The resort is a mega size one nearly 2000 rooms. It probably will not be open on time. I am led to believe that they will open in stages therefore the first resort will open followed by the next two. My advise wait for all three to open then add 3 months -then go.

Have managed to find a website for Gran Bahia Hotels.

Apparently it has 700+ rooms and is due to open in Nov/Dec. We were thinking of going in June so hopefully any teething troubles will be sorted out by then.

Only the first of 3 phases has 700 rooms. There will be 2000 rooms when the entire project is finished. If you are at all familiar with the Sandals Whitehouse scandal, you could safely assume that phase 1 will NOT be done on time.

Sorry, I'm a Brit so not familiar with the Sandals Whitehouse scandal - can you enlighten me?

Also, we were hoping to travel in June 2007 so do you know whether this will be Phase 1 or whether they will have moved on by then. We were hoping that it might give them time to iron out any problems before we got there.

Greetings twinmum,

From what I understand the actual total will be about 1800 rooms. ( about 1800 rooms too many as far as I'm concerned)

I agree entirely with the others... There will most likely be tons of setbacks and delays and when the resort does finally open it will likely be before it's truly ready.

Blessings and respect to you.

Steve

twinmum,

It is too complicated to go into here, but I will give you the basics. There are MANY artcicles on the internet about it if you choose to Google it.

Basically, the project went about 2 years past the initial deadline AND nearly 100% over their budget. The Jamaican government was involved in the financing (via a Community Development agency). The corporation chosen to manage the project (by the government, I believe) was vastly inexperienced and caused most of the problems. Currently, Butch Stewart, the owner of Sandals, is in court seeking damages in the form of actual losses and damage to both his and the Sandals image.

twin mum you are right the first resort will be 700 rooms and will open first remember the rest of the hotel will have construction going on well in to 2007. The 3 resorts are not on a very big site (relative to 1800-2000 rooms) so it will appear to the first arrivals that they are staying at a construction site. The beach is not that big either, so the Bahia will have amazing swimming pools. Bahia is known to create their own "town" resorts and it will be a new dimension to Jamaican tourism. Hope you enjoy when you visit.

Here, catch up on the Whitehouse scandal:

jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/…cleisure3.html

I wonder if the Bahia development is at Harmony Cove?

The information differs on so many sites and that alone is not a good start, not forgetting recent incidents (wages dispute) here's one with general information:

http://www.alivetrvl.com/bahia_jamaica.html

Guys, thanks for the info. Look's like it's back to looking through brochures.

Can anybody recommend a family-friendly AI hotel in Jamaica? As a couple, my hubby and I have visited Jamaica twice staying at Breezes Runaway Bay but that's no good for kids.

We do like our comforts so would be looking for a 4* or above with a good swimming pool and a nice beach.