By Heather Langone
The History of Sandy Lane
Sandy Lane was built by Ronald Tree in 1961. It is just south of Holetown, right on the West Coast of Barbados. Some of Barbados best restaurants and nightlife are just a short drive from Sandy Lane in Holetown on 1st and 2nd Streets. Holetown has a rich history dating all the way back to the 1600s. In 1625, British captain Henry Powell landed on the island of Barbados and claimed it as a British colony. In 1627 he returned with eighty more settlers as well as African slaves forming the island's first settlement, Holetown. Barbados gained independence from the British under the rule of the country's first Prime Minister, Rt. Excellent Errol Walton Barrow. The late Barrow became a national hero to Barabans. They even unveiled a statue of him in 2007.
Ownership History
Since its doors opened, Sandy Lane has been and remains one of the most famous, luxury resorts in the Caribbean. In 1970 the hotel was sold to Trusthouse Forte and again in 1996, to JP McManus and Dermot Desmond and Partners. The five owners remain today and were part of the huge renovation that happened in 2008 when the General Manager Robert Logan joined the executive team.
Refurbishing
As part of the giant refurbishing project in 2008, Sandy Lane was expanded to include the development that was attached to the main property. It now includes 112 rooms as well as a five bedroom villa. The furniture and fixtures were updated as well as the treatment rooms in the spa. They also added flat screen TV's (55-inch) to all the rooms and 16,000 square feet of semi-precious quartz and pink granite to the property.
Golf Royalty
Sandy Lane has been host to some of the world's most famous celebrities, elite society, and royalty. Recently Tiger Woods chose Sandy Lane as the place to marry his lovely bride in 2004. Not surprising, since it is famous for its golf courses. Not only were the World Golf Championships hosted in Barbados in December 2006 but the tournament was actually played on the Sandy Lane Country Club Course. The Sandy Lane courses are the 7,343-yard famed Green Monkey golf course which is reserved exclusively for guests and the Old Nine and Country Club courses. The Country Club course is a 7,060-yard, par 74.7 course built on a beautiful rise. Sandy Lane Hotel was also voted the 2007 Golf resort of the Year by The International Association of Golf Tour Operators. The resort was the overall winner in the Rest of the World category.
The Guest List
Famous athletes are not the only crème de la crème of the rich and famous who have stayed at the most elite resort in the Caribbean. Before Tiger Woods was even a boy, celebs and the wealthy alike flocked to this Barbados five-star gem. The long history of notable past guests includes famed Soprano opera singer, Maria Callas, Aristotle Onassis, the wealthy shipping magnate and Oscar winning actor, David Niven.
Rich History
Sandy Lane is rich in history both politically and socially. Undoubtedly, the resort will continue to create history with its award winning golf courses, its place as an integral part of the Barbadan culture with the future A-listers who will holiday at this five-star resort.
Resources
About the Author:
Heather Langone has been a professional writer for six years. She has a master's degree in writing from the University of Southern California and has written for TV, print and online media. Recently, she was a writing finalist in the Great Lakes Film Festival. Currently, Langone is a full-time freelance writer and has published how-to articles through sites such as eHow.com and Travels.com.
Photo Credits:
Schoolgirl Dreamstime.com
