The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bimini Big Game Club is poised for a $4.4 million “complete” renovation, its general manager yesterday telling Tribune Business: “We’re going great guns”.

The Southern California-based Hankey  Group of Companies, which owns the resort, is focusing on upgrades to the hotel itself and the marina.  

The renovation programme, which is already underway, involves a new pool and pool furniture; updating the 75-slip marina; a rebuild for the resort’s 60-foot glass-bottom dive boat; and several other capital improvements, including landscaping, painting, new windows and sliding glass doors.

  Dafna Ronis, the property’s general manager, told Tribune Business that renovations to the property are expected to be completed very quickly.

“We started with about $150,000 worth of landscaping,’ he said. “The swimming pool will be ripped out and replaced, and the marina will be done.

“All of the rooms are having new doors, new windows, new fixtures, new everything. We plan to go throughout the hotel very quickly.  Starting April 6, we will be going three rooms at a time.

“Hopefully we will get through the rooms in about one month. The marina is scheduled to be done by June 1. We’re going great guns.”

The Bimini Big Game Resort is known for  diving, snorkelling and fishing. The resort is also a family-friendly  destination with many on-the-water activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, boating and sailing. 

It has already undergone a $3.5 million renovation in 2010, which included all guest rooms, the Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill, Hemingway Rum Bar and social lounge and the Outfitter Shop.

“Whatever they did in 2010 was partial,” Ms Ronis said. “This is going to be complete. It’s going to be gorgeous. It’s going to maintain the flavour of Hemingway both inside and out; it’s going to be renewed.”

She added that renovations would impact occupancies in April, as rooms will be closed for renovations.

“It will affect occupancies in April because we can’t book the hotel 100 per cent if we are renovating, but we are doing it so quickly it will go just like a domino across the hotel,” said Ms Ronis.

“Everything is scheduled to really start April 2. Right now, occupancies are good. February was a little weaker than expected because of the weather but March is going great.”

The 51-room resort was purchased and re-opened by the Hankey Group of Companies in 2010. Horizon Hotel Group manages the property.