The Tribune

The Holowesko family’s 30-room boutique hotel, under construction in western New Providence, is progressing smoothly towards an early 2015 opening, says project manager Lauren Holowesko.

“The project is really coming together,” she said. “The majority of the rooms are in advanced or final stages, with some only awaiting fixtures and furniture. The utilities are all in place and the bathrooms are currently being outfitted.

“Best of all, we are now moving ahead with several of the elements that will make The Island House (TIH) stand out as unique - like the cinema, roof-top lounge and our collection of original local artwork.”

Ms Holowesko said The Island House will stand out among Nassau resorts, having been designed with both visitors and the local community in mind, and as an extension of the surrounding environment.

“We want to offer our guests an intimate and authentic experience they can’t find at the bigger, more mainstream resorts; one that merges the height of contemporary luxury with the unaffected elegance of authentic island life,” she explained.

“At the same time, we want The Island House to become a cultural gathering space for locals and visitors alike. For example, our 48-seat theatre will be open to the community and feature mainstream but also art house films and independent Caribbean productions. The the versatile space will also play host to art exhibitions, seminars and speaking events.”

Ms Holowesko said an ongoing call for artwork submissions aims to highlight young and emerging Bahamian talents, as well as well-known local masters.

“We are also employing an eco-conscious approach to hospitality. Indigenous plant life and natural elements will be featured throughout the hotel,” she said. “Our approach was born of an understanding that boutique hotels are a necessary component of the future growth and diversification our tourism product, in line with the global trend towards more intimate, eco-friendly resort options.”

When completed, The Island House will feature six rental apartments, two restaurants, a cafe, spa, gym, squash and paddle courts, and movement studio for fitness classes.