” said Sir Royston. “We are truly honoured Her Royal Highness chose to stay with us and it was an absolute privilege to have her as our esteemed guest.”

GRENADA (April 5, 2011) -- Grenada's world renowned luxury hideaway, Spice Island Beach Resort , just bid farewell to The View co-host Sherri Shepherd and her fiancé Lamar Sally, who have been staying at the intimate five-star boutique hotel since March 26. The latest in a long list of celebrity spottings at Spice Island Beach Resort, Shepherd and Sally did not receive special treatment – that is to say they received the same exceptional, family-oriented brand of quality service the resort provides all of its guests.

Photo caption (l-r): Lamar Sally, Lady Hopkin, Sherri Shepherd and Sir Royston during
the Chairman’s Cocktails at Mace Point Villa, home of Sir Royston and Lady Hopkin.

"I was in heaven at Spice Island Beach Resort! Sir Royston Hopkin and Lady Hopkin were so gracious they made Sal and I feel like part of their family. The spirit of hospitality extended throughout the entire staff," said the star of The View, pictured to the right with Nerissa Hopkin, Spice Island Beach Resort's deputy general manager and director. "The memories of Spice Island Beach Resort will stay close to me for many years to come!"

"Ordinarily, we adhere to a strict policy of not publicizing celebrity stays out of respect for our guests' privacy, however, Ms. Shepherd was so impressed with our service and facilities she insisted upon making her satisfaction known," said Sir Royston Hopkin, owner and managing director for family-run Spice Island Beach Resort.

"It was an absolute pleasure hosting Ms. Shepherd and her fiancé. Ms. Shepherd's actual personality is as kind and approachable as her television persona, and she got along fabulously with our other discerning guests," added Sir Royston.

Throughout her stay, Shepherd updated her followers on her experience in Grenada via Twitter. Upon her return, on the Jan. 4 broadcast of The View, she wore a dress designed for her during her stay in Grenada. "Lovely ladies from Grenada made me this dress,” Shepherd informed her audience.

Shepherd went on to display several photographs from her stay at Spice Island Beach Resorts as well as some of Grenada's most picturesque settings at Annadale Waterfall, Grand Anse Beach and Grand Etang. Shepherd was not the first cast member of The View to visit Grenada, however, as original co-host Joy Behar mentioned that she had also traveled the Spice Isle.

SPICE ISLAND BEACH RESORT, GRENADA, AWARDED COVETED GREEN GLOBE RE-CERTIFICATION
GRENADA (Jan. 12, 2010) – Recognizing the resort’s commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standards, the luxurious 64-room Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada has received the prestigious Green Globe Certification Award.

“Spice Island Beach Resort has continuously operated as an environmentally-friendly property and we’re extremely pleased that our hard work and efforts have garnered us this esteemed award,” said Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG, chairman and owner of Spice Island Beach Resort. 

“We’re extremely proud that our efforts are helping to sustain Grenada and its natural treasures and we will continue to seek out new and innovative ways to continue our operations with the environment in mind,” he added.

“Green Globe congratulates Spice Island Beach Resort on receiving accreditation. They have demonstrated their commitment to care for the natural environment and to engage with their staff and the local communities. Spice Island Beach Resort is a beacon for sustainable operation and management of resort properties across the Caribbean,” said Mr. Guido Bauer, CEO, Green Globe Certification.

Spice Island Beach Resort was the first property on Grenada to be Green Globe Certified in 2004. In 2005, following a brief property closure as a result of Hurricane Ivan, the resort embarked on a massive $12 million rebuilding and renovation project and implemented a variety of green initiatives, including:

·        Use of solar rooftop heaters for all hot water needs.

·        Use of energy-efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs throughout the property.

·        Outside lights on timers.

·        Turning off air conditioners when rooms aren’t occupied and encouraging guests to conserve as well.

·        Utilizing water from the sea (during the dry season) through an on-property desalinization plant (where seawater is desalinized into fresh water).

·        Purification of the mainswimming pool and private pools in the Anthurium, Luxury Almond and Royal Collection Suites by the chemical-free Auto Pilot system, which uses salt as opposed to chlorine (the resort has converted more than 295,000 gallons of water). 

·        Composting and maintenance of a vegetable and herb garden that supplies the kitchen with fresh ingredients.

·        Water and electricity meter readings are conducted daily and communicated at morning meetings.

·        Use of recycled printer cartridges.

·        Use of 100% post consumer paper for company letterheads and envelopes.

·        1.5 gpm aerators installed on all taps in the bathrooms and on some kitchen sinks.

·        Reuse of office paper for internal printing and old towels as kitchen and housekeeping washcloths.

·        Use of environmentally-friendly cleaning products (most cleaning products are food-based, non-toxic and phosphate-free).

·        Purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally and organically.

·        Purchase of energy-efficient electrical appliances and water conservation devices.

·        Incorporation of native plants into the landscaping, replanting of trees, placement of garbage containers on Grand Anse Beach, and clean-ups of reefs and the surrounding Mourne Rouge area.

·        Empowering each employee as an “Environmental Agent” by providing them with the necessary training and education on the resort’s environmental practices, policies and objectives. The resort also has a Green Team comprised of staff supervisors and managers to oversee and implement the environmental program.

Green Globe is the premier global certification and improvement system assisting the international travel and tourism industry to attain sustainability. Green Globe provides a certification system that responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet including the greenhouse effect, over-use of freshwater resources, destruction of biodiversity, production of solid and biological waste, and corporate social issues.

Spice Island Beach Resort

The award-winning Spice Island Beach Resort features 64 elegantly-appointed suites, the full-service Janissa’s Spa, a Cybex® fitness center, Oliver’s beachside gourmet restaurant, the Sea & Surf Terrace for light lunches, the Sea & Surf Bar for refreshing cocktails throughout the day, a central swimming pool with swim-up whirlpool, an Omnicourt® tennis court, the Nutmeg Pod children’s activity center, the Gatsby Boutique and more.

Spice Island Beach Resort is a member of the esteemed Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection and the exclusive Virtuoso network’s Hotels & Resorts Program. Spice Island Beach Resort is the first and only Virtuoso preferred hotel in Grenada.

SIR ROYSTON O. HOPKIN RECEIVES PRESTIGOUS STAR

DIAMOND AWARD AT 2010 CHTA CARIBBEAN MARKETPLACE

GRENADA (Jan. 11, 2010) – Sir Royston O. Hopkin, KCMG, chairman and owner of Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, received the prestigious Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences for “Outstanding Leadership In Environmental Conservation And Sustainable Tourism’’ during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Caribbean Marketplace held Jan. 10 – 12, 2010 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.          

The Star Diamond Award is one of the most prestigious achievements, which represents true quality in the luxury sector of the hospitality industry. Recipients of the award are considered as top quality and are recognized globally.   

Sir Royston is one of founding members of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) and the current Chairman of CAST. He was knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 for his dedication to the growth and preservation of the Caribbean culture in tourism and for all that he has done to promote both his home island of Grenada and the Caribbean region.

“I am truly honored once again for the recognition of my efforts and was extremely humbled by the personal attention that Joseph Cinque provided in coming to San Juan personally to present this award to me,” said Sir Royston.

Spice Island Beach Resort

The award-winning Spice Island Beach Resort features 64 elegantly-appointed suites, the full-service Janissa’s Spa, a Cybex® fitness center, Oliver’s beachside gourmet restaurant, the Sea & Surf Terrace for light lunches, the Sea & Surf Bar for refreshing cocktails throughout the day, a central swimming pool with swim-up whirlpool, an Omnicourt® tennis court, the Nutmeg Pod children’s activity center, the Gatsby Boutique and more.

Spice Island Beach Resort is a member of the esteemed Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) collection and the exclusive Virtuoso network’s Hotels & Resorts Program. Spice Island Beach Resort is the first and only Virtuoso preferred hotel in Grenada.